Category Archives: Kiama BUG

Big Bike Film Night

July 31, 2026Kiama BUG, Special eventsevents

The Big Bike Film Night is returning to Wollongong.

When:Tuesday 11th August @ 7:00 pm
Where: Gala Cinema Warrawong

The 2026 collection is geared to inspire, with a breathtaking range of short cycling films that celebrate the fun, adventure, and inspiration that cycling enables; showcasing 2.5 hours of moving bike films that has everything a cycle-centric audience could want.

Thanks to prize sponsors, presenting partner Ng? Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand, attendees will be in the draw to win a 5-day, all-inclusive Great Rides cycling holiday to New Zealand! Five days cycling the best trails across New Zealand’s South Island, starting and finishing in Queenstown.

Simply buy a ticket to attend a Big Bike Film Night Australian screening and complete an entry form. (Flights included).

More info: Big Bike Film Night website >>>

Watch the Trailer….

New eBike Laws – What’s Changing

July 23, 2026cycling, Kiama BUG, Planning, regulationcycling, government, planning, regulations

eBike commuter Federal and state governments are consolidating their plans around new rules for e-bikes.

Following the decision in 2025 to reintroduce the European standard for e-bikes on Australian roads, the Commonwealth has now amended the import rules for e-bikes by re-inserting EN15194:2017 into the definition of an e-bike in the Australian Design Rules.

The Department of Transport and Border Security uses this definition to decide if a product is an e-bike that can be imported into Australia.

Such an e-bike must meet all the requirements of EN15194:2017 including having a maximum continuous power of 250 watts, a maximum assisted speed of 25km/h, and a maximum throttled-controlled walk-mode speed of 6km/h.

Significantly, the standard now also contains an anti-tampering provision to prevent the power and speed limitations being altered by sellers or owners.

A retailer manufacturer or retailer cannot provide a code, controller setting, device app, mechanical device, throttle in a box or any other functionality for consumer modification.

From our local state perspective, NSW e-bike laws are changing in stages between 2026 and 2029, to become aligned with the national regulations.

New e-bikes sold in NSW must now be marked to show whether they meet the EN 15194 standard or not.

From March 2029, e-bikes that aren’t certified to EN 15194 will no longer be legal to ride on roads, cycleways, shared paths or other public areas in NSW.

The links below provide information about what has changed at a national level, and how these new regulations are being applied in NSW…

KBUG AGM and Annual Dinner 2026

June 13, 2026Kiama BUG

Attention all Kiama BUG members….

The 2026 Kiama BUG Annual General Meeting and Dinner will be held on Wednesday 22nd July, at the Oak Flats Bowling Club.

The function will commence at 6:00pm.

Our AGM will be held at 6:30pm, followed by Dinner at 7:00pm

Please review the information below – to either:

RSVP for the AGM and Dinner
and/or
Nominate for the Kiama BUG Committee

Please RSVP by Friday 17th July.
Continue reading KBUG AGM and Annual Dinner 2026 →

The Man With the Yellow Kombi

May 28, 2026Kiama BUG

In the quiet suburb of Manly Vale, NSW, one man is proving that small actions can have a big impact.

Alan Ventress, a 75-year-old retiree, has become something of a local hero, dedicating his time and energy to rescuing abandoned bicycles and giving them new life. His remarkable journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that offered him the time to reflect on waste, community, and how he could make a difference.

It all started when Alan noticed an increasing number of bicycles left out for council cleanups, often in good condition or requiring only minor repairs. Disheartened by the wasteful habits of what he calls a ‘throwaway society’, Alan felt compelled to act.

Read the full story at Bicycle NSW >>>

KBUG Autumn Cycling Tour 2026

January 12, 2026Kiama BUG, Tourtouring, tours, trips

Cycling in Autumn This year’s Kiama BUG Autumn Cycling Tour is heading west to visit the city of Orange, during the week commencing Monday 9th March 2026

There will be three days of riding….

Tuesday 10th March
Wednesday 11th March
Thursday 12th March

Latest Information

Organisation

Our base for the trip will be the Colour City Caravan Park in Orange. Each ride will start from the Park.

We will be basing our rides around the ride routes listed on the Ride Orange website.

These rides will mostly be on public roads, on surfaces suitable for all types of bikes.

