Here's cheery news story for you from Victoria. And it's not exclusively Melbourne-centric. Well, a little bit.
Riders to save on fuel
http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2005/09/15/1126377406207.html
THE fuel crisis could be a blessing in disguise for peoples' health and the environment with commuters reconsidering walking, cycling and public transport.
In an effort to fight off soaring petrol prices an increasing number of Warrnambool travellers are opting to jump on their bike.
Damian Clark spent $400 on a new mountain bike this week and hoped he could leave his Falcon in the driveway and cycle the two to three kilometres to his job at King Cole fruit suppliers.
"You just have to spend a bit more to put the fuel in. It just cost me $90 to fill up," Mr Clark said.
"I bought the bike because it's cheaper and to try and get fit."
According to Warrnambool's Bicycle Superstore manager Stewart Pyers, Mr Clark is one of a number who see fuel price hikes as an opportunity to boost their health for the sake of their pocket.
"With petrol prices where they're at we've seen people on a daily basis coming in to buy bikes so they can commute," Mr Pyers said.
"It doesn't take long to save on fuel the $300 or $400 spent on a bike.
"It's quite achievable for somebody to ride 20 to 30 kilometres to work and back each day."
More than half the Australian population is obese and studies have shown cycling to work reduces mortality risk.
Those worried about safety while riding on the road should consider a UK study which revealed 140 people killed when cycling each year, but 20,000 others die prematurely due to a lack of exercise.
And it's not just waistlines which will reap the rewards. Each year the average passenger vehicle emits about four tonnes of carbon dioxide which is the biggest culprit in terms of global warming and climate change.
In Melbourne there have been reports of a surge in scooter sales, but Philip Russell from Philip Russell Motorcycle's said it wasn't as attractive for Warrnambool commuters due to the climate.
"If they bought an economical bike they could get about four times the distance out of their tank than a car and you can buy a scooter for between $2500 and $7000," Mr Russell said.
Riders to save on fuel
http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2005/09/15/1126377406207.html
THE fuel crisis could be a blessing in disguise for peoples' health and the environment with commuters reconsidering walking, cycling and public transport.
In an effort to fight off soaring petrol prices an increasing number of Warrnambool travellers are opting to jump on their bike.
Damian Clark spent $400 on a new mountain bike this week and hoped he could leave his Falcon in the driveway and cycle the two to three kilometres to his job at King Cole fruit suppliers.
"You just have to spend a bit more to put the fuel in. It just cost me $90 to fill up," Mr Clark said.
"I bought the bike because it's cheaper and to try and get fit."
According to Warrnambool's Bicycle Superstore manager Stewart Pyers, Mr Clark is one of a number who see fuel price hikes as an opportunity to boost their health for the sake of their pocket.
"With petrol prices where they're at we've seen people on a daily basis coming in to buy bikes so they can commute," Mr Pyers said.
"It doesn't take long to save on fuel the $300 or $400 spent on a bike.
"It's quite achievable for somebody to ride 20 to 30 kilometres to work and back each day."
More than half the Australian population is obese and studies have shown cycling to work reduces mortality risk.
Those worried about safety while riding on the road should consider a UK study which revealed 140 people killed when cycling each year, but 20,000 others die prematurely due to a lack of exercise.
And it's not just waistlines which will reap the rewards. Each year the average passenger vehicle emits about four tonnes of carbon dioxide which is the biggest culprit in terms of global warming and climate change.
In Melbourne there have been reports of a surge in scooter sales, but Philip Russell from Philip Russell Motorcycle's said it wasn't as attractive for Warrnambool commuters due to the climate.
"If they bought an economical bike they could get about four times the distance out of their tank than a car and you can buy a scooter for between $2500 and $7000," Mr Russell said.
I'll cycle, thank you.
