Walking and Cycling
Physical activity is good for your health and the best form of physical activity is that which can be built into daily life as habitual activity. 
Did you know that three quarters of all personal journeys are less than 10 kilometres long? That's half an hour on a bike! Switching these short journeys from car to bicycle will benefit your health and your community. You'll be helping to reduce noise and air pollution as well as traffic congestion.
In Melbourne, the average speed of a commuting car is 19.7km/h3. A bicyclist can comfortably average 17km/h, with many experienced cyclists traveling above 20km/h.
More cycling is good news for the environment and your local community. But the biggest benefit is for you as an individual. Your strength, stamina, aerobic fitness and general muscle function will all be improved. Cycling is a low impact activity and one of the safest ways to exercise without risk of over-exertion or strain to muscles and joints. Regular physical activity also facilitates other healthy behaviour and could help you reduce weight or even give up smoking.
For comprehensive information on cycling visit the cycling promotion fund or download the one of the following issue sheets:
Interest Free Loans for Bikes
Do you want to travel by bike to Deakin but finding the cost of purchasing a Bicycle a barrier? Did you know that the Division of Student Life provides interest free loans to students who are either in financial need or are progressing satisfactorily with their studies for transportation expenses?
Visit the Division of Student Life for more information and read the conditions for an application under 'Loans Scheme'.
Deakin Cycling Jerseys
Due to demand from staff and students, Deakin Cycling Jerseys are now available for purchase at all campus Merchandise Shops. The jersey has the current 'frank' design and is a vibrant orange which has multiple benefits of safety and standing out among the crowd. Wear them to Deakin, weekends or events. Deakin Cycling Jerseys retail at $82.50 each.
Deakin Health Services
Did you know that Deakin's Health Services staff can provide you with personalised exercise advice and written physical activity scripts to get you on on track with your health and fitness? You can even tailor the program to include walking or cycling all or part of the way to the campus. Visit Deakin Health Services for more information or to make an individual appointment for diet and exercise advice.
RACV Bike Assist
RACV Bike Assist is designed to assist cyclists in the event that their bicycle cannot be ridden due to an accident, mechanical problem or puncture. You have the peace of mind in knowing that if we cannot fix the problem we will dispatch a taxi to transport yourself and your bicycle to your chosen destination.
To purchase RACV Bike Assist call 13 RACV (13 72 28) or visit your nearest RACV Shop. For more information, please visit the RACV.
Parkiteer
What is Parkiteer? These are secure and free bike parking cages at train stations, so if you don't want to take your bike on the train but want to ride to the station, these bike cages provide a secure alternative then parking your bike along poles.
Bike cages are available at the following metropolitan stations: Bayswater, Bentleigh, Brighton Beach, Broadmeadows, Caulfield, Cheltenham, Croydon, Eltham, Frankston, Glenroy, Hallam, Hoppers Crossing, Newport, Roxburgh Park, Sandringham, Surrey Hills, Watergardens and Werribee.
Parking in a Parkiteer cage is free. Secure access is provided by a swipe card system and movements in and out of the cages are electronically monitored. There is a $50 deposit for the security card.
Visit Bicycle Victoria to register to become a Parkiteer.
Train and bike
If you live near a train line, why not ride to the nearest station (or push yourself by riding to one further away), catch the train to either Box Hill or Jordanville Station and then ride along the Gardiner’s Creek Trail to campus. Even if you are travelling to one of the regional campuses, consider taking your bike and cycling to either Waurn Ponds or Warrnambool. Bicycles on trains are free and it will save you time waiting for connecting buses.
To ensure a safe and comfortable journey on public transport, there some are rules that apply when carrying conventional and folding bikes:
- You cannot board at the first door of the first carriage, as this is a priority area for mobility impaired passengers.
- Make sure you keep passageways and doorways clear and try to avoid busy carriages when traveling with your bike.
- If you are traveling on a metropolitan train with a folding bike you can board at any door.
So take your bike out of storage and ride to Deakin - you'll feel better for it!
For more information regarding bikes and public transport, including bike parking at your local train station visit Metlink Melbourne or V/Line
