Enthusiastic cyclist and Bike South West secretary Sue Artlett rides each day from her home in Panania to work at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School in Greenacre.
The teacher says there are so many benefits to swapping the car, train or bus for a bike.
“Riding to work is the easiest way to get your daily 30 minutes of exercise, but it is also cheaper, far less stressful and can also be the fastest way to get to work,” Sue explained.
“It takes me about 30 minutes and can sometimes take longer in the car.
“It clears my head and I get to work feeling refreshed. I’m lucky to have end-of-ride facilities like a shower at work but it is a bit tricky getting through Bankstown CBD.
“This should improve with the Stacey Street upgrade and also the council is planning to provide more facilities for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the CBD so that will be very welcome.
“But I can’t recommend cycling enough – so good for yourself and the environment and most motorists are good at giving you space since the introduction of the one-metre minimum passing distance law.”
Bicycle Network’s Ride2Work program is one of Australia’s biggest behaviour change initiatives and is dedicated to getting people out of cars and onto bikes.
To register for National Ride2Work Day and get all the tips to help you start riding and make your workplace bike friendly, visit bicyclenetwork.com.au.
RECREATIONAL riding with a BUG (Bicycle User Group) such as Bike South West, will show riders the location of more cyclepaths and quiet streets. Riders could then use these on their commute to work.
Often connectivity of safe cycling facilities for commuting is a barrier to people wanting to ride. Bike South West Inc and other BUGs lobby local councils and State Government departments such as the RMS to improve such facilities. However, more cyclists would increase their voice with government so join your local BUG.
Those who plan to do the BNSW Spring Cycle on Sunday, October 13, may like to continue their riding by commuting to work or joining a local BUG for free recreational rides.
