There's No Place Like Oz

Boris Johnson, the charismatic mayor of London, recently bicycled through the streets of his city in his shirtsleeves and dress pants, waving to passers-by and encouraging them to “de-Lycrafy” cycling. In London, cycling provides a crucial alternative to driving, which may help to thin out the city’s traffic congestion, as well as providing an environmentally friendly and healthy means of transport.

Londoners might consider purchasing an airline ticket to Perth and joining us in the capitol city of Western Australia. If you love cycling, then you’ll enjoy the Tour de Perth, which takes place every spring. The first day starts with an 80-kilometre road race around Rottnest Island, which is followed by a 20-kilometre individual speed trial around the island on Day 2. On Day 3, cyclists race for 120 kilometres through the hills of Perth and around the town of Kalamunda, wrapping up on Day 4 with a 112-kilometre race around Perry Lakes and Bold Park.

Perth doesn’t have terrible traffic congestion like some larger cities, but the city is also working to promote cycling by developing bike routes and issuing grants to programmes that encourage cycling. In fact, Western Australia’s “Cycle Instead” campaign has also worked to get Perth residents as well as residents in other municipalities out of their vehicles and onto their bicycles.

Biking in Western Australia

During the month of March for the past 30 years, the Cycle Instead programme has sponsored Bikeweek in Western Australia. Over 70 different cycling activities put together by organisations around the state encourage Perth residents and others in Western Australia to consider biking for recreation as well as commuting. This year’s activities featured the Giro D’Perth—the backlane biking odyssey, the Y-Cycle? Film Screening in Northbridge and the Esperance Bike to Work Breakfast. The week wrapped with the RAC Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma, an event that attracts as many as 9,000 people each year and benefits the Asthma Foundation.

According to statistics, 22 per cent of Western Australians ride a bicycle at least once a week, which is far above the Australia-wide average of 18 per cent. On National Ride2School Day, which is part of Bikeweek, Western Australia has the largest percentage of participating residents of all states in the country. The state has a strong network of grants available through the Department of Transportation to develop shared paths, on-road cycling facilities and end-of-trip facilities that offer cyclists a place to shower, change clothes and store their bikes as needed.

The Cycle Instead sponsorship program allows volunteer organisations, local governments, health services and health/active transport clubs to set up events dedicated to cycling by providing some funds for operating costs, marketing, media kits, signage and merchandise. One such event is the MPs and Mayors Bike Ride, in which the Minister of Transport and other dignitaries take a 12-kilometre bike ride to promote both the benefits of cycling and the Perth Bicycle Network infrastructure. One event, hosted by the town of Victoria Park, features a ride from Parliament House, over the Narrows Bridge and along the Foreshore of South Perth.

Cycling in Perth

Perth is developing a strong cycling culture of its own and a strong network of cycling infrastructure. For example, Transperth has installed LockNRide Bike Shelters at many of its train stops, providing secure storage for bikes if residents want to cycle from the train station to their workplace or other destination within the city. The city-to-sea “greenway,” a path for both walkers and cyclists, runs between the Perth train station and city beach, going through park land and a series of reserves.

Cyclists can enjoy paths and trails in many different parts of the city including Eastern Perth, King’s Park, Perth Hills, Rottnest Island and Yellagonga Regional Park. A series of Heritage Trails, trails along the Swan and Canning Rivers, and the Sunset Coast Trail along the Indian Ocean provide insights into the city’s history, winemaking culture and natural beauty.

If you take a journey to Western Australia for any reason, bring your bicycle along. You’ll find many opportunities to ride while you enjoy the cultural attractions of this beautiful region.

About the Author: Sam McGregor is a dedicated participant in Bikeweek who works with many different communities to organise and promote the sport of cycling in Western Australia.