Could cycling to work be your new year’s resolution for 2019?

People who cycle to work are fitter, happier and less likely to take off sick days, says UK charity Sustrans which has teamed up with the Manx government to carry out a £3.8 million Active Travel scheme here.

The five-year programme began in 2018 and aims to get more than 20% of residents walking and cycling instead of driving by 2021.

Better signage, high-quality cycle routes and traffic calming measures will be added as part of the efforts to get more people on their bikes or on their feet.

Hundreds of residents have already made use of the government’s Cycle to Work scheme by purchasing a bike which has tax exemptions.

One of them is Kris Breadner, a Peel resident who makes his way to the classroom at Ballakermeen High School and back using his bicycle.

’I just like cycling,’ Kris said.

’I cycle two to three times each week and arrive more awake than the kids in school.’

The history teacher began cycling for fitness four years ago.

Since then he has recognised huge benefits to his mental wellbeing as the 40 minute trip to work allows him to enjoy his hobby and have time to himself.

’You get more wound up in the car than you would cycling. You don’t ever think "Wow. That was a lovely drive to work",’ he added.

Kris, dad to three-year-old Ailsa, thinks it would be ’ace’ to see more students cycling into school, but understands that this would need require ’radical structural changes’ to the roads to ensure their safety.

’Most of the kids from Ballakermeen High School live on the other side of Peel Road around Anagh Coar.

’That’s quite a bit of traffic they will have to negotiate in order to get to school,’ he said.

These are his tips for those wanting to make cycling to work a New Year’s resolution:

â?¢ Look at the weather forecast before you set off.

â?¢ Make it realistic - you don’t have to cycle in everyday.

â?¢ Get your gear ready the night before - that way you can get up, make your breakfast, get on your bike and go. Otherwise it’s really easy to make excuses in the morning.

Maryjane Watson cycles to work at the University College Isle of Man from Baldrine nearly every single day. She has done so since 2007.

She said: ’I just love cycling to work. I do it for fun, for fitness and for the love of the outdoors. It helps me empty my busy head in the morning and again after a day’s work in the evening, and helps me appreciate the fantastic home we all share here in the Isle of Man.’

The science technician made her lifestyle choice after her children were old enough to catch the school bus.

At first cycling was a big challenge for her, as she was ’very unfit’ and had to condition herself to become a morning person, she said.

’I’ve never been as fit as I am right now,’ she continued.

’I was quite poorly for the first month of cycling/walking my bike into work every day - aching in places I didn’t know could ache and I sweated loads - all symptoms of not having exercised for years and years, but quite quickly these subsided and I started to really look forward to my "little pootles" into work.

’I love the fact that cycling has totally changed my body, from a woman in 2007 weighing 15 stones to someone with a trimmer figure with muscles. I love the fact my body is 55-years-old, but my internal engine is nearer a woman in her early 30s.’

Nowadays she takes part in cycle endurance events in the UK.

One particular challenge she faces when cycling is the traffic: ’95% of my cycling experience is great, it’s just the 5% that can be very frightening,’ she said. ’I wish I was considered more as traffic. Sometimes you just have to be strong on the road.’

Her tips include:

â?¢ Make sure you’re seen - turn your head, your body, get eye contact before making a big manoeuvre.

â?¢ Consider your route carefully - choose the quietest route. You’ll enjoy it more, and get fitter by increasing your distance.

â?¢ If you want more confidence, get a cycle mirror for your helmet. Mine came off eBay.

Douglas resident Carl Walker describes himself as a ’hard core’ cycle-into-work kind of guy, as he’s only missed one day of cycling since he began his treks five years ago.

This happened to be a day when the island had a huge bout of snow, making it impossible for him to cycle into Douglas from Strang.

Fitness, practicality and saving money prompted him to start his active approach.

’Parking in town is an issue and the thought of driving that short distance, finding somewhere to park, pay for parking, putting more miles on the vehicle - very short miles which isn’t good for the vehicle - I decided I would cycle instead.’

He began with his mountain bike to save up to £30 a week on fuel and parking costs.

’I found I was getting fitter and enjoying it more. I then put on a drop bar handle like a race bike which helps you when you’re going into wind.’

His trips into work have inspired change in the workplace. Bicycle racks have now been fitted into the garage at Barclays Eagle Court and a few of his colleagues are now taking the active way into work too.

Every now and then he will take his two daughters - Lucy, 12, and Zoe, 10 - go out cycling on the old railway track to the NSC.

’We have a deal. If they do 10 laps of the NSC track then they can have a cheeseburger and drink of their choice,’ he said.

His tips:

â?¢ Go to local bike shops to get advice on bikes and equipment.

â?¢ If you’re starting off, go down to the NSC or away from traffic to become familiar with changing gears, braking and get your confidence off the road before you venture onto the road.’

â?¢ Try to avoid rush hour traffic.