This year’s National Ride2Work Day will take place on Wednesday, October 12 and Parade reads that the Bicycle Network, which runs the event, is looking for more registrations. 

It has more than 68,000 registrations so far, but is urging Australians to “wake their bikes from winter hibernation and embrace a two-wheeled commute”.

The Bicycle Network’s Tess Allaway says the day has a good record of changing behaviour.

“Nearly half of all people who rode to work for the first time on National Ride2Work Day 2015 told us that they are now riding every week,” she said.

For those who are planning to take part in the day for the first time, the Bicycle Network has a few tips: ensure your chosen bike is set up for your size and is in top condition; go on a test ride to plan a route; and do your research so you know where to park your bike and where to access a shower (if needed).

So there you go: get the bike out of the garage, dust it off and wheel it out.

AND now for something completely different.

Parade reckons a new book released this week might be of interest to locals.

Leading From The Front, published by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), chronicles the stories of the state’s 21 chief officers/commissioners, dating back to the 1880s.

The book has been created by David Tai, a long-serving Sydney firefighter who is also a history buff who has devoted thousands of personal hours to researching the officers’ lives and work.

He located and interviewed relatives, delved into public and personal records, found family and press photographs and wrote biographies about the 21 fire chiefs.

The coffee-table book, which features more than 200 historical images, was officially launched at the Museum Of Fire at Penrith on Wednesday.

Leading From The Front can be purchased for $49.95 from the Museum Of Fire.

All profits will be donated to the Burns Unit at the Westmead Children’s Hospital.