Move your own way: explore your travel options

Cyclists and e-scooter riders are legally required to wear a helmet in Australia.

Helmets save lives and reduce the severity of head and facial injuries (Olivier & Creighton, 2017 and Olivier et al, 2019). Also, if you are injured while not wearing one, it may affect an insurance claim.

There is an exception for wearing religious headwear, such as a Sikh turban.

Choose a good quality helmet that meets Australian safety standards. Ensure your helmet fits properly – it should fit securely over your forehead and skull and not wobble. Select the correct size for your head measurement and adjust the interior foam padding and rear ratchet (if present) so that the helmet is snug and stable. The V of the straps at each side should sit just below the earlobes and you should be able to fit two fingers in the chinstrap.

Replace the helmet if it shows signs of wear, cracking or has been in an accident.

Helmets come in a range of styles for different cycling activities, varying the number of air vents, visor and other features. For warmth, rain or sun protection, use a helmet cover, sun brim or visor, or wear a thin, snug skull cap under the helmet and ensure the helmet still fits properly. If you wear a hijab, adjust it and your hair so that the helmet fits properly over it. Don’t wear a baseball cap underneath the helmet – it can cause injury in a crash.

“Helmet hair” is a small price to pay for keeping your brain safe! Wear long hair tied low on your neck so that it does not interfere with the fit of your helmet. Take a comb with you or keep what you need at work to freshen up your hair when you arrive or wear a hair net or skull cap under the helmet to keep your locks in place.

Remember that a helmet that fits poorly, is left undone or hanging on the handlebars will provide no protection to your head in the event of a crash.

(Source: Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2021, Put a lid on it: Bike helmet safety awareness month partner outreach toolkit)

Cold, frosty Canberra

Wet rainy days

Hot and sunny

Walking or taking public transport

Walking, cycling and buses are quicker than you think and are great value-for-time.

When comparing different travel options, it’s important to add up all of the time you spend using your car (including getting petrol, finding and walking from parking etc), and account for the added benefits of cycling, particularly that it incorporates exercise!

Over short distances up to about 8km (home to your local shops or nearest town centre), walking or cycling is often faster or at least more satisfying than driving in traffic and finding a carpark. Cycling over longer distances may take longer than driving, but you are packing in a whole lot of good stuff that is great for your physical and mental health – exercise, fresh air, experiencing nature, singing out loud! Cycling is the ultimate in flexible, independent transport – ride to exactly where you need to be whenever you want to go, door to door, no waiting. Plus you’ll save significant money by not running the car and you can skip dragging yourself to the gym after work, saving even more time and expense!

The local bus route may be longer than a direct car route, so make the most of personal “me time” on public transport to read, listen to music or a podcast, catch up on emails or social media, do a crossword, knit, meditate, write poetry, have a quick snooze or simply appreciate the passing scenery. You could even strike up a conversation with your fellow passengers!

Plan your trip in advance and have everything you need set up at home to make it as quick and easy as possible to get out the door in the mornings. Check out cargo options if you need to carry gear, or the kids! Make use of the Transport Canberra Journey Planner or Google Maps’ schedule explorer feature to pick the quickest route bus route.

Flip your morning routine: it doesn’t take any longer to shower at work after cycling than it does at home before cycling (in fact, probably quicker as you’re less likely to dawdle through a shower at work!), it’s just shifting the time at which you do each of those activities. Factor in the time to secure your bike and freshen up at work when planning your departure time from home.

The cost of owning and running the average car may be as much as 20–25% of many people’s salary. Reduce your transport costs to merely a few hundred dollars per year by switching from a car to public and active transport and you could potentially reduce your working hours (freeing up time to cycle or devote to other activities that increase wellbeing) or put aside the money saved and retire earlier or take more holidays.

If a pushbike seems too hard, e-bikes flatten hills and shorten travel time, making cycling easier for anyone.

If you can manage on a pushbike, and the distance and time suits you, keep doing that!

However, for many people, an electric bike is a great way to get into or continue cycling, particularly when replacing a car commute. Other options for people with mobility issues include tricycles, tandem bikes, recumbent bikes or rickshaws, either manual or electric.

The motor on an electric bike is like an extra set of power gears that reduces the amount of effort your legs need to apply. You still need to pedal on a “pedelec” bike, but can travel much faster and further than on human power alone. This makes e-bikes ideal if you feel unfit or ‘too old’ to ride a pushbike, or have mobility limitations, or the hills and distance are a struggle. Many pushbike riders switch to e-bikes as aging joints slow them down or to overcome injuries.

