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.

After a six-year pause, National Ride2Work Day returned to Canberra with full force on Wednesday 15 October, reigniting the city’s cycling spirit and reminding everyone how good it feels to start the day on two wheels.

Pedal Power was delighted to host the event once again, with guided rides from across Canberra converging on Veterans Park for a community breakfast. More than 120 riders registered, with many more joining on the day—excited to take part in the community celebration. It was an absolutely beautiful spring day for a ride, and the city centre was alive with colour, conversation, and the sound of freewheeling bikes.

Pedal Power has been Canberra’s voice for cycling for 50 years. Want to help shape the next 50 and enter the draw to win a chance at a $300 voucher to The Canberra Cyclery? If so, then fill out one of our 2025 surveys for members and stakeholders. On the 29th of September, we launched our Membership Survey, and this week, we launched our Stakeholder Survey. Both surveys are currently open, and we would love your input!

It’s time to wrap up the year in style! Join us for the Pedal Power Christmas Party on Tuesday, 16 December, from 5 - 8 pm at Lennox Gardens. Bring along your own food and drinks, spread out a picnic rug, and enjoy an evening of good company and festive cheer by the lake.

As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’re looking back at the moments and people who helped shape Canberra’s cycling story. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing a series of features that revisit Pedal Power’s past from the early days of protest rides and handwritten flyers to the campaigns and community spirit that have kept Canberra pedalling for half a century.

We’re starting right at the beginning, with The Ride That Started It All the story of how two everyday commuters, frustrated by dangerous roads and a lack of cycling infrastructure, came together in 1974 to stage Canberra’s very first demonstration ride. That single act of courage and collaboration would grow into the organisation we know today: Pedal Power ACT.

Pedal Power’s first protest ride in 1974 helped shape Canberra’s cycling future. Fifty years later, we’re riding from Woden to Civic to show the ACT Government that separated bike lanes are vital for a liveable, sustainable city.

Join us for this group ride to celebrate 50 years of advocacy in the ACT! 🚲

As the Woden Town Centre grows, Pedal Power ACT is advocating for a people-focused approach that makes cycling and walking central to its future. Our recent submissions by Richard Bush to government highlight the need for better paths, safer crossings, and secure bike parking to support active travel and reduce car dependence.

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.