On your bike

By Emma Sun
The Berwick resident rides his bicycle once or twice a week to and from his workplace in Dandenong, which is not only convenient, but also a great way to keep him fit and healthy.
He will be participating in Ride to Work Day, run by Bicycle Victoria, to promote healthy living.
“I’ve been riding to work for about five years, because I wanted to be more active,” he said.
“I try to ride once a week but I don’t like it when it’s raining, cold and dark so I don’t do it then. When it’s summer, I might do it two or three times a week.”
A typical cycling trip for Mr Matthews is about 14 kilometres, which would take him about half an hour. Going by car would take about 20-25 minutes.
He said there were many benefits about riding to work that drivers didn’t get.
“It takes away the frustrations I get driving to work,” Mr Matthews said.
“The heavier the traffic, the better it is – everybody stops and I can keep going.
“Cycling has definitely made me fitter – I should do it more often so I’ll be even fitter.”
Three hours of bike riding a week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by half and women who ride their bike for more than 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer.
Ride to Work Day will be held on Wednesday 12 October.
For more information or to get involved, visit www.ride2work.com.au