Late in 2022, the Unley Bicycle User Group revitalised our monthly social rides, aiming to create a strong sense of community connection and local exploration by bicycle. Our primary focus has been crafting safe and accessible cycling experiences suitable for all age groups and skill levels.

Our goal is to extend a warm invitation to every community member, providing them with the opportunity to experience the impressive cycling infrastructure that Unley and surrounding areas have developed.

Beyond the physical activity, these group rides serve as a platform for forging new friendships and engaging with our urban environment in ways often obscured by cars. Our intention is to highlight Adelaide’s bike-friendly accessibility, shedding light on cycling not only as a means of staying active but also as a pathway to a more positive lifestyle and a deeper connection to our community.

While some of our social ride attendees might already be familiar with several of the bike paths and safe cycling routes we include in our rides, for others it’s a great way to discover what’s possible when cycling infrastructure gets its due attention in urban planning.

During our rides, we often take advantage of the shared paths throughout the beautiful Adelaide Park Lands to show how easily and effectively residents of Unley can turn their everyday car commutes into delightful bicycle adventures through the stunning natural areas surrounding Adelaide’s CBD.

Designed to inspire participants, our routes encourage the integration of cycling into daily life as a healthier, more enjoyable and socially enriching mode of transport. By fostering a deeper connection with our surroundings, cycling contributes to the well-being and strength of our communities.

Join us on the first Saturday of every month at 9am in the Unley Town Hall car park on Oxford Terrace for an experience that goes beyond cycling – it’s a journey of camaraderie, discovery, and vitality. 

 This article first appeared in Bike SA’s Feb-Apr 2024 edition of Cycle Magazine.