Although it is a large city, it is quite safe to cycle in Sydney. You’ll find a number of cycleways throughout Sydney and its surrounds, allowing you to avoid many of the city’s busiest roads. As with any location across Australia, it’s important that you wear a helmet when you ride your bike, use a bell to help you pass pedestrians safely and attach lights to your bike to ensure you are visible to motorists after dark. As you cycle around Sydney, for the safety of you and others, be sure to follow the road rules and any displayed signage.

Thanks to its many cycleways, bike lanes and shared paths, Sydney is a bike-friendly city. You’ll find a variety of places to hire a bike throughout Sydney and its suburbs, with plenty of great cycling routes, from coastal cycleways to inner-city bike paths, waiting to be discovered.

To help make your cycling experience as positive as possible, it's important that you ride in dedicated bike lanes and on cycleways when you can, helping you to avoid some of Sydney’s busiest high traffic areas. Be sure to also follow the road rules and make an effort to ensure that your movements are predictable on the road.

There are plenty of great places across Sydney that are perfect for a bike ride. In the heart of the city, you’ll find dedicated bike lanes and scenic cycleways, while further afield you can discover spectacular coastal bike paths, parkland rides and more. Whether you’re looking for a cycling route to get a workout in or a great way to spend the weekend, you’ll find no shortage of great bike trails to choose from.

In general, riding a bike on the footpath is not permitted in Sydney. Cyclists under the age of 16 years and adults accompanying them, however, may do so unless there is a ‘No Bicycles’ sign displayed.

The best cycling routes in Sydney include:

• Centennial Parklands

• Prospect Loop Cycleway

• Parramatta Valley Cycleway

• Olympic Park Circuit

• Akuna Bay

See the full list of best cycling routes in Sydney

In NSW, cyclists may ride two abreast, but must not be more than 1.5 metres apart, riding as close together as it is safe to do so.

Cyclists of all ages must wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding in NSW. The helmet must be securely fitted and appropriately fastened. This rule also applies to children who are carried as passengers in a bicycle trailer or on a bike.

No, you cannot ride drunk in NSW. If you are found to be riding while under the influence of alcohol, you could be fined or imprisoned.

Yes, you can bike over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but you must ride within the dedicated cycleway. Cyclists are not permitted to ride on any other part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

You can travel with a bike on Metro, Sydney and Intercity trains and on ferries for free, when there is space available. However bikes cannot be taken on buses.