Thousands of cyclists will gather at St Leonards Park in North Sydney for Spring Cycle 2026, a charity ride that will take participants across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and through the city to raise funds for Lifeline.
The event will take place on Sunday, 11 October, with the 50km Classic Ride starting at 6:30 a.m. and the 10km City Ride scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Families, first-time cyclists and experienced riders are expected to join the annual event, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.
Two cycling routes from St Leonards Park
Both rides will begin at St Leonards Park on Fig Tree Lane, with cyclists travelling south through North Sydney before crossing the Harbour Bridge on roads temporarily closed or restricted to general traffic.
The 10km City Ride will follow closed roads through the Sydney CBD and finish at Pirrama Park in Pyrmont. The longer 50km Classic Ride will continue through the Inner West towards Parramatta Park, with the final 40km covering shared paths and roads open to other vehicles.
Event marshals, traffic controllers and police will support riders along the course. The longer route will require cyclists to follow normal road rules outside the closed-road sections.
Spring Cycle has become a fixture on Sydney’s recreational cycling calendar, bringing together people of different ages and cycling abilities. Its Harbour Bridge crossing provides participants with access to a route ordinarily dominated by motor traffic, while the shorter distance allows less experienced riders to take part.
Miller Street and Berry Street closures to affect North Sydney
Road closures and parking restrictions will begin several hours before cyclists leave St Leonards Park, affecting access through parts of North Sydney and across the Harbour Bridge.
Miller Street between Falcon Street and the Pacific Highway, along with Berry Street between the Pacific Highway and Walker Street, will close from 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Little Walker Street and Arthur Street will remain closed until 11:00 a.m., while some connecting streets will have shorter restrictions.
Sections of the Harbour Bridge, including lanes 7 and 8, will close between 4:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Other bridge lanes will remain available to motorists, with reduced speed limits in place. The Cahill Expressway Circular Quay overpass will also close in both directions until 11:00 a.m.
Special event clearways will apply between 3:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. along sections of Miller, Berry, Arthur and Carlow streets. Vehicles parked in designated clearways may be towed, including those displaying residential parking permits.
Bus routes travelling through North Sydney will also be diverted, with some services missing stops along Miller Street and Blue Street. Affected services include routes 115, 202, 207, 208, 230 and 252, among others.
North Sydney and Victoria Cross stations provide access to the start
Public transport is being encouraged for cyclists travelling to St Leonards Park, where parking availability will be limited by road closures and event preparations.
North Sydney railway station is the closest train station to the starting area, while Victoria Cross and Crows Nest metro stations provide alternative access. Cyclists using Crows Nest will be directed towards the park through Clarke Street, Willoughby Road, Burlington Street, West Street and Carlow Street.
Registered participants and volunteers will be eligible for free travel on trains, metro services and ferries on event day by presenting their rider number or approved volunteer identification. Transport authorities have warned that bicycles cannot be carried on regular or rail-replacement buses.
Metro passengers travelling with bicycles will also need to use lifts rather than escalators, potentially creating delays as large numbers of riders arrive for the morning departures.
Forty years of cycling with a charitable purpose
Spring Cycle’s anniversary event will support Lifeline, with participants encouraged to fundraise alongside completing their chosen distance.
Money raised will contribute to Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support service, available nationally on 13 11 14, and other suicide prevention programmes. The organisation provides support to people experiencing emotional distress, including those seeking immediate assistance during a crisis.
Fundraising is central to this year’s event, with the organisers bringing together individual riders, families and cycling groups around the anniversary programme. Olympic diver Sam Fricker is among the event ambassadors expected to take part, alongside recreational cyclists and community participants. Finish-line activities are planned at Pirrama Park and Parramatta Park, where participants will be able to gather after completing their respective routes.
Event registration, course information and fundraising details are available through the official Spring Cycle website. Residents travelling through North Sydney on Sunday can check the latest restrictions and public transport arrangements through Transport for NSW.
Published 8-Oct-2026
