On your bike for Sydney Rides
The first Sydney Rides Festival hits town from October 8 to 16, with art, films and some of the most spectacular rides the city has to offer.
The festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of cyclists of all ages, but the good news is that people without a bicycle don’t have to miss out on the action. ‘Try-a-bike’ sessions are being held around the city from now until the end of the festival, as part of the three-week Sydney Rides Challenge which started on September 26.
“Twenty-five demonstration bikes in a range of styles will be available so people can just turn up, clock up their 10 minutes of riding and enjoy some free refreshments,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“Qualified instructors will be on hand to smooth out the ride for those who haven’t been on a bike for a while, or may never have ridden one before, and they’ll be able to give people advice on routes.
“If you’re a regular rider, come along with your bike and take advantage of our free tune-up service to make sure your bike is in perfect working order.”
Try-a-bike sessions will be held between noon and 2pm at locations around Sydney, including Hyde Park, North Sydney and Pyrmont Bay Park. Check the website for the full schedule.
“Even if you haven’t ridden a bike for a while there should be something to interest you — and, who knows, it may even tempt you to join the growing number of people who are finding that bike riding is a safe, healthy, quick and convenient way to get around the city,” Moore said.
The Rides Festival will include well established events such as the Ride to Work Day Breakfast, Bicycle NSW’s Spring Cycle and the Bicycle Film Festival Sydney, as well as new events like a street party, a bicycle-inspired art exhibition featuring new works by Australian and international artists, and a family bike fun day to close the festival.
