Canberra By Bike

 
 
 

Keen to replace a car/public transport trip with a bike, but unsure how to start? Want to save some money, and get to your destination feeling energised, and meet new people? Hate paying for car parking? Board the #BikeBus!

The inaugural northside bike bus is a social roll that's inspired by bike buses loved by children in places like Barcelona, Portland and Dorset. It's for adults who don’t feel comfortable being beside cars on Northbourne Ave. Some people who’ve only ever driven or caught public transport between Lyneham and the National Triangle don’t know about the cycle paths.

This bike bus aims to change that, and prove to the ACT Government that they are not meeting demands of people who want better ways to get around that don’t involve cars.

Park your car at the Lyneham Park and Ride facility on the corner of Mouat St and Northbourne Ave, then roll safely in a group down the C1 and C8 Cycle Routes to workplaces, the university, and child care centres between Lyneham and Forrest, via the National Triangle.

We’ll gather at the toilet block / street art gallery at Southwell Park from 7:15am every Monday and Wednesday. We roll from 7:30am.
The route is mostly on the C1 and C8 separated cycle paths, but once we get to the National Triangle, it’s paths and footpaths. Because cars.

The route, complete with photos, is here. Join at the start, or anywhere along it. I’ll be on my cargo bike at the front, likely playing music. (Will figure out times for connections along route once we’ve done the first one. It took me 40 mins between Lyneham and Forrest on 2/2/23, but I stopped often trim branches overhanging footpaths).

Amsterdam bicycle traffic light image: James Schwarz/Flickr

 
 
 

Keen to replace a car/public transport trip with a bike, but unsure how to start? Want to save some money, and get to your destination feeling energised, and meet new people? Hate paying for car parking? Board the #BikeBus!

The inaugural northside bike bus is a social roll that's inspired by bike buses loved by children in places like Barcelona, Portland and Dorset. It's for adults who don’t feel comfortable being beside cars on Northbourne Ave. Some people who’ve only ever driven or caught public transport between Lyneham and the National Triangle don’t know about the cycle paths.

This bike bus aims to change that, and prove to the ACT Government that they are not meeting demands of people who want better ways to get around that don’t involve cars.

Park your car at the Lyneham Park and Ride facility on the corner of Mouat St and Northbourne Ave, then roll safely in a group down the C1 and C8 Cycle Routes to workplaces, the university, and child care centres between Lyneham and Forrest, via the National Triangle.

We’ll gather at the toilet block / street art gallery at Southwell Park from 7:15am every Monday and Wednesday. We roll from 7:30am.
The route is mostly on the C1 and C8 separated cycle paths, but once we get to the National Triangle, it’s paths and footpaths. Because cars.

The route, complete with photos, is here. Join at the start, or anywhere along it. I’ll be on my cargo bike at the front, likely playing music. (Will figure out times for connections along route once we’ve done the first one. It took me 40 mins between Lyneham and Forrest on 2/2/23, but I stopped often trim branches overhanging footpaths).

Amsterdam bicycle traffic light image: James Schwarz/Flickr

 
 
 

No other city in Australia has embassies. See them, slowly, on this stop-start guided tour of the diplomatic missions in Yarralumla. We’ll start at the Beijing Garden at Lotus Bay, Lake Burley Griffin, and finish at the shops at Yarralumla.

I’ll explain some of the stories and architecture behind embassies and high commissions - including the People's Republic of China, South Africa, Samoa (in the main photo above), and Nigeria. Learn more about the oldest of Canberra’s three diplomatic suburbs, including anti-apartheid actions at the South African mission, and bombings at the former USSR Embassy.

Check out this video on the embassy of Finland, the architecture for which which is modelled after a famous ship. We'll visit this embassy and learn about its architecture.

Open to all ages and abilities, faiths, languages, & identities.
🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈👩🏽‍🦽🛴🚲☪️✡️☸️✝️
Bring water, bike locks, sunscreen, sunglasses, smiles, and money for the cafes at Yarralumla. There are toilets at the start and finish.

Note - this is a leisurely weekend ride on quiet streets. It’s not a race; nor is it for fitness. Wear whatever is comfortable. Be yourself.

 
 
 

Incredible haircuts, multiple languages, make-up, costumes, and dancing - it all comes together for the world's biggest songwriting competition, Eurovision. Which country will get your 12 points?

Learn all about the embassies of many countries contesting Eurovision and their singers, from Belgium to Israel to Sweden. Most of the competing countries have diplomatic missions in Yarralumla, the oldest diplomatic zone in Canberra.

Australia, which every year causes some Europeans to ask 'why are they here?' will for the first time be represented by a band. Step forward Perth-based synth-metal outfit, Voyager. Hear songs from previous contests, as well as the 2023 entrants.

There will be three tours of the Yarralumla embassy district, reflecting the three days of finals of Eurovision, 9-13 May.

This year Liverpool, UK, is hosting the finals of the 67th song contest on behalf of Ukraine. The 2022 winner was Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra.

The contest celebrates diversity through music. The theme for 2023 is 'United By Music'.

Vector of Eurovision Song Contest trophy by Carnby.