Cycling to work offers huge advantages over driving or using public transport, and can boost your wellbeing. On the physical side, cycling is exercise that improves your health and not only helps you get from A to B but integrates exercise into your routine. A study from 2017 in BMJ highlighted that those who cycled to work had 46% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 45% lower risk of developing any cancer (1).

Mentally, cycling can be a stress-reliever. The physical activity releases endorphins, providing a more pleasant start and end to the workday compared to the stress of traffic jams or crowded public transport. Additionally, the fresh air and sun is definitely welcome after a long day on the wards!

Beyond individual benefits, cycling is environmentally friendly and is a sustainable form to exercise and travel -  Every kilometer you ride a bike instead of drive a car saves more than 240 grams of carbon (2). Economically, it eliminates costs for fuel, parking, and vehicle maintenance, and can be time-efficient in congested areas. Plus, more people on bikes means a more enjoyable commute for all, it highlights needs for better cycling routes and facilities for everyone.

​🚲 Secure Bike Parking 🔒

Secured bike cages
Attend security at the Car Park entrance to complete access form to Bike Cage, $50 for access for your card. We still recommend locking your bike with a ‘D-lock’ to be more secure as thefts can still occur despite the secured entrance.
🚲 Change-room and Shower Facilities 🚿

Ressies
  • 1x shower per gender
  • Towels available
  • Lockers access available via RMH RMO Society 

RMH End of Trip Facilities (B-Block, Basement 1)
  • 11x female showers, 8x male showers, 3x non-gendered accessible showers & changing space. 
  • Multiple toilets (female, male)
  • Large changing spaces (female, male)
  • Lots of lockers - accessible via creating pin code on locker

How to access from the RMH bike storage cage: exit the car park towards Royal Parade and turn right. Enter the hospital through the Melbourne Private Lobby. Turn right, head down the hall and into the B-block lifts, travel to B1.  Exit the B-block lifts by turning left, then take the first right down the hall. There is a green sign directing you to End of Trip Facilities.  Proceed down the hall until you reach the End of Trip Faclities on your left.

Departmental offices 
  • Showers & storage facilities often available in your departmental offices  - ask your team if they know of anywhere!​​

🚲 Social Cycling Groups at RMH 🚲

Join this WhatsApp group to join in some ride with colleagues who cycle - usually we avoid the wet, but in summer will meet up before work (at the Car Park on Royal Parade) at 6am or so and get some laps around the Yarra Boulevard (plus a coffee!) before work.
Join by clicking this link here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GjQkLT1l29WCxNl7JSPgvI

🚲 Planning a Safe Cycling Route to Royal Melbourne Hospital 🚲

When it comes to cycling to work at Royal Melbourne Hospital, safety is paramount. Unfortunately Google Maps often suggests main roads that may not be the safest for cyclists, but here are some alternative tools and strategies to plan a secure route.

Key Considerations:
  • Avoid High-Traffic Roads: Opt for quieter streets or dedicated bike lanes whenever possible.
  • Visibility: Make sure your route is well-lit, especially if you'll be commuting during low-light conditions.
  • Terrain: Check the elevation and road conditions. A flat, paved route is generally safer and faster.
  • Make sure you are seen! Have lights for front (white) and back (red) and wear some reflective gear 💫 jackets such as those made by ‘Proviz Sports’ are super reflective and great for commuting

Arevo
Developed by RACV in Victoria, Arevo Cycling is a specialized platform aimed at generating cyclist-friendly routes. Unlike traditional navigation apps that might direct you onto busy roads, Arevo focuses on safety, offering routes that take into account bike lanes, traffic conditions, and other factors that impact cyclists.

Komoot
Komoot is another valuable tool for cyclists, allowing users to explore routes that other cyclists have marked as safe and enjoyable. It excels at suggesting routes with less traffic, enhancing the safety and enjoyment of your ride.

Strava Heatmaps
Strava Heatmaps offer a visual representation of popular cycling routes, helping you identify paths frequently used by other cyclists. This can be an effective way to find alternative routes that are not only well-traveled but likely safer due to their popularity among the cycling community.

