Cycling has had a boost this week at facilities.
Showers, lockers, bike storage, ironing and clothes drying areas and access to a bike repair service are all provided in this new facility in the ground floor of Multi-level car park 2 at St Lucia.
鈥淭his first Bike Box is a prototype for others that are planned for other places around 宅男导航 鈥� at the new , the precinct and the Oral Health Centre at Herston,鈥� said Mark Kranz, Manager of Transport Systems with .
About 435,000 commuter bike trips are made to and from 宅男导航 annually, and the total is more than 600,000 trips annually if sporting and recreational cycling is included.
鈥淐ycling is rapidly increasing in popularity,鈥� Mr Kranz said. 鈥淚t is a trend that 宅男导航 is very happy to support, as it is in line with the University鈥檚 sustainability objectives and it helps to reduce carbon emissions.
鈥淭he opening of the Eleanor Schonell (鈥淕reen鈥�) Bridge in 2007 hugely improved cyclists鈥� access to the St Lucia campus and was a great plus for cycling at 宅男导航.
鈥淎bout five per cent of 宅男导航 commuters currently are cyclists 鈥� a big increase from two per cent in 2002.
鈥淎bout 18 per cent of the general population cycles to work in Brisbane and 宅男导航 is proactive in increasing its cyclist population.
鈥淭he new Bike Box facilities will go a long way towards encouraging more students and staff to ride to Uni,鈥� Mr Kranz said.
Architects Cocoon Design designed the Bike Box in consultation with the 宅男导航 Bicycle Users鈥� Group.
宅男导航 Vice-Chancellor Debbie Terry was one of a group of riders who braved wet weather to be part of the Ride-To-Uni Day this morning.
Officially opening the Bike Box, Professor Terry said that as a cyclist she understood the need for end-of-trip facilities.
鈥淟ike others, I have often thought if only we had somewhere clean, safe and private to lock our bikes, to shower, iron and wash away that 鈥榟elmet hair鈥� look,鈥� Professor Terry said.
鈥淪o I am very proud that this University is offering all that, plus a locker and access to a drying room, for just $1 a week.
鈥淭his $900,000 facility is an excellent investment in fitness and well-being,鈥� Professor Terry said.
Mr Kranz said a $52 annual fee (or $1 a week pro rata) allowed use of a locker and access to all the Bike Box facilities.
The Bike Box includes 90 bike racks, 90 lockers, 10 showers and three toilets, with separate areas for men and women.
Mr Kranz said cycling had numerous health benefits:
鈥� People who don鈥檛 cycle to work have a 39 per cent higher mortality rate than those who do (Danish study over 14 years with 30,000 people aged 20鈥�93 years)
鈥� Cyclists and those who exercise live longer and have fewer sick days (recent US study)
鈥� Cycling increases strength, stamina and aerobic fitness
鈥� Reduced blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiac disease
鈥� Depression, stress and anxiety can be reduced by regular cycling
鈥� Those who exercise regularly have lower body fat, better blood lipids and a reduced chance of stroke
鈥� Improved sleep
鈥� Improved posture, balance and coordination and can delay osteoporosis
鈥� Research shows there is up to three times less exposure to pollution if riding to work rather than travelling by car
鈥� Reduced chance of developing bowel cancer
鈥� More that 30 minutes cycling (or exercising) daily reduces the risk of developing diabetes
More information on Bike Box:
For a cycling map of St Lucia campus and general information about cycling at 宅男导航:
Enquiries: Mark Kranz, ph 3365 1948
