|
|
 Contents Bicycle selection Cycling route Travel time Clothing and showering Shopping by bike Bicycle friendly workplaces Workplace bike pools Cycle commuting is the way to go. It is cost effective, good for the environment and improves your health, fitness, finances and vitality at work. The sort of bike to use You do not have to buy a new bike to commute. The old 'clunker' collecting dust and spider webs under the house could make an excellent commuter machine if you take it to a bike shop and have the brakes, tyres, bearings, chain and lights checked and reconditioned. It will be a good bike to get you started and be less attractive to thieves. Later, when you are more aware of your specific cycling needs, you might wish to upgrade. The Choosing the Right Bike section of this website has some useful information to help decide which sort of bike to purchase.
The route It is worth planning your route carefully. Making use of bike lanes, bike paths and relatively quiet streets in the route will make your ride safer and more pleasant. Sometimes a road parallel to a major road provides lower traffic volumes and better cycling. The Bikeway Maps section on this web site has maps that have been supplied by local councils and can help you in planning your route to work. You could ask someone who already commutes to offer recommendations. Most importantly, do a test ride before you start commuting. The time it will take Travel by bike can be faster than travel by motor vehicle where traffic is often congested in central business districts and near other commuter nodes. Do a test ride before your first commute to get an idea of the time it will take. Add 20 per cent onto your first day to allow for traffic and unforeseen events. Some people take their bikes by car part of the way and cycle the remainder to give both exercise and more affordable (or free) parking. Some people drive where motor traffic is faster and cycle where bike traffic is faster. Some gradually increase the distance cycled as they increase in fitness and confidence. Some people cycle to a railway station. Bicycle lockers, if available, provide safe storage for bikes and other gear. Other people cycle to the local bus or ferry stop and lock the bike securely nearby. The deck hand or captain might allow you to carry your bike onto the ferry if the boat is not crowded. Keeping your work clothes (and yourself) looking good after the ride In most cases it is best to change at work. You can keep your clothes tidy by:
Showering at your destination is convenient if your work place has showers. Universities and colleges often have showers associated with a gym or a physical education department. Check with your employer, other cyclists, joggers and other companies in your building as there might be showers you are unaware of. You might even be able to arrange to use a shower in a local gym. If there are no showers you can do a surprisingly respectable job with a hand basin using soap, a face washer, a towel and deodorant. A shower might not be needed if you ride slowly and avoid working up a sweat. Storing your bike It is important to keep your bike locked and in a secure place. Your workplace might already have bike storage or an unused store room that you can use. Ask your employer, security staff or other cyclists where your bike can be stored. Do not leave your bike in a fire escape or stairwell without checking that this is safe to do so as it might cause obstruction in an evacuation and contravene fire regulations. Carrying stuff Most cyclists carry a change of clothes and other items such as books, work equipment and lunch. A bike rack and panniers (saddlebags made for bicycles) increase your carrying capacity, keep the load stable and keep the sweat off your back. If you are commuting eeveryday consider purchasing waterproof panniers so your gear doesn’t get wet. A standard backpack is suitable for lighter loads. What happens if it rains? You will get wet if it rains. Dry yourself and change your clothes at your destination. Protect items you are carrying by placing in (multiple) plastic bags. Shopping by bike There are many benefits of shopping by bike:
Here are some tips:
Bicycle friendly workplaces Encouraging your employees to ride to work can reap benefits. Employees who are fit and healthy have a higher level of job satisfaction, perform better at work and have better health. Cycling to work saves on car parking spaces and fuel. Providing end-of-trip facilities is the main thing employers can do to encourage employees to cycle. These can include:
Many employers might not be able to provide all of these, but could:
Other initiatives to encourage cycling are:
The exact needs of employees can vary according to the type of business and the location of the workplace. Employers could encourage a workplace bicycle user group, which can provide feedback on the needs of employees who ride. Workplace bike pools A bike pool is a healthy and economic complement to a motor pool. Bikes are a great way to travel across town to meetings and functions as they:
A bike pool will pay for itself after only a few hundred kilometres cycled.
Using the bikes Develop guidelines on how to use the bike pool. Include information on how to carry items while riding and how to lock the bikes securely at destinations. It is a good idea to consult with workplace health and safety officers when developing guidelines. For copies of Queensland Transport's guidelines and conditions of use, contact +61 7 3117 5568a. Advice on how to use the bikes safely and the road rules for bicycles can be found in the safety and road rules pages. Check the maps web page or speak to your local bicycle user group for route advice. Employees can use bikes in conjunction with trains to cover longer distances. The bikes and public transport section of the website has more information on taking bikes on trains. Maintenance Maintenance costs are low but bikes need to be kept in good working order. Make sure someone is responsible for maintenance and recording the use of the bikes. It is a good idea to keep a maintenance checklist near the bikes to remind users to be aware of maintenance issues. A good place to buy spare parts and accessories and for maintenance is the shop where the bikes were bought. Using the same bike shop can establish a service history. Legal issues WorkCover may cover employees for injuries sustained in the course of their duties and when travelling to and from work. Check your organisations' WorkCover arrangements when you set up your bike pool. Ensure employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Log if the bikes are being used for recreational or personal purposes as any injuries sustained are unlikely to be covered. Membership of Bicycle Queensland* can protect users if they are injured in these circumstances. The insurance section of this website has more information. |
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
