Choir / bike flashmob Central Station Brussels

More people joining Sydney’s bike riding revolution

More Sydneysiders than ever are embracing cycling, with one in three bike owners now leaving their cars at home and riding to work, school, university or TAFE.

The findings come from an independent study commissioned by the City of Sydney comparing responses from 2006 and 2009.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the findings show that using a bicycle can be an efficient, cheap and healthy transport option for those not wanting to be stuck in traffic.

"This research not only shows more people are using bicycles, but indicates rates would be even higher if there were separated from traffic and had end-of-trip facilities like bike parking, lockers and showers.

"Our cycle strategy, which will see $76 million invested over four years, recognises the importance of building cycleways separated from traffic and pedestrians where possible to make bicycle riding a viable transport alternative," Ms Moore said.

The Taverner research also found:

• One in three City of Sydney riders ride more than 20 times per month;
• 80% say they'd be more inclined to cycle on safe separated cycleways and /or dedicated bike lanes;
• 2 in 3 potential bicycle riders would be more likely to ride regularly on separated bike paths or dedicated bike lanes;
• 64% of regular riders only started riding a bike in the last five years;
• Just over half of regular riders polled ride to work, school, university or TAFE;
• 61% think they'll feel more comfortable on a bike as the number of bicycles on the road increase;

The research also found that more riders would take up cycling if the City and businesses provided the infrastructure to make cycling a preferred method of transport with:

• 68% of non-regular bike riders said they would be more inclined to ride more often if they had access to bike parking or lockers;
• 45% of non-regular riders would be more likely to ride to work if they could take part in bike hire schemes;
• 69% of occasional or non-riders would consider riding to work if there were shower facilities.

This research follows the latest Christie report which predicts a 23 per cent growth rate in traffic over the next 15 years, costing a staggering $7.8 billion per year, while the number of people walking and cycling is expected to skyrocket by 233 per cent.

"The City is doing all it can to create the infrastructure to make it easy for people to switch to cycling as a more sustainable transport option and help relieve pressure on our congested roads.

"Cycleways will actually make it easier for other road users travelling longer distances to get where they need to go faster.

"Cycling addresses three key issues afflicting our community - traffic congestion, global warming and obesity," Ms Moore said.

A bike count on the City's newest separated cycleway in Bourke Road showed 250 bike riders used the route in a six hour period, over one bike per minute in the peak - a 30 per cent increase in the past month.

Spoke & Spool

Invitation from Spoke & Spool

We invite you to come down to Frasers' Studio on Saturday, May 15, for an afternoon of sewing amazingness.

Please bring some of your old clothes and leave with some transformed and amended clothes perfect for your bicycle.

We will provide sewing machines, gentle guidance, and fun attachments like map pockets, reflective cuffs and other DIY wonders.

It is going to be a truly spectacular afternoon where you can sew stuff, meet people, swap clothes, and have a celebratory beverage after all your hard work at the Clare Hotel from 6pm.

Drop on by, bring your bike, a friend, and a pair of your old favourites.

The event is free, however there will be Spoke + Spool attachments for sale.

x x spoke + spool

Bike riding a great way to keep the heart ticking

Riding a bicycle could save Sydney commuters from a raft of chronic diseases, from obesity to heart disease, Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said during Heart Week (2-8 May).

"Cycling has substantial health benefits and is often a faster mode of transport in the inner city compared with cars or public transport," Ms Moore said.

"Report after report has found people who ride bicycles regularly are generally healthier, happier and fitter than those that don't. As we mark Heart Week, I'm encouraging Sydneysiders to think with their heart and get on a bike!"

Australian and international studies show regular bicycle riding reduces the chance of dying early from chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

Tony Thirlwell, Heart Foundation CEO - NSW said: "If we want to get Sydneysiders moving, governments have to support and facilitate activities like cycling and walking."

"The cycling network being developed in Sydney is a great example of councils working together to increase activity levels and improve heart health," he added.

A recent ABS report found that cardiovascular disease remains Australia's leading killer, responsible for 48,546 deaths in 2008, up from 46,821 in 2007 and 45,670 in 2006. This represents 33.7% of all deaths in 2008.

"It is clear that the more people use bicycles as a mode of transport the healthier and happier thousands of people are going to be. The health benefit is just one more reason to support Sydney's cycling enthusiasm and invest in cycleways," Ms Moore said.

The City of Sydney is building a 200km, $76M cycling network and has teamed up with 14 other inner city councils to build an inner city wide network to support the increasing demand for cycling.

A 2009 City of Sydney survey found that 83% of bicycle riders cited health and fitness as the main benefit of cycling on a regular basis.

Tokyobike comes to Sydney

Hello friends and bicycle lovers
Please join us for sake and celebrations
The bikes have arrived


Saturday
8 May
11.00am - 5.00pm


Tokyo Bike
1 Marys Place
Surry Hills
(on the right of the
Beresford Hotel)

www.tokyobike.com
www.tokyobike.com.au