On 24 September, Pedal Power hosted Handlebars of Happiness, an inspiring evening celebrating cycling through storytelling. Two remarkable speakers shared their journeys: Bernadette Hince, who spent 13 years cycling to every Canberra suburb in alphabetical order, and Robin Brown, who recounted his mother’s epic 8,000-kilometre ride across Europe in 1939.

Their stories, one of personal exploration, the other of courage and determination, reminded everyone that cycling is more than movement; it’s connection, curiosity, and community on two wheels.

National Ride2Work Day is only one week away, and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, Pedal Power is celebrating by encouraging riders of all experience levels to join a Group Ride into the City Centre, finishing at our Community Breakfast in Veteran’s Park.

Whether you’re a first-time commuter or a seasoned cyclist, these guided rides are a fun and friendly way to roll into the day. Each group will be led by experienced local volunteers who know the safest, most bike-friendly routes into the city, perfect for learning the ropes or simply enjoying a social start to your morning.

Fran is both an audiologist and a dedicated cyclist; combining both passions allows her to notice the subtle, often-overlooked moments that unfold on shared paths. In this article, she explores hearing loss and its quiet impact on how we connect and sometimes misconnect while out riding or walking. What happens when the simple sound of a bike bell goes unheard? Fran invites us to look and listen a little differently next time we share the path.

On Saturday, 27 September, a dedicated team of Pedal Power volunteers rolled up their sleeves for a big day at the Bike Library. From 9 am to 2 pm, the crew worked hard to clean, sort, and assess over 120 bikes stored in the shed — a huge task that made a real difference.

Thanks to everyone who came along, including Peter Elford, Ian & Cora Wallis, Gregg Berry, Graeme Hoy, Baldev, Ben Damyon, David Austin, and Sari and Andri Marhen. A special shout-out goes to Ian and Cora Wallis for bringing labels, drinks, and a plan to keep everything running smoothly.

By the end of the day, around 50 bikes were stripped for parts and sent to recycling, creating much-needed space and leaving the Bike Library organised and ready for future use.

The shed has never looked better — a huge thank you to everyone who lent a hand to keep this valuable community resource in top shape!

Pedal Power was proud to welcome four remarkable women — Louise, Sonia, Anna and Rach — to Haig Park this week on the final leg of their extraordinary Ride4Life journey.

The team has spent the past six weeks pedalling across Australia on a quad tandem bike, a world-first, to spark conversations about mental health and raise funds for Gotcha4Life, a not-for-profit focused on building mental fitness and stronger connections.

Their 4,000-kilometre journey began at Scarborough Beach in Perth and is expected to finish this week at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Along the way, they’ve met communities, schools and local groups, using their four-seater bike as a symbol of teamwork, connection and hope.

Fran and Justin Freeman set out on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, and the journey was everything they imagined and more. Starting in Wangaratta, they pedalled through farmland alive with bird calls and swooping magpies, climbed into the gold-rush charm of Beechworth, laughed their way through heavy rain on the road to Yackandandah, and sped down rolling green hills back towards Wangaratta. With coffee stops, brewery burgers, hot showers, and even winery tastings around Rutherglen, every moment was filled with discovery. For Fran and Justin, this wasn’t just a cycling trip; it was a celebration of history, scenery, food, and the simple joy of sharing the ride. Read on to learn all about their adventure!

A Typical Day – Norseman to Coolgardie
What does a “typical” day on tour really look like? For long-distance cyclist Ian Wallis, a 165 km ride across Western Australia brought silence and salt lakes, the thunder of road-trains, rediscovered snacks, and the generosity of strangers. By the time he rolled into Coolgardie at sunset, the day had become one of grit, humour, and unexpected discovery. Read the full story and see why no two days in the saddle are ever the same!

In this update, our advocates share what’s been happening in Kurrajong and highlight the issues we’re working on for better cycling infrastructure and safer active travel.

In this issue:

• The Green at Dickson (DA 202544071): Submission on protecting and improving the C6 trunk cycle path.

• Garden City Cycleway: Push for better light phasing at the new Limestone Avenue crossing.

• Northbourne Avenue corridor: Early advocacy for dedicated cycle-only facilities and active travel streets.

This year, Pedal Power proudly celebrates 50 years of championing cycling in Canberra. Reaching this milestone allows us to reflect on all that we have achieved together. That’s why your voice matters. As part of our 50-year journey, we’re inviting all members to share their experiences and ideas through our upcoming membership survey. By telling us what’s working and where we can improve, you’ll be helping to shape the next chapter of Pedal Power’s story, ensuring that the next 50 years are even stronger than the last.

