{"id":17527,"date":"2016-10-05T09:54:22","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T22:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=17527&preview_id=17527"},"modified":"2025-03-18T21:54:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T10:54:39","slug":"on-your-bike-how-to-join-ride2work-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/on-your-bike-how-to-join-ride2work-day\/","title":{"rendered":"On your bike: How to join Ride2Work Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

You already know the wonderful pleasure bike riding brings, and if you are like most of us, you take delight in the growing numbers of people making a similar discovery. The great thing is, as rider numbers grow, there is a flow-on positive effect for all riders, which in turn stimulates others to give it a try. The thought becomes, if all these people are out riding, and obviously enjoying themselves, then maybe I can give it a try too.<\/p>\n

Governments are pressured into improving facilities as rider numbers grow, and other road users get used to our presence, which lessens potential friction and incidents. Similarly, destinations such as workplaces, sporting grounds, shops, restaurants and public events feel the need to improve their bike facilities.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s in all our interests to be seen to be riding more, and to get others to ride. And you can help with both.<\/p>\n

\"Bike-friendly-cities,-Amsterdam---Daniel-Wehner\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ride2Work day, the biggest mass-participation bike riding event in Australia, is on 17 October this year, and it is a fantastic way to visually highlight to the non-bike riding world how massive riding has become. But its effects last far longer than the day itself; many of those encouraged to try riding to work for the first time as part of the event\u00a0 will help form the new wave of people who regularly ride their bikes throughout the year.<\/p>\n

So what role can you play? If you don\u2019t currently ride to work, it might be time to have a close look at why, and see if there\u2019s some way you can overcome the hurdles that are stopping you. If you do already, then you can certainly help out by mentoring other potential riders, or perhaps becoming a workplace co-ordinator. And even if you don\u2019t work, or if it is simply impossible for you to ride to work, you can still help out by sharing your bike riding knowledge, skills and passion with others who might be able to, but lack the confidence.<\/p>\n

Be a mentor<\/h2>\n

One of the key reasons why people don\u2019t ride is a lack of confidence. They would like to give it a try, but are not sure what bike they should buy, where the best places to ride are, what to do if they get a flat tyre or the chain falls off, what they should carry with them in case of emergencies, and how to confidently ride in traffic.\u00a0Once they\u2019re up and running, it is likely they\u2019ll be fine, but initially they\u2019ll need a mentor to fall back on. And that mentor can be you.<\/p>\n

The first step is to let those around you who don\u2019t ride that you\u2019re available to help out. Explain that you\u2019re prepared to spend some one-on-one time to get a new rider started. If you\u2019re subsequently inundated with requests, it would be best to limit yourself to one or perhaps two potential riders at a time, so you can concentrate on their needs.<\/p>\n

If someone needs help buying a bike, you could offer to visit a bike shop with them, or perhaps you can help source a spare bike they can ride, at least initially. Ride On regularly publishes a buyers\u2019 guide which can help you with decision making when it comes to bikes and their accessories, but just having someone who knows a little bit about bikes with them in a bike shop situation can help reduce the intimidation factor.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re mentoring someone on riding to work, no doubt you\u2019ll have some great tips that can help ease the journey. But one of the key things that can help more than any other is being there and riding the route with them the first few times they try, and helping set an initial route that is not too challenging. Usually that\u2019s all it takes; a couple of accompanying rides, taking it easy and building confidence, while pointing out things to look out for. After that, as long as it seems you\u2019re available for advice, they\u2019ll be on their way.<\/p>\n