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Pedal to Health Tomorrow is Ride2Work Day
The Menzies Institute for Medical Research is urging Tasmanians to get active tomorrow.
Pledging support for this national celebration, Menzies encourages everyone to leave the car at home, hop on their bikes and embrace the substantial health benefits of active commuting.The Institute encourages participation in the Bicycle Network Tasmania events and the University of Tasmania’s Commute 4 Climate campaign running throughout October.
Menzies Institute for Medical Research encourages Tasmanians to get active this Ride2Work Day
The Menzies Institute for Medical Research is proud to pledge our support for this year’s Ride2Work Day, encouraging Tasmanians to leave the car at home, hop on their bikes and embrace the health benefits of active commuting.
Tomorrow is Ride2Work Day, a national celebration of cycling and an opportunity to highlight the positive impacts of physical activity on health and wellbeing.
Research at Menzies has consistently shown that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and dementia.
Professor Ingrid van der Mei, a lead researcher with Menzies, said getting active daily played a critical role in preventing many chronic diseases and improving mental health- and riding a bike to work was a great way to fit it into busy lifestyles.
“We know that being active—even in small ways like walking or cycling to work—has lasting benefits for heart health, brain function and longevity,” Professor van der Mei said.
“Events like Ride2Work Day remind us that movement doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. It’s about building healthy habits into everyday life.”
Encouraging Tasmanians to move more, in ways that fit their lifestyle, is central to the Institute’s mission to improve community health – and there are a number of researchers who regularly ride to work to keep themselves active.
Ride2Work Day not only encourages a healthier lifestyle but also provides riders a chance to connect with other riders, reduce carbon emissions and make Australian cities more sustainable and enjoyable.
Events will provide opportunities to connect with other riders on the day, with Bicycle Network Tasmania organising three events around Tasmania:
- The University of Tasmania’s Commute 4 Climate campaign is also running this month, by the students’ Environment Society with funding from Hobart City Council’s Youth Climate Action Fund.
- The University has signed up as an organisation and people can record their commutes during the month of October. Other organisations taking part include TUSA and MONA. We would like to encourage more people to take part in the campaign as well.
- The University of Tasmania and the Menzies Institute of Medical Research encourage all Tasmanians to dust off their bike, ride with a colleague and take part in these fun, community-focused events.
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