We recently celebrated our first membership redemption, where Kate renewed her families membership using bike cash she earned through the Cashback program.
Newsroom
for
March 2020
Powering ahead with our events
A lot of things are uncertain at the moment, but here's a quick update from our General Manager of Events, Rebecca Lane on the status of our upcoming events.
BikeSpot 2020 kicks off
BikeSpot 2020 offers bike riders and drivers an opportunity to share perceptions of bike riding safety in Victoria, and prioritise areas of improvement.
More MTB tracks closed
MTB tracks in Tasmania have closed due to COVID-19
Work starting on major new bike bridge
Construction is due to start on a major new bike link into Melbourne connecting the western suburbs to the city.
Properly price parking to fix congestion
The State Government’s key transport advisory body, Infrastructure Victoria, has called for major reforms to car parking so more bike lanes can be built.
Funding boost for Forrest MTB
The revitalisation of the Forrest Mountain Bike Park has the green light following a $500,000 grant offer from the state government.
Dooring tech takes another step
Ford have taken a step forward in dooring technology by creating a system that actually prevents the door from being opened wide when a bike is approaching.
Southern Cross Station security upgrades
Work will soon be underway on security upgrades at Southern Cross Station that may inconvenience some riders as construction progresses.
Canning Street detour switch
The installation of the major water main in Canning Street will enter Stage 5 next week with the detour in place at Park Street in North Carlton.
Have your say on the Northern Beaches Bike Plan
Northern Beaches Council is calling for feedback on their draft bike plan which sets out the directions and actions to help make it easier for more people to ride.
Rathdowne street disruptions
Riders along Rathdowne Street into the city may face minor disruptions until the end of April with gas works closing bike lanes at various locations.
Bikes lead the way through crisis
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop, many cities are turning to the bicycle to help them navigate the unprecedented challenge to global health.
#KeepYourCommute
While we face a lot more time at home than we’re used to, “keeping your commute” is one way to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Peaks Challenge 2020 rider stories
We asked for rider stories and got some great personal accounts back. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping inspire others to find their limit!
Peaks story: Mount Isa Sergeant smashes the challenge
Queensland police officer Sergeant Kym Lynch didn't just finish Peaks Challenge Falls Creek 2020, she was one of the first few to cross the finish line.
Peaks story: Luka’s quirky Peaks poetry
Luka's quirky stream of consciousness takes you on a wild ride as he battles the elements and his own mental demons to conquer Peaks Challenge.
Peaks story: Tony’s two-year journey to sub-10
Tony's two-year journey to a sub-10 hour finish is one that any Peaks rider will find all too familiar, and may just inspire you to give it a go in 2021.
Peaks story: Jason joins the event team
Jason shares his Peaks Challenge journey — including set-backs, triumphs, and an unexpected behind the scenes experience with the Bicycle Network team.
Virus shutdown could open up streets
A New York hurtles headlong towards becoming the world’s next coronavirus epicentre it is moving to close traffic-sparse streets to cars and open them up to bikes, runners and walkers.
Tassie bike news bites
Sharing your solo ride photos, MTB news, Bicycle Network offices shut and more destinations floated for north-west coast pathway make up this fortnight's Tassie Bike News Bites.
Want more variety in your bike rides?
With our free social rides being called off and people working from home or no longer working due to COVID-19, the one thing you can still do is go for a ride on your own.
Rider stories: Island idyll
Away from the beaten tourist-track, Sulawesi offers mountainous terrain, lush foliage and all the ingredients for an amazing cycling trip. Colin Freestone shares his experiences gained from 15 years exploring the island.
Connecting city to the Domain by bike & foot
The City of Hobart is looking for your comments on the proposed City to Gardens way shared path network linking the city to the Queens Domain.
Free rides for London health workers
National Healthcare Service workers in London have been given free access to the city’s share bike scheme to help them get to work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Physical activity adds focus to brain
People who engage in regular physical activity such as bike riding have electronically quieter brains than unfit people and can better process important auditory information.
Woolstore elevates service for MTBs
A new player in the MTB rider accommodation space is setting a precedent for large hotels, by providing secure bike parking, washdowns, tools and spare parts.
London goes harder for lower speed
London is going harder to get traffic speeds down in the city, expanding its 20MPH zones and making a calmer traffic environment.
Podcast: Cycling through the centuries
Catch up with Bicycle Network's appearance on the ABC Overnights program and hear about the impressive history of the bike.
Hope for Geelong’s bike lanes
Protected bike lanes on Geelong's Malop Street look likely to remain after the state government took control from the local council.
Keep pedalling positivity
Bicycle Network's CEO Craig Richards shares some important things he wants our members and the wider community to know as we face the unknown challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Take off 10 and ride through coronavirus
Bicycle Network is calling for Australian speed limits to be dropped by 10km/h during the coronavirus pandemic as a way of reducing road trauma and keeping hospital beds available.
