Bike Week social rides kept spirit alive
COVID restrictions at the start of the year meant we couldn’t plan ahead for Bike Week at the start of March but we pressed on with a program of great free social rides across the week.
With the Tamar Bicycle Users Group and some Kingborough Bicycle Users Group rides joining the regular Bicycle Network rides, there was plenty of routes to choose from across the state for the week.
It all culminated with a huge turnout of 41 riders for the exploration of the first leg of the Coastal Pathway from Latrobe to Don and back on Sunday 13 March.
A huge thanks to our volunteers who organise the free social rides program and lead the rides. If you want to come along to a ride or learn to lead a ride yourself learn more on our webpage: https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/ride-tasmania/social-rides/
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bike-week-collage-1190x800.jpg)
North Esk Trail upgrade started
Work has started on widening and raising the 1.5 km of the North Esk Trail between Henry Street and Hoblers Bridge.The trail work will mean it will still be useable when tidal floods soak the wetlands.
Good work from City of Launceston and Bridget Archer MP.
Daylight savings ends next weekend
You're probably already reaching for your lights in these darker mornings, but don't forget daylight savings finishes on Sunday 3 April.
Don't leave it until the last minute to get your lights out and make sure they're charged, or get some new ones. They get lighter and easier to charge every iteration.
Check out the bike shops around the state on our website, and ask if they provide the Bicycle Network member discount on when buying new lights: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/.../tasmania-bike-shops/#
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/horizontal-lightened-1198x800.jpg)
Bike Collective looking for volunteers
The Tasmanian Bike Collective is a fantastic program helping young people at risk learn bike mechanic skills that also prepare them for what’s needed to get and hold down a job.
They are expanding to Clarence Plains in May and need volunteers to supervise bike mechanic sessions across their workshops.
If you have the right skills and can spare at least 1.5 hours once or more a week during school terms in the following areas at these times:
- Huonville: Tuesdays 11am – 4.30 pm; Wednesday 9 am – 3 pm
- Risdon Vale: Wednesdays 9 am – 4.30 pm; Fridays 9 am – 1 pm and 3–5 pm
- Clarence Plains: Tuesdays 9 am – 4.30 pm
Sign up on the Bike Collective website: https://www.tasbc.com.au/volunteer#landing-form
Cycleway works delayed
Work on the Intercity Cycleway between Sunderland Street and Derwent Park Road has been delayed, and will now be closed for 3 weeks from 4 April.
The closure is to allow safe removal of asbestos from a factory along the path.
Footpath connections exist to detour the block via Sunderland Street or Main Road.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cycleway-closure-1134x800.jpg)
North-west leads in Ride2School Day registrations
With all the coastal pathway work going on, we're wondering if the excitement has seeped into north-west schools as they have led the state in registrations for tomorrow's Ride2School Day.
The number of registrations across the state is down due to the COVID-19 disruptions hitting a lot of our schools.
However, the north-west has as many registrations as the south and eclipses the poor response from the north-east. It's not a competition, but you know, go north-west Tas!:
North-East
Swansea Primary (Glamorgan Spring Bay)
North-West
Montello Primary (Burnie)
East Devonport Primary (Devonport)
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (Devonport)
East Ulverstone Primary (Central Coast)
Forest Primary (Circular Head)
Westbury Primary (Meander Valley)
Bracknell Primary (Meander Valley)
Deloraine High School (Meander Valley)
St Brigid’s Catholic School (Waratah Wynyard)
Mountain Heights School (West Coast)
St Joseph’s Catholic School (West Coast)
Strahan Primary (West Coast)
South
Howrah Primary (Clarence)
Montagu Bay Primary (Clarence)
Rokeby Primary (Clarence)
*Orford Primary (Glamorgan Spring Bay)
Triabunna District (Glamorgan Spring Bay)
Bowen Road Primary (Glenorchy)
Princes Street Primary (Hobart)
The Friends’ School (Hobart)
Waimea Heights Primary (Hobart)
Cygnet Primary (Huon Valley)
Taroona Primary (Kingborough)