From boosting the quality of the environment to fattening your wallet, cycling is a guaranteed life improver.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), transport costs make up 16 per cent of the average family's budget.
If you earn around the Australian average wage (about $60,000 a year), you'll work one day a week to pay for your car.
What's more, according to the ABS more than 1.35 million Australians drive their cars less than five kms to work each day.
Commuting by bike means you not only save money on car costs or public transport, but also on gym fees. In fact, countries such as Denmark and Holland, where cycling is common, have been less impacted by obesity rates.
A Danish study assessed the health status of 30,000 people over a 14-year period to measure the health benefits of cycling and found that all other factors being equal, cycling to work lowered mortality risk by 40 per cent.
According to Victoria's Department of Infrastructure, the value of properties with good cycle access to shops and recreational facilities is higher than in areas where people are car-dependent.
Then there's the green factor. Between September 2008 and 2009, transport was responsible for almost 15 per cent of Australia's carbon emissions. Shifting five per cent of car trips to bicycle could reduce that figure by up to eight per cent.
In addition to being cleaner and greener, cycling can save you time and money. To find out exactly how much, go to cycletoworkcalculator.com.
Five reasons to join the bike trend from five women who did.
Free to roam
Saskia Howard, 43, Sydney, NSW
"I hadn't ridden a bike for 30 years but then last Christmas a friend got a vintage bike. It was so cool that I decided I wanted a bike too. I settled on one from a Danish brand which was heavy, at 23 kilos, but quite beautiful.
"Because I don't drive, the instant freedom my new bicycle gave me was wonderful. It was such a happy, simple way to get around and I couldn't believe I hadn't cycled for so long.
"I also got a child seat for the back so my five-year-old son could come along with me on my travels. He'd be on there every day if he could.
"I tried a gym once and didn't enjoy it. But I love the bike. I'm getting much fitter and yet it's unintentional. It just happens.
"Recently I found this blog called Cycle Chic. It was started by a photographer in Copenhagen called Mikael Colville-Andersen and now it's a global movement. The idea is to normalise cycling and make it something that people just do.
"I approached him to do the Sydney Cycle Chic blog and now there are over 40 of us all over the world who are all part of the movement. We're making urban spaces more livable."
Cut your travel time in half
Joyce Watts, 32, Melbourne, VIC
"I used to walk to work but then I realised I could cycle there in half the time. I worked as a lawyer so when I turned up in skirt and heels, people were surprised to discover I'd arrived by bike.
"They were even more surprised when I continued cycling after falling pregnant. People asked if it affected my balance but the only difference was that I occasionally knocked my belly with my knees. It was great for keeping me healthy plus I could move around without feeling weighty, which I appreciated towards the end.
I cycled up to the day the baby was born, was back on the bike after a week and at six weeks I put her in a pram-bike.
"It was expensive (around $2,500) but not compared to a car and more convenient than public transport because I could go point to point with it and turn it into a pram if needed.
"I love cycling so much now I run an online store, CycleStyle, which provides clothing for other urban cyclists. I sell anything from a skirt garter so that you can cycle in a skirt without flashing the traffic to bags that clip on to your handlebars but are stylish enough to take into the office."
Good clan fun
Cathy Parry, 40, Castlemaine, VIC
"We chose the location of our home because it was within easy cycling distance of everything. When our dilapidated old van needed replacing, we decided not to bother and instead cycle pretty much everywhere with our two sons.
"We got a local bike builder to make us a 'triple decker' cargo bike which has seats on the front and back for the boys and my partner Chris usually rides that. Meanwhile, my bike is set up as a 'cargo bike' and I put panniers (which I sell through my website Ron D Swan) on the front and back to carry our shopping.
"I enjoy the fact that cycling saves money and the environment, but I really like cycling for the community reasons. You're more connected with everyone and everything."
Get fit fast
Nicola Davis, 33, Kinglake Mountain, VIC
"Before I fell pregnant, I was a recreational cyclist. I attempted the odd commute into work but that was it. However, after the baby was born my cycling-mad husband Paul decided to start up a bike store and cafe. I quit work to help him and without my city wage, our car became a luxury. We used bikes instead.
"I was amazed howa easy it was. I'd put my baby in a front-mounted baby seat to drop her at creche and would cycle up to 15 kilometres to do chores without even thinking about it.
It was definitely a fantastic post-pregnancy workout.
"Now that I have a second daughter, I pull them both along in a Chariot CS2 bike trailer. It has a big storage compartment for shopping and great water protection so if it rains, it's only me who gets damp! As I can unhook it and use it as a pram, it's very convenient when we go to the shopping mall. People are always interested in it so it's been a great conversation starter.
"I've even convinced my mum to ride a bike and she's getting more confident by the day. In fact our next family holiday is to cycle the rail trail from Beechworth to Bright and she's coming along."
Save $170/month
Raechel Harding, 29, Melbourne, VIC
"When I lived in New Zealand I didn't cycle at all, it was too hilly. However, after moving to Melbourne I noticed how many bike paths there were. It was taking me an hour to get to work every morning whether I drove or took public transport. So I bought a commuter bike for $380.
"It took me 20 minutes to cycle the seven kilometres to work plus I saved $110 a month on transport so the bike paid for itself in less than four months. I arrived at work less stressed and feeling wide awake because I'd had that exercise. At lunchtimes I'd use it to cycle round the park so that meant I didn't need my gym membership either and I saved another $60 a month.
"Cycling even saved me money when I went to the pub because I knew I wouldn't be able to pedal home if I had too much to drink! I was quite nervous cycling in the city at first but once I realised that there were lots of other cyclists using the paths and the cars were aware of us I was fine.
"Although Melbourne has a reputation for bad weather, it's rarely so bad I can't get on my bike. If it is torrential, I cycle to the nearest station, put my bike on a train and get home that way."
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