Welcome to the June 2026 edition of Darebin Loves Bikes, your seasonal wrap of local bike news and events. Read on for news about a special free bike check event at Preston Market, your favorite journey planning apps, consultation on a proposed Darebin to Ivanhoe bike route, tips for low-cost holidays by bike, and your chance to win a set of bike lights. |
Welcome to the June 2026 edition of Darebin Loves Bikes, your seasonal wrap of local bike news and events. Read on for news about a special free bike check event at Preston Market, your favorite journey planning apps, consultation on a proposed Darebin to Ivanhoe bike route, tips for low-cost holidays by bike, and your chance to win a set of bike lights. |
SPECIAL Free Bike Checks at Preston Market |
SPECIAL Free Bike Checks at Preston Market |
Bookings for our Free Monthly Bike Checks at Northcote and Reservoir have been filling up quickly recently. If you’ve been waiting for a bike check, we’ve got you covered! We’re partnering with Dr Cranky's team to bring a special one-off free bike check event to Preston Market, supporting people who live, work or study in Darebin during the fuel crisis. Book now and join us on Sunday 14 June for a 20-minute bike safety check, including brakes, tyres, chain and wheels. Minor adjustments will be made on the spot, with tyres pumped and chains oiled, plus helpful advice on any additional work your bike may need. E-bikes are welcome (no electrical checks), and BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL as places are limited. |
Bookings for our Free Monthly Bike Checks at Northcote and Reservoir have been filling up quickly recently. If you’ve been waiting for a bike check, we’ve got you covered! We’re partnering with Dr Cranky's team to bring a special one-off free bike check event to Preston Market, supporting people who live, work or study in Darebin during the fuel crisis. Book now and join us on Sunday 14 June for a 20-minute bike safety check, including brakes, tyres, chain and wheels. Minor adjustments will be made on the spot, with tyres pumped and chains oiled, plus helpful advice on any additional work your bike may need. E-bikes are welcome (no electrical checks), and BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL as places are limited. |
Your favourite journey planning apps |
Your favourite journey planning apps |
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The Darebin TravelSmart Map will always be our Number 1 for journey planning. It’s the most up-to-date map of bike routes including on-road bike lanes, off-road riding trails and safe bike-riding routes. You can pick up a folded, pocket sized map from one of our customer service centres, libraries or a local bike shop. But digital maps and apps are useful too! Here are the top journey planning apps as recommended by Darebin Loves Bikes readers following our call-out last edition: - Google Maps – came out on top for being easy to use, comprehensive, having good GPS tracking and allowing for easy route edits. TIP – use the cycling layer’ (under map details) for an overview of existing bike lanes and trails. Note that bike routes shown in Google maps are not always optimal and they carry the disclaimer that "bicycling/walking directions may not always reflect real-world conditions."
- Arevo – useful for finding quieter, safer bike routes.
- Komoot or AllTrails - useful for creating your own routes and for off road planning
- OsmAnd – an open-source map that doesn’t store any of your data
- Strava – the paid version allows you to view heatmaps to see which streets other riders are using
Other apps mentioned were Bryton (paid app used with a cycling GPS), PTV, Apple Maps and Melway Online. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on this! If you disagree with our list or know any other useful apps for bike riding, send us an email at darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au. |
The Darebin TravelSmart Map will always be our Number 1 for journey planning. It’s the most up-to-date map of bike routes including on-road bike lanes, off-road riding trails and safe bike-riding routes. You can pick up a folded, pocket sized map from one of our customer service centres, libraries or a local bike shop. But digital maps and apps are useful too! Here are the top journey planning apps as recommended by Darebin Loves Bikes readers following our call-out last edition: - Google Maps – came out on top for being easy to use, comprehensive, having good GPS tracking and allowing for easy route edits. TIP – use the cycling layer’ (under map details) for an overview of existing bike lanes and trails. Note that bike routes shown in Google maps are not always optimal and they carry the disclaimer that "bicycling/walking directions may not always reflect real-world conditions."
- Arevo – useful for finding quieter, safer bike routes.
