Central Coast workers are being urged to get on their bike to celebrate National Ride2Work Day on Wednesday 18 October.
More than 150,000 Aussies are expected to join the biggest celebration of commuter riding in the country and enjoy the many benefits of riding to work.
Central Coast Local Health District is encouraging local workers to try riding to work as a way of building some physical activity into their day and improving their health.
District Health Promotion Officer Nigel Tebb said currently just fewer than 45 per cent of Central Coast adults don’t get enough physical activity to maintain their health and almost 60 per cent are overweight or obese.
“Riding to work is one of the easiest and most time-efficient ways to fit physical activity into a weekly routine,” he said.
“By swapping the car for a bike, even for just part of the way, you can get some, or maybe even all, of your recommended activity in without having to spend extra time or money at the gym.”
Benefits of riding to work:
- Improve your health – A regular ride to work can help reduce the risks associated with physical inactivity – including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, obesity and depression.
- Save time – A 5km to 10km ride to work will only take 15 to 30 minutes on average. Peak-hour city trips up to 10km are generally faster by bike than any other form of transport, door to door.
- Save money – People who ride to work not only save time and get fit, but can save from $6,000 to $15,000 which is usually spent on fuel, car repairs, public transport tickets and parking.
- Care for the environment – Cycling is a zero emission transport. Riding 10km each way to work instead of driving saves 1.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
- Increase productivity – Businesses that encourage staff to cycle to work benefit from increased productivity as a result of improved fitness and mental health.
- Make commuting safer – More cyclists on the roads leads to a safer commute for everyone. It also helps increase the need for better bike facilities in general.
Get on your bike this National Ride2Work Day and experience the benefits.
Join your local community for a cuppa and a chat at the following locations:
- Gosford – 7.00-8.30am at Body Fuel Cafe, William Street Mall.
- Woy Woy – 7.30-8.30am at Cook & Co Eatery, Shop 10 Peninsula Plaza, 48 Blackwall Road.
Free hot drink voucher and Bicycle Network water bottles available for riders.*
For more information and to register for National Ride2Work Day, visit: bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/ride2work/ride2work-day/
For more information and to register for Central Coast Go Active 2 Work (GA2W) Day, visit healthpromotion.com.au/. For registering you will also receive a commuter satchel and other goodies* as well as a
*while stocks last
Media enquiries and interviews:
Central Coast Local Health District
Senior Communications Officer Lauren Nicholls
(02) 4320 3221 or 0414 193 308.