Families and cyclists of all ages are invited to come down to the Tracker Riley Cycleway for a morning of fun and refreshments, while getting some fresh air, exercise and enjoying the Macquarie River views. 

Western Plains Regional Council, the event host, has advised people should register at 9.30 am at the barbecue area of Sir Roden Cutler Park to be eligible for giveaways, prize draws and a free sausage sizzle and fruit drink.

“The event is an ideal opportunity to remind users of the rules of shared paths like keeping to the left when walking or cycling, sounding your bicycle bell or calling out when overtaking others and ensuring dogs are kept on leashes,” council road safety officer Jayne Bleechmore said.

At the same time the council is also inviting novice bike riders to join Dubbo Bicycle User Group lead riders for a training ride around Dubbo.

The training ride starts and finishes on the Tracker Riley Cycleway at Sir Roden Cutler Park so riders will have training in both on-road cycling and shared path cycling.

“With new bicycle laws in force since 1 March 2016, now is a good time for a free training ride which is aimed at beginners wanting to increase their confidence on the road,” Ms Bleechmore said.

Longtime cycle enthusiast and accredited lead rider Mick Cooper from Dubbo Bicycle User Group will take registered participants out from Sir Roden Cutler Park at 10.30 am.  

Training ride participants must register for the ride from 10am and must have a helmet.  

Participants will receive a free “A metre matters” t-shirt upon registration.

“Participants will learn such things as how to safely negotiate roundabouts and intersections as well as numerous other road rules affecting cyclists,” Mr Cooper said.

Ms Bleechmore said the on-road component was a great addition to the annual Tracker Riley Family Bike Day that provides an added interest for those wishing to extend their riding confidence from the shared path to the road.

“Of course the usual ‘shared path’ component of the event remains an ideal opportunity to remind users of the rules of shared paths like keeping to the left whether walking or cycling, sounding your bicycle bell or calling out when overtaking others and ensuring dogs are kept on leashes,” she said. 

On Friday the council issued advice that the entrance to the Tracker Riley Cycleway at Macquarie Street near the water treatment plant had been closed and asked the public to avoid using the section of the trail through Regand Park to the lower end of Tamworth Street.

Ms Bleechmore said the closure would not disrupt the bike day, because there were still another almost 12km of track to use.