safe cycling

Knox has more than 70 kilometres of off road shared paths around the municipality, making it one of the most cycling-orientated cities in Victoria.

The Knox Bike Network will take you to local parks, reserves, leisure centres, historic homesteads, shopping centres, waterways and much more. It is a great way to see the City. There are many excellent locations along the bike path for picnics, as well as scenic spots where you can sit and take in the view.

Building of the bike network began in 1977, and it was always envisaged that a comprehensive network of bike paths would traverse the municipality. Today, there are eight bridges

and 18 underpasses in the network, providing a safe recreational environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Knox Bike Network also connects with the networks of neighbouring municipalities. So, if you feel adventurous and fi t, you can cycle up into the Dandenong Ranges or down to Port Phillip Bay.

It is important to note that the Knox Bike Network is a shared use facility and that users should be courteous and respectful of each other to ensure maxi mum enjoyment for everyone. Pedestrians and cyclists are permitted to use the paths, and cyclists should give way to pedestrians.

cycling in knox Sir Hubert Opperman (1906-1996), one of Australia's great sporting cyclists, spent the last years of his life in Knox. During the 1920s and 30s, ‘Oppy’ as he became affectionately known, held virtually every Australian long distance, road racing and track record, as well as many world records, in cycling.

As a tribute to Oppy's contribution to the sport, several bicycle trails along the Knox Bike Network have been named after some of his most famous races. There are a number of commemorative sculptures and memorials placed along the route.

The Opperman Trails include:

• Oppy's Way

• The 101 Trail

• The Lands End Trail

• The Trans Continental Trail

• The Bol D'or Trail

• Paris-Brest-Paris Trail

Additionally, Knox's annual bicycle event, 'The Oppy Family Fun Ride', is named after Sir Hubert. The fun ride is part of the annual Knox Festival held in March and is a great family event, with entertainment, prizes and giveaways.

sir h

uber

t opp

erm

an tr

ibut

e

the knox bike network

The Tim Neville Arboretum is located on 4.4 hectares of land on the corner of Francis Crescent and Dorset Road in Ferntree Gully (Melway 73 K1). The site, which was previously an orchard, is centrally located and has the popular Knox Bike Network running along its boundary.

The two ornamental lakes are a feature of the park, and with barbecues located at both ends of the park, it is an ideal picnic spot destination after a bike ride along shared paths.

A community adventure playground covers more than 1000sq metres, incorporates large interconnecting timber climbing structures, playground equipment, with murals, tiling and timber sculptures.

How to get there: Accessible via the Knox Bike Network from Ferntree Gully Train Station (1.5km), Boronia Train Station (1.8km) and Knox City Shopping Centre (4.8km).

Lysterfi eld Lake Park is open every day of the year and is a beautiful, popular recreation and conservation area just 30 kilometres south east of Melbourne’s CBD (Melway 108 D2).

Extensive tracks are available for walking and cycling, even horse-riding to the east of the lake during Summer. There are picnic areas for visitors, along with tables, toilets, barbecues and baby changing facilities.

Parks Victoria has a wealth of information online, including the history of the Park, being once a storage reservoir for the Mornington Peninsula from 1936 (until the opening of Cardinia Reservoir, 1975).

You can enter the Park from Horswood Road off the Belgrave-Hallam Road (Melway 108 D2). Opening hours are 8:30am every day, but closing times may change due to daylight savings. An all-hours carpark is accessible from Hallam North Road (Melway 82 K10).

Call Parks Victoria Information Centre, 13 1963, for more details.

How to get there: Accessible via offroad trails from Wellington Road (3km), Churchill National Park (5.5km) and the Dandenong Creek Trail at Brady Road (8km).

Marie Wallace Bayswater Park is located on the corner of Mountain Highway and Bayswater Road in Bayswater (Melway 64 F3).

Marie Wallace Bayswater Park features an extensive all abilities playgroundand an historic steam train locomotive. The park is also home to sports such as cricket, football, tennis and netball, alongside barbecues and shelters in a treed setting. The Knox Bike Network runs along the park’s northern boundary.

How to get there: Accessible via a shared path from nearby Bayswater Train Station (400m), or via shared paths from Boronia Train Station (3.6km) and Knox City Shopping Centre (5.5km).

tim n

evill

e ar

bore

tum

car d

oors

lyst

erfie

ld la

ke p

ark

marie wallace bayswater park

Use a D-lockCable locks are easily cut. Get a good D-lock or armoured cable. Using a cable and D-lock together is even more secure.

Where and how to lockAlways lock your bike, even when it’s at home.Lock in visible areas with lots of people around.Don’t lock to ‘sucker poles’ that can be lifted out of the ground. Check your lock before leaving.

Secure your bikeRemove your lights or secure them with super glue or cable ties. Disguise the value of your bike with stickers and tape or even a fake DIY rusty paint job. Replace quick releases with bolts or secure with hose clamps. Engrave your bike with a driver’s licence number of someone you trust. The police can assist in the recovery of stolen bikes.

If your bike is stolenReport it immediately to police. Look in secondhand shops but don’t tell staff. If you fi nd it, then call Police.

Bicycle Victoria www.bv.com.auMembers receive cycling insurance, discounts at bike shops, member support services and regular newsletters. This site is full of essential cycling-related information, including a comp-re hensive list of bicycle user groups and events.

