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What is a bike buddy?
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Cycling to work/school/uni/yoga for the first time is more pleasant (and more likely to happen!) when you have someone to share the ride with.
We will match you with a bike buddy who is an experienced cyclist familiar with the local area.
A bike buddy can help you in the following areas:
planning a good route from home to work
tips for riding in traffic
fixing a flat tyre
setting up your bike for commuting
choosing the best clothing and gear for commuting
renting a bike locker
A Bike Buddy will be happy to do a test ride with you to make sure you are comfortable with the route and ride with you on your first trip to work.
Please note: Bike Buddies are volunteers who are keen cyclists willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm to help you get started, however participants are responsible for their own actions whilst riding.
Insurance cover is one of the benefits of Bicycle NSW membership so we ask all intending participants to become a BNSW member. You can find out more and enter on-line at www.bicyclensw.org.au
Contact John johnedwardoneill@msn.com to register your interest.
Do we need to tell you that cycling is good for your health, the environment and the community at large? And it’s fun!
Getting equipped
Look around bike racks to see what other riders are
using. Most cyclists are happy to talk about their bikes. The choice generally comes down to mountain bike, road bike, or hybrids in
between. Mountain bikes are more rugged and get fewer punctures while road
bikes are lighter and can move along more swiftly.
Add on a mirror if possible. Use a backpack or panniers (no sweaty back) for your books and warm/dry clothes.
First trip
Be visible - dress brightly and/or wear a reflective vest.
Don’t be afraid of standing out!
Get to know your route – Check out the route on a quiet Sunday morning at first. Then allow for it to be much busier on Monday morning.
Make a big effort to keep away from busy roads until you are very experienced. Faced with worrying traffic conditions – such as turning right on a busy road – dismount on the left and walk the bike across before remounting. You have rights but you must learn how to exercise them!
Finding your way - Getting around Sydney on your own two wheels has never been easier thanks to Bike-it! Sydney - a back street guide for cyclists. Look for it in your nearest bike shop or in the better book shops.
Lock up your bike – A good lock can cost between $50-$80. It’s well worth the investment if you have purchased an expensive bike. Securing the frame to the wheels and a stationary pole or bike rack is the best way to go.
Getting home – If it is getting dark make sure you have (as a minimum) a blinking yellow light on the front and a blinking red light on the rear - its for your own safety.
When you decide to ride you may commute to uni alone but you can be sure that there are a growing number of people out there overcoming the same or similar problems, and enjoying the same sense of liberation.
If you would like expand your cycling and social horizons there are a number of good ways to do so.
Join an organised ride
BIKEast and other BUGs around
Join an organised coincidence
Critical Mass is something
that happens. It usually begins happening on the last Friday of the month at the
Archibald Fountain in
Cycle for a good cause
The annual MS Sydney to the
Gong and Cycle Sydney rides are always a special days for
Cycle & holiday
Cycle touring puts the adventure back in travelling. It is an excellent and rewarding way to discover the world and meet people. It is also a great excuse for gorging yourself on rich foods at frequent intervals.