Bikes and Accessories

Beautiful wind running through your hair, warm sunshine on your skin, and the lovely smells of the outdoors. That’s all part and parcel of a bike ride. In order to enjoy your ride to the fullest, you don’t just need the right bike, but the right bike accessories too. Safety, increased performance, & comfort are just a few of the ways that the right bike accessories can make your ride that much better.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BIKE

So you’re looking for a new bike… but with so many bikes out there to choose from, all offering different features at different prices, it can be hard to know where to start. A good way to think about it is what kind of journeys you want to take on your bike, then choosing one that fits you best. If you’re heading out to ride the trails, you’ll need a different bike than if you are heading to the store for groceries or commuting to work.

Your Move has put together some handy information to help you to think about all the different types of bikes which are on the market today. Check out their guide here. For expert advice, make sure to visit your local bike shop.

Guide: Choosing the right bike

Bike Guide

HELMET

Helmets are compulsory in Western Australia, and all cyclists must wear an approved helmet while in motion, unless exempted. Approved helmets carry a sticker or label certifying they have passed stringent safety tests. When choosing a helmet, look for labels similar to those below.

bells

A well-functioning bell that is conveniently placed is required for a bicycle to be considered legal for use on all roads and shared paths in WA.

REFLECTORS & LIGHTS

Lights and reflectors on your bike are mandatory if you ride at night or in any weather conditions that reduce visibility. This includes a flashing or steady white light on the front of the bicycle and a flashing or steady red light on the rear of the bicycle that needs to be clearly visible for at least 200 metres.

A red reflector is required on the rear of the bicycle that is visible for at least 50m when light is projected onto it by a vehicle’s headlight on low beam. You need two yellow side reflectors on each wheel and yellow pedal reflectors on both sides of each pedal.

E-BIKES

The popularity of eBikes is increasing rapidly, and for good reason! There are many benefits to owning an eBike. With the variety of models available on the market today, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. That’s why Switch Your Thinking has put together a guide to help you determine if an eBike is the right choice for you. This guide covers the difference between pedal-assist and power-on-demand eBikes, as well as the legal requirements you’ll need to take into consideration. Check out their guide here.

WestCycle’s Ride Secure Membership insurance covers you whilst using your E-bike.
see membership options

Buyers Guide

WestCycle’s E-Bike Buyers Guide

Switch your thinking

Switch your thinking’s Electric Bikes guide

Tim Roach

Elected Director | Off Road

Tim has been in senior leadership and strategic development roles for more than twenty years. He is currently Director of Executive Education in the School of Business and Law at Edith Cowan University and is a past Assistant Commissioner and General Manager in the public service. He is an Accountant (FCPA) and sits on the Divisional Council of CPA Australia.

Tim has been involved in racing mountain bikes, BMX and triathlon for many years, both as a father of two children who race and as a past and current bike racer. Tim is the current over-50 State Champion in downhill mountain biking. He is also a very regular and enthusiastic transport cyclist; frequently seen in a suit and tie riding to meetings in the city on a mountain bike.

Denise Sullivan

Chair | Governance & Risk Committee

Denise Sullivan has a career spanning over twenty years in senior management and executive roles in the state public and not-for-profit health sectors.

In her usual role of Director Chronic Disease Prevention with the Western Australian Department of Health, she leads the development of state chronic disease and injury prevention policy and planning frameworks and contributes to the shaping of the national preventive health policy agenda.

Her professional interests cover many aspects of chronic disease and injury prevention encompassing health communications, health promotion and research, public policy on health and workforce planning and development.

She has a particular interest in furthering collaborations with other sectors with a mutual interest in promoting a more active and healthier WA community, and creating and sustaining environments that support this. Denise is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Leadership WA Signature Program, and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian College of Health Service Managers.

Denise is a recreational cyclist and recent convert to mountain biking (although trainer wheels still on!).