This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Page Contents:
Commuting is fun
Ride to Work supports people who ride their bikes to work
Latest news
Ride to Work Newsletters
Why should I ride to Work?
How do I get started?
What about the weather?
National Ride to Work Day
Become a Ride to Work Workplace Coordinator
Developing Workplace-based Ride to Work Support
Commuting is fun - when you ride a bike!
Ever seen a bicycle stuck in a traffic jam? On your bike, you can play boy- (or girl-) racer, or you can meander along at your own pace and simply enjoy the journey. It’s up to you to decide how you want to blow away the day’s mental cobwebs.
Some people prefer to use the on-road bike lanes that you find on most of Canberra’s busiest roads, while others prefer to spend a few minutes more away from the noise, smells and stress of traffic, enjoying Canberra’s network of off-road shared bike/walking paths.
Ride to Work supports people who ride their bikes to work, and people who are thinking about riding to work.
The program is based around workplace coordinators, who can provide information and advice to make it easier for you to ride to and from work. They usually know what facilities your workplace has to offer, how you can get access to them, and how to deal with Canberra’s roads and weather. Canberra has over 90 workplace coordinators. There’s a good chance that your workplace has a Ride to Work coordinator.
To ask if there is a Ride to Work coordinator at your workplace, please fill in the Contacts form here, with “Ride to Work” in the subject line and your workplace details (organisation and street address) in the message . Remember to include your contact details..
Latest news
2007 National Ride to Work Day report
Bikes Commute faster than Cars
$100,000 grant for Ride to Work
Why should I ride to work?
If you aren’t yet convinced, check out the Cycling Promotion Fund information and Bicycle Victoria’s “Calculate the benefits” page.
How do I get started?
Check out Bicycle Victoria’s information, and the useful Cycling Promotion Fund information. Then talk to your local Ride to Work workplace coordinator about suitable routes and about the facilities at your workplace.
What about the weather?
There’s an old saying, that there’s no such thing as bad weather – only inadequate equipment! For cycling on cold days you will need warm and wind-proof clothing. On hot days you will need to carry sunscreen and water, and be prepared to take it easy so you don’t get too hot.
Luckily for Canberra’s cyclists, Canberra is Australia’s sunniest capital city. Not only that, but we live in a rain shadow. In 2006-07 rain was recorded on less than one day in four. If you spend an hour a day commuting, then even on a rainy day the chance that it will rain during that one hour out of 24 is pretty slim! To prepare for emergencies you can carry a $2 disposable rain poncho, and fit your bike with mudguards.
We admit that when the rain is bucketing down you can’t stay completely dry on a bike. Some people will ride regardless of the weather, but the world won’t end if you occasionally decide to catch a bus or get a lift home with a friend, and leave riding until tomorrow.
National Ride to Work Day
The 2008 National Ride to Work Day is the 15th of October. For more information, go to RidetoWork.
Why wait for October?
Become a Ride to Work Workplace Coordinator
The role of Workplace Coordinator is rewarding, but not arduous. If your workplace does not already have a Ride to Work coordinator, please email your interest.
Developing Workplace-based Ride to Work Support
During 2007, thanks to a grant from ACT Health, we have updated our list of Ride to Work workplace coordinators, surveyed them to identify the most useful activities for the program, and conducted focus groups to refine the list of activities. We had a fantastic response from our workplace coordinators who – at short notice – completed an on-line survey, helped to arrange focus group venues, and attended focus group sessions. The results will provide a sound basis for funding applications, and will be used to plan future Ride to Work activities.
