Fast five: get ready for wheely good fun

Got your ticket to ride and need to know where to go?

With the school holidays in full swing, we’ve pulled together a selection of riding options that are guaranteed to help you get moving whether you’re using pedal, push or e-power.

So, you’re interested in riding your bike, hiring an e-scooter, or testing out your skills on a skateboard or rollerblades, read on for some getting active inspo.

1. Holborn Park, Berkeley

Are you the next Tony Hawk or Leticia Bufoni?

Hone your skateboarding skills at one of the city’s five skateparks. There are dedicated skateboarding facilities at Helensburgh, Fairy Meadow, Unanderra, West Dapto and at Berkeley’s Holborn Park.

Right by the banks of Lake Illawarra, Holborn is a great place to spend time – and not just for skating. The park also has barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and loads of grass for lounging about on.

If you want to get the lowdown on skatepark etiquette before shredding, check out this guide that was put together by local skateboarders.

2. Give an e-scooter a go

If you’re over the age of 16, you might be interested in having a go at hiring one of the bright orange Neuron e-scooters which are available in specific areas of the city. The e-scooters are part of a NSW E-scooter Shared Scheme trial.

The aim of the trial is to learn whether e-scooters are a good transport option for our city, and whether they work within our existing transport network.

By hiring and riding an e-scooter, you’re not only giving a new mode of transport a go and enjoying the city in a different way, but you’re also helping inform the city’s transport future.

The e-scooter trial area covers parts of the Wollongong CBD and riders can go as far north as Sandon Point. You must be 16 years or older to ride, and wearing a helmet is mandatory.

For all the details download the Neuron App or check out Council’s website for a map and detailed FAQ.

3. Local bike tracks

Keen to improve bike riding skills and tackle a few jumps?

While we’ve dedicated bike paths across the city, we’ve also a number of local bike tracks in neighbourhoods that are a great place for young people and families to ride.

The track at Bulli Park, Bulli (pictured) was developed with the help of specialist mountain bike trail Iconic Trails and includes a beginner track and a downhill track for intermediate to advanced riders.

There are also tracks at Anama Street Reserve in Fairy Meadow, Dimond Bros Reserve, Horsley, and Harry Graham Park in Figtree.

4. Head to the hills - Cringila Hills

Late last year, Cringila Hills Recreation Park was awarded the national Park of the Year Award at the Parks and Leisure Australia Conference Awards.

This title confirmed what we already knew – Cringila Hills Recreation Park is a special place.

Head here to hit the mountain bike trails. There are almost 12 kilometres of trails for beginners to advanced with a mix of gradients, surfaces and obstacles. Plus, there is a dedicated pump track and bike skills park.

If you’re not a rider, there is also a playground, shared-use walking trails and picnic tables.

5. Build skills, safely

Opening in September 2022, the Illawarra Criterium track is more than a closed-loop course for cyclists.

While cyclists are always welcome, it’s also a space for bike riders of all levels as well as other non-motorised wheels such as scooters or rollerblades.

There are two purpose-build closed loop tracks to choose from. So, if you got new blades, a skateboard or bike for Christmas, this space is perfect for building up skills.

You’ll find the Illawarra Criterium Track off Factory Road in Unanderra.