E-bikes can cut the time and effort of a bike commute, and help with carrying children and other loads. They can make the difference between arriving comfortably and in reasonable time at your destination vs being hot and exhausted, making cycling a viable travel option where you would not consider a pushbike. It’s like riding with a perpetual tailwind, even into a headwind!

If you do want a workout, you can turn the power down to zero. But even with full power assist, you’ll be doing more exercise, getting fitter and gaining greater health benefits than if you drive a car.

If you’d like to try an e-bike, the Canberra Electric Bike Library run by SEE-Change holds regular information sessions about their cargo and commuter electric bikes, including pushbikes retrofitted with motors, which you can borrow for a 2-week period, with a small fee to cover insurance.

Also, most bike shops will let you do a test ride and some will let you borrow or hire a bike for a day or two. Switched on Cycles offer a 2-day free trial of a commuter e-bike or will loan you one for a week for $70 (deducted off the purchase price if you buy one).

Visit your doctor for a general health check and advice before getting active if you are in doubt about your fitness or have existing health conditions or risk factors. Wouldn’t it be great if your GP could prescribe free bike hire rather than medication!

A morning bike ride in fresh air and sunshine makes you more alert and productive for the rest of the day!

Over short distances, you shouldn’t get too sweaty on a pushbike or scooter. You could take a clean shirt to change into when you get to work or a wash cloth to freshen up.

An e-bike will take much of the effort out of a longer ride, allowing you to wear your regular work clothes and get straight into the day.

Take spare shoes and clothes with you, or keep a change of clothes and a towel at work if you’re worried about being sweaty or getting drenched.

Locate showers and lockers so you can freshen up and store gear if needed. They might be on a different floor or even a neighbouring building.

Look out for public bike repair stations and local business ‘bike stops’ that have facilities for bike riders. See also “Workplace moves” for how your employer can support all employees.

Plan logistics as a family.

Map who needs to be where and at what time. Use journey planning tools to explore options, including combining walking or cycling with public transport. Practice your route on a non-work day to work out how long it will take.

Most kids love being on bikes and want to walk or ride to school. Children will gain the same benefits of improved physical and mental health as adults who get active, including being able to concentrate better in class and increasing their confidence, independence and resilience.

There are plenty of options for getting them either onto their own bikes or carrying them on an adult bike. An e-bike can help with the weight. Ride or scoot with them to daycare or school then continue on your bike or lock up your bike at the school and hop on the bus the rest of the way to work. Reverse this in the afternoon. Treasure the fun time cycling together as a family rather than stuck in traffic!

Pool with other local families for older children to walk or cycle together so parents can head off to work. Talk with your employer about adjusting your start or finish times to accommodate active travel with kids. Take turns between parents or split up to take kids to different locations. Encourage independence in tweens and teens by getting them to cycle, take the bus or share lifts with a friend to their sports, music, social and other activities. It will also reduce children’s expectation that parents will constantly ferry them around town.

Remember that with the money you save by not owning a car or not driving each day, you can more easily afford to call a taxi if you need to urgently pick up a child or get to an appointment. Don’t be hard on yourself if some days are too hard.

Find more resources for parents and schools to help children ride or walk to school.

Note that a bike rider must be at least 16 years old to carry children, all of whom must be under 10 years old and wearing helmets.

There are many options for carrying large and small loads on bikes!

Hanging ordinary bags off the handlebars is NOT one of them – they can swing into the wheels or your feet and pull your bike off-balance. Cross-body satchels, sling bags or shoulder bags are also not ideal as they can slide around your body pulling you off-balance.

Here are some better options that can be fitted to almost any kind of bike (pushbike, e-bike, cargo bike). There is no perfect way to carry stuff, just figure out what works best for you.

Pouches & saddlebags

Pros: small pouches can be fitted to handlebars, under the seat or within the frame of the bike; ideal for small items like mobile phones, puncture repair kit, water bottle, raincoat.

Cons: limited capacity.

Backpacks

Pros: easy, versatile, goes with you on and off the bike, you probably already own one.

Cons: makes your back sweaty, raises your centre of gravity.

Baskets (wire or wicker)

Pros: easy to pop belongings into, some models detach so you can take it with you. Can be fitted to either the handlebars or a rack above the rear wheel.

