Bicycle Network: Your workplace
Melbourne Water
"Even though I've been riding (somewhat confidently) for years it was good to get some 'first principles' type grounding. The technical riding, (ratcheting, looking where you need to steer) was great, as was practicing doing hook turns and the quick review of bike maintenence."
May 2010
Working in conjuction with the sustainability team and people & saftety team, Melbourne Water's facility manager Andrea Hooper initated the workplace riding course for 12 employees. They discussed the benefits of cycling and how to keep people safe whilst riding. They completed a task risk assessment and came up with a 'Take 4" (simple steps to get people to Stop, Think, Discuss and Act before they commence an activity). "It's set up like any staff training such as defensive driving, first aid or MS Office course - each business unit has a training budget and cost of the course is divided by the attendee's and charged to appropriate cost centres". - Andrea Hooper
The course was open to everyone, Melbourne Water have a very active and supportive BUG which helped to promote this internally. The range of levels varied from novice, to intermediate through to advanced. Some particpants who had been riding for years admitted they had developed some bad habbits and brushed up on some new skills, those that were new felt the course was of immense benefit and helped improve their riding confidence overall.
"Encouraging our staff to ride and ride safely fulfils Melbourne Water principles of Sustainability, Wellness and Zero Harm. Riders of all levels of experience have stated the course taught them useful techniques that will help keep them safer on their commutes to and from work, and that it was good fun too.”
Martin Bowles - Manager
People and Safety
Melbourne Water