Cycling
Cycling has both health and environmental benefits as a means of transport and recreation. Our vision for cycling is to increase the number of residents who ride for recreation, education, shopping, travel to work or any other purpose.
We have an existing network of bicycle routes, offering both commuter and recreational cycling for our community. We are committed to maintaining and enhancing our City's cycling network and infrastructure through the implementation of our Bicycle Plan.
Planning your journey
Cycle Instead is a fantastic journey planner for anyone looking to cycle around Adelaide. Plug in your co-ordinates and select from a low traffic route, a route based around cycling trails or if the fastest route.
Maps and local cycling routes
- Flinders Parade Reserve, Newton
This reserve features a small cycling loop suitable for children. Its a great place for children to learn to ride safely as well as get an introduction to some basic road signs and line markings. - River Torrens Linear Park
This 30km long park runs along both sides of the length of the River Torrens, commencing in the Adelaide foothills at Athelstone and ending at the river mouth at West Beach/Henley Beach. There are sealed paths suitable for cyclists on both sides of the river, which are great for both commuters and recreational riders.
Road rules
Cyclists are required to follow the same road rules as motorists. Some important rules to remember are to give way, keep left, obey speed limits, signal your intentions to other road users and use bike lanes where possible.
For more information, visit refer to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure's Cyclist Road Rules and Safety page or download the Cycling and the Law Booklet.
Shared paths
Please be mindful that most paths and trails you will ride on are shared by other users. Please ring your bell (or call out) to alert other path users of your presence and slow down before passing.
Be safe be seen
Keep yourself safe when cycling on roads by being visible. Ensure you have lights on your bike (red at the back and white at the front) and wear highly visible colours and/or reflective clothing.
Bicycle riders of all ages are permitted to ride on the footpath unless a 'no bicycles' sign is present.
When riding on a footpath, you must:
- exercise due care and consideration for pedestrians and other users
- give warning to other path users (by bell, horn or other means), if necessary for the purpose of averting danger
- give way to pedestrians and other path users
- keep to the left unless it is impracticable to do so
- wear a bicycle helmet that is properly secured and fastened.
For more information, refer to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure's Cycling and the Law Booklet.
Bicycle sharrows are painted on the City's back streets to indicate bicycle routes and increase safety for cyclists. Sharrows are not the same as a bike lane and do not indicate a space that is reserved for bicycles. Instead, sharrows indicate a space that is shared by both cyclists and motorists.
Bicycle sharrows:
- Assist cyclists with positioning on roads that have on-street parallel parking, in order to reduce the chance of being hit by an opening door of a parked vehicle.
- Assist cyclists with positioning on roads that are too narrow for a vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side in the same direction.
- Assist cyclists with navigating a designated bicycle route.
- Alert road users that they are on a designated bicycle route.
- Alert road users of the location cyclists are likely to occupy within the roadway.
- Encourage safe passing of cyclists by motorists.
Visit the Department for Infrastructure and Transport website for a range of practical information regarding road rules, riding tips, cycling facts and where to ride.
Bike SA is a great resource for beginners and keen cyclists alike. The website is loaded with resources, events and even information on courses for individuals who need to develop their bike skills further.