This week, Pedal Power had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Volunteering ACT Awards, where we proudly nominated our Advocacy Team for the Team Award. Volunteer Advocacy Coordinator Mike Watson, along with advocates Rob Dalitz, Assistant Coordinator for Ginnindera Electorate and Gregg Berry, Coordinator for Yerrabi Electorate, joined Executive Director Cecily Michaels to represent the extraordinary work of the team. 

After a packed session at the National Library exploring why bicycles continue to capture our imaginations, about twenty riders joined Pedal Power Board member and long-time ride leader John Widdup for a gentle loop around the wetlands of Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday 15 November. 

The talk beforehand, Two Wheels to Adventure: Bikes and why we love them, drew a crowd of well over a hundred people. Facilitator Dr Rebecca Fleming guided a lively conversation with the panel: Tony Wheeler AO, co-founder of Lonely Planet, and historian Dr Daniel Oakman, well known for works such as Wild Ride and his biography of Sir Hubert Opperman. 

Most of the time, your rides will be uneventful in the best possible way. But when something unexpected happens, it helps to know you’re not facing it alone. 

Here are two fictional examples that show how Pedal Power’s membership insurance can support you, whether you’re injured yourself or accidentally cause harm to someone else. 

If something happens while you’re riding or volunteering, we recommend completing an incident report within two weeks, even if you’re unsure whether a claim will be needed. You’ll find the form on our website. 

Pedal Power has been advocating for years to secure a safe, direct connection between Coombs and the C5 near the RSPCA. The new shared path and bridge are meant to deliver precisely that. But the latest proposed design still poses a serious safety issue that can’t be ignored.

The path leading to the bridge currently sits at a 9.3 percent gradient. In real terms, that’s steep. For comparison, Canberra’s best-practice guidelines recommend gradients between 5 and 7 percent for shared paths, and ideally lower in areas used by children or beginner riders. Once you push past 8 percent, braking distances increase sharply, bikes gather speed quickly without pedalling, and it becomes much harder for riders to maintain control.

Cycling Without Age helps older, less mobile Canberrans enjoy a breath of fresh air and the wind in their hair.

On Saturday, 29 November, Pedal Power hosted free rides in our Danish trishaws, pedalled by our volunteer pilots. Some would say we felt a little too much wind in our hair that day, but the breeze didn’t stop us from taking a relaxed ride around Lake Ginninderra. In fact, the determination of our pilots made the chilly morning feel surprisingly cosy.

Cyclonats had very humble beginnings and has very grand ambitions. The idea for a festival of cycling began when Nigel McRae had an inspiration and invited a few dedicated cyclists to brainstormed the idea at Smith’s Alternative in 2024. These cyclists had a vision of a weekend festival that would spread all over Canberra in March every year, celebrating every kind of rider from toddlers on trikes to elite athletes on the fastest machines.

E-bikes may be one of the most sought-after Christmas gifts this year, but the market has become confusing - and in some cases, unsafe. With more Canberrans turning to electric bikes for recreation, commuting and family riding, it’s vital to understand the difference between a legal, roadworthy e-bike and the growing number of illegal high-powered devices being sold online as if they were bicycles. 

Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent Membership and Stakeholder Surveys. We had over 500 responses, giving us a strong sense of what our community values and where you’d like to see us focus next. Your feedback helps guide our priorities as we plan for the years ahead. 

This week, we interviewed David Thomson, a long-standing member of Pedal Power. He described what cycling has meant for him throughout his life and shared the experiences he has had with Pedal Power. We are incredibly grateful for his insights and for the passion he brings to our community. Stories like David’s remind us why cycling matters and how much our members contribute to the spirit, history and future of Pedal Power.

While preparing for this year’s Celebration Ride, we took a deep dive into the Pedal Power archives and unearthed something truly special: our very first newsletter from April 1975. Among faded pages and typewritten lines, we found the beginnings of a movement that shaped cycling in Canberra. The stories, the tone, even the focus on safety and community all feel familiar, reminding us that while the way we share has evolved, our purpose hasn’t. The wheels started turning fifty years ago, and they haven’t stopped since.

Rosemary’s cycling journey began in 2014 after a knee injury led her to Pedal Power’s New Horizons course, and what started as rehab quickly became her passion. Since then, she has become one of our most recognisable members, riding with multiple groups and now hitting the trails on her mountain bike three times a week. Elected to the Board in 2017 and serving as President from 2018 to 2021, Rosemary guided Pedal Power through bushfires, COVID and key governance reforms. Today, she is known for her warm support on TeamApp and her leadership of the Social Rides Management Group, bringing deep organisational experience and a strong commitment to our community.

