(M) Rating: This article contains material for mature audiences!
Better to ask, why wouldn’t you?
Momentum Magazine ran an article on the top 10 reasons for riding to work. And the Bicycle Review Guru’s Michael Van Gerpen has a number of excellent additional thoughts. Based on these and the experiences of Bicycle NSW Members, here are 10 of our favourites:
Cycling puts a smile on your face – particularly when you can use a protected cycleway!
(Image: Better Streets)
Fun: That feeling of bike-ness that connects us with the world
“The sheer joy of bike riding is primarily why, even though I could work more from home, I don’t,” says Bicycle NSW Head of Advocacy, Francis O’Neill. “Because, especially post-lockdown, the feeling of bike-ness connects me with the world. The fun makes travelling an experience, not a chore. It’s a pleasure and relief being able to sail past a queue of traffic. And that more than compensates for the noise, rude drivers and patchy infrastructure.”
And when the infrastructure is leafy, quiet and prioritises active transport - wonderful! As an example, Bicycle NSW friend Ed Forrester’s e-bike commute from the Northern Beaches to CBD by e-bike weaves through quiet back streets with stunning views.
Fitness: Who doesn’t want better cardio and legs of steel?
The long term fitness associated with cycling heads off the life shortening-risks of non-communicable disease associated with physical inactivity. In fact, the associated risk factors of not riding substantially outweigh risks associated with crashing. Women moreover, are four times less likely to suffer crash-related bike injuries as men. The addition of e-bikes allows a cohort previously discouraged due to age or ability to ride for exercise.
Happiness: Stress less for better sleep, mood regulation and brain function
Regular riding helps synchronise your circadian rhythm and can help to reduce levels of stress hormones which interfere with sleep. There are numerous studies on the positive mental health effects of cycling associated including improved brain function and reduced memory loss. This is because riding a bike helps create new brain cells that are responsible for memory. Feeling flat with too much internal chatter? Take a ride.
Improved sex life: Better for your libido than a fancy car
“Cycling improves cardiovascular health, which can positively impact sex drive. Conversely, poor cardiovascular health can lead to erectile dysfunction in men and sexual arousal difficulties in women,” writes Van Gerpen. So come on - give it a go!
Convenience: Glide past traffic and park where you please
“I can sail past traffic from Dulwich Hill to North Sydney quicker by bike than by car. And then I can park anywhere for free. Although an e-bike would shave off even more time, I prefer not to rush,” says Francis O’Neill.
Bike riders are really looking forward to a protected cycleway on Oxford Street in Sydney!
(Image: City of Sydney)
Money: Driving less and riding more saves you more – a lot more
If you’re spending more than 10% of your income on transport, you’re likely to be experiencing transport poverty. In fact, many are shelling out in excess of 20%. Combine this with rising fuel costs, car repayments, maintenance and inflated tolls on private motorways and you’re in a financial bind.
This is why many have turned to cycling for transport. Because, for shorter trips and trips combining bike riding and public transport, you can save money by driving less and riding more. According to the ATO 2020 standard rates, the cost of driving is 72 cents per kilometre. This includes gas, insurance, depreciation, and maintenance. Therefore, because I now bike 71 km per week, I save $2,658 each year.
This could be your second family car! E-cargo bikes that effortlessly carry children and a week’s worth of groceries are an affordable - and fun - alternative to a car. Sturdy top-of-the-range e-bikes can be rented from Lug + Carrie on a no-hassles subscription basis. Zoomo, Jot and Sydney E-bike Rentals also have subscription services that can be cancelled easily. However, most people who try one fall in love with the e-bike lifestyle! (Image: Better Streets)
Money again: Bike infrastructure is great for business
Building infrastructure for bike riding delivers a 5:1 return on investment. Stop and read that again, okay. Because that’s a 500% return on investment minimum (Infrastructure Queensland). At a time when the inflated cost of frozen chips has economists squirming, a 500% return is not to be ignored. But in densely populated urban areas where active transport is connected, ROI can scale up from 19:1 to 35.5:1 (UK Government).
Meanwhile, investment in motorways, especially private toll roads is a deadweight loss. Not of course if you’re invested in traffic congestion and inflated CPI on road tolls. In which case, you’re making a killing. Find out why bicycle infrastructure is great for business here. So bike riding is saving you money whilst contributing to the economy, which is why we’re calling for e-bike subsidies. The other reason is the small matter of climate change…
Carbon: It’s the most environmentally friendly transport mode there is
Switching just one trip per day from driving to cycling substantially reduces our carbon footprint which averages 17 tonnes annually for Australians; around 2 tonnes of that is transport-related . Driving has a carbon footprint of about 200g per kilometre! A five km trip by bike saves 1kg of CO2 emissions. Cycle 10km a day and the savings are significant. In addition, e-bikes empower those who wouldn’t have considered riding due to ability or age to give it a go.
Riding to work with Tegan and Mike on Ride to Work Day 2022 (Image: Bicycle NSW)
E-bikes environmentally outperform EVs by factors of 10
To find out why, check out our submission. What’s more, EVs can’t compete when it comes to parking, congestion, public health and safety. Yet the Federal Government continues to ignore our calls for e-bike subsidies and preference EVs. So Bicycle NSW will continue campaigning for state and federal e-bike subsidies. Because it’s a faster, fairer, cheaper and more inclusive solution to decarbonisation than car subsidies to a select few.
And of course - the freedom!
‘Bicycles deliver the freedom that auto ads promise’ (Image: Tom Flood)
Free Bicycle NSW Ride To Work Day Group Rides
Come and celebrate National Ride To Work Day with Us on 16th October 2024!
Besides having a lot of fun, you will also get to...
- Engage with like-minded people.
- Learn from experienced riders.
- Make new friends to ride with.
Have peace of mind knowing Bicycle NSW Lead Riders and experienced leaders will guide all rides.
Rides will leave from separate locations across Sydney and regional NSW. Reserve your free spot and access Bicycle NSW Ride To Work resources HERE
All participants will receive FREE Bicycle NSW comprehensive insurance cover for the day!
Before you go….
Please join Bicycle NSW and support our advocacy for better infrastructure and safer streets. You will also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.
Bicycle NSW is the only bicycle advocacy group based in NSW with full time staff advocating every day for all riders. But did you know that we are funded only by membership fees and donations?
If you are not ready to join the Bicycle NSW family, then we would love you to Buy Us a Coffee (or three!)
