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Australia Cycle Chic Newcomer 20

Tara on her Electra Amsterdam bicycle

All photos courtesy of Tara for The Urban Country

Bicycling Newcomers is a section on The Urban Country where we profile people who make the switch from other modes of transportation to the efficient, healthy and fun method of bicycling to go about their daily business.

Through our Bicycling Newcomers section, I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Tara – a university student in Adelaide, South Australia – who recently made the switch from taking the bus to using a bicycle each day.

Tara works part time as a Project Officer at her university while she completes her Honours degree. She hopes to do a PhD in Psychiatry and Gender studies starting next year.

Through our discussions, I found Tara to be thrilled about her lovely new bicycle and her commute to the university, and Tara was kind enough to share her story along with photos from her daily ride.

Can you believe most of her photos were taken during her “winter” season? Makes a Canadian like me slightly envious.

Tara on her Electra Amsterdam bicycle

I asked Tara a few questions about her commute:

How far is your bike commute?

Approximately 6km each way.

What style of bicycle do you use?

Upright bicycle. I ride an Electra Amsterdam Original in powder blue – and her name is Blue Betty!

How did you previously commute before you started using your bicycle for transportation? How long did it take you?

I used to commute by bus which would take approximately 30-40 miserable minutes. The public transport here is terrible – buses are invariably late, overcrowded and I would hate the time I wasted commuting to and from work.

Tara with her Electra Amsterdam bicycleHow long does your new commute take by bike?

It takes me approximately 20 minutes to commute. When I first started commuting by bike, I was very surprised to learn that cycling can actually be pretty quick. My cycle into the city is much faster than my usual bus trip and I now get home earlier than before.

What triggered your decision to start riding a bike to work?

I fell in love with the idea of cycling before I even got a bike! Once I got Blue Betty, I was hooked and wanted to cycle everywhere. I never actually made a conscious decision to cycle to work, but it was just an extension of my love for cycling and my revulsion for public transport. Oh, and having a super-cute basket also helps in allowing me to always carry me my usual luxuries!

How comfortable is your bike commute? Are there roads that you try to avoid?

I am very lucky as my daily commute is a ride along our River Torrens. Not only can I avoid cars for almost all of my journey, but I also get the pleasure of experiencing lovely views and fresh air.

Tara on her Electra Amsterdam bicycleWhat is your favourite part of your commute?

Cycling slows the world down and demands that surroundings be enjoyed/experienced for what they are.On my daily commute, I have the privilege of spying teeny-tiny baby swans (and be chased away by their protective parents!), cherry blossoms in full bloom and the natural world come to life!

Are you using your bike for other trips besides commuting?

Oh yes, I am a total cycling convert! I try to ride every day and do all of my short journeys by bike. I am lucky to live so close to the city and near shops that I can simply put my belongings and purchases in my basket and off I go!

Tara on her Electra Amsterdam bicycleWhat are your pet peeves about your commute?

I used to get really bothered by cyclists whizzing past me with no notice or bell (I’m a pretty slow cyclist!). I have now attached a mirror to my handlebar and feel much more confident in being able to see what is behind me without having to twist around. I also get a bit frustrated with pedestrians that take up the entire cycling path and refuse to move even after being ‘dinged’!

 

What advice would you give to someone else who is considering making the switch to a bicycle?

Oh wow, cycling is so much fun – it is practical, inspiring, motivating and life-changing! Being a cyclist does not necessarily mean having to belong to the domain of lycra-clad racers (though racers are cool, too). There is also room for us ‘cruisers’ who find enjoyment in embracing the ‘cycle chic’ mantra and asserting our individual style.

Although I am all very new to cycling, I have fallen ridiculously in love with it!

Cycling makes me happy; it makes my skin glow, my mouth smile and my body and mind feel alive and awake!

Australia bicycle path scenery

Australia bicycle path scenery

Tara on her Electra Amsterdam bicycle

Have you become an advocate for better infrastructure?

I would like to try! I have just been appointed a cycling ambassador for my university (my place of work and study) and hope to inspire as many people as possible to try out cycling. Hey, if I can do it, then anyone can! 🙂

Happy cycling,

Tara.

James D. Schwartz is the editor of The Urban Country. You can contact James at james.schwartz@theurbancountry.com.

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20 thoughts on “Australia Cycle Chic Newcomer

  1. Ryan Oct 20,2010 5:11 pm

    It is great to see stories such as these.
    It would be great if a newspaper would post something like this at least once a week (pictures and all), to show people how cycling actually is, compared to the popular notion that you need a road bike and spandex.

    Blue Betty is a stunning bike also!

    I guess I’d be looking forward to that kind of winter come January. I sort of like the Fall weather in October/November we have, plus the wintry feel in December for Christmas. After that I completely welcome an “Aussie Winter”.

  2. James D. Schwartz Oct 21,2010 2:54 am

    Ryan, it would be great if the mainstream media picked up articles like this. I guess when bicycle articles become profitable the mainstream media will pick up on it. I hope we’re only a few years off before bicycles are really taken seriously in North America as a great mode of transportation.

    Regarding the cooler weather, I can definitely relate. My favourite season for riding is the cool fall weather. People who never ride bicycles seem to assume that only the few summer months are good for bicycling in Canada – but I would take a cool autumn day over a hot, humid summer day every time.

  3. She Rides a Bike Oct 24,2010 2:17 am

    I love her comment about how riding her bike slows down the world appreciate that same experience. Friday, I pedaled home from work and noticed two large ravens trying to pick an in-air fight with an equally large hawk. I could not have so easily pulled over to watch that in a car – if I would have even noticed it. But that is my usual commute; being able to notice and attend to things happening in nature that I would otherwise miss.

  4. Tara Oct 25,2010 6:53 am

    Thanks for your lovely comments, Ryan! Blue Betty is indeed a stunner 🙂

    She Rides a Bike, I totally agree! I never before considered myself a nature-lover, but how could I not become one when I get to see such lovely things on my daily commute.

  5. hector Oct 25,2010 2:59 pm

    Enjoyed reading your post! I do love women who rides bicycles in style. Like to ride bikes and enjoy wonderful sceneries as you go along.

  6. Koen Apr 3,2012 4:16 am

    so many people set their saddle sooo low! Why on earth? It’s slow, heavy and uncomfortable. She looks nice though, and so is the bike.

  7. Koen Apr 3,2012 9:16 am

    so many people set their saddle sooo low! Why on earth? It’s slow, heavy and uncomfortable. She looks nice though, and so is the bike.

  8. Thepush Bikefactory Aug 29,2012 6:12 am

    Really She looks very nice with this cycle.

  9. Thepush Bikefactory Aug 29,2012 11:12 am

    Really She looks very nice with this cycle.

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