Ross has shared with us an excellent new tool for navigating around Canberra. GoMaps is a paid application that has all the information you will need, from bike paths to equestrian trails; it has it all. The article covers all the different methods to use and access these tools, so that on your next ride, you are safe to explore every nook and cranny of Canberra.

With their brand-new workshop open at 2 Kingsley Street, Mojo Cycles is already making waves in Canberra’s cycling community. From repairs and second-hand bikes to community events, they’re all about keeping riders rolling. We’re excited to partner with them this year! Registered participants for National Ride2Work Day can score a free bike tune-up from the Mojo team on the day. 🚲

This advocacy update pertains to the Raising London Circuit project and light rail works, which are transforming the city centre. While drivers face delays and frustration, people on bikes, on foot, and on light rail are still enjoying smooth, reliable journeys. The newly opened southern half of the London Circuit shows what’s possible, with wide bike lanes and generous footpaths built for active travel. With years of construction ahead, cycling may be the smartest way to move through Canberra - read on to see what’s changing and how it affects your ride.

Every ride tells a story. This October, hop on your bike and join Tour de Kids, Starlight Children’s Foundation’s virtual cycling challenge, where every kilometre brings a smile to seriously ill children across Australia. From morning spins to weekend adventures, each ride becomes a journey of hope, connection, and community. Register early to unlock exclusive gear, medals, and prizes and let’s show Canberra how cycling with heart can change lives.

Since its beginnings in 1994 with just over 600 riders, Ride2Work Day has grown into Australia’s biggest celebration of commuter cycling. Each year, thousands of riders take part to enjoy the health benefits, save on travel costs, reduce emissions, and connect with their communities. We see this event as a true celebration and a way to give back, which is why we’re launching a special Raffle up for grabs. Register your ride, join the fun, and help make this year’s event one to remember!

What started as a way to share a bike ride with my mum has become one of the most meaningful parts of my fitness journey. Spinning, or indoor cycling, is not just about breaking a sweat. It is about connection, community, and creating space for the people who matter most. Each session offers a chance to challenge yourself, improve your fitness, and lift your mood. Whether you are riding to get healthier, to feel more energised, or to spend time with someone you care about, every spin is an opportunity to grow stronger together.

Read on to discover how these spinning sessions became more than just exercise and the lessons they taught about family, resilience, and the joy of riding together.

A Brompton, a winter, and a thousand quiet kilometres.
What happens when you fold a bike, board a train, and decide to ride home the long way — away from the highways and into the stillness of forgotten roads? This is not a tale of speed or records, but of winding routes, cold mornings, and the small discoveries that make slow travel worth it.

From city bike paths to farm service tracks, from hidden campsites to empty country towns, this journey traces a line between Melbourne and Canberra that few riders ever take.

Follow the ride and see what unfolds when you choose the quieter path.

Pedal Power is reaching out to our community this September to help guide our next steps. We’re starting by tracking volunteer hours to reflect the impact of your incredible work better. Soon, we’ll also launch our 2025 Membership and Stakeholder Survey, open to members and the wider cycling community. Share your thoughts and go in the draw to win a $300 Canberra Cyclery voucher. Please find out more by reading our article.

Wanting to make the best of Ride2Work Day, look no further. This article highlights the brand-new function added to our TidyHQ. You can now lead and join rides for the day. We want Ride2Work Day to be special. By leading a ride, you are making massive contributions to the community; it’s not about being the fastest, it’s an opportunity to positively influence someone’s cycling journey. Please read the article to find out how to lead/join a ride.

This chapter takes a closer look at the rules that shape how these electric-powered devices fit into the ACT’s active travel network. The goal isn’t to point fingers, but to help everyone, riders, walkers, and regulators alike, understand the boundaries as they stand today, and how they play out in practice. The mix of users on our paths will only keep growing, and so will the challenge of keeping it safe and fair. Current laws give police the tools to manage unsafe behaviour, though not always with the same precision used for cars, and that’s okay for now. Find out more by reading our article.

Local Matters is an ongoing campaign organised by Grill'd to give back to communities that we are a part of and support local issues. Pedal power will be joining the campaign throughout September in the form of a cap donation jar. With every order at Grill'd, you will receive a cap, which you can choose to donate to a community of your choice. We invite you to please come support us. If you want to find out how you can help, read our article.