Cons: large baskets on the handlebars obstruct your view of the front wheel and may make steering feel unwieldy depending on how they are attached; items could bounce out if not packed in well and secured with a strap or net. Baskets can sag or break if they are overloaded.

Racks

Pros: cheap to install, easy to load your choice of bag and secure with either a fitted spring-loaded catch or a stretchy strap.

Cons: standard racks are quite narrow so larger bags may be unstable.

Panniers

Pros: either double or single bag, fits onto a rear rack, keeps the weight of cargo low for good balance, items are securely contained and protected from weather and splashes. Can be fixed to the bike and large enough to drop your own bags into, or may detach easily to take with you instead of a separate bag – look for a shoulder strap or handle.

Cons: pannier bags can be less comfortable to carry on your person than a backpack.

Trailers

Pros: like a pick-up truck for your bike, useful if you need to carry large items like tradie toolboxes, musical instruments or weekly grocery shopping or your business supplies. The weight is low to the ground and off the bike; two wheels makes them stable. A good alternative to a cargo bike – removing the trailer allows the bike to be used separately.

Cons: they add length and width to the bike making them more awkward to manoeuvre and park.

Cargo bikes

Pros: longer, sturdier bikes, usually electric, many with carrying capacity in excess of 150kg – the minivan of bikes! Can be fitted with heavy duty versions of any of the above cargo accessories eg front tray basket capable of carrying two bags of groceries or a case of beer; rear bench seating for two children; customised pannier crates, boxes or trailers to carry heavy supplies.

Cons: longer, heavier bikes can be more difficult to balance, manoeuvre and park; more expensive than adding baskets, panniers or trailer to an existing pushbike.

See some other ways: ‘Urban biking: the art of carrying things by bike’

Lock your bike safely and securely.

Find out what racks, rails or storage cages are available at or near your destination to secure your bike or scooter and charge it if electric. There might be space in a basement or an adjacent building, or perhaps your employer could allocate a storeroom or space in a garage or lobby.

There are public bike racks near the entrances of most major buildings, in town centres and at local shops and schools. There are bike rails at over 15 bus stop locations, primarily on Rapid routes, plus bike cages at selected bus stop areas.

If you have to leave your bike other than in a proper bike parking area, ensure that it is not obstructing pathways, doorways, driveways and can’t fall over. Check for signage prohibiting bike lock-up – the bike may be removed if it contravenes.

D-locks are the most secure method to lock the frame to a fixed pole or rack. A cable, chain or folding lock can be threaded through wheels and frame. Combining a cable with a D-lock offers greater versatility and security. The thicker or more solid the lock, the harder it is for a thief to quickly cut it off. Choose combination locks so you never lose keys.

If you have easily detachable accessories on your bike, such as lights, a water bottle or a pump, you may prefer to take them with you, rather than risk them being stolen.

Register your bike with Bikelinc, Crime Stoppers WA’s free national bike registration network that helps police and the community return your bike to you if it’s lost or stolen. If the bike is expensive, list it on your home and contents insurance.

There are many things you can do to stay safe when getting around town.

Did you know cycling has lower injury rates than most other forms of sport, exercise and active recreation? But accidents do happen so here are some suggestions about how to reduce the risks.

Personal safety

Canberra is a very safe city to get around in even after dark, but here are a few suggestions to help avoid mishaps and feel confident. Whether active travel or public transport, plan your trips so that you know where you are going. Follow marked routes to avoid getting lost. Carry a mobile phone. Take a paper map or mobile phone map app. Stick to well-lit paths and bus waiting areas or carry a torch (many phones have a built in flashlight). Find friends, neighbours or colleagues to meet up with along the way. On a bus, sit near the driver if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Listening to music or podcasts can add to the enjoyment of commuting – just ensure that you can still hear what’s going on around you and pay extra attention to what you’re doing, especially when crossing roads or walking on shared paths.

Safe equipment

Choose the right size bike or scooter for your needs and set it up properly, including the seat height and angle, lights and reflectors (compulsory), bell, brakes and tyres. Get comfortable with the equipment and making hand signals by practicing in a quiet location or do a learn to ride course with Pedal Power. Keep your bike or scooter well-maintained and batteries sufficiently charged.

Wear a helmet and appropriate clothing and footwear including a high-vis vest with reflective tape. Secure your stuff in a backpack, panniers or basket. If using a mobile phone for navigation, attach it to a bracket on the handlebars. Join Pedal Power or AusCycling to obtain personal accident and public liability (third party) insurance for cyclists.