VicRoads www.vicroads.vic.gov.auVicRoads is in the process of implementing a Principal Bicycle Network across Melbourne. More information, including downloadable maps, is available from the Vicroads website.

Railtrails Australia www.railtrails.org.auRailtrails are multipurpose public paths created from abandoned railway corridors. With gentle gradients and minimal road intersections, the trails provide safe and scenic cycling routes.

Tracks & trails of Victoria www.tracks.vic.gov.auSome good suggestions for cycling trips in Melbourne include the Bayside Trail and Main Yarra Trail. Also includes a large number of walking and cycling trails from across the State.

Knox City Council www.knox.vic.gov.auFind updates about the local bike network, and info on events like the annual Oppy Bike Ride.

Knox Bicycle Touring Club home.vicnet.net.au/~knoxbike This local cycling group organises a range of metropolitan and country rides, generally ranging from 40-80km.

bike

reso

urce

s on

the

net

lock

you

r bik

e

destinations

It’s illegal to open doors into traffi cA person must not cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a vehicle door, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or getting off or out of, a vehicle.

To avoid doors, look:• through car windows for heads• in mirrors of trucks and vans • at cars that have just parked• at car tail lights

Watch the door zoneIf you can’t see into cars, ride slower or move out of the door zone. Be aware of what’s behind you if you have to swerve out. Take a lane if you are being forced into the door zone.

If a door opensUse your brakes and slow down. Move out of the door zone but don’t swing into traffi c.

If you get hit If you’re hit by a door and injury or damage results, it’s a traffi c accident and details must be exchanged. Report uncooperative motorists to the police.

road rules

When in traffi c, be visible and confi dent but prepare for evasive action. Look ahead for gaps in traffi c.

Take or share the laneDepending on lane width and traffi c speed, keep left or take the lane.

Cross tram and train tracks at wide angles

Keep your distanceMaintain a safe distance between you and any traffi c hazards. Riding away from obstacles may also increase your visibility to others.

on the road

at nightin the wetTake the laneAs you approach the roundabout, move into the middle of the lane. As you enter, look around and make eye contact with drivers but prepare to move out of the way.

Single lane roundaboutsGive way to cars already on the roundabout.

Turning rightHand signal so cars know you are turning.

Multi-lane roundaboutsWatch for cars going straight from behind or beside you. Do a hook turn or break the turn into stages if you need to. Two cyclists can legally take both lanes. Consider avoiding the roundabout by taking another route.

Use hook turnsIf a normal right-hand turn leaves you exposed in an intersection, use a hook turn.

Don’t hug the gutterIf you hug the gutter, you will get squeezed out. Don’t weave in and out of empty car parking spaces to stay close to the gutter – keep astraight line.

Positioning in traffi cBe aware of a driver’s blind spots to the side and next to their back doors.

at roundaboutsLightsUse steady lights to see and fl ashing to be seen.

Buy lights that take standard battery types (AA or AAA) and carry spares with your puncture kit. Avoid lights that need a tool to change batteries.

Be refl ectiveAdd refl ective material, tape and stickers to your helmet, clothing, shoes, bike and bags. Refl ective tape, fabric and stickers can be sourced from fabric shops, hardware stores, boating and bike shops.

Riding behaviourSteer wide of pedestrians.Watch out for people who may step in front of you. Look for car headlights in side streets and from behind.

more information…If you would like more information about using the Knox Bike Network, local bicycle clubs and groups, or if you would like to discuss a cycling issue, please contact Knox City Council on 9298 8000 or email knoxcc@knox.vic.gov.au

The cycling tips on the blue panels of this brochure were developed by the TravelSmart Victoria team, from the Department of Transport.

Launched in Victoria in 2002, TravelSmart is a Victorian Government initiative that aims to reduce people’s dependency on cars and encourage them to choose sustainable travel alternatives. These options include travel by walking, cycling, public transport and carpooling. For more information, visit www.travelsmart.vic.gov.au

www.knox.vic.gov.au

Bikes are legal vehicles covered by the Victorian Road Rules.

Your bike is a vehicleYou must have a warning device such as a bell or horn on your bike. You must wear an approved helmet. At night, you must have a white front light, a red back light and a red rear refl ector.

Laws for othersIt is illegal to open car doors into traffi c. Cars cannot double park or park in bike lanes marked No Stopping, No Standing or Clearway.

What you can doCyclists can pass on the left, but not if a car is indicating and turning left. Cyclists can ride two abreast and a third rider may overtake. You must use a bike lane or path if it is practical to do so.

This is not a full statement of the law. For more information seewww.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Preparing your bikeInvest in a good set of mudguards or make your own. Keep a plastic bag under your seat for waterproofi ng when parking in the rain. Clean your brakes, rims and chain after rain.

What to wearGet a good waterproof jacket. Spray your shoes and bag with sealant.

Carry spare socks in a plastic bag. Keep a change of clothes at work/school/uni.

Get a good bike bagUse plastic bags inside your bike bag to keep things dry.

Riding in the wetWatch out for slippery tram tracks, grates and metal covers, especially when turning. Squeeze your brakes gently before stopping to clear water off the rims. Beware of puddles as they may be deeper than they seem. You and others will have a longer stopping distance in the wet.