Don't give me one more excuse, I've heard it all before

Ever thought - I'd like to cycle to work, but it's just too far away? The mind is a funny thing. We can convince ourselves that something is too difficult when in fact, it's actually quite simple. You just need to put one leg over a saddle and the other will follow the lead.

To get your brain in the mental state to enable you to realistically consider putting that leg over the saddle, an innovative website "the no excuse zone" has quashed your fears that riding to work is too difficult. The brainchild of Mike Harris, the No Excuse Zone and CycleCity Initiative collates six-week intensive research of what distance is an achievable ride for the average person in 20 minutes and by what route for a selection of cities in Australia and Europe.

In each city, Harris discussed the infrastructure, implementation and management with leading figures in the local cycling community. Extensive research and mapping resulted in each city's No Excuse Zone. By comparing each city's cycling infrastructure, Harris is able to help cities determine strategies that promote cycling. For individuals, it gives us a helping hand to dust off a bicycle in the garage and be inspired to tidy it up and get  back on the peddling program!

The peddling program is represented through cities participating in the No Excuse Zones. That is, if you live within these boundaries and you are able bodied, there is no excuse not to cycle to work. 

Melbourne:

Sydney:

Brisbane:

European cities also currently mapped include Amsterdam, Berlin and Copenhagen.

Thanks Michael for the reminder, and Candy Cranks for first raising awareness of No Excuse Zone last year!