Key Points
- Obligado ang pagsusuot ng helmet kapag nagbibisikleta sa Australia.
- Kasama sa imprastruktura ng pagbibisikleta ang mga bike paths, trails, at bike lanes.
- Maraming paraan para makibahagi sa pagbibisikleta, tulad ng pagsali sa mga lokal na grupo ng siklista o mga organisasyong pang-sports sa pagbibisikleta.
Ang pagbibisikleta ay isang mahusay na paraan para manatiling aktibo at malusog. Bukod dito, ito rin ay isang maginhawa at abot-kayang paraan ng transportasyon na mas mabuti para sa kalikasan kumpara sa pagmamaneho ng kotse.
Ayon sa , noong 2023, may 9.52 milyong Australians ang nagbisikleta, at dumarami ang bilang ng mga taong gumagamit ng bisikleta bilang kanilang regular na paraan ng transportasyon.
Si Wayde Suchodolskiy ay mula sa Bicycle Network, ang pinakamalaking organisasyon ng mga siklista sa Australia.
Layunin nilang hikayatin ang lahat, bata man o matanda, na magbisikleta.
he says, “Some people have never learned to ride a bike when they were young, but many local councils have programs aimed at beginners, especially immigrants.”
“And you can usually find parklands with paths where you can practice to get your confidence up. And if it is riding for recreation, exercise and social enjoyment there are plenty of riding groups that welcome new members.”
Maraming tao ang nagbibisikleta papunta sa trabaho, na nakakatulong para mabawasan ang dami ng sasakyan sa kalsada.
“Not only does riding to work help keep you healthy, but it is often the quickest and most reliable way to get to work on time,” sabi ni Wayde.
Dagdag nito maraming workplaces sa Australia ang may mga pasilidad para sa mga siklista pagkatapos ng kanilang biyahe, tulad ng secure na bike parking, shower, at lockers.
“You keep work clothes in the office and change when you get there. Regular commuting is a great way to keep fit, and save money. You might have to spend a little on clothes and wet weather gear, and a bike with mudguards helps keep you dry.”
Cycling to work has health benefits and reduces the number of vehicles on the road. Credit: Nate Biddle/Pexels
Si Christina Neubauer ang Managing Director ng People on Bicycles sa Western Australia, isang social enterprise na nagbibigay ng edukasyon sa pagbibisikleta. Layunin nila na mahikayat ang mas maraming tao na magbisikleta.
“We offer training to the community who are keen to build their skills and confidence when riding with their family or if they haven’t ridden for many years, with the goal for people to start commuting by bike."
“There are also local providers around the country who specialise in teaching adults how to learn to ride.”
Mahalagang may sapat na kaalaman kung paano magbisikleta nang ligtas.
“Know your bike and keep it in a safe riding condition. Brush up on your basic safe riding habits: be in control of your bike, know how to brake, to use gears, to do emergency stopping, to scan ahead and behind you, and how to indicate,” Christina says.
Because we live in a car-centric world, I suggest ride like you are invisible to others. By that I mean, assume that other people around you don’t see you and ride accordingly.Christina Neubauer, People on Bicycles
Left: Wayde Suchodolskiy, The Bycyle Network. Right: Christina Neubauer, People on Bicycle.
Kasama na rito ang palagiang pagsusuot ng helmet para protektahan ang sarili sakaling magkaroon ng aksidente.
“Australia was one of the first countries in the world to make helmets compulsory. You must always wear one and if you don’t, the fines can be substantial. At night, and in poor weather conditions, you must have lights on your bike that are visible from 200 metres away.
“The law says you must always stop at red lights and stop signs. In most states of Australia, adults are restricted from riding on footpaths, but children usually can. And don’t ride with your phone in your hand, however, it is legal to use one with headphones.”
It's important to be visible when riding a bicycle. Credit: Jackie Alexander/Unsplash
“As we get more bikes out on the streets across Australia it is getting safer to ride — drivers are adjusting to our presence. The best thing you can do is to pay attention to your surrounds and appreciate and understand the risks."
“Most crashes are at intersections, so approach carefully and try to anticipate what the drivers might do. Watch especially for cars turning left or right across your direction of travel.”
Maraming klase ng bisikleta ang pwedeng pagpilian depende sa klase ng pagbibisikleta na balak mong gawin, at makakatulong ang iyong bicycle shop para sa mga tips at payo.
“The majority of our car trips are actually less than 4km, which is easily replaceable with a bike. Those who are thinking of replacing a short car trip with a bike don’t really need any special bike or gear. Those who have a longer commute, like 15km or more, may need some preparation and need to think about the type of bike they want to ride."
Mahalaga ring magplano ng iyong biyahe sa bisikleta bago ka umalis. Pwede mong ilagay ang lugar A papuntang B sa Google Maps at piliin ang cycling bilang iyong mode ng transportasyon.
A bike lane on a Melbourne road. Credit: Pat Whelen/Pexels
“You’ll find that many of the off-road paths are along rivers and creeks, and travel through more naturally attractive environments, and of course, they are free from cars.
Pinaunawa ni Cristina Neubauer, kung gusto mong magsimula sa pagbibisikleta, maraming paraan para makahanap ng mga kapwa cycling enthusiasts.
“Cycling means many different things to different people. There is commuting, using it purely for your recreation, focusing on exercise, distance and speed, mountain biking, trail riding, bike packing, BMX. All of these types of cycling have their own organisations, sport clubs and social clubs that support people who are interested in it."
May mga lugar na may mga Bicycle User Groups o BUGs na nag-oorganisa ng mga local social rides, at nagsusulong sa mga gobyerno at konseho para sa mas magagandang pasilidad.
Makikita ang mga organisadong grupo ng mga nagbibisikleta sa social media, na tumutugon sa iba't ibang level ng kalusugan at karanasan.
Gusto ni Cristina Neubauer, na makita ang mas malawak na pagkakaiba-iba ng mga tao na nagbibisikleta.
"We’d like to see a higher representation of women, who generally speaking are more risk averse, as well as children.”
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon sa pagbibisikleta sa Australia, bisitahin:
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