Tour de Cowra 2025: It's time to Register!

Easter is almost upon us. Final preparations are all in place for Cowra. Have you decided which rides you will go on?

You can download the map of your chosen rides to the cycling app of your choice by clicking on the "More" button in RideWithGPS accessible via the  event in the Bike North Calendar or the Cowra Event page.

Are your emergency contact details up to date? Log in to the website, go to your Member Profile and check the emergency contact details are up to date.  

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

Looking forward to seeing you in Cowra!

John and David, Team Tour de Cowra

14- week closure of Falcon Street shared use bridge

Due to the Warringah Freeway Upgrade project, the Falcon Street shared user bridge will be closed from 7pm Friday 11 April to mid-July 2025 at which time it will be replaced with a new bridge.

During the closure period, a detour route along Falcon Street via numerous signalised motorway exit/entrance road crossings has been provided. Transport for NSW is looking at alternative detours which mostly involve riding on busy roads and are not suitable for less experienced bike riders and children. Refer image below.

Bike North has expressed its disappointment at the full closure of the bridge and has requested the immediate removal of the existing obstacles on the Ridge Street bridge which render that bridge unviable for riders with cargo bike or riders with less flexibility.

Summary points from WFU on temporary closure of Falcon Street shared user bridge:

• The Warringah Freeway Upgrade project is building a new shared user bridge at Falcon Street to replace the old bridge.
• The project team has successfully constructed around 70 per cent of the new bridge while keeping the old bridge open for use. The old bridge must now be closed to enable the final steps of work to complete the new bridge.
• The existing and new bridges both connect into the same location on Falcon Street, constructed into a narrow area between the Warringah Freeway and adjacent properties. So there are significant challenges in demolishing the existing shared user bridge and completing construction on the new bridge.
• We have investigated numerous construction options to identify a method that best balances community needs and construction requirements.
• The closure will need to be in place for around 14 weeks to enable finalisation of the new bridge, opening after the winter school holidays in time for Term 3.
• Bridge users will need to use the signalised footpath located on the north side of the Falcon Street road bridge while the closure is in place.
• We understand this will be a significant disruption to path users and we thank people for their patience while we complete this work.
• We will have traffic controllers and signage in place to help bridge users adapt to the changes.
• The new bridge will be 4.8m wide – much wider than the old bridge – and is one of four new shared user bridges the project is building (edit BN - mostly rebuilding) across the Warringah Freeway (Ernest, Falcon, Ridge, High Streets)

Read TfNSW's full notification here: https://media.caapp.com.au/pdf/3pdrm9/95b85a89-52e7-47fa-8fff-352099a1ac53/Temporary%20closure%20of%20the%20Falcon%20Street%20shared%20user%20bridge%20%28MW342N%29.pdf

In Safe Hands

Given the number of rides Bike North organises, the number of injuries experienced on our rides is very low. It is important, however,  that our Ride Leaders are prepared for incidents should they occur.  

Last Sunday, our Ride Leaders spent their afternoon in a First Aid training course, presented by Surf Lifesaving NSW, tailored to the risks particular to cycling. 

In addition to CPR and the use of an AED, the group considered how to manage broken collar bones, grazes, heart attacks and dehydration.  

Attendees were encouraged to have Emergency Plus app loaded on their phones to allow assistance to be accessed rapidly.  

New first aid kits were also distributed to our Ride Leaders.