Bike North leads push against Bollards

Bollards are the bane of many Bike North rides. We have all experienced the ‘unexpected’ bollard and have had to take swift action to avoid collision. There have been a number of collisions, including Bike North members going to hospital as a result.

There is no consistent policy or even understanding of the issues facing cyclists by those responsible for cycling infrastructure. There appears to be an automatic inclusion of bollards on every new facility, irrespective of any real risk to the asset, or consideration of the users.

In late 2024, Bike North initiated a series of meetings with senior Transport for NSW staff and Bicycle NSW to push for clearer rules for the addition / omission of bollards on shared paths.

Bike North’s position is that bollards give rise to real and significant risk of cyclist injury, are often unnecessary and, where they are needed, are often not sufficiently visible. Bike North simply wants bridge and path designers to compare the risk to the asset and the risk to the users before deciding to include a bollard.

With Bicycle NSW, Bike North is campaigning for systemic change in the way bollards are used for cycling infrastructure.

To strengthen our arguments, we want to provide details of actual bollard incidents.

A web page has now been created where BUGs and individuals can record details of bollard incidents – access here Bollard busting!

Help us to achieve change within Transport for NSW’s approach and policies and help make cycling safer for all.

David Thomson, Advocacy Co-ordinator, advocacy@bikenorth.org.au

Tour de Cowra 2025 - Book Your Accommodation

Coming to the Tour de Cowra? If you haven’t done so, it is time to book your accommodation. There is plenty of accommodation in Cowra. From the cheap (campsite) to glamorous (Winery), Airbnb, and everything in-between (Hotels and Motels). Accommodation over Easter can fill quickly. Book now (you can always cancel or change numbers later).

Do you want to know more? Check out Bike North Tour de Cowra Event page for all the details.

All the rides will be published on the Bike North Calendar in early February. 

Any Questions? Email the organisers at mailto:cowra@bikenorth.org.au

John and David, Team Tour de Cowra

My New Year’s Resolution: Cycle LESS - How and Why? 

After 15 years of dedicated (/obsessive?) leisure cycling, it’s time to get a life! To pursue other outdoors hobbies, and to face the myriad tasks that need doing around the house. I’m not quitting, just halving my cycling.

Total 208,000+km, av/annum 13,867km, av/mo 1,156km, av/day 38km. I have little evidence, Strava or otherwise, besides my monthly diary entries and the pile of my dead tubes!

I tried reducing my cycling after 10 years, even writing a similar article for News. But along came Covid, and cycling seemed the best way to stay healthy: body and mind. Below I ponder what has made leisure-cycling such a great retirement hobby for me ….

The scenery of Sydney and surrounds: In the day-trip arc through Newcastle, Katoomba, Moss Vale, Kiama, there’s a terrific range of scenery to cycle through or aside. Variety is my spice!

Sydney’s Climate: I’ve long used a guideline of 10 to 30 degrees C for comfortable cycling, with low to moderate humidity. Sydney and surrounds, particularly near the coast, can deliver that for many hours most days of the year. Compare that to other cities, even in Australia.
Read the full article in our News section here. 

"Torturous" Route entices Turkeys and Tough Cyclists!

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