2026-10-14
ACT Greens Deputy Leader and Transport spokesperson Andrew Braddock is encouraging Canberrans to ditch the car at home this National Ride2Work Day, and calling for safer, better connected cycling infrastructure across the capital.
National Ride2Work Day, held on Wednesday 14th October encourages Canberrans to give cycling a go and experience the health, financial and environmental benefits of riding to work.
According to the ACT Government's Wellbeing Framework, a 2024 survey found that 59% of Canberrans used their daily car and only 10% cycled daily or more than once a week.
Mr Braddock said encouraging more people to ride was an important step towards reducing dependence on cars, easing household transport costs and cutting transport emissions.
"The ACT Government's Active Travel Plan 2024-2030 identifies missing links in Canberra's cycling network as a barrier to making riding practical for everyday journeys."
The ACT Greens have also recently secured the inclusion of e-cargo bikes in the Sustainable Household Scheme, giving eligible households access to low-interest loans to purchase an e-cargo bike as an alternative to relying on a second car.
Quotes attributable to Andrew Braddock MLA:
"Ride2Work Day is a great excuse to dust off the bike, skip the traffic and see whether riding could work for your daily commute. You don’t need the latest gear or have to wear Lycra, just what works for you."
"Whether you're riding a regular bike, an e-bike or combining with public transport, there are different ways to make riding part of your journey. It's good for your health, your wallet and our climate. But if we want more Canberrans to choose two wheels over four; safe, separated, and connected bike paths can make a real difference.
"Canberra has enormous potential to be a city where more people can ride for everyday trips, not just recreation. That means treating cycling as an important part of our transport network and addressing missing links in our cycling network.
"Today, I'm encouraging anyone who's been thinking about riding to work to give it a go. And if there's something stopping you from riding, whether it's a missing bike path or an unsafe intersection, that's exactly the kind of barrier we need to address."
National Ride2Work Day activities
Pedal Power ACT is also hosting a Ride2Work Day event at Veterans Park in Civic, from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, with breakfast and bike checks for commuters.