Today Tonight did an article today on the two wheel revolution, indicating a significant increase in cycling numbers in Perth. The article can be seen below:
The article includes footage of members from the Over 55′s Cycling Group. Several indications in the article of the benefits of cycling including health, daily commuting and shows images of Central Park Building bike facilities. Some of us can only dream that we have these types of facilities at our work places.
It’s great to see the promotion of commuting by bicycles in Perth. I must say, I was most disappointed to see the promotion aimed primarily at men with the interviews being with men (mostly in the MAMIL’s camp), riding fast, having all the gear, etc… It would have been a great opportunity to encourage women to also take up commuting by bicycle.
* “CASUAL cycling” – every-day clothes…
* “CHIC cycling” – dressed for your destination: i.e. work, meeting friends at a cafe, etc…
* “SLOW cycling” on any bike (new or old) to comfortably get from A to B without the need for showering at your destination…
…are all best forms of commuting by bicycle.
You really don’t need to spend $100′s on bikes and specialist gear to reap the benefits of swapping your car for an old bike just a few days a week:
- save money on petrol and parking
- have a healthier lifestyle
- enjoy the freedom of riding a bicycle
- avoid the traffic congestion in peak hour
- reduce carbon emissions
Also, e-bikes (pedelec and throttle versions) are also making a big entrance for commuters of all age groups (over 16), for men and women.
If you have been thinking of commuting by bicycle to work or the corner shop, but never took the time or had the courage, now (in winter) is a wonderful time to start! We are so lucky to have such beautiful weather in Perth and if you find the winter mornings a little chilly, put on some gloves and a scarf… and we look forward to seeing you out there.
After my car fell over I started to use public transport to get to work. And walking to the train station in the summer mornings was lovely, but not so much in winter. That’s when I pulled my bike out, dusted off the cobwebs and started to ride to the train station. It got me there quicker and helped warm me up on those chilly mornings. Yes it felt like a torture device at first but it’s now been over 6 months and I’m loving it… who needs a car!!
The hardest part was convincing myself “I can do it” and breaking the habit of grabbing the car key on the way out the door. Since then I have discovered commuting by bicycle is easier, faster and less stressful than driving in peak hour traffic. It lifts the spirit on the way to work and relaxes on the way home.
If you feel you live too far from work, consider riding a cool “folding bicycle” that you can combine with the use of public transport – and they are easy to store in small spaces.
Are you one of Perth’s inspiring women who choose to swap the car for a bike? How did you get started, or are you just getting started?
Nic
I love your comment. Your discussion on not needing the fancy lycra gear, just get on the bike in your nice clothes, yes it’s a form of transport for every day, every and any occasion. I love that suggestion. This is the way it should be. Avoid the stressful noisy smelly traffic, get back to taking it easy and we may find that it is actually the easier way after all. Most commuting is more pleasant by bike but it can be made even better by encouraging improved infrastructure, rider and driver education, and imbibing a cycling culture into our society. I am a middle aged lady who loves cycling for fitness and commute a round trip of 50km 2-3 days per week. I have the lycra for the fast trips but also love the slow rides in casual gear. Would be great to see more ladies into cycling, commuting to work, shops and socialising. I totally agree with your sentiments – hard to resist grabbing car keys but challenged myself to take the bike and all of a sudden find the bike is just as easy and found it’s more fun and less stress…
Hi Spanna, I agree. As a driver and a cyclist, I see Perth drivers need a serious TV / radio education programme on the road rules and giving way to pedestrians and cyclists. I contacted Main Roads the other week when cars refused to give way to me crossing an intersection with a green light. I legally had right of way, yet was told by Main Roads that bad driver behaviour in Perth was too difficult to modify. If we had a “Vision Zero Policy” like Sweden (http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Society/Reading/Road-safety/), bad driver behaviour in Perth would change pretty quickly.
If you want to know more about cycling on Perth’s many great cycle paths, head over to http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/activetransport/24022.asp for lots of helpful information and detailed maps. I discovered I can avoid riding in traffic most of my way to work for an enjoyable ride.
If you do find any hazards along any Perth cycle paths, use the fantastic BikeBlackSpot app
(http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/app-sends-cyclists-concerns-straight-to-governments-20120617-20iay.html)
(http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bike-blackspot/id510581717?mt=8)
to voice any concerns.