10 reasons to ride

Why should I cycle?

Cycling - a guide to getting started

With the NSW Government and local councils working together to improve cycling facilities there is no better time to get started and enjoy the rewards cycling has to offer.

Regardless of your age, cycling is one of the best forms of overall exercise. It gets you out of the house, lets you enjoy the environment and provides many ways to socialise such as riding with friends and family.

Quality family time
Spend quality time with your family while keeping fit at the same time! Take a picnic to the local park, explore your local area or cycle to visit family and friends. Cycling is great to keep the whole family fit.
Healthy lifestyle
Cycling is a fun way to get children away from electronic games and indoor entertainment and outdoors in the fresh air. Making exercise fun will encourage and teach children to live an active, healthy lifestyle.
Future
Carers can teach children how to ride a bike safely and share the path with others. Learning how to cycle at a young age may encourage children to use cycling in the future as a means of transport.
Socialise
Cycling is not just a great form of exercise but a fun way to catch up with friends and meet new people. Riding with friends and family, commuting to work with mates or participating in cycling events are all great ways to socialise while also keeping fit!
Save your money
Owning a bicycle is great value for money - you gain fitness, fun and transport all in one. It is also less expensive to maintain a bicycle then a car, so you can save some of your hard earned dollars.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Cycling is not only good for you but also for the environment. Taking up cycling will allow you to cut the greenhouse gases and noise pollution produced by driving, and reduces the number of cars on the road.
Health
The many health benefits of cycling, a low stress, physical activity choice, include:
- Just 30 minutes on a bicycle ride a day can halve your risk of diabetes and obesity
- Cycling uses major muscle groups and gets your heart rate up
- Cycling causes less joint strain than some other activities as it is a low impact form of exercise.
- Helps prevent heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure
- Reduces the risk of developing type II diabetes and some cancers
- Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints reducing the risk of injury
- Promotes physical well-being.
- Maintaining or improving physical function and independent living
- Improving social interaction, quality of life and reduces the risk of depression
- Building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints, and reducing the risk of injuries from falls
- Reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type II diabetes and some cancers.
Independence
Cycling can give you the independence and freedom to get around, at low cost. Why not get outdoors and explore your local area, cycle to visit friends or go to the local shops by bike?
Cycling is for all ages
If you are not confident to cycle on a two wheeled bicycle there are tricycles available. This can help you keep your balance, gain confidence and feel safe while still gaining the enjoyment and benefits cycling has to offer. Cycling also has low impact on joints and therefore is a great form of exercise for all ages and fitness levels.
Developing your confidence
For information on developing your skills, use the Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) 'Developing your cycling skills' | PDF 978.04KB brochure.

Where to next?

For more information how to take up cycling, use the Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) 'Getting Started' and 'Bicycle Ownership and Use' brochures.

Cycling - A guide to getting started | PDF 929.88KB