Walk or ride

This map shows protected cycling infrastructure and on-road options to help you plan your trip.

Please scan the route you intend to take to familiarise yourself with on-road sections and plan how to make your way through intersections. In some cases you may need to dismount your bike and walk it through an intersection. Be aware that there is variability within mapped categories, and riding conditions may change based on weather, day or time.

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Walking and riding are activities that can be integrated into everyday life as daily transport and recreation, and can be used in combination with other forms of transport for longer trips.

Park and walk to the City centre map

If you have a longer trip but still want to incorporate walking or riding, try catching public transport or driving part way and walking or riding the rest. The park and walk map provides some suggestions for parking options and walking routes to and from the City Centre.

Walking to and from Railway Stations

Walking to or from public transport is also a great option. The railway station walking maps show just how much is within walking distance of some of the railway stations around Bendigo.

• Walking to and from Bendigo Railway Station
• Walking to and from Epsom Railway Station
• Walking to and from Eaglehawk Railway Station
• Walking to and from Kangaroo Flat Railway Station

Footpaths and Shared paths

You can view the location of footpaths and shared paths online to help you plan your trip.

Community Compass walking map

Take in Bendigo’s natural environment and historical attractions on one of our shared paths. Explore one of the many paths independently or join a local cycling, outdoor or hiking group and make some new friends along the way.

Discover Greater Bendigo’s bicycle and walking path network with Cycling & Walking Trails information and maps on the Bendigo Tourism website. There are a variety of trails for different styles and abilities, including:

• O’Keefe Rail Trail – Ride or walk this disused railway line that links Heathcote and Axedale with Bendigo.
• Goldfields Track/Great Dividing Trail – This 210-km shared use bushwalking and mountain bike trail follows the top of the Great Dividing Range from Mt Buninyong just out of Ballarat to Bendigo.
• Bendigo Bushland Trail – This 65km trail consists of bicycle, road and walking tracks. It encircles the urban area of Bendigo and takes you through pockets of remnant Box-Ironbark regrowth.
• Mulga Bill Trail – The short Mulga Bill trail offers spectacular views and links Eaglehawk to the Lightning Hill lookout, passing by Lake Neangar, central Eaglehawk and a large area of forest to the north that is part of the Whipstick sector of the Greater Bendigo National Park. It is also an off-leash dog walking area.
• Bendigo Creek Trail – The trail traces its course north-east from Crusoe Reservoir, past natural bush and historic landmarks, all the way to Bendigo Pottery in Epsom.

Depending on where you’re coming from, you may want to incorporate a bus or train into your trip.

• View all V/Line timetables for the Bendigo Metro Rail service
• If you’re looking for a bus service near you across urban Bendigo, download the PTV app, or visit Public Transport Victoria website.

Combining walking or riding with public transport is a popular way to get around.

Parkiteer Bike Parking

Public Transport Victoria offers a free service called Parkiteer at Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat Train Stations. It is a secure bike cage with 24-hour access. You can register to use Parkiteer, and get your access card through Bicycle Network.

Bikes on Buses

Bike racks have been installed on buses travelling along 14 local routes in Bendigo and the Bendigo to Heathcote route. For further information on how to use bikes racks on buses including a video, have a look at the Public Transport Victoria website.

Bikes on V/Line trains

Folding bikes can be carried on V/Line trains and conventional bikes can be carried if there is adequate space availability; further information available on the Public Transport Victoria website.

Walking to and from the railway station

Walking to or from public transport is also a great option. The walking maps show just how much is within walking distance of some of the railway stations around Bendigo.

• Walking to and from Bendigo Railway Station
• Walking to and from Epsom Railway Station
• Walking to and from Eaglehawk Railway Station
• Walking to and from Kangaroo Flat Railway Station

There are a number of tips you can follow to help keep yourself safe:

• Plan your trip – The best bike route is often different to the way you would take a car. Have a look at the Online Everyday Riding Map to assist with planning the safest route for you. Scan over the route you intend to take to familiarise yourself with on-road sections and plan how to make your way through intersections.
• Be visible – Bright or hi-vis clothing and lights can help other vehicles see you. Riding in the gutter can make you less visible to other vehicles so allow appropriate distance from the curb, this also helps you avoid debris near the curb.
• Communicate – Use your bell, voice and hand signals to communicate with other road users; consider what others may expect you to do and ride predictably. Make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians when practical to do so.
• Scan surroundings – Be aware of things ahead and behind you. Look out for people opening car doors and cars turning in front of you, pulling out of driveways or leaving parking spots. Make eye contact with drivers or pedestrians that may block your path and be prepared to give way.
• Allow space – Slow down when there is traffic or potential hazards so that you have time to react. Ride in bike lanes if available, unless it's impractical to do so. Leave space next to parked cars if possible or slow down to avoid car dooring. Where a road is too narrow for a car to pass safely, it can be safest to move into the centre of a traffic lane, moving left again when safe to do so; remember to scan around yourself to check it is safe and signal by extending your arm before moving into the lane.
• Use caution at intersections – Look for other vehicles before going through an intersection. Be careful overtaking cars on the left and give way to those turning left in front of you. Be aware of vehicle blind spots and don’t pass heavy vehicles on the left in case they can’t see you. Consider using a hook turn where right turns are permitted, or get off your bike and walk it through difficult intersections.
• Know your bike – Be prepared to react quickly and be ready to break. Keep your bike maintained. Know how to use your bike including riding with one hand to use hand signals. To take off smoothly from a stopped position, change into an easy gear before stopping and move the pedals to the power position (with one pedal just forward of the highest point of rotation) before starting again.
• Follow the rules – Bike Law is a bike rider's guide to road rules in Victoria, including required equipment (helmet, brakes, bell and lights) and riding with vehicles.
• Consider the riding surface – Be careful when there are changes to the riding surface including when there is rain, when crossing bluestones or tram tracks (keep your wheels at an angle to the tracks when crossing).

