Cycle-to-Campus Challenge

 The Go Green, Get Lean Cycle-to-Campus Challenge

The Go Green, Get Lean Cycle-to-Campus Challenge provides a structured and appealing framework for staff and post-graduate students to make the transition from motorised commuting to cycling to campus.

Key Features of the program include

• Weekly exercise sessions supervised by a professional trainer;
• Additional exercise, nutrition and sustainable lifestyle information;
• Loan of a bike kit, including a mountain bike, helmet and lock
• Friendly competition with prize incentives;
• Free fitness appraisals and quantified feedback of fitness improvements  

Participants of the challenge follow a 10-week fitness program, which involves a progressive substitution of motorised commuting with cycling. Weekly exercise sessions provide participants with additional strength and flexibility conditioning and help build the confidence to continue a safe and effective exercise regime and exercise independently. In addition to exercise training, participants receive instruction in rider safety and bike maintenance.

Application now open - Closing 6pm 8 September

Click here to find out more or to apply for the 2009 challenge

2007 ANU Pilot 

In 2007, ANUgreen sponsored a pilot of the program at the Australian National University. The pilot group consisted of 30 volunteer participants aged between 19 and 57 and representing a range of professional, as well as cultural backgrounds. Follow-up fitness testing indicated that participants made significant fitness improvements during the challenge and the feedback was very positive.

Telling Figures 

2.76 – average number of days per week that participants left the car at home and cycled instead. A follow-up survey indicated that most participants were still cycling a year later.

30% - average improvement in aerobic fitness when participants were re-evaluated. Improvements were also recorded in flexibility, resting heart rate and blood pressure, as well as fat loss.

27.7 tonnes – expected greenhouse gas emission reduction after a year of …participants maintaing the rate of cycling that they established during the challenge.

18.6 minutes – average increase in daily commuting time.

70 minutes - average amount of aerobic exercise on the days that participants cycled.

“My body is stronger. Every time I ride, I recover quicker than the last time. On the days I drive, I like to look at the people who are riding, and somehow wish I were one of them.” (Participant 2007)

For more about the experiences of previous participants go to http://www.gggl.com.au/