Pedalling SYDNEY
Andrew Louis takes the Harbour City’s bike-sharing scheme for a test ride
In Sydney, all public transport fares are $2.50 on Sundays when using an Opal card.
The last time I drove around Sydney, it was a nightmare. I missed a turn. No worries, I thought, I’ll take the next one. But, nope, it was a one-way street. The next one was another one-way street, and another, and another, and another. There are so many one-way streets that even the locals can get confused. Then there are the toll roads and endless construction work that doesn’t appear on Google maps. A taxi driver I spoke to, who had been driving in Sydney for 20 years, said on one bad turn he actually lost money because of all the tolls and one-way streets. The rental car wasn’t cheap. I was paying by the day and I felt that if I wasn’t using it enough, it was a waste of money.
This time around, I decide to forgo the car and try out these new bike-share outfits. They’re eays to use: you locate one of the many bikes littered around the city, then unlock the bike through an app, which starts the timer. When you are finished, lock the bike, which ends your session. No need to return the bike, just look for another one when you need it.
That’s the general idea, anyway. It’s not perfect but it seems like a better option than locking yourself into using a rental car.
There are several bike-share companies operating in Sydney. I chose Ofo because it didn’t require any deposit and had the cheapest rate (A$2 per hour). The company charges by the hour so half an hour will cost $2, one and a half hours will be $4.
After downloading and registering the app, I found a few bikes within a two-minute walk radius. The bike’s fully-rigid frame is a stepthrough design. It has an adjustable seat, basket and lights. You don’t have the option to choose helmet size and mine was too large; luckily I had a cap to wear underneath.
I liked that it had solid-rubber tyres. No punctures possible but prepare for a hard, bumpy ride. Some springs in the seat would be nice. It has three gears, medium, fast and faster. Unless you’re Lance Armstrong, you’ll only use medium. Going up hills, none of them are any good, and you’ll find yourself walking. The drum brakes are low maintenance but are a bit spongy, adequate for around town though.
You most likely will not need the bikes for more than half an hour to get to your destination. From my accommodation, Metro Aspire Hotel, I could reach most attractions easily within 20 minutes by bike.
Sydney has top-notch public transport. Buses, trains and ferries can all be used with the Opal card (similar to our Hop card). On Sundays, all fares are $2.50. When I get tired or it starts to rain, I like the option of ditching the bike and jumping on the next bus/train.
In the end, I found the bike share to be a fantastic, cheap, enjoyable way of seeing the city. It’s an option that would be perfect for the younger traveller or a couple with energy to burn and on a budget.