Council employees and local riders will join thousands of riders across the country by riding to work or their nearest train station in support of National Ride2Work Day, on Wednesday 16 October 2019.
Ride2Work Day is Australia’s largest annual ride-to-work program, which encourages and supports people who have never ridden to work, or who do so infrequently, to commute to and from work by bike.
Joining local riders at last year’s event, Maroondah Councillor Paul Macdonald said it was great to see so many riders embracing the health message.
“Bicycle Network’s Ride2Work Day program is a national event Council is very proud to support, and Council staff are always keen to lead by example by taking part in these initiatives, which also supports the use of alternative means of transport,” he said.
To support riders in their efforts, Council will again be hosting its annual Ride2Work Day Community Breakfast at two locations.
Riders passing through Croydon Town Square on their way to work can stop by and enjoy a free breakfast from 7am to 8.30am at 97 Main Street, Croydon.
A community breakfast will also be held at Caffe Stazione, outside Realm in Ringwood Town Square.
There will be vegetarian and vegan catering available at both locations.
“While enjoying the free breakfast, you can mingle with fellow cyclists, have a free massage or a bike tune-up,” Cr Macdonald said.
According to the Bicycle Network, more than half of people who ride to work for the first time on Ride2Work Day report that they convert to weekly bike rides.
Cr Macdonald said that aside from the health benefits, people who cycled to work could save as much as up to $15,000 a year on transport costs, while a 5km to 10km ride to work could take less than 30 minutes.
“Another wonderful aspect of Maroondah’s participation is the diversity of riders who have often taken part, from school children and more female riders, to quite a few senior cyclists,” he said.
For those with a long journey to work, Cr Macdonald said a ‘Parkiteer’ Secure Bicycle Cage, located at Croydon, Heatherdale and Ringwood, meant cyclists could park their bike and ride public transport the rest of the way.
“The ‘Parkiteer’ bike cage provides a convenient, undercover and secure place to park your bike, allowing fast access to the station to continue your journey by public transport.”
Not only was riding a healthy option for getting to and from work, but also one of the most cost effective methods of transport, he said.
“We are extremely fortunate in Maroondah that we have access to various forms of public transport and an extensive network of bicycle tracks, including the picturesque Mullum Mullum Creek Trail and Dandenong Creek Trail, as well as the EastLink Trail, which links west into the city and south to Frankston.
“So, with some planning, there are many ways to get to work without using your car. Plus, you have the added benefit of less stress and a healthier lifestyle,” Cr Macdonald said.
If you’re unsure on the best way to get to work, or want to know more about different riding routes in Maroondah, the Maroondah interactive map is a great resource.
For more details about riding to work in Maroondah, visit our Ride2Work page.
