People from over 40 religious communities across Australia, including Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh groups, participated in Ride to Worship Week this October. Every state and territory, except for Tasmania and the Northern Territory, was represented.

People from over 40 religious communities across Australia, including Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh groups, participated in Ride to Worship Week this October. Every state and territory, except for Tasmania and the Northern Territory, was represented.

ARRCC's President, Thea Ormerod, whose church Our Lady of Fatima Kingsgrove also participated for the second year in a row, said:

"The take up of Ride to Worship in 2011 has been terrific. There was a more than fourfold increase from our trial of the event in 2010, and we are delighted to see more people getting out and cycling, walking and using more environmentally friendly means of transport. It's one thing we can do to take action on climate change, and have plenty of fun at the same time."

From talks on "creation care" to a community ride, and from a sermon in lycra to a blessings of the bikes, the participating communities took the opportunity to enjoy the day in creative ways and to integrate transport into their religious activities. "As the groups involved in Ride to Worship Week have shown, worship extends beyond what we actually do at our religious centres. It is about how we orientate our whole lives," said Thea. "By caring for the earth in our everyday actions, including in the ways that we transport ourselves around, we can more fully live a life of love and respect for God or the Divine."

Champion cyclist and riding trainer Tanya Bosch, the Ambassador for 2011 Ride to Worship Week, said:

"As a Christian and a cyclist, I'm really pleased to see the increase in the number of people of faith taking this on. Riding to worship shows that we can ride anywhere – to work, our place of study, leisure activities, even shopping – as well as to our religious activities."