This bike-riding bonanza will give you that extra push to get back on the pedals this spring, with more than 40 bike-based events happening across the city. The Sydney Rides festival (Sep 1-Nov 30) invites Lycra lovers and cyclists still on their training-wheels to share in their love of pedal-powered transportation across three months of cycling courses, activities and family-friendly food, art and sporting events.
Festival highlights include the Big Adventure, which is a free day of family activities happening at Sydney Park (Nov 16). Kids and their adults can have a go at mountain boarding, rock climbing, dancing and bike yoga, or set up a picnic spot near the food trucks and marvel at BMX riders showing off their best moves.
The Spring Cycle (Oct 13) sees riders take over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a 10km, 18km, 50km or 105km traffic-free cruise around the Rocks and all the way to Sydney Olympic Park. There’ll be post-cycle parties at the finishing lines at Pyrmont’s Pirrama Park or Sydney Olympic Park.
Cycle under the stars and enjoy an evening of family-friendly entertainment at Light the City (Sep 21). You can bring your bike or hire one on the night to scoot around the illuminated cycle loop, or just enjoy the gourmet food trucks, entertainment and silent disco.
And throughout October, you can check out the photographic exhibition at Paddington Reservoir Gardens featuring Sydney’s favourite riding routes and bike adventures (it’s free and open daily 8am-8pm).