An estimated 5,000 Queenslanders dusted off their pushbikes early this morning to participate in this years Ride-2-Work Day.

The nation-wide event encourages people to enjoy the health and fitness benefits of peddling to work.

Bianca Britton reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Cyclists who left home on two wheels instead of four were rewarded for their efforts with a free breakfast early this morning at South Bank.

Bicycle Queensland, which runs the initiative, enouraged regular cyclists, first timers and those young and old to commute using peddle power.

Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland: “Ride to work day is simply a celebration of riding your bicycle to work and it’s about encouraging people who are regular riders to bring along a friend.”

He says with a growing network of cycle ways riding is a safe, healthy and an enjoyable way to get to work.

Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland: “It’s sustainable, it’s really cheap if you don’t spend a lot of money on your bike – it’s actually a lot of fun.”

It’s claimed the risk of heart disease and stroke can be reduced by up to 50 per cent by spending three hours a week in the saddle.

Vox 1: “It was great. It’s a really good idea. It’s great and there’s glorious weather, so everybody should get out and give it a go.”

Vox 2: “No up keep on the car, no traffic, it’s way faster actually. We just don’t have to wait for anyone else, we just get up and ride in.”

With the fantastic weather, cycling is becoming more and more popular, and sales just keep increasing.

Paul Bowden, Lifecycle Manager: “Even if they’re not buying bikes they’re pulling their old bikes out of the garage and actually using it which is good.”

But there is a serious message from ride to work organisers.

Andrew Demack, Bicycle Queensland: “You sometimes see bad behaviour from cyclists, we want to depore as much as anybody else. Cyclists need to obey the road rules.”

One thing was missing from this morning’s ride to work breakfast – the Council’s CityCycle bikes.

Bianca Britton, QUT News.