Commuters keep cycling during coronavirus
While coronavirus continues to affect the way we go about daily life, it has not stopped people from riding bikes.
Bike riding in the time of Coronavirus
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread – now is not the time to stop pedalling and the perfect time to start if you've been curious.
Our review and initial thoughts on Jump bikes
Share bikes are back in business in Melbourne with 400 of Uber’s electric Jump bikes hitting the pavement. Uber recently signed a deal with Melbourne, Yarra and Port Phillip councils which allows the bikes to operate and includes a set of ground rules that should avoid the troubles of previous bike share schemes. There has [...]
Aussie students to break into the cycle this Friday
More than 350,000 students from 800 schools around Australia are set to break into the cycle and ride to school on National Ride2School Day tomorrow.
Dodgy detour puts Sydney riders in danger
The cycle bridge over Victoria Road in Sydney's inner west has been shut down for construction of the WestConnex motorway — and riders aren't happy with the detour.
Moonee Ponds Creek Trail upgrade
A section of the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail at the back of Gordon Street, Essendon, will be upgraded starting next week.
Builders to pay price for disruption
To reduce disruptions for road users and bike riders, Melbourne plans to introduce a road occupancy charge for construction works on state managed roads.
Tassie bike news bites
E-bike charging in Glenorchy, new sealed underpass in Kingston, a detour on the Intercity Cycleway and Launceston Transport Challenge feature in Tassie Bike News Bites.
The congestion solution con
A new US report into congestion indicates that the billion dollar projects building new roads, bridges and freeways to solve traffic congestion are failing.
New rail trail opening in NSW
The Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail is set to officially open this April, after decades of campaigning for more places to ride in rural New South Wales.
Sprent Loops cater to all comers with 4 options
The Bike Week plethora of social rides on offer is no longer, but our north-west riders can’t stay idle for long and have organised a Spent Loops ride for their regular last Sunday of the month outing.
Hobart embarks on critical future plan
The City of Hobart has thrown open it’s Central Precincts Plan project to the public for their ideas and input.
Denmark has a bike plan for coronavirus
Where else but Denmark would the official advice on slowing the spread of coronavirus emphasise the importance of getting on your bike?
Get paid to scrap your car
Dangerously high levels of pollution is encouraging one UK city to pay people to send the family sedan to the scrap heap, funded by the national government.
Video: relive Peaks Challenge Falls Creek
If you were at Peaks Challenge Falls Creek 2020 you might have seen our photographers out and about. Here's a reel of videos from the ride.
Getting older: move more: live longer
People getting older sometimes talk of slowing down, but new research out of Korea suggests we should be doing the opposite: speeding up.
Merri Creek connection cut
The shared path through Thomas Kidney Reserve will be closed to users from next Monday 16 March for up to four weeks.
Metro Tunnel crane detours La Trobe Street bikes
Riders heading east on La Trobe Street will be detoured down Queens Street and along Little Lonsdale Street to Russell Street, for a week from this Friday 13 March.
New Canning Street detours
With works continuing to progress along Canning Street for the new water main installation, detours will be modified again this week.
Detour at Laurens Street, North Melbourne
Bikes that use the West Melbourne connection from Laurens Street to Adderley Street via North Melbourne Station will be detoured for Dynon Road construction.
BikeSpot survey planned for 2020
BikeSpot, the survey that enables riders to pinpoint the most aggravating locations along their route, is scheduled to take place again soon this year.
Enterprize Park improvements start
The City of Melbourne will soon start the upgrades to Enterprise Park on the north side of the Yarra River between Melbourne Aquarium and Queens Bridge Street.
Sydney Road struggle re-ignites
The long-running campaign to revitalise the Sydney Road continues to roll along, with a community bike ride planned along the street this weekend.
Tasmanian Bike Week: that’s a wrap!
The 20th anniversary year for Tasmanian Bike Week has been one of our best, with good attendance at events and great coverage in local media.
Wind, rain and mist no match for Peaks
Wind, mist, rain and near-freezing temperatures didn't stop almost 1,100 riders from finishing Peaks Challenge Falls Creek today.
Final tips for Peaks Challenge Falls Creek
The forecast for Sunday’s ride is looking pretty cold and most likely wet. With this in mind, there are a few things to consider when preparing for the conditions.
WTF: dragging a tyre up the back of Falls
After riding the first 200km of Peaks Challenge Falls Creek, Cameron Hughes will strap a tyre to his bike and tow it up the back of Falls Creek.
BlazeAid: helping communities rebuild
One of our volunteers, Rob, also donates his time to helping out with BlazeAid, and we caught up with Rob for a chat about the great work he's been doing.