Cycling into good health

By Emma Sun
WHEN Tony Maher found out he had high blood pressure about five years ago, he was given two choices – get fit or take medication.
Not keen on the thought of taking medication, he decided to jump on a bike and ride up to 15 kms from his home in Rowville to work in Dandenong every day and back.
“I was unfit at first but when you start riding regularly, it’s really not that hard,” Mr Maher said.
He is taking part in Ride to Work Day on October 12, to encourage everyone to get active and cycle more often.
“I’m part of Bicycle Victoria and they were advertising Ride to Work Day so I signed up,” he said.“We have a club at work and we promote it through that – we try to encourage people at work to ride bikes and ride to work.”
Mr Maher said riding to work was the most convenient way for him to get fit and he has seen the results since taking up cycling. “Riding to work is just a way of coming to work, whereas if I go to the gym, I have got to come to work, then go home, then go to the gym, which is an extra thing to do in a day,” he said.
“It’s not just my health that’s improved, I’ve got so much more energy. I get to work and I’m just pumped up and want to get into work. “At the end of the day, you’re probably a bit tired but by the time I’ve ridden home I’ve got so much energy that I want to get in and do things.”
For details about Ride to Work Day, visit www.ride2work.com.au or call 8376 8888.