The weather didn’t dampen Ride2Work Day celebrations as riders came together in Hobart last week after the event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Well over 100 riders gathered at Brooke Street Pier for breakfast as the rain held off to enjoy brekkie and watch the Commuter Challenge participants arrive.
Members of parliament and local councils popped in to chat to riders, including the Premier Peter Gutwein, Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson, Ministers Guy Barnett and Jane Howlett, ALP Transport spokesperson Josh Willie, Rob Valentine MLC, Janie Finlay MP, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, and Kingborough councillor Amanda Midgley.
Commuter Challenge shows ferry benefits
Two wheels beat four again in this year’s Ride2Work Day Commuter Challenge, which saw five different transport options from Kangaroo Bay to the waterfront.
We run the Commuter Challenge on Ride2Work Day to show what transport options exist for a route, how long each takes and how enjoyable each is.
It’s not just about which mode is quicker. Options like riding a bike also provide health benefits and save you money so your daily commute is more than just transport.
The ferry trial also means bike riders now have an enjoyable way to cross the river instead of having to tackle the narrow, exposed paths on the Tasman Bridge.
The challenge participants left the Kangaroo Bay car park at 8.15 am.
The pushbike rider took the ferry and arrived at 8.35 am, the e-bike rider took the bridge and arrived at 8.32, the motorbike rider at 8.28, the car driver at 8.41 and the bus passenger at 8.50.
The challenge reflects the true nature of commuting as the car driver and motorbike and bicycle riders all had to park as normal and walk the rest of the way to the breakfast.
Thanks to our volunteers
We can't run events like the Ride2Work Day breakfast without all you great people out there who volunteer your time.
So a huge thanks to Anna, Peter, Jeff and Ian for helping the breakfast hum and to Greg, Damien from the Motorcycle Riders Association Australia, Richard, Carmel and Chris for participating in the Commuter Challenge.
Photographs of the breakfast have been provided pro bono from Ivett Dodd, to whom we are very grateful!
And a big thank you to all the riders who came along to the breakfast despite the looming rain and made it the enjoyable gathering that we all look forward to.