New year, new commute: why cycling to work is the resolution that’ll actually stick

We’ve all been there.

January arrives and we have the best intentions for the year ahead. Move more, feel better, save money – and by February most of our resolutions have quietly faded away.

But, the problem isn’t a lack of motivation. It’s the friction of finding time to incorporate a new habit into our already busy lives.

That’s why a new commute is one of the most realistic New Year’s resolutions you can make.

Instead of adding something new to your day, simply change how you do it.

Cycling to work – especially via shared city bikes like Lime, Forest, Santander Cycles and more – turns a daily necessity into a habit that delivers all the benefits we look for in a New Years resolution.

Five reasons why cycling to work is a New Year’s resolution that pays off

1. Active travel that fits into your real life

We see it time and time again – people want to be more active, but struggle to find the time. Cycling to work solves that problem for you – you get your daily movement done without having to carve additional time out of your day.

By building movement into your commute, you:

Get regular, low-impact exercise without scheduling expensive gym sessions
Improve cardiovascular health and overall fitness
Stay active consistently, even on busy weeks

It’s not about becoming a full blown athlete. It’s about moving a little bit more, more often – and that’s where the biggest health gains come from.

2. A calmer start (and end) to your day

Commuting can take a serious toll on our mental wellbeing. Packed train platforms, traffic, unexpected delays, lack of personal space – it all adds up.

Cycling flips that experience on its head:

No overcrowded trains or buses
Fewer delays and more predictable journey times
Fresh air and natural light, even in winter

Cycling to work helps you arrive at work more focused and leave feeling less stressed. It becomes something to help you decompress rather than something you have to put up with.

3. A more comfortable commute

Comfort’s not really the first thing that comes to mind when you think about commuting.

But, making the switch from standing shoulder to shoulder on a stuffy central line tube to cycling out in the cool, fresh air can feel like a life of luxury when it comes to comfort.

You get to choose:

When you travel
Which route you take
Whether you ride the whole way or just part of the journey

And, bike sharing schemes make it even easier. You can cycle one way, combine it with public transport, or skip a day entirely if the weather’s not on your side.

4. It’s cheaper than you think

Commuting costs have a habit of creeping up on us year after year – slowly digging deeper into our pockets over time. In fact, Transport for London has already announced an increase of 5.8% to tube fares come March 2026.

Cycling is one of the few options that can bring those costs down.

Compared to traditional commuting, cycling can mean:

Lower monthly travel costs
No fuel, parking, or maintenance bills

5. It’s better for the planet

Many people want to make more sustainable choices, but can start to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge.

Changing your commute is one of the simplest, most impactful steps you can take.

Cycling to work:

Reduces carbon emissions
Cuts congestion in cities
Supports cleaner, quieter streets

It’s a simple, small daily action that contributes to net-zero goals without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Why bike share makes the switch to cycling easier than ever

We know that not everyone wants to own a bike – and increasingly, people are choosing not to.

Bike ownership in the UK has been falling, with 2024 recording the lowest bike sales since the 1970s. At the same time, bike sharing schemes are booming, particularly in cities like London. That contrast tells a clear story.

For many commuters, owning a bike comes with friction:

Concerns about theft
Ongoing maintenance and insurance costs
The upfront price of buying a bike
The need for storage space at home or work

Bike share removes all of that.

With providers like Lime, Forest, Santander Cycles and more, you can pick up a bike when you need one and drop it off when you are done – no strings attached. There is nothing to store, nothing to insure, and nothing to maintain.

It’s simple: you ride when it suits you and skip it when it does not. That flexibility is exactly what makes bike share so appealing – and why it’s helping more people turn cycling into a habit that actually sticks.

How CycleSaver fits in

CycleSaver is the UK’s first cycle to work scheme designed specifically for bike share. Instead of buying a bike, employees can access discounted subscriptions to the UK’s leading bike share providers through salary sacrifice.

With CycleSaver:

Employees can save up to 47% on bike share subscriptions
There is no bike to buy, store, or insure
Subscriptions are flexible and designed for real commuting patterns
Employers can offer a new wellbeing and sustainability benefit at no cost to the company

It’s cycling to work, without the commitment or complexity of ownership.

A resolution that works with your routine.

Find out more about CycleSaver here.