Cycling is a great activity for children, and Centennial Parklands offers a range of opportunities for parents and children alike.

For the youngest children just starting out on a bike the Parklands hss the ever popular Learners Cycleway.

For those who are older, Centennial Park's Grand Drive incorporates a 3.8 kilometre cycling lane ideal for all levels - even those who have not ridden a bike for a while.

Please remember, by law all children must wear a helmet in Centennial Parklands.

Keep Car Free Days marked in your calendar!

Car Free Days are also a great way to enjoy being on a bike without any cars to worry about! Car Free Days are held on the last Sunday of every season and have been a popular event since 1992.

Many a child has learnt to ride their first bike at Centennial Park’s Learners Cycleway.

This extremely popular surfaced loop roadway is a one-way track with plenty of space for children of all ages to ride their bikes in complete safety.

Reminders for parents

Remember all kids must wear a cycle helmet on the Learners Cycleway and parents must not park in the Grand Drive cycle lane to drop their children and bikes off.

Co-located facilities

The Learners Cycleway precinct also features an amenities block, barbecue and children's playground, making this one of the most family-friendly spots in the Parklands.

Cycling has a rich history in Centennial Park. The Parklands Conservation Management Plan states that in 1900 the Cyclists Carriage was opened in Centennial Park – 5 years before cars were allowed into the Park! And in 1908 the former Kiosk was refurbished into a Cyclists’ Pavilion.

Grand Drive – 3.5 kilometres of beauty

Centennial Park is Sydney’s only example of a Victorian-style urban park and indeed the visionary carriageway of Grand Drive emulates that Victorian-era character.

Today Grand Drive is essentially made up of five concentric circles, with the outer fifth track used for cycling or rollerblading, fourth (and largest) for car driving, third for car parking, the second is a paved pathway for pedestrians and the inner track being dedicated to horse riding.

Cyclists are welcome in Centennial Parklands from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year.

Very occasionally throughout the year Centennial Park's roads may be closed or restricted for safety reasons during events, such as Sydney Running Festival or music festivals.

You can keep up-to-date on any cycling impacts by visiting the Centennial Parklands website or signing up for our eNewsletter services.

Like many parks around the world, Centennial Parklands has rules and regulations to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors.

A recent review of cycling incidents identified a number of “hot spots” in the Parklands – places where breaches are regularly compromising visitor safety. These were:

• Cycling contra-flow on footpaths (particularly from the Restaurant to Robertson Road Gates)
• Speeding around Grand Drive
• Not stopping at stop signs (at Hamilton/Grand and Parkes/Grand Drive intersections)

The Trust has implemented a Cycling Action Plan that will be rolled out over the next six months. Park Rangers enforce the rules under State law. If you ignore or break them, you could be fined. Please remember:

• Cyclists must observe the 30 km per hour speed limit, wear helmets and follow one-way traffic directions.
• Cyclists are not permitted to ride in packs of more than 16 and be closer than 3 metres.
• Bicycle racing is prohibited, unless specifically approved by the Trust.
  

Cyclists interested in being informed of issues relating to cycling or wanting to provide feedback  on cycling issues are encouraged to submit their email address to the Trust.

Cyclists will be sent periodic eNewsletter with up-to-date information on any road closures, road works and other issues affecting cycling or opportunities to provide input to the Cycling Liaison Committee.

To join, visit our Feedback Form to submit your details, and please place "Cycling eNewsletter" in the subject line.

Centennial Park Cycles is a seven-day-a-week bike hire facility right in the heart of Centennial Park.

You can find Centennial Park Cycles adjacent to the amenities near Federation Valley, approximately 100m from the intersection between Grand Drive and Hamilton Drive (see map).

Contact
Phone (02) 9398 5027 or email info@cyclehire.com.au

Hours of operation
9.00 am - 5.00 pm, seven days a week (last hire 4.00 pm)

Website
www.cyclehire.com.au

The regional cycle network has a number of sections that link into, and run through, Centennial Parklands. The Trust has identified a number of places, or “missing links”, where tracks can be upgraded to better support the network.

In 2008 the Trust completed a shared pathway at the perimeter of Queens Park. This effectively linked Queens Park Road at Newland Street with the corner of York and Darley Road, and in doing so connects Bondi Junction to Centennial Park – an important part of the regional cycle network.

Find out about Sydney's Metropolitan Cycleways

Visit the RTA website.

This financial year (2009-10) will see the upgrade and widening of the existing footpath that runs down the south side of Cleveland Street (Moore Park) between Anzac Parade and South Dowling Street.

This narrow path is currently in poor condition, however $400,000 has been committed to upgrading and widening this path in a similar style to the Queens Park shared pathway.

Another “missing link”, which although identified remains as yet unfunded, is the Oxford St pathway linking the Eastern Suburbs with the city centre. Discussions are continuing with relevant councils and organisations to prioritise this project.

A number of local and state government forums and projects have also been established recently to examine local and subregional transport issues in Sydney’s east with a particular focus on cycling.

The Trust has been actively involved in these groups to ensure the outcomes align with the Centennial Parklands Traffic, Access and Parking Plan and to ensure a coordinated cross-government approach.