With Victorian workplaces switching to 75% capacity next Monday and thousands of workers set to head back to the office, now is the best time to get back on the bike.
In a bid to deter all of Victoria's workplace-returners from jumping in their cars (and destroying our road networks) the state government have announced a number of improvements to public transport networks as part of the 'We're ready when you are' campaign, including:
- New timetable adding 450 extra train services starting 31 January
- Continuing to disinfect and sanitize all services, stops and stations on the network every day
- A new PTV app that helps you plan your journey and get real time travel alerts
- Adding 100 myki Quick Top Up machines and making it simpler to top up your myki online
- RideSpace: A free tool that shows real time passenger capacity levels on trains, on platforms and at stations across the metropolitan Melbourne network
And Bicycle Network would like to throw active transport in the mix.
Riding your bike to the train station
If you're thinking of taking advantage of these COVID-safe improvements to the public transport network, don't forget that there are currently 124 Parkiteer cages at train stations around the state – offering secure all-day bike parking for commuters.
These cages are free to use (just a $50 access card deposit) and are spread throughout Melbourne metro and regional transport hubs.
This is a great way to avoid traffic congestion and the frustration of finding a car park while squeezing in your all important 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
You can learn more and register to access Parkiteer here.
Riding the whole way to work
For those who are able to ride the whole way, there are some exciting bike projects popping up around Melbourne to support a two-wheeled commute, including a new 9 kilometre pop-up bike route along Heidelberg Road – with South Crescent in Northcote, Dawson Street in Brunswick and Kent and Northumberland Roads in Pascoe Vale up next.
Cycling between Alphington and Clifton Hill just got a whole lot safer. Learn more: https://t.co/R76acO39wq pic.twitter.com/EeD7j6trVu
— Department of Transport (@VicGovDoT) January 18, 2021
Or if you are commuting to or from the city of Melbourne, Yarra or Port Phillip, you could always jump on one of the new Lime share bikes!
For some handy tips and resources on riding to work, check out:
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