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Dr David King, University Health Service, Brisbane

Here is a photo of 3 of the 10 GPs who work at the University Health Service, University of Queensland. A 4th member of the practice has started to cycle commute more regularly over the last few months. We have a shower and store room in the building, and don't really do house calls, so it is an ideal way to get to work - combining commuting with guaranteed regular exercise. In peak hour traffic I can get to work faster on my bicycle than if I need to drive, so even on showery days I often opt to go by bike rather than by car. My total weekly commute by bicycle is about 100 kms spread over 5 days, which is quite manageable time and energy wise.

I have never really stopped cycling since learning to ride as a child. At medical school a small dedicated band of cyclist would travel between medical school and hospitals. I continued to cycle commute as a resident medical officer at various hospitals in north Queensland. I remember a time when cycling in for night duty with an orphaned kitten in my paniers, who needed 3 hourly feeds, and the nursing staff would help with the feeds if I was busy.

A criteria for selecting general practice and academic positions has been a relatively short commuting distance, and the ability to cycle - safe bicycle storage, a shower and somewhere to leave shoes or sweaty cycling clothing are essential here. People designing office facilities will increasingly need to consider end of trip facilities; not only because there is one less car parking space to provide, but also having fit, alert employees who model healthy behaviour for patients and others.

That's me in the middle of the photo. 3 cycling GPs