Welcome to this bumper 2025 December edition of Darebin Loves Bikes e-news. Read on to book a summer bike check, celebrate WeCycle's big win at the Darebin Community Awards, find out how we're making intersections safer, and check our top tips for getting to NARC. There's also a chance to win a set of bike lights at the end of newsletter. Happy reading (and riding)! |
Welcome to this bumper 2025 December edition of Darebin Loves Bikes e-news. Read on to book a summer bike check, celebrate WeCycle's big win at the Darebin Community Awards, find out how we're making intersections safer, and check our top tips for getting to NARC. There's also a chance to win a set of bike lights at the end of newsletter. Happy reading (and riding)! |
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Our Free Monthly Bike Check teams are taking a well-earned break, so there will be no bike checks in December. They'll be back in January 2026, refreshed and ready to help get your bike in top shape for the new year! When: Saturday 17 January and Saturday 21 February, 12.30–3pm Where: WeCycle Bike Hub, Batman Park, Northcote When: Sunday 25 January and Sunday 22 February, 12.30–3pm Where: Reservoir Leisure Centre, Reservoir Find out more and book your free bike check |
Our Free Monthly Bike Check teams are taking a well-earned break, so there will be no bike checks in December. They'll be back in January 2026, refreshed and ready to help get your bike in top shape for the new year! When: Saturday 17 January and Saturday 21 February, 12.30–3pm Where: WeCycle Bike Hub, Batman Park, Northcote When: Sunday 25 January and Sunday 22 February, 12.30–3pm Where: Reservoir Leisure Centre, Reservoir Find out more and book your free bike check |
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It would be cool to swim to the pool… but you can walk, ride, scoot or even catch PT! There’s nothing better than cooling off at the local pool on a hot summer day. As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to try a new way of getting to Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre (NARC). With additional bike parking at the front entrance, we’re making it easier than ever to catch the breeze and pedal to the pool. You can also make the most of free weekend public transport this summer and take the 250/251 bus straight to the pool or the 552 just a short stroll away. No need to touch on or off on weekends from 30 November 2025 until 1 February 2026. And from January 2026, public transport will be completely free for all children under 18. So, whether you walk, ride, scoot or catch PT to the pool this summer, sustainable transport is a great way to go! |
It would be cool to swim to the pool… but you can walk, ride, scoot or even catch PT! There’s nothing better than cooling off at the local pool on a hot summer day. As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to try a new way of getting to Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre (NARC). With additional bike parking at the front entrance, we’re making it easier than ever to catch the breeze and pedal to the pool. You can also make the most of free weekend public transport this summer and take the 250/251 bus straight to the pool or the 552 just a short stroll away. No need to touch on or off on weekends from 30 November 2025 until 1 February 2026. And from January 2026, public transport will be completely free for all children under 18. So, whether you walk, ride, scoot or catch PT to the pool this summer, sustainable transport is a great way to go! |
Help to Connect Melbourne’s North |
Help to Connect Melbourne’s North |
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You’re invited to be part of Connect Melbourne’s North transport campaign, led by the Northern Councils Alliance (NCA) of which Darebin is a member Contribute your own stories about transport issues to the Connect Melbourne’s North webpage. Go to the Have your say section and also share the campaign with your networks. |
You’re invited to be part of Connect Melbourne’s North transport campaign, led by the Northern Councils Alliance (NCA) of which Darebin is a member Contribute your own stories about transport issues to the Connect Melbourne’s North webpage. Go to the Have your say section and also share the campaign with your networks. |
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Making intersections safer |
Making intersections safer |
Intersections are particularly risky areas for people on bikes due to the large number of complex vehicle movements. When bike lanes are obstructed by cars parked too close to the intersection, the risk increases. Bike riders are forced to dart out into traffic to continue on their way. It’s stressful for people on bikes and those around them. Our transport engineers have recently reviewed safety at a number of intersections in Darebin in response to reports from concerned community members. We’re now making updates to signage to keep bike lanes free of vehicles and make it clear where drivers can and cannot park. These changes are being implemented at the following locations on popular bike routes:
🚴♂️ Victoria Road and Mansfield Street 🚴 Victoria Road and Christmas Street 🚴 Victoria Road and Separation Street 🚴 Regent Street and Crispe Street
🚴 Regent Street and Bartlett Street. |
Intersections are particularly risky areas for people on bikes due to the large number of complex vehicle movements. When bike lanes are obstructed by cars parked too close to the intersection, the risk increases. Bike riders are forced to dart out into traffic to continue on their way. It’s stressful for people on bikes and those around them. Our transport engineers have recently reviewed safety at a number of intersections in Darebin in response to reports from concerned community members. We’re now making updates to signage to keep bike lanes free of vehicles and make it clear where drivers can and cannot park. These changes are being implemented at the following locations on popular bike routes:
🚴♂️ Victoria Road and Mansfield Street 🚴 Victoria Road and Christmas Street 🚴 Victoria Road and Separation Street 🚴 Regent Street and Crispe Street
🚴 Regent Street and Bartlett Street. |
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Many of you will know WeCycle from Darebin’s popular Free Monthly Bike Checks program in Northcote. We’re proud to have partnered with the volunteer mechanics since 2021 to offer this service to our community. Last month, WeCycle was worthy recipient of the Community Group of the Year, Sustainability category, at the Darebin Community Awards. The group was recognised for their dedication to recycling unwanted bikes and re-homing them with people who need them. The team of dedicated volunteers, established in 2016, reconditions around 250 bikes per year for clients referred to them by local charities. Pictured (left to right) Jacqui Symonds (Secretary), Carlos Uxo and Dinesh Vignaswaran (Treasurer) Photo: Nicole Cleary |
Many of you will know WeCycle from Darebin’s popular Free Monthly Bike Checks program in Northcote. We’re proud to have partnered with the volunteer mechanics since 2021 to offer this service to our community. Last month, WeCycle was worthy recipient of the Community Group of the Year, Sustainability category, at the Darebin Community Awards. The group was recognised for their dedication to recycling unwanted bikes and re-homing them with people who need them. The team of dedicated volunteers, established in 2016, reconditions around 250 bikes per year for clients referred to them by local charities. Pictured (left to right) Jacqui Symonds (Secretary), Carlos Uxo and Dinesh Vignaswaran (Treasurer) Photo: Nicole Cleary |
New import standards for e-bikes |
New import standards for e-bikes |
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Are you thinking of getting a new e-bike? Australia is tightening e-bike import standards to match European regulations. From 2026, only bikes that meet the EN-15194 standard will be permitted. This means motors must be limited to 250 watts, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h. All imported e-bikes must be pedal-assist only, not throttle-driven, and include anti-tampering protections to prevent modifications - find out more.
