Bicycle Tasmania has today (Wed) congratulated the thousands of people in and around Hobart who rode for Ride to Work Day 2011.
This year in Tasmania, numbers have significantly increased . Over 1,000 Tasmanians registered for the day with many more participating. In Hobart the breakfast alone attracted an estimated 700 people.
The Free Breakfast on Hobart’s Waterfront was filled with interesting events entertaining the hundreds of bike commuters coming in from surrounding suburbs. Banana’s from Queensland, tasty treats from Bakers Delight, Hot Tea and Coffee greeted arrivals. Demand was so great that anyone arriving after 8.15 had to make do with corn flakes.
Ken Jeffrey’s who works in the CBD, had never ridden his bike to work before today. He arrived at the breakfast in good time. Ken said he’s been practicing over the last few weeks for the day and had been looking forward to the early start. Having recently stopped smoking, Ken said the riding has been a good distraction and helped him kick the habit and he feels like a new man.
The feature of this years ride to work day in Hobart was a commuter challenge organised by Bicycle Tasmania. 936 ABC Hobart, Heart 107.3, 7HOFM and EDGE Radio all broadcast the experiences of commuters coming in from different parts of greater Hobart.
Bicycle Tasmania’s judging panel is still deliberating over which broadcaster will take home the coveted golden radio for broadcast excellence of the commuter challenges. A decision will be announced on Thursday 13th October, with Bicycle Tasmania’s President Jeff Dunn awarding the inaugural trophy for what will become an annual event.
The real story that emerged in the commuter challenge was that riding a bike and catching the bus are quicker than people think. The commuting times varied from each part of the city but the bicycle came out a clear winner in shorter distances (under five kilometers), with the bus a close second. Even from Kingston, Motorist, Vince Taskunas from the RACT took the challenge by a nose from Metro CEO Heather Hasselgrove with only a minute between them. Bike rider Stan Robert completed the challenge only 8 minutes later after a quick ride over Bonnett Hiill.
Easten Shore commuters were shown some stress free methods of crossing the Derwent. 936 ABC’s Michael Veitch sat back and relaxed on the yellow hobart water taxi from Bellerive Quay. Clarence Alderman, Sharyn von Bertouch took the bus, passing Bicycle Tasmania President Jeff Dunn on the Tasman Bridge.
Heart 107.3 Dave Noonan strapped 10kg of audio equipment to his back to deliver broadcast quality coverage of the ride in from South Hobart. Dave was accompanied by Sustainable Transport Minister Nick McKim and members of the Hobart Art Community riding the Tasmanian Museum’s Art Bike Fleet. Dave alleged that he could have beaten the bus and the car but had to stop and smell the flowers every fifty metres.
Edge Radio’s Melanie Brown walked while Madeline Charles caught the bus and came in close behind bike rider Oliver Lovell from Sandy Bay. Edge showed emerging talent with their live crosses and detailed coverage of all participants.
The North Hobart race was dominated by the bike riders arriving at Mawson Place 4 minutes after departure from the State Cinema. ABC Newsreader Peter Gee shunned his well dressed colleagues, donning lycra in clear violation of the race rules stating ‘Participants will wear their work clothes’. Driver Gerry McGushin arrived in close second but had a time penalty added for not finding an all day park. The much anticipated challenge by the South Island Sirens Roller Derby Team was thwarted by a late sleep-in resulting in their defeat.
Bicycle Tasmania Spokesman Liam Correy said that: ‘The clear winners in this challenge were the Hobart community who chose to leave the car behind and embrace healthy, fast and cost effective ways of getting to work”, “When more of us ride, walk and catch the bus, everybody wins”. “Whichever transport option people use to move around the city, the reality is that it doesn’t take very long and you are better off getting some exercise, saving money and smelling the flowers if you can”.
Bicycle Tasmania Spokesman Liam Correy
