Last weekend marked the beginning of NSW Bike Week and AustCycle Providers were out in full force to assist the community with bike safety and skills.
To read about what went on in each of our areas, see below!
SCONE
Invermien Stud was the place to be on Sunday, September 16 as 50 cyclists and 70 walkers and runners turned up to ride, run or walk around the stud’s farm tracks as part of NSW Bike Week.
Accredited AustCycle Teacher Nicky Western adjusted helmets and checked brakes before the race to ensure cyclists were safe and ready to go, and the smell of barbeque proved a great incentive to get back quickly.
The cycling event was sponsored by the Roads and Maritime Services, and supported by Upper Hunter Shire Council and local community groups.
The young cyclists all took home hi-visibility backpack covers, which will make them easy to see when they are off and cycling.
All in all – the day was a success!
GREAT LAKES
To celebrate Bike Week, and to support the development of a bike track from Pacific Palms to Foster, a social ride was held in Great Lakes on Sunday, September 16.
The social ride began at Blueys Cellars and ended at the Pacific Palms primary school, where a fete was in progress.
There was also a bicycle tune-up workshop, Great Lakes Bike Path information stand and bicycle swap meet that allowed anyone who wanted to get rid of an old bike to bring it along to the bike swap stand and pop a price on it.
Thanks to Provider Lynda Hepple, AustCycle had a large presence at the event, with Lynda distributing five AustCycle funded helmets as ‘lucky door prizes’ to participants of the ride.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool residents were invited to bring their bikes and helmets to Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on Sunday, 23 September to explore the riding facilities available in the Liverpool area.
AustCycle Provider Mobile Bike Rental taught locals how to brake safely in different conditions, accurately control the speed of their bike and effectively balance and corner.
There was also a 5 to 15km community ride, which was child-friendly and conducted on cycle paths. Along with this there was free bike hire, entertainment and healthy light refreshments.
GREATER TAREE
Greater Taree City Council’s road safety officer and Healthy Communities coordinator joined forces to run a Bike Week fun day to promote family, fun and fitness.
The free event was held on Saturday, September 22 at the Taree Recreation Ground criterion track and consisted of free cycling workshop, a community ride, healthy barbeque and competitions.
The AustCycle workshops covered bike maintenance and road safety rules, informing cyclists on how they can stay safe when riding in traffic.
BANKSTOWN
Bankstown City Council held free cycling skills workshops on Saturday, 15th of September to mark the start of NSW Bike Week.
Local residents were invited to Mirambeena Regional Park to learn traffic safety skills and basic bike mechanics, which were taught by accredited AustCycle Teachers.
The workshop was part of Active Bankstown and was help in partnership between the council and NSW Roads and Maritime Services.