Victoria University is encouraging staff and students to use pedal power to commute by offering free cycling training sessions in preparation for Ride to Work Day next month.
The University will run the free sessions in bike handling and traffic behaviour to boost the confidence and abilities of infrequent or unconfident cyclists and encourage more to become regular cycling commuters.
The two-and-a-half hour sessions will cover topics ranging from using gears to changing lanes on busy roads. They will take place at Footscray Park and St Albans Campuses over the coming weeks.
VU's Ride to Work Ambassador, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Services) Dr Rob Brown will join other staff and students on bikes this Wednesday at the Maribyrnong River cycling track to increase awareness of VU's cycling initiatives.
VU has set a target to increase the number of staff and students using sustainable transport by five per cent each year. At Footscray Park Campus, about 7 per cent of staff and 5 per cent of students currently commute regularly by bike.
Following Ride to Work Day on Wednesday 13 October, the University will unveil a new indoor bike hub with secure bike lock-up, showers and lockers at its Footscray Park Campus as part of its new Learning Commons Exercise Science and Sport precinct. The University's first bike hub opened at its Footscray Nicholson Campus earlier this year.
VU staff and students interested in the free bike training sessions can email: [email protected].
