11 reasons you should be getting on your bike on Cycle to Work Day

September 14 is national Cycle to Work Day, a day meant to inspire the estimated 17 million British workers who commute to work via private transport. 

According to the Cycle to Work Day website, the event has the intention to "encourage everyone to take to two wheels and cycle to work for at least one day."

"According to the census data, 741,000 people in the UK cycle to work regularly - this number keeps growing steadily, but with Cycle to Work Day's help we are aiming to make those numbers skyrocket this year and beyond!"

Not only does biking to work have the potential to improve your health, wealth and standard of living, but the combination of more cyclists and fewer cars on the road could give the entire country a much-needed boost. 

Here's why:

Mandi Woodruff contributed to an earlier version of this article. 

SEE ALSO: The British Olympian with the most golds ever stumbled into cycling as part of her mum's effort to lose weight

It will save you money

The UK is probably the most expensive place in the world to run a car. Due to the inflated costs of insurance, fuel, road tax and repairs, the average Briton forks out £3,453 a year to keep their 4 wheels on the road.

Meanwhile, the average bicycle costs less than £250, and has extremely low upkeep costs.

You will live longer

In a study carried out by Kings College London, comparing over 2,400 identical twins, the results demonstrated that those who cycled for just 45 minutes a week shaved nine biological years off their counterparts who didn't cycle.

"Our research found that those who exercise regularly are at significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, all types of cancer, high blood pressure and obesity,” says Dr Lynn Cherkas of King’s College London.

You won't miss morning traffic jams

According to the TomTom Traffic Index, Londoners spend an average 149 hours a year stuck in traffic; it is the 16th most congested city in the world.  Cycling could save you the time and aggravation.