Decide your Ride is a series of bicycling videos for those interested but unsure about bicycling to and between Sandy Bay and Hobart CBD campuses, and Newnham and Inveresk campuses in Launceston. The videos and commentary show safe and 'bikeable' introductory routes. Decide Your Ride is not just about route selection; it's also about route riding, including taking advantage of footpaths, passing parked cars, dealing with intersections – a virtual buddy system.
Decide Your Ride is part of the University's strategy to promote sustainable transport choices. It was developed by UTAS students as part of a SIPS project. Community cycling organisations including Bicycle Network, Cycling South and the Tamar Bicycle Users Group contributed to the commentary and information provided in the videos.
Remember to ride safely!
Hobart Medical Science Precinct via Fitzroy Place
From Sandy Bay campus Bike Hub along Grosvenor St to a shortcut up to Fitzroy Place, this avoids the busier Sandy Bay Road and Regent Street. Continue via Molle to Collins Street to the Medical Science Precinct.
Sandy Bay Campus via Fitzroy Place
From the Medical Science Precinct via Liverpool and Molle Streets to Fitzroy Place. Take the shortcut used on the outward journey and continue on Grosvenor Street to the campus Bike Hub.
Lower Sandy Bay to Sandy Bay Campus
From the Lower Sandy Bay shops using the bike lanes along Sandy Bay Road. Turn left up Nelson Road, right up Quorn Street and through to the Earl Street entrance.
Sandy Bay Campus to Lower Sandy Bay
From the Bike Hub to Earl then Quorn Street and to the Nelson Road traffic lights. Turn onto the Sandy Bay Road bike lanes and continue to the Lower Sandy Bay shops.
Sandy Bay Campus via Battery Point
From the Medical Science Precinct and the Hobart Railway Roundabout through to the Intercity Cycleway. Continue via Morrison Street and Castray Esplanade to Battery Point. Then via Napoleon Street and Marieville Esplanade to the Sandy Bay campus.
Hobart Medical Science Precinct via Battery Point
From the Sandy Bay campus Bike Hub via Earl Street and Marieville Esplanade to Napoleon Street. Continue through Battery Point to Castray Esplanade and Morrison Street to the Intercity Cycleway. Cross at the junction of Brooker Avenue and Davey Street and continue to the Medical Science Precinct via the Hobart Railway Roundabout.
Newnham Campus via Goderich Street
From the Inveresk apartments cross Invermay Road and take the shared bike path on the Esk River levee bank. Cross at the lights at the intersection of Goderich and Lindsay Street. Take the shared path on the west side of Goderich Street to get to the unitrail. Follow the unitrail through to the Plumer Street entrance of Newnham campus. This leg and the return leg were filmed in winter. The other four sequences were filmed in early summer.
Inveresk Apartments via Goderich Street
Leave the Newnham campus via Plumer Street to get to the unitrail. Follow the trail all the way to the Goderich Street shared bike path. South of Forster Street this return leg becomes easier than the outward journey because you’re facing any traffic turning into the side streets. Use the lights at Lindsay Street (remember to walk your bike) to get to the levee bank path and through to Inveresk.
Newnham Campus via Holbrook Street
Leave the Inveresk apartments and cross Invermay Road via the roundabout or the bike/pedestrian crossing on the left. Use Lindsay Street (or the footpath) to get to the Holbrook Street junction where you turn right. Follow Holbrook Street to the unitrail. The unitrail goes through to the Plumer Street entrance of Newnham campus. This video was filmed early on a weekday morning.
Inveresk Apartments via Holbrook Street
Leave the Newnham campus via Plumer Street to get to the unitrail. Follow the unitrail to Holbrook Street, and then via Lindsay Street to Inveresk. This video was filmed on a weekday afternoon around 5pm. Holbrook and Lindsay Streets are shown to be very bikeable even at peak hour. Of all the rides, this one recorded the shortest travel time.
Newnham Campus via Heritage Forest
Leave the Inveresk apartments and head towards Invermay Road before looping back around via the dedicated bike path which follows the North Esk River. Use the shared bike and pedestrian path to head north to Heritage Forest. Take one of the paths through Heritage Forest to Conway Street then Vermont Road, Mowbray. Take Jellico, then Beatty Streets through to Invermay Road and the main Newnham campus entrance.
Inveresk Apartments via Vermont Road
Exit the Newnham campus via Invermay Road. Follow Invermay Road through the Mowbray shopping precinct to the Vermont Road intersection. Turn left into Vermont Road and follow it to the Inveresk trail. Turn right at the trail and follow the gravel path (remembering to ride to the conditions) all the way to Inveresk. Follow the dedicated bike path alongside the North Esk River to Invermay Road and loop back the short distance to the Inveresk apartments.
Frequently asked questions
The video camera was fixed to the handlebars of a bike to give a bike rider's perspective. It doesn't show things like checking behind for cars or enjoying the views of the Derwent going up Sandy Bay Road. Waiting time at traffic lights has been edited out and sections have been fast forwarded.
It is worth noting that even at normal speeds the ride can appear faster in the video than actually experienced – particularly the approach and passing speed of pedestrians. At times too the vision bumps up and down depending on the riding surfaces. This hardly makes for a slick production but then again it does show the feedback from road surfaces experienced during a bike ride.
Sure, these are just examples and selecting a route is just one part of riding. Bike riders find many ways to ride the same routes depending on the conditions.
It is important to start with small steps, with experimenting with routes and dry-runs. Riding on footpaths can help build skills and confidence to ride on the roads It is legal to ride on the footpath in Tasmania (except for signposted zones in the Hobart and Launceston city centres) but be careful to give way to pedestrians.
Nothing changes overnight
Maps produced with the assistance of Strava.