Bike Bendigo, Bicycle Network and VicRoads also have a range of resources to develop riding skills, and Bicycle Network provides information about maintaining your bike

When riding on-road, it's important to know a few key points including how to turn right, move through roundabouts and traffic lights. If unsure, you can always dismount and walk through an intersection too.

Intersections

If safe and practical to do so, move to the front of vehicles waiting at an intersection where you'll be move visible. Avoid blocking left turn lanes when you're going straight ahead by waiting to the right of left turning vehicles. Be aware of vehicle blind spots. Do not overtake vehicles on the left if they are indicating that they are turning left. Give trucks and large vehicles space at intersections and wait behind them, do not overtake or wait in a blind spot.

At traffic lights, wait in the bike box if available and practical to do so - A bike box is an area in front of the stopping line for other traffic, marked with a bike symbol. Bike boxes provide bike riders with a head start over other traffic and increase visibility.

Turning Right

To turn right or to move into a lane to your right, scan around yourself to check it is safe and signal to move right by extending your right arm. Hook turns can make right turns at intersections safer and easier, and bike riders can do a hook turn at any intersection unless a road sign says otherwise. A hook turn is a right turn from the left side of the road:

• Starting on the left side of the road to enter the intersection, ride straight ahead until the centre of the intersection (to avoid left turning vehicles thinking you're turning left)
• Move left after the centreline into the bike box of the road you’re turning onto, or in front of the traffic line if there is no bike box.
• Stop and turn your bike to face the direction you will continue in.
• Wait until the lights on the road you are entering turn green, or if there are no lights, until it is safe and legal to proceed.

Roundabouts

Ride in bike lanes if available and safe to do so. Otherwise where the road is too narrow for a car to pass safely, it can be safest to move into the centre of a traffic lane; remember to scan around yourself to check it is safe and signal by extending your arm before moving into the lane. For single-lane roundabouts without a bike lane, ride in the middle of the lane. For a multi-lane roundabout without a bike lane, you can use the right lane to turn right, or use the left lane, even if turning right. If you use the left lane or a bike lane, you need to give way to vehicles exiting the roundabout. Remember to signal your intentions.

• Bike hoops – there are a number of bike hoops around Bendigo to park your bike.
• Hargreaves Street multi-story carpark – Undercover, secure and free. Access via the internal vehicle access ramp off Hargreaves Street
• Edwards Street multi-story carpark – Undercover, secure and free. Access via Queen St, through the lane way located adjacent to the vehicle entrance.
• Parkiteer at Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat Train Stations – Public Transport Victoria offers a free service called Parkiteer, a secure bike cage with 24-hour access. You can register to use Parkiteer, and get your access card.

Remember to bring your own bike lock.

Shared paths are for people of all ages and abilities, and for multiple uses including: pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, runners and people with prams or walking dogs. Follow this etiquette to ensure everyone has safe and comfortable use of shared paths.

Pedestrians (including people on foot or on wheeled devices such as wheelchairs)

• Keep left unless it’s impracticable to do so
• Move in a predictable manner and check for other path-users before changing direction
• Keep your dog under control along shared paths and pick up after them
• Help children with you keep left, and explain shared path etiquette to them
• Stay aware of your surroundings even if using headphones
• Listen for warning bells or calls from other path-users and allow faster path-users to pass
• If you have stopped to talk with someone, stand off the path to allow other path-users to pass

Riders (including people on bicycles)

• Give way to pedestrians
• Keep left unless it’s impracticable to do so
• Move at a relaxed speed and slow down when passing others so you can stop quickly
• Pass other people on the right and warn them you’re passing in advance by ringing your bell or using your voice
• Take care around children and dogs who can be unpredictable
• Help children with you keep left, and explain shared path etiquette to them including warning other path-users of your approach
• Ring your bell or use your voice to let others know as you go into blind corners or underpasses
• Be visible by using lights and wearing bright clothes when it gets dark

The benefits of participating in physical activities such as walking and cycling are well documented. Not only do individuals benefit from a health and wellbeing perspective, but the whole community benefits from a greater sense of community, social interaction, economic opportunities, improvement to the environment and urban congestion, air and noise pollution, reduction in crime and a healthier society.

Walking and cycling are activities that can be integrated into everyday life as daily transport and recreation making it easier to meet recommended physical activity targets. International research shows that people who walk and cycle regularly are more likely to be happy and have a lower risk of depression.

In recent years electric bicycles have improved in quality, availability and affordability. Electric bicycles allow more people the opportunity to comfortably travel by bicycle extending distance travelled, riding age into later life and similar overall physical activity benefits compared to push bicycles.

You don’t have to walk or ride everyday to see the benefits, so consider walking or riding 1 day in 5 and...

• have fun and socialise, 
• improve health and get some exercise, 
• save time and money, 
• increase productivity, 
• reduce traffic and 
• care for the environment.