- Komoot or AllTrails - useful for creating your own routes and for off road planning
- OsmAnd – an open-source map that doesn’t store any of your data
- Strava – the paid version allows you to view heatmaps to see which streets other riders are using
Other apps mentioned were Bryton (paid app used with a cycling GPS), PTV, Apple Maps and Melway Online. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on this! If you disagree with our list or know any other useful apps for bike riding, send us an email at darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au. |
Explore Victoria by bike and train |
Explore Victoria by bike and train |
Have you taken advantage of free public transport to take your bike further afield?With public transport half price for the rest of the year, it’s the perfect time to take your bike on a winter getaway. You can take your bike on some V-line trains and buses – but there are a few things to remember: - Converted e-bikes are banned on trains and buses.
- It’s free to take a bike or e-bike on V/Line trains, but the conductor decides whether there’s space available.
- Folding bicycles can be carried for free on all V/Line coaches.
- Bicycles can be carried for free on some V/Line scheduled coach services, if there is space available – find out which services you can do this on.
Find out more about taking bikes on public transport. We’d love to hear from you - what are your favourite Victorian train/bike getaways? Let us know by emailing darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au by 5 June and go in the draw to WIN a set of KNOG bike lights. |
Have you taken advantage of free public transport to take your bike further afield?With public transport half price for the rest of the year, it’s the perfect time to take your bike on a winter getaway. You can take your bike on some V-line trains and buses – but there are a few things to remember: - Converted e-bikes are banned on trains and buses.
- It’s free to take a bike or e-bike on V/Line trains, but the conductor decides whether there’s space available.
- Folding bicycles can be carried for free on all V/Line coaches.
- Bicycles can be carried for free on some V/Line scheduled coach services, if there is space available – find out which services you can do this on.
Find out more about taking bikes on public transport. We’d love to hear from you - what are your favourite Victorian train/bike getaways? Let us know by emailing darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au by 5 June and go in the draw to WIN a set of KNOG bike lights. |
World Bicycle Day - 3 June 2026 |
World Bicycle Day - 3 June 2026 |
What type of bike rider are you? Do you ride for transport, fun or sport? Whatever the reason you love bikes, World Bicycle Day is a chance to celebrate the joy of bike riding. Find out more about World Bicycle Day and the history of the bicycle from Bicycle Network. |
What type of bike rider are you? Do you ride for transport, fun or sport? Whatever the reason you love bikes, World Bicycle Day is a chance to celebrate the joy of bike riding. Find out more about World Bicycle Day and the history of the bicycle from Bicycle Network. |
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Connecting Darebin to Ivanhoe |
Connecting Darebin to Ivanhoe |
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Banyule City Council is planning improvements to make walking and bike riding easier and safer along the Hurstbridge rail corridor between Darebin and Ivanhoe train stations. These changes aim to help people of all ages and abilities make local trips on foot or by bike, with better connections and safer routes. Banyule is also looking at ways to improve nearby open spaces, protect the natural environment, and strengthen links between our neighbourhoods and community places. Find out more or get involved by 28 June 2026.Your feedback will help shape the plans and make sure improvements reflect local needs and priorities—now and into the future. Contact:
Alison Wood, Senior Transport Planner, Banyule City Council
Phone: 9457 9901
Email: alison.wood@banyule.vic.gov.au |
Banyule City Council is planning improvements to make walking and bike riding easier and safer along the Hurstbridge rail corridor between Darebin and Ivanhoe train stations. These changes aim to help people of all ages and abilities make local trips on foot or by bike, with better connections and safer routes. Banyule is also looking at ways to improve nearby open spaces, protect the natural environment, and strengthen links between our neighbourhoods and community places. Find out more or get involved by 28 June 2026.Your feedback will help shape the plans and make sure improvements reflect local needs and priorities—now and into the future. Contact:
Alison Wood, Senior Transport Planner, Banyule City Council
Phone: 9457 9901
Email: alison.wood@banyule.vic.gov.au |
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Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
274 Gower Street, Preston VIC 3072 |
Copyright © 2026 Darebin City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
274 Gower Street, Preston VIC 3072 |
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