Last week I kicked off a new series called “Cycling in…” with a post called Cycling in Adelaide: City Commute and the Hills. Now I have to make an admission at this stage, I don’t even own a bike.
I did used to have one back in the UK, but it was just about the only thing I left behind when we made our move. There was plenty of room in the container, but the truth is, I hated my bike.
Just couldn’t get on with the bike seat.
But that’s not going to stop me watching other people on bikes, especially as it gives us a chance to get away from Brisbane and have good look around at some of Australia’s other cities. Brisbane should really be next on my alphabetical list, but I’m going to save my home city till last.
So this week it’s…
Cycling in Canberra
You won’t be surprised to hear that cycling in Canberra is hugely popular. When it comes to cycling to work, here in Australia, Canberra is king. According to the 2011 census, 2.7% of Canberra’s workers cycle to work; all the other major cities were at 1.5% or below.
The census though only asks how people travelled to work on census day, which was August 9. It’s likely that fewer people cycle during winter than other seasons so the overall percentage could be more.
Cycle races
Canberra has a list of cycling events as long as your arm, including the annual Fitz’s Challenge™ which is a long-distance one-day race and the slightly less challenging Rotary Rides Canberra Five Peaks Challenge which is a charity event.
Rotary Rides Canberra is more of a fun day as well though, as you’ll see in this video shot in and around Canberra…
Mountain biking
Last week I described Adelaide as the cycling capital of Australia, here is somebody who disagrees. Caroline Buchanan, a five-time world champion in BMX and mountain bike disciplines comes from Canberra and she doesn’t even care that her city has no beach.
Caroline prefers Stromlo Forest Park, a bike park paradise just 15 minutes drive from Canberra CBD.
Maybe Canberra is Australia’s cycling capital after all.
I wonder what Peter Dunn thinks…
Too bad all the videos are gone. I guess if I want to learn more I will have to actually type search terms into youtube. But that’s so much work! Perhaps I’ll just laze around looking at other work you’ve already done.
Thanks for the info!
Wow, now they’re back! Must have been a fluke.
Must have been a temporary technical hitch 🙂
Looks tun and a good exercise.
Is lane for bike common or what type of road we should / should not (highway with no doubt) ride?
What is the regulation on safety and kids in a bike?
Thanks for sharing!
Cycle lanes are quite common here, yes, and no you cannot cycle on the highway. Cycle helmets are a must for all riders but I’m not sure exactly what all the regulations are with regards to kids on a bike.
Maybe that’s something for me to look into.
Cheers, Bob
Thanks Bob. Coming to visit Brisbane and surrounding regions in August. Thinking to spend half a day on bicycle after seeing your post.
You can rent bikes from the council here in Brisbane, we have bike stations all around the city. Have fun!