More specific information about each of our daily rides is available in the Orange Tour Information Doc below.

Participating riders will need to organise their own accommodation, staying in the area from Monday 9th March, to be ready to roll on the Tuesday morning, when we will be leaving the Colour City Caravan Park at 8:00 am.

If booking online at the Colour City Caravan Park, make a note that you will be staying with the Kiama Cycling Group.

Travel time from Kiama to Orange is around a 4-5 hours, via either the southern Goulburn/Crookwell/Blaney route, or the northern Campbelltown/Katoomba/Blue Mountains route.

To assist in the organisation for the trip, please register at the link below, before Friday 27th February.

Two Bugs on Bikes – Kiama Library

November 10, 2025Kiama BUG

This event at Kiama Library will be of interest to many Kiama BUG members…

Two bugs in Africa Kiama Library is hosting an evening with Jacqui Webster, sharing the story about her travel memoir, Two Bugs on Bikes: Our middle-aged gap year cycling across Europe and Africa.

Jacqui and Joe will share some of the highlights from their experiences of cycling 18,000 kilometres through 30 countries across Europe and Africa – braving bears in Bulgaria, conquering mountain passes in Slovenia, taking bold leaps of faith in Türkiye, and crossing rivers, traversing deserts, and dodging wild animals across the African continent.

Through it all, Jacqui and Joe forge connections with people from all walks of life, and confront the harsh realities of people’s lives in the face of increasing food insecurity compounded by climate change. It’s a trial of resilience, forcing them to confront their futures.

A talk not to be missed.

Books available for signing and purchase.

Where: Kiama Library
When: Tuesday 25th November | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Booking: Register online or call 02 4233 1133.
Cost: FREE

Visit Kiama Library website>>>

KBUG 2025 Christmas Do

November 9, 2025Kiama BUG

Jai santa cycle It’s going to be a Kiama BUG kinda Christmas….

Where: Oak Flats Bowling Club
When: Wednesday 10th December, from 6:00 pm.
Cost: $20 per person
Menu: Pizzas – a variety will be provided buffet style and serve yourself. (Gluten free and vegetarian options will be available.)
Drinks: From the bar

There are two steps to follow if you will be attending the 2025 Christmas get together….

Step 1 – Transfer $20 pp to the Kiama BUG bank account….

Account name: Kiama Bicycle User Group Inc
BSB: 032-689
Account No: 135138
‘To’ Description: Include your name, followed by the code CD25 (eg F Nurk CD25)

Step 2 – Let the caterers know you will be there….. Click/tap on the Kiama BUG Christmas wheel below to go to the RSVP form – before Monday 1st December. (If you are a late entry, no probs – just let someone know that you would like to be there and we will get it sorted – info@kiamabug.org.au is probably the best contact option.)

RSVP

New eBike Safety Laws to Impact Hire Businesses

August 15, 2025Kiama BUG

eBike hire operator As noted in a previous KBUG News post, new e-bike laws being introduced in NSW, aimed to curb the fire hazard caused by lithium-ion batteries, have been pushed back to February 1, 2026.

Many e-bike hire businesses across NSW say they will still be unable to afford compliance before the new date, and face closure.

The NSW government is being asked for different considerations for bike hire operators to help them replace bikes that do not meet the new standards.

Under NSW law, a hire is classed as a sale.

Unlike retailers who can sell non-certified stock before the February deadline, hire operators rely on the e-bike manufacturers to get the certification, or replace their fleets themselves.

Read more at ABC News >>>

NSW Govt pushes back e-Bike safety certification

August 15, 2025Kiama BUG

eBike parts safety NSW e-Bike product standards, introduced earlier this year, were to be a nationwide first to tackle the risk of lithium battery fires, applying to e-Bike sales and e-Bike hire, and micro-mobility products like e-scooters & skateboards.

Fines of up to $825,000 were meant to commence from August 1 for manufacturers and suppliers who did not have e-bike models and parts certified on time — including lithium-ion batteries or chargers.

Retailer 99 Bikes began clearing stock in preparation, while US manufacturer Trek said it would be forced to withdraw from sales in NSW in order to comply with the original date.

After some pressure, the NSW government quietly announced last week the cut-off was postponed until next February.

Read more at ABC News >>>