The footpath has its own special set of hazards to be aware of and to anticipate. With a bit of practice, scanning and preparing for these become second nature. Simon Vincett explains. Riding on the footpath is an art in itself. It’s still not allowed for adults in three Australian states but for kids under
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In this second part, Simon Vincett revisits his highlights of 2015 in the commuting–touring spectrum of bikes and riding. Thanks for reading over the past year. What were your highlights? Following on from my colleague Iain Treloar’s list, this is my collection of the highlights of 2015, ranging from products to experiences and from articles to developments in the
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Swapping the sunshine for the cooler and calmer environment of the night offers relief, challenge and fun for all types of bike riders. Sarah Down catches some nocturnal action. Bike riding after sundown, on the whole, is more often viewed as an unfavourable by‐product of winter’s shorter days. For those in the southern states, it
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This right for bike riders creates one of the most confusing situations for riders and drivers to negotiate. Simon Vincett explains the Australian road rules with practical examples. Bikes are the only vehicles on the road in Australia that can legally overtake other vehicles on the left [RR141]. This special entitlement follows logically from
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Iain Treloar runs you through the process of breaking, sizing and fitting a bicycle chain. Chains are beautiful in the simplicity of their function, but surprisingly complex in their construction. Each link consists of a matching pair of outer and inner plates, two rollers and two pins. A standard derailleur chain will have approximately 57
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Harriet Edmund advises what you need to do—and what you need to know—if you are involved in a crash. You know the importance of staying vigilant while you ride into work but the road is greasy and nothing has prepared you for what’s about to happen. A motorist suddenly turns left, cutting in front of
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Too busy to get as much time on the bike as you’d like? Don’t worry—Lee Rodgers explains that the secret to improving your performance is to train smarter, not longer. “If only I had more time to train, I’d be so much quicker!” It’s a common refrain of the time-constrained cyclist, bemoaning the lack of
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Over 150 experts in urban planning, active travel and bike advocacy met at the annual Bike Futures Conference this week to discuss and dissect the challenges of becoming a nation of bike riders. Michael Hobbs reports. The three day conference themed on ‘overcoming barriers to bike riding’ had delegates pedalling through Melbourne on Monday, before
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There are many great reasons to ride together as a family. Nicola Rutzou looks at ways to encourage parents and children to get on two wheels and active. Family life is often frantic and fraught, so it’s important to take time out to spend together. What better way than by getting on a bike and
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Do you use a hook turn to turn right? It’s a great risk-reduction tool for riders, Simon Vincett explains. Moving to the middle of the road to turn right is a nerve-wracking situation for many bike riders but fortunately it can be mostly avoided. The answer is a hook turn. Hook turns are familiar to
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