Switch to a bike

Switching to a bike can be a rewarding change in the way you travel.

Using a bike as your main method of transport can improve your health and fitness, remove the stress of driving and save you lots of money.

If you can’t ride everywhere, you can still save a lot of money and greenhouse gas emissions by using your bike for short trips.

Be bike ready

A bicycle is much cheaper to buy than a car and a lot of bikes are available second-hand.

Keep your tyres pumped up and get your bike serviced regularly. This will cost much less than a car service and ensure you are safe and ready to go. You could also do a bike maintenance course where you can learn more than how to fix a puncture.

Plan your route

Many local councils have built special bike tracks. This means that your journey is safe, fast and often more attractive than it is for car drivers. Most bike paths don’t have red lights.

You can take your bike on some buses and trains.

Ask your local council for details. They may also have maps of the local bike routes.

Get to work more efficiently

If you ride to work, bike parking is usually free and you can get a park much closer to your workplace.

Depending on where you live, you might have designated bicycle lanes beside the road. This means that you can move ahead while cars have to wait in line.

More information

When you switch to a bike you can get a lot of support by visiting your state or territory government website where you can find out about bicycle routes, safety and security, education programs, events and incentives, and other essential information about how cycling makes a difference to the environment and your budget.

Australian Capital Territory

See Department of Territory and Municipal Services - Cycling

New South Wales

See Using NSW roads - Bicycles

Northern Territory

See Northern Territory Transport Group - Cycling

Queensland

See Cycling in Queensland

South Australia

See Transport, travel and motoring - cycling

Tasmania

See Tasmania online