8 Facts About Cycling In Australia

• • The bicycle became significant in Australia around 1893 when two cyclists rode from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Sydney and on to Melbourne.

• • Bicycle courier networks were established on the West Australian gold fields to deliver mail and newspapers. Riders often rode 80 to 100 miles a day.

• • 3.6 million (17%) people ride a bike in Australia each week.

• • 5.1% of Australians are commuter cyclists, which means they had ridden for transport purposes over the previous week, compared with 14.1% for recreation or exercise, mostly children.

• • Over a third of Australian children ride a bike weekly – the highest levels of cycling participation is amongst 2 to 9 year old children where 44% had ridden in the previous week, and 32% of 10 to 17 year olds.

• • Males are more likely to participate in cycling than females: 21% of males and 12% of females had ridden in the previous week.

• • 55% of households have at least one bicycle in working order.

• • Australia and New Zealand are the only two countries worldwide that have compulsory helmet laws for all age groups.

With more than 7,000 Aussie Bikemap users and 8,500 cycling routes created by the community, Australia is a continent worth of great cycling experiences.

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