wellness
Flemington expands cycling routes safe for families and beginners
Protected paths in two local parks now give new riders and parents with children clear options away from busy traffic.
How we reported this
The Flemington City Council added 6 kilometres of separated bike lanes through Flemington Reserve and along the eastern edge of the racecourse grounds on 1 July 2026.
More households here report wanting outdoor time together after winter, and parents have asked for places where children can practise without mixing with cars on Racecourse Road or Epsom Road.
Two routes already in use
One loop starts at the main gate of Flemington Reserve, follows the new path beside the oval and returns via the Pin Oak Crescent side path. The second route runs from the community hub on Union Street, crosses the small bridge over the drain and circles the open grass at the southern end of the racecourse grounds. Both paths stay flat and stay inside park boundaries for their full length.
The Flemington Active Transport Group runs a free Saturday skills session at 9 a.m. on the Reserve loop for anyone who wants an instructor on hand for the first few rides. Helmets and a basic bike check are supplied on site.
Numbers behind the change
Council counts from the last week of June showed 142 family groups using the new lanes on weekends, up from 87 the same weekend in 2025. Bike hire at the Union Street hub costs $8 for two hours or $20 for a full day, with child seats available at no extra charge.
Parents can pick up a printed map at the Flemington Library on Pin Oak Crescent or download the same route on the council website before heading out. The paths stay open from sunrise to sunset every day, and the council asks riders to keep to the marked lanes and yield at the two marked crossings on Union Street.