Un vélotafeur est un adepte du vélotaf (utiliser de façon régulière son vélo sur des trajets domicile-travail). Exit l’utilisation de la voiture ou du métro, chaque trajet se fait sur votre deux roues ! Avec les bons accessoires, faire du vélo devient une vraie partie de plaisir, même en ville.
No more traffic jams
Ask the cyclists around you, they will share their happiness at arriving at work at the same time every day. With a bike, there are no traffic jams on your route, and every bike rider understands this. This is all the more remarkable when you know that in Paris we lose 237 hours each year in traffic jams (that's 10 days), and we're not even talking about the time it takes to find parking spaces. If you are a Parisian, you have even more interest in becoming a bike rider because travelling by bike is faster than by car (15 km/h on average compared to 14). Do you live in the suburbs? Get your bike on the train, and cycle the rest of the way!
Live longer
Bicycling is also a great way to preserve your health. Indeed, by pedalling to work you provide your body with daily physical activity. A cyclist who pedals for 30 minutes a day will reduce his or her risk of cardiovascular disease by five! What's more, that's the amount of time the WHO recommends you spend doing sport every day.
It's a great way to get active.
It's a great way for busy people to optimise their routes, take time for themselves and keep fit.
More than just staying healthy, cycling could mean you live longer according to a UK study published by the BBC. Thus, cycling daily would reduce the risk of developing cancer or cardiovascular disorders by 41%, no less!
If you are on an electric bike, the benefits are the same! A cyclist on an EAB improves his or her blood circulation as much as with a conventional bike and builds up muscle to a certain extent.
Biking makes you happier
While studies remain vague on the subject, several surveys show that bike commuters are the ones who enjoy their mode of travel the most. The car is seen as a constraint (or even a pain) whereas cycling brings a sense of freedom. In the long run, cycling even reduces anxiety and stress.
Cycling, like any other form of transport, is a way of life.
Biking, like any physical activity, also releases serotonin into the body which helps regulate our temperament. As a result, cyclists are in better moods for longer.
Benefit from the bike rider's aid
With the Forfait Mobilités Durables (FMD), a bike commuter can be paid up to €500 per year on their home/work journeys. This programme was set up by the government with the aim of developing soft mobility routes. If you're a business owner, we've even listed some good practices to encourage bike commuting among your employees!
The essentials for everyday cycling
We know, cycling can sometimes sound like a strain for novices. Uncontrolled traffic in cities, lack of comfort or even capricious weather can sometimes scare off beginners who don't dare to venture out on the velotaf. Don't worry, there are solutions to make your cycling life easier!
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We explained in one of our previous articles how a good bikepacker had to cope with the winter cold. If the methods for the rest of the year are slightly different, the good habits remain the same. Choose reliable and practical accessories that will follow you every day.
Be visible
We recommend that every cyclist always carry a pair of gloves and something to make yourself visible at night (with a reflective vest, for example, and above all, lights, both front and rear). When you know that 40% of accidents take place at night, even though night-time journeys account for only 10% of total journeys, it is easy to understand the importance of equipping yourself with lights. Don't hesitate to add reflectors to your bike if you don't have any! They are compulsory, and ensure your visibility, particularly in the rear-view mirror of motorists. Yet 57% of cyclists continue to cycle without lights at night.
Make yourself heard
While most bicycles are now equipped with bells, using them is crucial to riding safely. Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles are completely silent. It can therefore be difficult to know when a cyclist is heading in our direction. With a small bell, it is easy to be heard. Pedestrians are no longer surprised and journeys are safer.
The bicycle is a very important part of our lives.
Resist the rain
Another important accessory in the bike rider's kit is the rainscape: essential for being ready in case of a downpour. Bad weather can easily discourage these novice cyclists. With this garment, which slips on over your outfits and jackets, you stay dry.
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For would-be bikers who carry computers and documents with them, a waterproof bag or pannier is necessary. On longer journeys, opting for an option that hooks onto the luggage rack is a must! This keeps you light and helps control the perspiration on your back.
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This is in addition to the must-haves of a helmet and anti-theft device.
Here you go, velotafer is not complicated. There are plenty of bikes on the market, even if it's getting harder and harder to get them these days, and you're bound to find a pedal to the metal. With the right accessories you'll enjoy saving time, money and your health!
If you're worried about your bike, you can always find the right one.
If you're worried that you won't be able to dress the way you want, that you think cycling is something sporty, think again and check out our latest article on tricks for keeping your favourite outfits on your bike!!
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