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.
Some areas also allow bikes to be taken on 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, parking is usually free and you might be guaranteed 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 get to the head of the queue while cars have to wait in line.
Why do it?
- It's a petrol free way to travel
- You can get where you're going and exercise at the same time
- It can be faster and less stressful than driving
- You'll have an emission free way to get around
Did you know?
Cycling 10 kilometres each way to work can save you about $1,700 in transport costs and 1,500 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions each year
Page last modified: 20 Aug 2009