1) Cycling is freedom

Climbing up Plynlimon out of Machynlleth on Lôn Las Cymru. Photograph: James Eagle

The most cited reason. Birds and pilots may disagree, but even flying doesn't come as close to the sensation of flying as cycling does.

The unique feeling I have on a bike is the freedom I feel wherever I am or wherever I am going. I never feel obliged to take the same route when I am on a cycle path. I can choose to go where my will takes me.

Peter Polycarpou

I can go where I want, when I want and how quickly. My journeys are not dependant on anyone but myself.

Abu Thamim Choudhury

2) Travelling by bike is actually pretty quick

A cyclist commuting across London. Photograph: fourthplinth Photograph: fourthplinth/GuardianWitness

Regular cycle commuters will happily tell you how much time they save compared to other modes of transport. It's (even more) frustrating to be sat on the top of a slow-trundling bus when you're used to whizzing along on two wheels.

It's quicker than anything besides a helicopter and it helps you to learn the twists, turns and dead-ends of the city. I have discovered a number of shops, cafes and pubs that I would never have known existed if I only travelled by public transport. And nothing will beat putting your head down and bursting across one of London's bridges, bathed in spring sunshine, to brighten your Monday morning; however horrible your job is.

NascentAgent

I'm purely a commuter when it comes to cycling, but I cycle because it halves my journey time, there's no waiting for public transport, there's no extortionate fares every time I get on, I can park directly outside where I want to be, it's there 24/7, and unlike the buses it goes where I want it to go! It also wakes me up in the morning, which is always useful when you've got to be in a 9am meeting!

origamibullets

3) It makes you fit...

Keeping active: two cyclists in the Netherlands. Photograph: Jiska de Vries / GuardianWitness Photograph: Jiska de Vries/GuardianWitness

If a mere one in ten UK journeys was made by bike, the NHS would save £250m a year, according to Cambridge University research, such are the health benefits of cycling. One reader wrote in to highlight this with a contribution entitled, simply, "tight buns."

I started cycling to work 6 months ago and I'm loving the effect it's having on my fitness and energy levels. And bottom.

heff

4)... and it makes you feel better

Our reader takes a mirrored bridge selfie at the Olympic Park, London. Photograph: kimjohn001 / GuardianWitness Photograph: kimjohn001/GuardianWitness

Though the scientific evidence remains inconclusive, our readers were adamant: regular cycling makes you feel better.

In previous years, I always got depressed around February to March. And then last November, I started cycling. Along with the concomitant benefits of weight loss and a boost to fitness, I've noticed a massive improvement in my mental health. Anything that makes me thinner, fitter, healthier and happier cannot be bad in my book.

jimbobcarter

I've lived with chronic incurable illness for five years now, and learning how to get back on my (electric) bike has been life-changing. Before I relied on others to go anywhere, now I cycle everywhere, everyday. My bike is better than a car, it's given me freedom to travel while giving me the opportunity to exercise while doing so. I feel better for two years of daily cycling than I ever did with any medicine.

invisibleillness



5) It saves you money

A charity shop find, spruced up by our reader. Photograph: Connonorama / GuardianWitness

Commuting costs are increasingly eye-watering, whether you're paying for fuel or shelling out for a bus or train pass. While cycling can have its costs - it's worth learning the basics of cycle maintenance - you can save plenty by using a bike to get around.

Certainly cycling can be made to be an expensive hobby/form of exercise. But it can also be done on a budget and there is very little marginal cost once the bike has been purchased.

Midpoint

6) You can get back to nature

View from Caesar's Camp, Aldershot, at sunrise. Photograph: Josie Herbert

I cycled to Cornwall with some friends from north London last year, and once I'd escaped the tentacles of the A-roads surrounding Guildford, something wonderful happened: turns out, England is actually pretty beautiful. This is not as easy to appreciate when you're driving (or being driven) along the motorways and the trunk roads.

Rivers, seashores and mountains come to life when you're on a bike. Quicker than walking but slow and gentle enough to take in the sights sounds and smells of both the animal and human kingdoms. Ernest Hemingway said, “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” I concur.

FarawayVisions

Cycling provides the opportunity to get out into the countryside and grab some respite from the hustle and noise of the city. Riding along increasingly quiet lanes and trails allows me to wind down, take stock of my life and appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons. If you can spare just an hour there's a bit of greenery within riding distance.

Josie Herbert

7) It's an adventure

Think I've packed everything. Photograph: ThusTorler

The feeling of setting off on an entirely new trip, without having a fully coherent vision of where you're going to end up, it one of the joys of cycle touring.

The feel of setting off on a bike seems like more of an adventure. Totally different to going by car or plane.

ThusTorler

8) You can stop and take in your surroundings

You wouldn't experience this in a car. Photograph: Monchberter

And maybe have a nice rest while you're at it. "Let's stop here, it's a beautiful spot" is a much better rationale than "that last hill nearly killed me."﻿

Commuting by bike, even in winter has given me a constantly changing perspective even on a regular commute, one that is often breathtaking and would be completely missed by motorised transport. With a bike you can always stop, point, and shoot.

Monchberter

9) It's good for the environment

'Shopping bags and my son in our cargo bike.' Photograph: Gaby Gonzalez / GuardianWitness

A lot of our readers - particularly those with children - cited a concern for the environment as a key reason for cycling. And who wouldn't want their kids to grow up in towns and cities less clogged with pollution?

I take my two children to school and nursery every day on a tandem plus child seat. My children sing every day on their way to school. I get to arrive on time everywhere I go. I smile at people on the bike - no chance in a car. People smile at us. I am getting healthier and fitter. I am not contributing to London's pollution when I travel. Other people see us and say "I might try that". I am a less mean-spirited commuter.

10) It's fun﻿!

'Did I mention it's fun?' Photograph: ID3050629

This should already be evident from the various reasons above, but the sheer glee of our readers' submissions has to be noted. They'd go door to door to convince you, if they had to, like two-wheeled evangelists, and probably get quite fit in the process.

Love cycling? Share your own stories in the comments thread.