Join the Cycle GM Commuter Challenge
Source: Cycle GM
As part of Bike Week 2009, Love Your Bike.org are encouraging organisations in Greater Manchester to take the CycleGM Commuter Challenge.
Many people think that doing regular exercise is time consuming and expensive, but it does not have to be. People can incorporate exercise into their routines by cycling for 15-30 minutes (2 - 5 miles) to and from work every day instead of taking the car. Over 50% of the car journeys in Greater Manchester are less than 5 miles.
The commuter challenge is simple, all you have to do is cycle to and from your place of work/study at least once during Bike Week (13th - 21st June).
People can take part in the Commuter Challenge on an individual basis or you can register as a business, organisation, school or college and challenge your staff, students or volunteers to take part as a team.
There are three £100 prizes for the company, organisation or education facility who collectively cycle the most miles during Bike Week.
Cycling to work makes sense. Here are six good reasons to take part and try something different:
- A chance to win £100 in the prize draw
- Lose pounds: 30 minutes of cycling 5 times a week will burn off the equivalent of 11 kg of fat per year
- be fitter and feel younger... well, regular cyclists do enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to someone ten years younger
- Get there quicker - beat the traffic congestion queues.
- reduce your risk of heart attack. Physical activity reduces the risk of developing major chronic diseases (e.g. coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes) by up to 50%, and the risk of premature death by about 20-30%
- Reduce CO2 emissions and air pollution
Cycling is a fantastic way to improve your health, whatever your current condition. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you like, and you'll soon notice the difference.
Take the Greater Manchester Commuter Challenge. See the website for more details.
