Bicycles in the city of Perth

Another great way to go to see Perth would be to buy or hire a bicycle, but this may be difficult to do unless you have a support vehicle (e.g. a campervan or a motor home) where you can carry around your supplies. Compared to most countries, Australia is mostly flat which is a good thing for bicyclists, however for most of the country, due to its vast size and the large driving distances, it is usually a very long way in between towns and travel between places may take a lot longer than you expect.

Once you get to Perth though, you will find there are a large number of cycleways that link the city from Fremantle to Hillarys. Riding a bike along the ocean is a perfect way to enjoy the lovely weather of Perth. The cycle paths are smooth, easy to follow and safe. There are a number of bike kiosks along the Perth Esplanade that hire out bikes on an hourly basis. You can rent a bike and experience one of the most popular rides in Perth on the cycle path that runs right along side the river s edge, around the river and crosses the narrows and causeway bridges. Along the way there are plenty of wildlife as well as a beautiful view of the city.

Take note thought that it is illegal to ride a bike in Western Australia without a helmet. While bikes are not normally permitted on buses, they are allowed on Fastrak trains and are without restrictions except for those that apply during peak hours. During peak hours you are required to have a permit in order for you to take your bike on the train going in the direction of the peak flow. You can obtain a permit from the Passenger Services Manager at Transperth. A permit is not required if you are traveling in the direction going the other way from the peak flow. Peak hours are from 6 o clock to 9 o clock in the morning and 3 o clock to 6 o clock in the afternoon.

You will need to purchase a valid ticket for yourself (the person traveling) as well as for your bicycle. The standard fare charged for a bike is an adult 1-zone ticket which is valid all day. These tickets can be bought at the automatic vending machines at the train station. The most convenient place to board and dismount the trains with a bike is the end carriages. While there are no special areas for bicycles, the end carriages have seats that run lengthwise down the aisle and therefore allow for quick access on and off the trains.

There are bicycle racks available at train stations should you want to leave your bike but these racks vary from station to station and some may not be under cover. Also, as an alternative, here are bicycle lockers that are available for a reasonable weekly or monthly fee. Ferries also sometimes allow bikes but this is usually at the discretion of the skipper. It is a good idea to try and avoid peak hours if you need to take your bike on the ferries. A fee may be charged for this service.