After a hiatus of two years, thousands of enthusiastic cyclists descended on Sydney streets last Sunday, for Bicycle NSW’s 37th edition of the Spring Cycle. Riders gathered to cycle over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and through the city, in Sydney’s largest event of cycling advocacy, supported by the NSW government. From Inner Sydney, out to the West and even overseas, participants revelled in the joys of cycling under unusually sunny skies.
Families enjoying the Spring Cycle ride over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit: Edwina Pickles
Spring Cycle is the only event of its kind where all bike riders can come together as a community to be counted and show their support and ultimately change and improve bicycle riding accessibility in NSW.
Everyone from the recreational rider to the daily commuter from ages 8-80 years came out to welcome the blue skies and to enjoy a scenic and safe ride. The event held each year in October was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW said, "It was great to see so many participants return to this great event but more importantly we want to pass on our sincere appreciation to the generous volunteers who contributed hundreds of hours of their time to ensure this event was a success, we couldn't have done it without them!"
Families enjoying the weather at this year's Spring Cycle. Credit: Edwina Pickles
Thanks to the advocacy work of Bicycle NSW, the many voices of Spring Cycle participants were represented. Among the almost 5000 riders were families cycling together, those on unicycles while some, including older riders, were seated on three-wheeler trishaws.
A rider carries a dog in a basket at the Spring Cycle in Sydney on Sunday. Credit: Edwina Pickles
“The Spring Cycle highlights the significance of the work we do to create a better environment for cycling. Thousands of our Spring Cyclers showed their support by joining us in our rides, helping us to secure a better future for bike riding throughout NSW,” said Francis O’Neill, Bicycle NSW Head of Advocacy.
Bicycle NSW Head of Advocacy (middle) with Team Ehime all the way from Japan to celebrate Spring Cycle with Bicycle NSW. Photo: Bicycle NSW
Peter McLean, Bicycle NSW CEO, continued “It was an event that incorporated all people of all ages and abilities,” He hoped the event would encourage those who took up bicycle riding during the pandemic to “keep on cycling”. “It has instilled that behavioural change, riding a bike isn’t just for Spring Cycle, it can be incorporated into your every day,” McLean said.
Riders on a section of the Cahill Expressway. Credit: Edwina Pickles
One of the objectives of Spring Cycle is to showcase the cycling infrastructure in NSW that many people do not realise exists. Bicycle NSW wants to support and encourage as many people as possible to ride and highlight cycle paths and routes that anybody can feel safe enjoying throughout the year.
“It is a privilege to enable riders to cycle over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, through the corkscrew, Cahill Express and the Western Distributor. It is wonderful to see thousands of happy faces from families to experienced riders as they all come along on this one day to celebrate cycling,” said Peter.
Bicycle NSW looks forward to welcoming everyone back again for next year’s Spring Cycle event where judging by this year’s attendee numbers will be even bigger.
