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Question 1 of 5

How are your brakes?

Squeeze both brake levers firmly. Does the bike stop quickly and cleanly? Do the levers feel firm, not spongy?

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Question 2 of 5

What about your tyres?

Squeeze each tyre — does it feel firm? Look for cuts, bulges, embedded glass, or worn-down tread.

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Question 3 of 5

How's your chain?

Lift the rear wheel and spin the pedals slowly. Does the chain run smoothly? Is it clean, or rusty and dry?

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Question 4 of 5

Do your gears shift cleanly?

Ride or spin the pedals and shift through all gears. Do they engage without skipping, hesitation or chain drop?

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Question 5 of 5

Lights and visibility?

NSW law requires a white front light and red rear light when riding at night. Are yours working and mounted securely?

5 Safety Checks Every Sydney Rider Should Know

Before every ride, run through this quick routine — the ABC Quick Check. It takes under 2 minutes and can prevent accidents.

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Worn brake pads can double your stopping distance. Replace when pad material is below 1mm or if you hear metal-on-metal grinding.

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Road bike: 90–120 PSI. Hybrid: 50–70 PSI. MTB: 25–35 PSI. A soft tyre increases puncture risk and rolling resistance.

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A dry chain wears out your cassette 3–5x faster. Wipe with a rag and apply a quality wet or dry lube every 200–300 km.

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Cables stretch over time. A proper gear tune takes 15 minutes but prevents chain drops, especially on hills like Anzac Bridge or Military Road.

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You must have a white front light and red rear light when riding between sunset and sunrise. Fines up to $106 for non-compliance.

🚲 Is My Bike Safe to Ride?