Local Council Websites
Don't underestimate the usefulness of local council websites for cycling information. Many councils offer comprehensive maps of local bike paths and cycling infrastructure. Depending on the areas you'll be riding through, these resources can provide insights into the safest and most efficient routes.

🚲 Choosing your ride into work 🚲

​Test ride
Before committing to a route, do a test ride during a low-traffic time to assess its safety and feasibility.
By taking the time to plan, you can ensure a safer, more enjoyable commute to Royal Melbourne Hospital. Happy cycling!
For more tips and route suggestions, join our WhatsApp group or consult with fellow cycling colleagues.
Here are some quick routing tips from a seasoned commuter, based on the direction you’re coming from:

North
The bike lane on Royal Parade is both safe and convenient. Sydney Road is best avoided due to its heavy traffic and lack of bike lanes.

North-East
The Capital City Trail gets you from east to west, before connecting on to Royal Parade to finish your journey to RMH.

East
When coming from the East, it’s advisable to wind your way through backstreets of Carlton, Fitzroy and Collingwood.

South
Coming from the city, Elizabeth St has good separated bike lanes once you leave the CBD. But make sure you proceed cautiously through the Haymarket Roundabout, it is notoriously dangerous for bikes. Bike lanes are present but require careful merging.

West
When approaching from the West, taking the backstreets of North Melbourne is advisable to minimize riding with heavy traffic. There is also a bike path on Dynon Rd or Docklands Hwy that connect to The Capital City Trail.

North-West
Be cautious on Flemington Road due to the high risk of dooring. Opt for the footpath, where cycling is mostly permitted, or cut through Royal Park for a safer journey.

🚲Communite Attire🚲

Bringing Work Clothes for Your Cycle Commute to Royal Melbourne HospitalWhen cycling to work, transporting your work attire and essentials can require some planning. Often people might cycle in with an exercise top and bring a work top to change into or a few outfits for the days ahead (you can store them in your locker at ressies).

Here are some tips on how to bring your work clothes and other necessities:
- Bag Options:
  • Backpack or Messenger bag: Ideal for shorter commutes as can be sweaty!
  • ​Messenger bags are named this because they are the choice of bag of bike messengers!​
  • Pannier Bags: Attach to the sides of your bike rack, keeping weight off your back.
  • Handlebar Bags: Good for small items like keys and phones, but not suitable for clothes.
- Packing Clothes:
  • Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling your clothes can minimize wrinkles.
  • Separate Bag: Use a separate compartment or bag for shoes to keep clothes clean.
  • Place toiletries in sealed bags to prevent leaks.
- Showering at Work:
  • Towel: Towels can be found at ressies, or pack a quick-drying microfiber towel.
  • Toiletries: Travel-sized shampoo and soap can be kept at work or packed daily.
  • See above for info on location of changing rooms and showers at RMH
- Additional Tips:
- Closest bike stores:
  • Unibicycles is a place where you can buy or rent bikes. Entrance is from Tin Alley, opposite the Redmond Barry Building at Melbourne University
  • Second hand/up-cycled bike shop and the workshops: https://thebikeshed.org.au/
  • Ceres (environmental education centre): https://ceres.org.au/​

By planning ahead and packing smartly, you can ensure a smooth transition from your bike to your workday at RMH!

​Page Contributors: Dr Milla McLean, Tom Lynch, Dr Nicole Milanko, Dr Ross Robertson

Page Links and References
1) https://theconversation.com/cycling-to-work-major-new-study-suggests-health-benefits-are-staggering-76292; Celis-Morales C A, Lyall D M, Welsh P, Anderson J, Steell L, Guo Y et al. Association between active commuting and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality: prospective cohort study BMJ 2017; 357 :j1456 doi:10.1136/bmj.j1456
2) https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/ride2work/
3) Images:
- https://bikepacking.com
- https://www.denniswinter.com
- https://thegadgetflow.com