Newsroom

Tassie Bike News Bites
Launceston bridge officially opens

The new cycling and pedestrian bridge over the North Esk River in Launceston has been officially opened.

The bridge connects the two levee paths and the University of Tasmania's Inveresk campus to the edge of the city.

We look forward to seeing the future safe cycling connections from the bridge into the city centre.

First George Town trails open

George Town Council has opened 15.5 km of mountain bike trails on Mt George, with 12.8 km of green-rated trail, 2.2 km of blue-rated and 0.6 km of black-rated trail.

The trail head is on Mt George Road, not far from the town centre.

The next stage of trails are currently being worked on in the Tippogoree Hills and should be finished by the end of the year, with 80 km of trails planned for the area.

Bicycle Network’s Road Safety Submission up

The Legislative Council has published submissions to its Road Safety inquiry, with Bicycle Network calling for reduced speed limits in urban centres and around schools, enforcement of the passing distance law and cameras that detect drivers using mobile phones.

Our submission made a total of 15 recommendations, with others including the need for funding and design standards for separated cycleways, sealed shoulders with audible edge markings, and improved heavy vehicle safety devices.

The next step in the inquiry will be public hearings, which have not been scheduled yet, before the committee prepares a report into the problem.

Clarence MTB Park looking for Loop reactions

Clarence Council is proposing improvements to the XC Loop track at the MTB Park which create new connections to create an easier riding loop from the railway abutment and wants to know what regular Meehan Range riders think of the changes.

In particular:

  • A connecting trail between Sidewinder and C4 to create a continuous blue rated trail.
  • A green-rated connecting trail between the High Line and Big Dipper trails.
  • Moving the dirt jumps in the drainage line to the Smooth as Butter trail with green-rated and blue-rated jumps.

The online survey provides more detail of the changes: https://www.yoursay.ccc.tas.gov.au/xc-loop-corridor/survey_tools/clarence-mtb-park-xc-loop-corridor-consultation

Construction of next west coast MTB trail soon to begin

The West Coast Council has announced that Next Level Mountain Bike have been chosen to build more than 20 km of new trails in the Mount Heemskirk Reserve near Zeehan.

Next Level also built the Oonah Hill trail and the new trails will go further into the reserve and up on the Heemskirk Range for a “back country” style ride.

Construction is due to start soon, but no date yet for when the trails may be finished.

Tamar Valley Challenge

One of Tassie’s biggest rides, the Tamar Valley Challenge/Sally’s Ride, is on again this year on Saturday 14 November leaving from Royal Park in Launceston.

Ride distance options include 10 km, 25 km, 45 km, 70 km and 100 km.

Entry costs vary according to length starting at $10 for the 10 km family ride and rising to $60 for the 100 km, with children’s rates also offered. Money raised will go to local mental health projects. 

Bike Collective looking for more wheels

The Tasmanian Bike Collective is spreading its wings, with a new workshop in Clarence Plains joining its Risdon Vale and Huonville sites so it needs more bikes!

The collective helps young people at risk learn bike mechanic skills so if you have any old bikes you don’t need that could be worked on, let the collective know. And if you have older bike fleets or collections of bikes, they are particularly interested.

Find out where to donate via their website: www.rvbikecollective.com/donate-a-bike