Get active on your way to work

Whether it's to avoid traffic, improve your health, save time or money, walking or riding your bike to work could be one of the best decisions you make.

Boost your health

Health experts worldwide agree that adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day for good health. Getting active in the morning is a great way to start your day, and a nice way to wind down after work. It will also help you sleep better at night.

Walking or cycling to work can help to avoid the stress of traffic jams and searching for a parking spot.

Walk the talk

Children are influenced by their parents’ choices. So if your kids see you choosing your walking shoes or bike instead of your car keys, they’ll follow your example.

Be kind to your bank balance

If you ride your bike to the local train station, then commute to the city, you could save up to $147 a week* on petrol, parking, car repayments, depreciation and maintenance costs. Even if you just walk to the bus stop or ride to the train station a couple of times per week, you’ll be much better off than if you were to drive your car. With a saving of up to $7070 per year*, catching public transport can make a lot of sense compared to driving.

*Based on RAC's 2018 Car Running Costs guide - driving a Mazda CX5 medium SUV 12km to the city and back in running costs, loan repayments, depreciation, fuel and parking, compared to using a SmartRider with the 20% Autoload discount.

Walking to work

 A great way to start the day

If you live close to work, walking to work is a great way to find 30 minutes of daily exercise and a nice way to start and end the day.

 Walk to catch the bus or train

If you can’t walk all the way to work, try combining walking with public transport by walking to the bus stop or the train station.

Walking at work

Walk to and from business meetings - This helps break up the day and has you arriving at the meeting alert and invigorated. If you don't need a computer, maybe ask your co-workers if they'd like to take a ‘walking meeting’ with you around the block or to a quiet park or café. This is not only a good way to get to know your work mates better; it’s also an opportunity to introduce them to some alternative ways to get around.

Take the stairs - Next time you can, use your legs instead of the lift or escalator, as this is a great way to fit extra exercise into your busy day. Remember, every step counts towards a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Become a champion - Are you already a keen walker? Consider signing up your workplace to Your Move today, and make a difference by encouraging more people to walk to and from work!

Riding to work - how to get started

Get the gear and stay safe

If your bike’s been gathering dust, take it to a bike shop and get it serviced. Make sure you have a helmet, pump, repair kit and use a bike light if riding at night. Always keep left on shared paths and roads and clearly signal your intention to turn or stop to others.

Check out the ‘Bike Maintenance’ and ‘Choosing the Right Bike’ guides for more information.

Talk to co-workers

Ask the regular riders at work for advice about which paths to use, where to park your bike, and where the lockers and showers are. Be prepared to take clothes in a backpack or leave some clothes, shoes and a towel at work. 

Ease into it

Start by cycling to work a day or two a week, building up over time. Remember, you've really achieved something by replacing just one car trip.

Plan your trip

Perth has an extensive and fast growing network of cycle routes. These include high-quality shared paths along the freeway and major roads, shared paths along suburban roads and bike-friendly connections. If you’re new to cycling and keen to try riding to work, try testing local cycling routes on the weekend. That way, you can find the route that’s best for you and test how long the trip takes.

Check out the Your Move Journey Planner to plan your bike ride to work today.

Working from home

Win back some time

You can save time and money if you can work from home some days. This can give you flexibility to manage personal and work needs whilst avoiding peak hour stress.

Making it work

A good working from home plan involves keeping in touch with your manager and work team via video, email or phone while structuring your day to be productive. Check out our working from home guide for
practical ideas on working from home.

Sign up today

There’s no time like the present, so make Your Move now.

Register