National Ride to Work Day – Fairfield

NRTWD_Fairfield2National Ride to Work Day in Fairfield is on Wednesday 14 October 2009. This huge national and annual event is getting bigger than ever and we want to start encouraging people from Fairfield to join in!

It’s now time to start getting ready for this fun day for regular cyclists as well as those trying out a new way to get to work. Get fit, get healthy, save money on petrol, reduce your eco footprint and have fun. How good is that?!

Register your workplace
To make sure your workplace is in the running for national prizes, register your workplace at www.ride2work.com.au. You will receive material from the national organisers to help you promote the event within your workplace.

Fairfield Hospital has registered and so will other businesses in Fairfield. If you let us know, we’ll list your business here, so your colleagues can easily find you:

Fairfield Hospital code is 937661 - contact Maryanne Ciccone on 9616 8208

Register yourself
To make your ride count in the national tally and be in the running for national prizes, register yourself at www.ride2work.com.au. Register yourself against your workplace team (see above) or if there is no team, register your own workplace.

NRTWD_FairfieldFairfield community breakfast- FREE
A free breakfast will be available for registered riders on their arrival to work.
Breakfast will be served from 9-10.00am at Fairfield Hospital on the lawns near the hospital entrance.

Yes, you CAN ride to work!
So, you don’t think you can join us on Ride to Work Day. Think again. There will be lots of support and it’s easier than you think…

1. I don’t have a bike
Buy one or borrow one. More bikes than cars are sold every year and they are much cheaper than a car to buy and run. It’s easy – just go to your local bike shop and ask for their advice on the best bike for you. Another really inexpensive way to get started is with a Bicycle Recycle bike from the WSCN at Fairfield Showground. For $25 you get a pre-loved bike and new helmet. Drop in at the bike shed (just off Moonlight Road) Sunday 10am-noon. Visit www.westernsydneycyclingnetwork.com.au.

2. My tyres are flat
For flat tyres or any other problem with your bike take your bike to your local bike for a service. Better still, enrol in a bike maintenance course and fix it yourself. ABC Bikes runs beginner maintenance course each month. Book in for the upcoming courses on 19 Aug or 23 Sept at 9821 1372.

3. I live too far away
No worries. Cycling is a really good way to get to work, especially for distances up to 10 kilometres. Keen, fit cyclists may ride much greater distances but if that’s not for you, mixing cycling with public transport is a great way to go. Much better than long waits between connections or searching for the elusive car spot. Just ride to your closest station and take the train to your destination. With a good bike lock, bike parking is usually easy at most train stations or you can take your bike with you on the train. Concession ticket required for bikes during peak hour.

4. I can’t ride
Did you ever ride a bike? If so, you never forget. CCC is running free cycling skills courses where you can brush up on your forgotten skills and learn about gears and other unfamiliar equipment. Check out our skill course page for details.

5. I’m not fit enough
The best way to get fit is to ride and a great way to get motivated to ride is by joining a social ride run by your local bicycle group. Western Sydney Cycling Network will be running some great local rides in the lead up to Ride to Work Day. Also check pushon.com.au for details of free social rides all over Sydney.

6. I’m scared of busy roads
There are usually much better ways to ride than on busy roads. Get your free map Discover Fairfield and Liverpool by Bicycle and see how many bike paths there are. Check out the best route from your place to work. Ask your workplace coordinator or team leader for a map.

Ask us about other maps produced by us such as Get to Sydney Olympic Park by bicycle, or RPA and Sydney Uni Bike Map.

7. I don’t like riding alone
Lots of people ride together especially on this special day. It’s a great way to learn new routes. There may be a bike bus in your local are or someone may be able to buddy you. Check www.bikebus.org.au for regular bike bus routes or this site for local buddies on the day. Let us know if you would be prepared to buddy a new rider this day.

8. Where will I park my bike?
Ask your workplace coordinator about parking arrangements at your workplace. For Fairfield Hospital employees bike parking is marked on the Transport Access Guide. Do check it out before the day.

9. Are there showers for after the ride?
Ask your workplace coordinator about what access there is to showers at your workplace. For Fairfield Hospital employees, ask your manager where the staff showers are located.

10. What do I do to get ready for my ride to work?
Bicycle Victoria produce a great brochure called Everything you wanted to know about riding to work…but were afraid to ask. Ask your workplace coordinator for a copy. It will give you great ideas on how to get yourself ready for this fun day. For more local questions contact your workplace coordinator or contact us, the Cycling Connecting Communities project team.