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It’s all about the family this Bike Week

Last year’s COVID restrictions reminded so many people across the state of the joys of riding a bike and so this year’s Bike Week is celebrating the families who are riding together more often.

Whether it’s hitting one of the many mountain bike tracks across the state or idling along one of our many river trails, parents and kids are rolling together.

Bicycle Network is hosting three social rides for families in the lead up to and during the week:

East Devonport Family Ride – Saturday 6 March

Our north-west riders group is organising a ride starting at 10.30 am at the Bike Safety park within Pioneer Park in East Devonport.

The kids get to practise on the mini-road network while everyone’s bike gets a check to make sure brakes are working, tyres are pumped, seats are at the right height and everyone has a helmet.

From the Bike Park they’ll set off along the Heritage Trail which hugs the coastline and has easy riding conditions for young children.

Please RSVP online: https://ridewithgps.com/events/143966-devonport-2021-family-bicycle-ride

The ride is free but all children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent/guardian.

Cornelian Bay Family Ride – Saturday 13 March

This is a short ride completely on protected path with lots of sites for kids to get excited about riding alongside the waterfront and under the bridge.

Starting at the car park at the Cenotaph at 10 am, we’ll head slowly to Cornelian Bay where we’ll stop for a coffee and workout of the playground before heading back.

Please RSVP online as the ride will be cancelled if the weather is bad: https://ridewithgps.com/events/142651-family-ride-to-cornelian-bay.

The ride is free but all children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent/guardian.

Kingborough Treasure Hunt – Sunday 14 March

This is always a popular one with families in the south as the kids gets to try out their mountain bikes while also puzzling over the clues in the treasure hunt.

Because it is so popular we are asking people to register beforehand so we can manage numbers for our COVID plan: www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx

Starting times begin at 2 pm and the ride is free but we wouldn’t say no to a donation to help cover costs.

You’ll get your starting time when you register and the ride leaves the entrance to the Peter Murrell Reserve in Huntingfield off Huntingfield Ave, next to Kingsgate Circuit.

Women on Wheels

While not technically a family ride, our monthly Women on Wheels ride on Sunday 7 March is a great one for mums and daughters, sisters or cousins to go on together.

As in previous Bike Weeks the riding route has a few challenges in it for newer riders but is mostly on shared paths, footpaths and quiet roads.

This is a free ride but we do need people to RSVP so we can be prepared with enough ride leaders and buddies: https://ridewithgps.com/events/141852-women-on-wheels-margate-to-snug-loop

The ride is leaving Dru Point car park at 10.30 am but riders should get there at least 15 minutes before for the pre-ride briefing.

Membership offer and bike give-away

To celebrate all the new riding families, we are offering a deal for Tasmanians up until 21 March – buy a family+2 membership for the same price as a concession membership – $109, or a family+3 membership for the same price as an individual $129.

And for people who become members or sign up at our Bike Week events, there is a near-new Apollo city bike to give away courtesy of Hobart Bike Kitchen. The bike was bought at a going-out of business sale a few years ago and has only been ridden a couple of times since and has been checked out by one of the Hobart Bike Kitchen chefs.

It’s a medium sized city bike – perfect for teens or parents.

Launceston events

As well as co-presenting the Why We Cycle film about riding in The Netherlands with Bicycle Network, The Tamar Bicycle Users Group is holding the following events and rides in and around Launceston.

If you’d like to go to the Phil Liggett screening please book your ticket before Sunday 28 February – if not enough tickets are sold it will be cancelled.

Sunday 7 March

Monday 8 March

Tuesday 9 March

Wednesday 10 March

Thursday 11 March

Friday 12 March

Saturday 13 March

  • Ride 2 Night– Tamar BUG, bling up your bike & you, QVMAG car park, 7.30 pm.

Sunday 14 March

For a full listing of all the bike activities happening during Bike Week, including bike polo, Le Tour de Flinders and the Hobart Bike Kitchen, visit the Tasmanian Bicycle Council website: https://tasbicyclecouncil.org.au/bike-week/