Ride to Work

Australia’s largest and most established active transport event, Ride to Work Day, goes national in 2007 on Wednesday 17 October.

Ride to Work Day has been a popular event in most states and territories for a number of years, but this is the first time all Australians have celebrated riding to work on the one day.

Heidi Marfurt, National Ride to Work Day Director, said 17 October promised to be a landmark day around the country with an estimated 60,000 plus workers taking to their bikes and riding to work, around a quarter riding for the first time.

"We already have workplaces from Hobart to Darwin registered for National Ride to Work Day. The Department of Environment and Water Resources is one of our biggest supporters with participants in locations as diverse as Canberra, Kakadu and the Antarctic bases." she said.

"There has never been a better time for people to give riding to work a go", Ms Marfurt added.

"Cycling is a great way to reduce carbons and the cost of daily living, plus it makes you feel healthier and happier."

Bicycle Victoria’s research shows that it’s easy to get into the ride-to-work habit – five months after the 2006 Ride to Work Day, 34% of first-time riders were still riding to work.

Ms Marfurt said that "One of the reasons for the growing popularity of riding to work is that it’s the ideal way to fit some exercise into your day. Regular cycling not only makes you look and feel great, it reduces the likelihood of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers."

"This year we have created a website for the event, workplace promotional kits and a national Cycle-Friendly Workplace publication featuring case studies of leading organisations including Portfolio Partners, Arup, Boeing and Lend Lease."