Are you wondering if e-bikes could suit your lifestyle, but unsure where to start? listen back to our Darebin Loves E-bikes podcast (2023) - episodes one, two and three (2023).
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Are you thinking of getting a new e-bike? Australia is tightening e-bike import standards to match European regulations. From 2026, only bikes that meet the EN-15194 standard will be permitted. This means motors must be limited to 250 watts, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h. All imported e-bikes must be pedal-assist only, not throttle-driven, and include anti-tampering protections to prevent modifications - find out more.
Are you wondering if e-bikes could suit your lifestyle, but unsure where to start? listen back to our Darebin Loves E-bikes podcast (2023) - episodes one, two and three (2023).
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Come and try track riding |
Come and try track riding |
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You're invited to check out Preston Cycling Club's Saturday training sessions at the Preston Velodrome. If you're tempted to join in, novices and new riders begin at 9.30am - get there a little earlier to choose and set up a track bike. Sessions are run with $2 donation per rider and are weather dependent – check the Preston Cycling Club Facebook page for session updates and weather cancellations. Velodrome and Clubrooms are located at 3 Fordham Road, Reservoir, next to Reservoir Leisure Centre. For any enquiries please email Preston Cycling Club at info@prestoncyclingclub.com. |
You're invited to check out Preston Cycling Club's Saturday training sessions at the Preston Velodrome. If you're tempted to join in, novices and new riders begin at 9.30am - get there a little earlier to choose and set up a track bike. Sessions are run with $2 donation per rider and are weather dependent – check the Preston Cycling Club Facebook page for session updates and weather cancellations. Velodrome and Clubrooms are located at 3 Fordham Road, Reservoir, next to Reservoir Leisure Centre. For any enquiries please email Preston Cycling Club at info@prestoncyclingclub.com. |
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Upcoming bike skills workshops |
Upcoming bike skills workshops |
Darebin's next bikes skills workshop series starts in March 2025. We're offering hands-on Basic Bike Maintenance and On-road Bike Confidence workshops to get you back out on the road and riding to work, uni or your local shops. These sessions are fun, friendly and social with something for everyone. As a Darebin Loves Bikes reader you'll be the first to know when bookings open! |
Darebin's next bikes skills workshop series starts in March 2025. We're offering hands-on Basic Bike Maintenance and On-road Bike Confidence workshops to get you back out on the road and riding to work, uni or your local shops. These sessions are fun, friendly and social with something for everyone. As a Darebin Loves Bikes reader you'll be the first to know when bookings open! |
Share your favourite summer ride to WIN |
Share your favourite summer ride to WIN |
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What's your favourite summer ride? Reservoir local and Darebin Sustainable Transport team member Kira likes to jump on her bike and ride down the new, shady section under the railway line between Preston Station and Bell Station to High Street,Thornbury, to catch a movie, sip a cool drink and enjoy an ice-cream. "It's such a fun place to ride on warm summer evenings! I love seeing all the plants growing and settling in and people enjoying the path. My favourite section is the painting of bats on the pylons near Oakover Road." Email darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au with the location of your favorite summer ride (and a pic if you have one) and you'll go in the draw to win set of Knog bike lights! Entries close 30 January 2025, so there's still time to get some inspiration. |
What's your favourite summer ride? Reservoir local and Darebin Sustainable Transport team member Kira likes to jump on her bike and ride down the new, shady section under the railway line between Preston Station and Bell Station to High Street,Thornbury, to catch a movie, sip a cool drink and enjoy an ice-cream. "It's such a fun place to ride on warm summer evenings! I love seeing all the plants growing and settling in and people enjoying the path. My favourite section is the painting of bats on the pylons near Oakover Road." Email darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au with the location of your favorite summer ride (and a pic if you have one) and you'll go in the draw to win set of Knog bike lights! Entries close 30 January 2025, so there's still time to get some inspiration. |
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Copyright © 2025 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
274 Gower Street, Preston VIC 3072 |
Copyright © 2025 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
274 Gower Street, Preston VIC 3072 |
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