14. Cycling
Cycling: ride a distance that challenges your ability and works on setting a PB.
Cycling is a sport that is inclusive of athletes of all disabilities. It can be competitive, recreational or used as a means of transport. It has many health benefits for cardiovascular health, endurance, muscle development, road safety and coordination and balance.
There are a range of clubs and organisations that support the involvement of diverse Australians in the sport of cycling.
AusCycling
AusCycling is the National organisation for all forms of cycling in Australia, including mountain biking, BMX, road, track, and para-cycling.
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Bike SA
Bike SA is the peak body for recreational and commuter cycling in SA. Their mission is to get more people cycling in South Australia. Each year they engage more than 70,000 ride participants through the delivery of year-round programs and events.
Bikes Palya is a program run by Bike SA for kids and communities in the APY lands. Palya means “great” in Pitjantjatjara. Bikes are Great. Bikes Palya translates the excitement of cycling into learning opportunities for Aboriginal and isolated youth through programs that reinforce values of pride and responsibility while creating a healthy pastime. In schools where attendance can be very low, Bikes Palya aims to drive attendance rates higher and to engage with typically hard-to-reach youth through the power of the bike. You can see some of the program in action here.
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Come and Try Sessions
Come and Try Sessions are run by affiliate clubs or AusCycling. They are often free or low-cost introductions to a cycling discipline under the guidance of a coach.
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Ride National Schools
Ride National Schools is a bike education program available to Australian schools over three levels, to support riding confidence, safety, and fun.
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She Rides
She Rides an introductory program for women focused on fitness, confidence on the bike and community. All you need is a bike and a helmet.
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National Ride2School Day
Ride2School is a nationwide program delivered by Bicycle Network, designed to support schools to encourage, empower and enable more students to get physically active on their journey to school. To do this the Bicycle Network work with schools, students, parents and local government to cultivate active and healthy school communities.
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Para-cycling
Para-cycling is open for athletes with a physical or vision impairment. It was introduced as a Paralympic Sport in Seoul in 1988. Riders with a vision impairment compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted teammate (pilot). Riders with a physical impairment may compete on a standard bike, trike or handbike depending on their requirements. Handcyclists and Trike riders compete in Road events only.
One of our inspiring para-cycling athletes is Amanda Reid, a proud Wemba Wemba and Guring-gai woman, who became the first Aboriginal Australian to claim a cycling gold medal at a Paralympic Games. Read about her success here. Check out the para-olympic cycling info sheet.
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Cycling without Age Australia
A not-for-profit charity that supports those unable or no longer able to ride bikes themselves by providing free rides on trishaw e-bikes.
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The Road Safety Centre Mock Roadway
The Road Safety Centre is located at Thebarton Police Barracks and offers road safety education sessions to schools, businesses and community groups. It is available free of charge.
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Disability Sports Australia
Disability Sports Australia features information about participation in para-cycling and hand cycling as well as classification and the International Rulebook.
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Other Resources
- Adelaide’s 10 Best Family Bike Rides (Nature Play SA)
- Tips for finding family-friendly bike routes (via Ride Nation)
- Tips for riding with children. (via Ride Nation)
- BMX state series SA