Melbourne Bikefest

Whether it’s banishing parked cars from Swanston Street or shedding kilos from office-bound workerbees, you can’t deny the impact that increased bicycle use has had on Melbourne. Our love affair will be consummated in February with Melbourne Bikefest 2012, a month of markets, performances, design competition and sweet rides.

Creative producer Pip Carroll says that people are becoming more confident – taking riding beyond mere transport to be a reflection of their personal style.

“In five years we’ve seen a huge change in bike riding habits in Melbourne, in the streets there’s a celebration of bikes,” she offers. “Bike retailers are starting to embrace it, rather than seeing it as a niche activity or a sporting pursuit. It’s a lifestyle, and when you see it as that, that’s where you get the greatest benefit out of it.”

Bikefest contains eight key projects, the hottest of which will be the Bike Runway fashion show on March 15. Runway co-producer Lara McPherson claims the event will celebrate Melbourne bike style by inviting average Joes (and Joannes) up the ramp to join local boutiques in parading their best cycle threads. But it won’t be sponsored Lyrca MAMILs and Hi-Vis tops, thanks to a booming number of stores catering for bike style.

“We’ve got bike-friendly shops – that community – popping up everywhere in the last few years,” McPherson adds. “People who know that it’s more than transport, it’s a lifestyle.”

Bikefest evolved from a bike-based film festival a few years ago and keeps growing and maturing, just like the two-wheeled love affair Melbourne is in the midst of.

“I’m the same,” Carroll says of the evolution. “I started out with an old crappy second-hand bike that someone left in the backyard, and then got a beautiful single speed bike, and now that I’m older – and pregnant – I’ve got a bike with gears. It just makes it so easy.”

Pedal your treadlie towards these festival highlights...

Bikefest Treadlie Market
The market – within the huge Sustainable Living Festival – has more than 30 stalls from retailers, craftspeople and enthusiasts, with a special track to test out a new ride. Birrarung Marr. 17–19 Feb; Fri 12 noon-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. FREE.

Bikefest BMX Jam
Renowned choreographers Antony Hamilton and Byron Perry bump out the usual sliders at the CBD’s best skate park to direct some of Melbourne’s most skilled BMX riders in a bike dance. Yes. A bike dance. Riverslide Skate Park, Alexandra Gardens. Sat 17 Mar, 7-9pm. FREE.

Bikefest Village Picnic
Hundreds of two-wheelers will trawl along the Yarra Trail in this inaugural event with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Games and entertainment on the beautiful lawns of the Abbotsford Convent. Abbotsford Convent. Sat 10 Mar, 11am-5pm. FREE.