Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie

12/10/2026

Nice to see quality bike racks at this major Port Macquarie Medical facility are being put to good use. A small thing but it makes a difference to riders not having to find a nearby pole to lock the bike too. 🙏👏

10/10/2026

How much money can commuting to work save you? According to this article by Bicycle Queensland - a lot. Like 8 years off your mortgage.
Check it out to be inspired to swap the car for bike on your daily commute.

We aren't mathemagicians here at BQ, but we wrote some numbers down on a lunch bag last week to see how riding your bike for more short trips might stack up for an average Queensland household, with an average Queensland mortgage.

Riding to work can save money, improve fitness and turn time spent commuting into time spent riding. With household costs under pressure, maybe it's time to look more closely at what you can save by tackling more short trips by bike?

Our rough calculations showed an average households could be saving over $10,000 a year. You might even pay off the average home loan 8 years sooner!

Head to the link for more details:
https://bq.org.au/bike-life-blog/ride-to-work/

09/10/2026

Not sure what to think about these renewed bike lane markers on Park Street.
On one hand, it's wonderful that Port Macquarie Hastings Council have renewed the markings as per our request (see the first photo) On the other, only two of the many bike lane markers were renewed along this road (see the second photo). And yes, as you can see the car parking in the bike lane is ignoring the it anyway.

We requested earlier in the year that the bike lane markers were renewed along the whole of Park Street as they were fading. It was wonderful to receive an email to say they had been renewed only to check and see that just a small section has been done.

Its such a pity, this section of road is so popular with cyclists from the Tri Clubs to the many cycling groups that use the road on the way to the Settlement Point Ferry.

We've been emailing council regarding parking in the bike lanes for 18 months now, so it is somewhat dispiriting to see this is the outcome.

Ideas anyone? What are your thoughts on this section of road and the bike lane?

08/10/2026

We had 10 Tuesday Trail riders join us for the Beechwood to Pappinbarra ride including 750 metres of climbing. It was a beautiful day out with stunning views of the Pappinbarra valley. Welcome to Karla who had the extra challenge of completing the ride on a dual suspension mountain bike. See you next time.

07/10/2026

🧐 Look closely, can you see how NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service have fixed the edge of this bridge at the Crestwood end of the Googik Track by adding bitumen to make a gradual ramp.

It was one of our suggestions to make the Googik a little safer for bike riders and wheel chair users by reducing the previously steep curb edge. We're stoked they have acted on our request.

Thanks National Parks, just a little thing but could be the difference between someone coming a cropper or not. 🙏👏

The group pictured are one of the many informal bike riding groups that enjoy using the Googik Track as part of their regular rides.

07/10/2026

Next week's Tuesday Trail 13th October is Blackmans Point to Cooperabung Nature Reserve.

A pleasant flat ride through farming country. A few hills into Cooperabung and an option of doing a hill climb up Federation Way on the return.

Where: Meet at Ricardoes Cafe at 8.15 am Blackmans Point Road
When: Tuesday the 13th of October at 8.15 am for an 8.30 am start
Distance: 36 km
Elevation: 237 m
Surface: Bitumen 100%
Grade: Moderate
Coffee: Ricardoes Cafe Blackmans Point Rd
Bike: Road, Gravel, Ebike or MTB
Bring: a well-maintained bike, spare tube and tools, water, snack, money for coffee, sunscreen as required.
First ride free, however rides thereafter require joining Better by Bicycle for an annual fee of $25. You can join via our website

30/09/2026

Next Week's Tuesday Trail is Beechwood to Pappinbarra.
This is an undulating rural ride along the Pappinbarra valley to the end of the bitumen and back to the Beechwood Cafe on a quiet road.

Where: Meet at the Beechwood Cafe
When: Tuesday the 6th of October at 8.15 am for an 8.30 am start
Distance: it will be close to 50 km or more if you cycle to the end of the bitumen
Surface: Bitumen
Elevation: 700 m plus if you cycle to the end of the bitumen
Grade: 3 to 4
Bike: Road or Gravel Bike
Coffee: Beechwood Cafe
Brief Description: bring snacks to eat when we stop at the fire station/community hall for a break.. and the usual well-maintained bike, spare tube and tools, water, money for coffee, sunscreen as required. Mobile phone for sign on.
First ride free, however rides thereafter require joining Better by Bicycle for an
annual fee of $25.

22/09/2026

Next Week's Tuesday Trail Go Kart Track on Burrawan Forest Drive to Kew and return 29th Sept

This ride is through the state forest on gravel road to Logans Crossing then on bitumen to Kew village, coffee at the halfway point and back to the Go Kart track.

Where: Meet at the carpark on the south side of the Go Kart Track at 8.15 am for a 8.30 am start

When: Tuesday 29th September

Distance: 38 km

Elevation: 575 m

Surface: 30% gravel 70% Bitumen

Bike: mountain and gravel bikes with tyres 33 mm+

Coffee: Kew General Store

Bring: a well-maintained bike, spare tube and tools, water, snack, sunscreen as required. Mobile phone for sign on.

First ride free, however rides thereafter require joining Better by Bicycle for an annual fee of $25.

15/09/2026

Next Week's Tuesday Trail is the Gladstone Gravel Loop Ride 22nd Sept

This is a beautiful flat ride through the countryside around Gladstone on quiet rural roads.

Where: Meet at Memorial Park on the Riverbank at Gladstone

When: Tuesday 22nd of Sept at 8.45 am for an 9.00am start

Distance: 45 km

Elevation:237 m

Surface: 60% bitumen 40% gravel

Bike: mountain and gravel bikes with tyres 33 mm+

Coffee: Depending on numbers.. it may be at the HUB

Bring: a well-maintained bike, spare tube and tools, water,

snack, money for coffee, sunscreen as required. Mobile phone for sign on.

First ride free, however rides thereafter require joining Better by Bicycle for an

annual fee of $25

15/09/2026

📢🚴‍♀️Our next BBB General Meeting is on
Sunday 20 September 2026 at 4 pm.

Come along to:
🔷️ Connect with other active transportation advocates
🔷️ Hear about Better by Bicycle's work to make our region more bike-friendly
🔷️ Learn about how you can support our community-based efforts for positive change.

🚴‍♀️ We will also have a presentation by Steph Todd on her recent 2026 Ride for the Chopper Western NSW cycling adventure.

See you at Port Macquarie Seniors Facility 43 Munster St, September 20 4 pm.
Snacks and tea and coffee provided

All members and visitors welcome 🙏
See you there.

See you there!