Only one day, but it breaks the cycle

THE roads will see an increase in bright lycra today as many commuters try out the two-wheel option for Ride2Work Day.

But for the majority, it will be a once-a-year effort when they don a helmet and pedal off to their workplace.

Tomorrow, it will be back to business as usual as they pour themselves into their cars and reemerge from garages.

What a shame — cycling is so much fun — it’s great for your fitness and it’s as cheap as chips once you have the gear.

I’d much rather cycle to work and arrive in a good mood than turn up cross because I could not get a park or was stuck behind a dawdling driver.

When asked why they don’t make it a habit, people bleat about distance, getting sweaty, traffic, shopping, picking the kids up from school or cold weather.

Many workers — 99 per cent of them women — also complain about their hairstyles being ruined by helmets.

Sorry, ladies, but a hairstyle is not a lifestyle. Distance? OK, if you live more than 20km from work, it can take a bit of time.

But if I, a 50- something gal who lives in Torquay, can pedal to work in Ryrie St, then this argument holds no water.

Many workers, 99 per cent of them women, also complain about their hair getting mucked up by a helmet. Sorry ladies, but a hairstyle is not a lifestyle.

You also save time by getting your daily exercise in. Weather? OK, I’ll temper this by admitting I don’t mind pedalling in the dark (thanks to a disco-flashing, battery- operated vest) or cold (ditto layers of padded, windproof polar fleece), but I really loathe cycling in anything more than a light sprinkle. Traffic? OK, I’m fine pedalling by semi- trailers along the Surf Coast Highway, but I understand not everyone likes being in heavy traffic.

Use the street directory or whereis.com and map out a back streets route. Getting sweaty? All part of the fun of a good workout.

We have showers at the office here, so I keep toiletries in my desk drawer and can change into work gear.

But if you have a short pedal of under 10km, then just take it easy and wear a good strong deodorant.

Picking up kids from school?

Can’t they walk with friends?

Can you arrange a roster with other parents?

Have you checked childhood obesity statistics lately? Get your kids moving. Shopping on the way home?

Maybe consider online shopping or do a bulk shop on weekends. Join the revolution! According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of people who cycle to work ( sole mode) in Australian cities has increased markedly between Census 2001 and 2006, up 28.9 per cent on average.

Bicycle Network Victoria Ride2Work program co-ordinator Cory Boardman said his organisation estimated that, of the several thousand residents registered to participate in today’s Ride2Work Day, about 75 per cent are regular commuters.

Like me, they know pedalling is a lot of fun, they’ll look and feel fitter, it’s great for their mental health and they’ll save the heaps of money you’d spend on petrol.

Which you can then use on a good blowdry at the hairdresser.