Ride safely

While cyclists and scooter riders do not require a licence, they are required to obey road rules – most of what applies to cars also applies to bicycles, including stopping at red traffic lights, obeying street signs and giving way to pedestrians (see Part E for additional rights and responsibilities for bicycle riders). See Pedal Power for key rules that affect bike riders, and ACT Policing’s tips for cyclists, e-scooter riders and pedestrians.

Ride defensively, that is, take particular care when riding on roads: look behind you frequently, approach intersections and exit lanes with caution, assume you have not been seen and be prepared to avoid cars turning or changing lanes. Ride in designated bike lanes or the centre of the left car lane if there is no bike lane – avoid the far left “door zone” where parked car doors open. Control your speed and ride predictably so that other road and path users can anticipate your movements. Slow down smoothly in plenty of time before turns, curbs, road crossings, and allow a longer braking distance in wet weather. Use gears to adjust your speed and how hard you need to pedal: low gears for going uphill, higher gears for horizontal or downhill.

Do not ride bikes or scooters under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Remain aware of what’s happening around you, including the movement of other road or path users, parked cars, pet animals, kangaroos, swooping magpies, and hazards such as curbs, crossings, tight bends, safety barriers, changes of surface, debris, potholes, puddles, sticks and leaves.

Report hazards to Fix My Street and dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers. If you see someone in difficulty, help them out.

If you feel threatened or endangered by other road users, call 13 444 for police assistance or 000 (triple zero) in an emergency.

Knowing how to change a tyre is a handy skill, but not essential!

Regular cyclists know that punctures do happen occasionally. Carry a mobile phone so you can call someone to pick you up and take your bike to a repair shop, or put your bike on the bus.

Or learn how to fix your bike. Get hands-on instruction about how to maintain bikes and repair punctured tyres at the Canberra Environment Centre’s ReCyclery or at ActSmart’s workshops at various venues around Canberra. Bicycle repair shops may also offer instruction, or watch some how-to videos online.

Look out for public bike repair stations and local business ‘bike stops’ that have facilities for bike riders, and ask your workplace to set up a station for basic maintenance.
Fit a basic tool kit (like this) under the bike’s seat or handlebars, containing:

• a replacement inner tube,
• tyre levers,
• a tube patch kit,
• an allen-key & screwdriver multi-tool,
• a chain tool,
• a compact tyre pump, and
• work gloves and/or hand wipes to keep your hands clean.

Other items some people find useful include a small adjustable wrench, a pliers multi-tool, and a CO2 bulb & control knob for quick tyre inflation. Remember to take rubbish with you to dispose of responsibly and replenish the tool kit after use so it is ready for the next time.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents do happen. It’s important to take care of yourself and others as best you can.

Before you start riding, you could join Pedal Power or AusCycling to obtain personal accident and public liability (third party) insurance for cyclists. This will cover your own medical expenses and loss of income, and costs you are liable for in the event you cause injury to someone or damage their property, even if you are at fault.

If you have a minor accident and are slightly injured or your bike is damaged, ask the next passerby to help you. Call a friend to pick you up, and seek medical treatment, especially if you hit your head.

If you are involved in or witness an accident where someone else is injured, offer whatever assistance you can. For minor cuts and scrapes, offer to clean and dress the wound using a first aid kit or even just water if that’s all you have. Sit or lie the person down and assess if they are dazed, confused or feeling unsteady. Offer to call someone to pick them up. Stay with them until you are certain they are alright or in someone else’s care. Advise them to seek medical treatment. Exchange contact details.

For serious accidents, call triple zero (000) (or 112 if no mobile service) to get emergency services to attend the accident. Follow the DRSABCD action plan.

For any accident, make notes about the date, time, location, contact details of all parties involved and witnesses, what happened, details of any vehicles, weather conditions etc. Take photos. Keep damaged clothing, bikes or equipment to assist with police reports and insurance claims.

Report collisions to ACT Police. Report hazards to Fix My Street and dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers. Seek medical treatment, legal advice and counselling as needed.

Consider doing a first aid course – handy life skills for any situation. Consider also keeping a mini first aid kit on your bike for minor cuts and grazes, such as antiseptic wipes and bandaids. Suggested items for a more comprehensive kit are: disposable gloves, face shield, antiseptic cream or wipes, bandaids, a larger dressing or two, a self-sticking bandage, triangular bandage/sling, surgical tape, scissors, safety pins, tweezers, a whistle, survival ‘space’ blanket, notepad and pencil.