Fifty years ago, a small group of determined Canberrans rode together in protest, calling for the city to build safe, separated bike paths. That simple act sparked a movement. It was the beginning of Pedal Power ACT – and the start of Canberra’s journey to becoming the Cycling Capital of Australia. Half a century later, the heart of Pedal Power remains unchanged. Volunteers have always been the engine behind this organisation: passionate, persistent people who believed Canberra could be a city where anyone, at any age, could ride a bike confidently and safely. Their vision has shaped a city that is widely regarded as Australia’s leading cycling city, and scores well in international assessments of cycling infrastructure quality.

The celebration at Lennox Gardens brought everyone together over pide, dips, fruit and plenty of good conversation and great tunes thanks to Paris Lord from Canberra By Bike, who provided music along the route and at the park, entertaining those who stayed on to chat, relax and even have a dance. Long-standing and new members alike spoke about how meaningful it felt to be part of such a moment - honouring the past while showing up for the future.

From family picnic rides by Lake Burley Griffin to challenging Mountain Goat climbs and scenic weekend tours, Pedal Power’s social rides have been bringing Canberra cyclists together for 50 years. This article celebrates the history of our rides, highlights the diversity of cyclists who participate, and shows how volunteer leaders have kept these rides safe, fun, and welcoming for all. Whether you’re new to group cycling or a seasoned rider, there’s a social ride for everyone and a community waiting to share the journey.

Canberra’s roads are shared by people with very different levels of cycling experience and confidence, from the strong and fearless to those who are interested but concerned. This article explores why creating safe, inclusive streets matters for everyone, highlights common challenges cyclists face on busy routes, and explains how small acts of respect from drivers can make a big difference. By giving bike riders the space and safety they deserve, we can reduce congestion, encourage more people to ride, and help make Canberra a better, more livable city for all.

Get ready for major changes on Commonwealth Avenue. From mid-November, lane closures will begin as preparations start for a two-year bridge strengthening project.

Throughout 2026, the west (northbound) bridge will close completely, with all bike and pedestrian traffic moved to the east side. In 2027, the roles will reverse — the east bridge will close and riders will shift to the newly widened western path.

Expect regular weekend closures around London Circuit, Northbourne Avenue, and Parkes Way while the city’s major infrastructure upgrades continue. Mike Watson shares practical route tips to help riders stay safe and keep rolling through the disruption.

Join us for our landmark event, the highlight of our 50th anniversary year, our Celebration and Demonstration Ride on Thursday, 13 November 2025. This special ride will both honour our beginnings and call for a separated bike lane along Adelaide Avenue between Woden and Civic before Light Rail Stage 2B construction begins. 

But this isn’t just a ride, it’s a message. A message that safe cycling infrastructure must remain a priority. Your presence will help make that message heard loud and clear. When hundreds of riders come together, we show the strength, unity and visibility of Canberra’s cycling community - a community that continues to shape the city’s future, just as it did 50 years ago.

Canberra by Bike’s Halloween ride around Yerrabi Pond was a glowing success a fun, festive mix of lights, laughter, and community spirit. Seventeen riders, joined by local MLA Andrew Braddock, pedalled through the evening in costume, music, and good company. The flat, easy route made it perfect for riders of all ages, and the post-ride pizzas and stories capped off a magical night.

A huge thank you to Paris Lord and Canberra by Bike for bringing people together once again to celebrate the joy of cycling!

Pedal Power’s 50th anniversary forum, Spokes and Sustainability: A New Vision for Canberra — hosted in partnership with Andrew Braddock MLA and the ACT Greens — brought together community voices and policy leaders to explore how cycling can shape a healthier, more connected city. 

Facilitated by Stephen Hodge from We Ride Australia, the panel included Doris Voorbraak, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Netherlands; Andrew Braddock MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport; Paris Lord from Canberra by Bike; and Pedal Power’s Executive Director, Cecily Michaels. Together, they painted an inspiring picture of what’s possible when vision meets investment. 

When Fatemeh joined Pedal Power’s Cycle Well program, she wasn’t just learning to ride a bike — she was breaking barriers and realising a lifelong dream. Growing up in a culture where women weren’t allowed to cycle, Fatemeh learned to ride at 43, finding freedom and confidence on two wheels. Her journey from first wobbly rides to cycling to work on National Ride2Work Day captures the spirit of Pedal Power’s mission: empowering people to connect, grow, and discover the joy of riding.