Cheaper, better for the environment and a great way to stay fit and see the sights – it’s no wonder bicycle sales are soaring.

Hitting the road
There’s no better way to explore the great outdoors than from the seat of a bike. However, unless you’re very riding-savvy, it’s a good idea to carry details of your route, including step-by-step directions and a map. You also need to take into account the time of year and how difficult you want your journey to be.

There are lots of great cycling routes around but many people just don’t know about them. Great Cycling Rides in NSW, published by NRMA Motoring & Services and Bicycle NSW, details over 70 rides in nine different regions around NSW (and ACT). Each ride lists historic information on the location, points of interest, places to stop for a snack and the length of the ride.

The rides range from family friendly routes on purpose-built cycle paths to radical rides that need a bit more grunt.

Great Cycling Rides in NSW includes rides in:

• Port Macquarie and Newcastle;
• North West region (Armidale, Coonabarabran, Dubbo and Mudgee);
• Central West region (Orange, Bathurst and Blue Mountains);
• West region (Parkes, Cootamundra, Wagga Wagga, Broken Hill and Leeton);
• South Coast region (Wollongong, Kiama, Nowra, Sussex Inlet, Merimbula and Bermagui);
• Southern Highlands region (Bowral and Goulburn); and
• ACT region.

First timers
As a novice, you won’t have the know-how that more experienced riders have. For example, when it comes to choosing the correct type of tyres, did you know smooth and narrow tyres are best for sealed roads and paths?

In NSW you can't ride on pedestrian footpaths ... but you can in the ACT.

You should also know the minor adjustments you can make to avoid knee, lower back and neck pain; how to keep your bike in good nick; and the essential items to keep in your tool kit. Plus, it’s good to know important safety tips, like how to ride in a group and the best way to protect yourself from the sun – some cycling jerseys have an ultraviolet protection rating (UVR) of 40 (higher than most sunscreens) but if it is overstretched, wet or worn the UVR is reduced.

Road rules
Unlike Europe where almost every major road has a dedicated cycling lane and motorists and cyclists are well-versed in how to share the road, Aussies aren’t quite up to speed on the road rules.

Generally, most rules in the Australian Road Rules apply to bike riders in the same way they apply to motorists but there are some exceptions.

As a bike rider, you mustn’t ride across roads marked ‘children’s crossings’ or foot and pedestrian crossings. If you’re riding in NSW, you can’t ride on pedestrian footpaths (unless you’re riding with a child under 12) but you can in the ACT unless you’re within 10 metres of an open shop. And you must always have at least one brake working and a functioning bell, horn or other warning device.

For more advice and tips from the experts, grab a copy of Great Cycling Rides in NSW at selected bike stores for $19.95.

Or to pay the NRMA Member discounted price of $14.95, buy your copy online at the MyNRMA Bookshop, call 13 11 22 or visit your nearest NRMA office.

Did You Know?

• The sales of bicycles in Australia topped 1.1 million in 2005, the sixth year in a row that bicycles have outsold cars.
• Worldwide there are 1.4 billion bikes in use compared to 340 million cars.
• Cyclists can travel up to 1030km on the energy equivalent to one litre of petrol.
• If you ride regularly you can expect to be as fit as a person 10 years younger.

Rachel Eldred gets back to basics with some help from a great new book.