Could Cycling Short Journeys Save You Money in Fife?
With diesel prices around £2 a litre, the cost of everyday journeys is putting even more pressure on household budgets. For people across Fife, filling up the car can take a significant chunk out of the weekly budget.
But while we can’t control the price at the pumps, there is something many of us can do to reduce how much we spend on fuel: leave the car at home for some of our shorter journeys and get on a bike instead.
Here in Kirkcaldy and across Fife, cycling could be a practical way to save money, get some fresh air and help create a greener, healthier community. You don’t need to give up your car altogether. Even replacing a few short trips each week could make a noticeable difference over the course of a year.
What does this mean for your wallet?
Recent fuel price data put the average price of diesel across Fife at around £2 per litre in October 2026. At these prices, a typical diesel car averaging 45 miles per gallon costs approximately 20p per mile in fuel alone. That’s before insurance, road tax, parking, servicing and other running costs.
So, what could you save by cycling instead?
Imagine you regularly drive a five-mile round trip to the shops, into town or to visit a friend. At approximately 20p per mile, that journey costs around £1 in diesel.
Now imagine replacing that journey with a bike ride three times a week.
- Around £3 a week saved in diesel.
- Around £13 a month saved in diesel.
- Around £150 a year saved in diesel, assuming you replace those journeys for 50 weeks.
These are illustrative figures based on a five-mile round trip, a car averaging 45 miles per gallon and diesel costing approximately £2 a litre. Your actual savings will depend on your vehicle, the price you pay for fuel and how many journeys you replace.
This is just one small change. If you cycle to work, the station or the shops more frequently, your savings could be greater. If you already own a bike, you can start without spending money on a new one.
Short journeys around Kirkcaldy add up.
How often do you jump in the car for a quick trip? Perhaps it’s a visit to the High Street, a few things from the supermarket, a journey to the railway station or a short trip to see friends and family.
Individually, these journeys might not seem expensive. But with high diesel prices, it soon adds up.
For some journeys around Kirkcaldy, cycling could be a convenient alternative. Depending on where you live and where you’re going, you might be able to reach local shops, workplaces, community facilities or the town centre by bike.
You don’t need to cycle every day or travel long distances to make a difference. Start by identifying one or two regular car journeys that could be replaced by cycling and see how much you save.
Getting started with cycling in Fife
If you haven’t cycled for a while, getting started can feel daunting. The good news is that you can begin with short, familiar journeys and gradually build your confidence.
Here are a few ideas to try:
- Cycle to the shops. For smaller shopping trips, a bike can be a practical alternative to the car.
- Try cycling to the station. If you commute by train, cycling to the station could reduce the number of miles you drive each week.
- Swap a short visit for a bike ride. Visiting friends, travelling to local activities or running errands may offer opportunities to leave the car at home.
- Plan a quieter route. Explore local paths and routes before setting off and choose a journey that feels comfortable for your experience and ability.
Fife has a network of walking and cycling routes, including traffic-free paths that can help people make more active journeys. Greener Kirkcaldy can help local people explore opportunities to travel more sustainably.
You don’t need an expensive bike
When money is tight, buying a bike might feel like another expense you simply can’t afford. But cycling doesn’t have to mean purchasing a brand-new bike or expensive equipment.
If you already have a bike in the shed or garage, a safety check and some basic maintenance might be all you need to get back on the road.
Greener Kirkcaldy’s Active Travel Hub includes Lang Toun Cycles, a community bike shop offering refurbished bikes, repairs, and servicing, as well as opportunities to borrow an e-bike. These services can help people explore affordable ways to get cycling.
And if hills or longer distances are a concern, an e-bike could make some journeys more manageable. It still offers an alternative to paying for diesel, particularly if it replaces regular car trips.
A little less diesel, a little greener Fife
The benefits of cycling go beyond saving money. Replacing car journeys with bike rides can reduce transport emissions, improve air quality and help people incorporate physical activity into their everyday routines.
Across Fife, choosing to cycle when it suits your journey can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable local transport system.
Of course, cycling isn’t practical for everyone or every journey. Weather, mobility, caring responsibilities, shopping needs and road safety all affect how people travel. Walking, wheeling, public transport and car sharing can also help reduce transport costs.
This isn’t about telling people to give up their cars. It’s about recognising that, when diesel is so expensive, we can sometimes save money by choosing a different way to get around.
Why not give it a go this week?
Choose one short journey that you would normally make by car and try cycling instead.
Keep track of the miles you avoid driving and the fuel money you save. Over time, those small changes could add up to a useful saving for your household.
If you’d like support getting started, explore Greener Kirkcaldy’s active travel projects and find out more about local cycling opportunities.
With diesel costing around £2 a litre, every short journey you can comfortably replace with cycling is an opportunity to keep more money in your pocket.
Save money on diesel. Enjoy the journey. Help make Kirkcaldy and Fife greener, one bike ride at a time.
Peter Wooding,
Senior Development Worker (Cycling Outreach)
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