A decent new bike will cost you from £350 upwards depending on what exactly, you are after ....... but if you are an employee on a PAYE scheme, you could get up to 40% tax relief on it!  Check out www.cyclescheme.co.uk ..

A new car .. at the very least add a nought to the figure for a bike and multiply by two for a fairly basic car .. £7k might just buy you four doors and a small engine. 

Tax and insurance on a bike .. Tax relief possibly so a potential reduction in costs, insurance, well the CTC run a 'Bike to Work' package, which starts at a cost of £1 per week - for that if you are not a CTC member, then you will have a year's membership and cycle rescue.  To download the leaflet giving full details click here

Tax on a new car will be £145 plus alone before you even consider insurance ... that can start for an older person with full no claims bonus from £170 plus ... so already you are talking in excess of £300., over £250 more than a bike and you've not even got behind the wheel yet!  For a younger person or someone who has just passed their test, thing considerably more., possibly even into 4 figures fully comprehensive - as I have two teenagers, it is something I've looked into!

You could be riding a bike within 2 hours at a cost of £45 for the 2 hours and then get your confidence doing free rides with Mobilise/Pedal Back the Years before going onto further training .. if you decide you are going to ride to work as well!  With a few extra lessons once you have your confidence, you could be well away and saving yourself a lot of money ..

The minimum cost of driving lessons average £22 with a good instructor and although there is no minimum before you take your test, if you want to be a good driver then taking your time over it and getting plenty of practise in is always a good thing.  There is a school of thought that you need at least 35 hours driving before taking your test if you are to come anywhere close to being a decent driver .. then having passed your test, there is the cost of doing Pass Plus on top, which again will average approx. £200 - total cost, on average around £900 - £1,000

You are your bike's engine .. your food is your fuel, no emissions, no noise, no gym fees if you cycle regularly .. why pay for what you don't need and being emission free, it's not only healthy but environmentally friendly as well as helping you to burn calories, keeping you in good shape!  An annual service will cost approximately £25 - £30, possibly more if you need any new parts but still not extortionate.  It's impossible to put a price on your life per say but metaphorically, it's a win/win situation with all the different types of bikes available these days!

On the other hand, the wear and tear depreciation on a car is over £3k pa, your average fuel consumption around £1200 upwards pa, servicing and eventually the cost of MOTs, new tyres etc. approximately £400 pa plus recovery membership which may or may not be included in your insurance but either way you will pay for it, £100 upwards pa depending on the package you choose.  On top of that, add in your gym fees to keep you fit as there is little that is healthy about driving, given the stress factor, lack of activity etc. etc.