bike bus

It was a response to the 2024 train strikes.  Extra traffic from the West made it harder for drivers to get onto the Anzac Bridge each morning. 

Seeing an opportunity to introduce commuters to the clean, green options, we ran our first Balmain Bike Bus on the 22nd of November 2024 - and nearly every week since.

We meet at the Loyalty Square bike racks outside Woollies from 8am to 8:10, cycle single file down quiet back streets to Robert St in Rozelle, pause at the entrance to the White Bay Power Station until 8:20 to pick up any more riders, then make our way across the Anzac Bridge to Pyrmont. 

After that, it's flexible.  We may help riders get to their destinations, or stop for a coffee before some head off to the city or return to Balmain.

A core group of regulars joins for various reasons: for company on the way to work, to develop their bicycling skills in a friendly group, or for a bit of exercise and fresh air before they start their day. 

It's mostly professionals and retirees.  To and from the city is not useful for local children.  We have considered routes to local schools and sportsgrounds, but what if a child turns up after the Bus has gone?  There wouldn't be a later bike bus to catch!

It grows slowly, but we get more on special occasions, such as Ride to Work Day, Climate Action Week, and World Bicycle Day. 

Local representatives Kobi Shetty MP, Councillor Kerrie Ferguson and Councillor Ismet Tastan have joined us multiple times.  The chance to talk to your government representatives while on a casual ride to work is a drawcard too.

We've had attendees with varying levels of experience.  It has been good to see experienced riders giving tips to newbies, and to see the progress of newer riders as they return over the weeks. 

Sometimes people who had been newbies stop coming, but then we see them out and about on their own, which is extremely heartening!

Safety is also a big concern for adult riders!  It's the number one reason people give for not yet being prepared to join us. 

The Sustainable Transport group of Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle energetically advocates for improved safety in our local area.  On the Bike Bus, we have one experienced organiser at the front of the ride, and one to bring up the rear. We also keep to lower speed streets, and separated or shared (cyclist/pedestrian) paths for the whole ride.

e-bikes have certainly changed the demographics: many more women and seniors are giving it a go.  e-bikes still provide some exercise, but also a way of getting around - especially up the Balmain hills!

More cycling seems to have normalised it, leading to fewer 'entitled' drivers, but it exacerbates the problem of three transport modes competing for two corridors - road and footpath.  We always advocate separated bike lanes, but Sydney roads and paths are often too narrow.  An alternative is to embrace selected roads as major cycle routes.

For share bikes, parking can be an issue.  Our work with Lime has led to well-defined locales that don't block pedestrian access. 

But we're not only about cycling!  Pedestrians need a better deal too.

The Bike Bus is entirely volunteer driven! But it is our pleasure and honour to help and guide locals to explore more sustainable transport options, and open up their choices so they have a viable alternative to driving for many journeys. We are happy to turn up every week for this reason 🙂

We also spend time advocating with local council, state and federal governments, as well as working with other organisations such as Bicycle NSW, Better Streets, Placemaking NSW and other Inner West Bicycle Groups.

The car was a great invention, and still necessary for many things in our lives, but countries and cities around the world suffering the harms of overuse have taken action.  After early resistance, the residents appreciate their improved quality of life with safe and realistic alternative transport options.

The Bike Bus is part of this idea - both to show locals that it is a feasible choice, and to show governments what needs to be done.

We would love to be able to expand to schools and sporting groups! We'd also love to be able to have safe options for taking novice cyclists to other fun local destinations like the GreenWay, Cooks River, Bay Run, etc. There are many improvements planned already that should help us to achieve some of these in the future, which is great.

But we'd also always love more volunteers to help us to run more events and reach more people. If you're passionate about sustainable transport too, then please come along to the weekly Bike Bus or get in contact with Climate Change Balmain Rozelle to learn more 🙂