4 in 5 Aussies would bike to work if it were closer

A new survey has shown that a larger number of Aussies would be far more inclined to bike to work if their office resided closer to their home.

A survey conducted by the International Workplace Group has revealed the latest data on Aussie workers and their perception of cycling to work. The study found that two in five Aussies (40 per cent) use cycling to commute to their workplace.

However, this rate would rise if workplaces were closer, as nearly four in five (72 per cent) of people are more likely to cycle to work if the commute was shorter from their house to the workplace. Over half (55 per cent) also stated that they would be more inclined to ride a bike to work if they were offered an incentive, with 50 per cent of those who cycle to work agreeing that their employer/business should offer such incentive or support.

“The growing adoption of hybrid working models, driven in part by employees seeking to work closer to home, has resulted in the rise of 15-minute cities whereby everything one needs in life can be found within a 15-minute walk or cycle from where they live,” said Damien Sheehan, country head for Australia, International Workplace Group.

“This way of life helps employees live more localised and enriched lives with more time spent with friends and family and less time commuting.”

Of workers who aren’t currently cycling to their workplace, the majority (71 per cent) are using a car as their primary source of transportation to and from their office. Other data from Bicycle Network showed that commuting to work in the CBD, for example, five days a week by car costs the average Aussie worker $7,432 to $14,639 a year in total, showing that cycling could save a lot of money for workers during a cost-of-living crisis.

More research from the International Workplace Group found that more than three-quarters of office workers (76 per cent) noted hybrid working had reduced their monthly costs, which considered factors including the cost of public transportation, fuel, parking, and daily incidentals such as coffee and meals.

Once again, considering a wide range of workers being affected by the cost-of-living crisis, subtle ways like biking to work could garner them the necessary savings in the long run that could deter ongoing financial hardships. However, support is needed from employers in this aspect.

Kace O'Neill

Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.