Welcome to the February 2025 edition of Darebin Loves Bikes, your seasonal wrap of local bike news and events. Read on for 50% Early Bird discounts* on autumn bike workshops and enter our bike lights competition.

Urban Cycling Confidence*

Urban Cycling Confidence*

This friendly, interactive workshop covers bike control skills, road rules and journey planning. There's plenty of time to practice in a traffic-free area before heading out for a group ride on the road. You'll leave with the confidence to start riding your bike to work, uni or your local shops.

Sue from Northcote participated last year and was reassured to find the facilitator was "really friendly and encouraging and took everyone at the level they were at." The group learnt learnt "little safety tricks, like how to remain stable when you head check, and taking the lane when you go through a roundabout."

When: Sunday 16 March OR Sunday 27 April 10am-3pm
Where: La Trobe University, Bundoora
Cost: $10 - $25

50% Early Bird discount for bookings before 1 March using DLB promo code

Find out more and book your place.

This workshop is run in partnership with Banyule City Council.

When: Sunday 16 March OR Sunday 27 April 10am-3pm
Where: La Trobe University, Bundoora
Cost: $10 - $25

50% Early Bird discount for bookings before 1 March using DLB promo code

Find out more and book your place.

This workshop is run in partnership with Banyule City Council.

Basic Bike Maintenance*

Basic Bike Maintenance*

Have fun as you learn more about your bike at this practical, hands-on workshop. You’ll leave ready to fix a puncture, take care of your chain and much more.

Our Basic Bike Maintenane workshops are empowering, help save money on repairs, and are much loved by locals, like Maria from Reservoir:

“I loved the workshop - anyone who rides a bike should do it! The instructors are amazing and will help you clear any doubts you may have about your bike.”

When: Sunday 2 March OR Sunday 30 March, 1-4pm
Where: Reservoir Leisure Centre
Cost: $10 - $20

50% Early Bird discount for bookings before 1 March using DLB promo code

Find out more and book your place.

When: Sunday 2 March OR Sunday 30 March, 1-4pm
Where: Reservoir Leisure Centre
Cost: $10 - $20

50% Early Bird discount for bookings before 1 March using DLB promo code

Find out more and book your place.

WIN bike lights

WIN bike lights

As the days get shorter, it's time to review your lights and overall visibility on the road. If you're riding at night or in low-light conditions, legally you must have the following attached to your bike:

white light on the front visible from 200 metres
red light on the back visible from 200 metres, and
red reflector on the back visible from 50 metres.

Wearing high-visibility clothing at night is not a legal requirement, but it makes good sense to make yourself more visible on the road. Research has shown that it is particularly effective to wear reflective gear on moving parts of your body (such as your ankles). 

But do you know if it's legal to wear a red bike light on the back of your helmet instead of your bike? The first reader to email the correct answer to darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au will win a set of KNOG bike lights.

For more details, download a copy of the Victoria Legal Aid's Bike Law Handbook

white light on the front visible from 200 metres
red light on the back visible from 200 metres, and
red reflector on the back visible from 50 metres.

For more details, download a copy of the Victoria Legal Aid's Bike Law Handbook

Bike checks and more!

Bike checks and more!

Planning to dig your bike out of the shed and start riding to work, uni or just for fun? We’re here to help with our Free Monthly Bike Check events.

Come for a safety check and learn more about your bike from our friendly bike mechanics. Grab a free Darebin TravelSmart Map and reflective ankleband while you’re there.

Upcoming dates as follows:

Batman Park, Northcote (with WeCycle) – Saturday 15 March

Reservoir Leisure Centre (with Dr Cranky's) – Sunday 23 March

Find out more and book your place: Northcote or Reservoir

Darebin's Free Monthly Bike Checks are proudly supported by the Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria)

Planning to dig your bike out of the shed and start riding to work, uni or just for fun? We’re here to help with our Free Monthly Bike Check events.

Come for a safety check and learn more about your bike from our friendly bike mechanics. Grab a free Darebin TravelSmart Map and reflective ankleband while you’re there.

Upcoming dates as follows:

Batman Park, Northcote (with WeCycle) – Saturday 15 March

Reservoir Leisure Centre (with Dr Cranky's) – Sunday 23 March

Find out more and book your place: Northcote or Reservoir

Darebin's Free Monthly Bike Checks are proudly supported by the Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria)

WeCycle volunteer profile

WeCycle volunteer profile

WeCycle volunteer mechanic Mike Williamson spends three Saturdays a month reconditioning bikes for those who need them – refugees and others referred by social welfare agencies. He’s also a friendly face at Darebin’s Free Monthly Bike Check at Batman Park in Northcote on the third Saturday each month.

Mike is semi-retired but previously commuted daily to the city by bike. He enjoyed maintaining his own bikes before joining WeCycle in 2018 for the chance to share knowledge and learn from others. A self-confessed “bike geek”, Mike's motivation for working with WeCycle has gradually changed: “over the years I’ve come to think more about the people and what it means to them, than the bikes themselves."

Ride2School Day

Ride2School Day

Only one month until Ride2School Day! On Friday 21 March, 18 local schools will join over 400 Victorian schools to celebrate healthy, active travel with Ride2School Day.

If you regularly ride, walk or scoot to school, invite friends to join you on the day. If you’ve never tried it before, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a go.

This year Darebin is supporting schools with a package of prizes and giveaways for their events.

Have you heard what your school is planning for Ride2School Day?

Pathway tips

Pathway tips

When you're enjoying our local shared paths, remember to look out for others. Pedestrians and slower riders need to feel comfortable.

Always give way to pedestrians and keep to the left unless it is impracticable to do so. This is a legal requirement at all times, not just a consideration.
If you need to pass other riders/walkers, make sure you can see the track ahead, then carefully move to the right. Ring your bell about 30 metres beforehand and provide a friendly warning such as "passing on your right." Don't wait until you're just behind someone to ring your bell.
Travel at a safe speed at all times so that you can provide adequate warning on approach and stop quickly if necessary. If you're not comfortable with a slower pace, please consider taking another route.

For more details, download a copy of the Victoria Legal Aid's Bike Law Handbook.

When you're enjoying our local shared paths, remember to look out for others. Pedestrians and slower riders need to feel comfortable.

Always give way to pedestrians and keep to the left unless it is impracticable to do so. This is a legal requirement at all times, not just a consideration.
If you need to pass other riders/walkers, make sure you can see the track ahead, then carefully move to the right. Ring your bell about 30 metres beforehand and provide a friendly warning such as "passing on your right." Don't wait until you're just behind someone to ring your bell.
Travel at a safe speed at all times so that you can provide adequate warning on approach and stop quickly if necessary. If you're not comfortable with a slower pace, please consider taking another route.

For more details, download a copy of the Victoria Legal Aid's Bike Law Handbook.