Perth Park is the name for the new development next to Optus Stadium in Burswood. Often controversial due to the inclusion of motorsport, the majority of the redevelopment will be focussing on everything but motorsport. It is important to us as cyclists as it will provide a new racing and training circuit close to the city. It is important to the rest of the community as it will provide an outdoor entertainment space and facilities for loads of other activities.
These two things, however, don’t always co-exist well and luckily SPR has been involved in the consultation process over the last couple of years. Last week it was announced that the major construction contract has been awarded. A few days before that, there was a meeting about the setup of the cycling circuit and it’s interaction with other aspects of the park. Hopefully our feedback is taken on board and we get a facility that can really benefit the cycling community.
There have been a number of announcements about the park in the last week some directly from the government and some from the dedicated website. However, there is a lot of talky, talk in there so let me explain what I know after having discussions with the designers and main roads.
There are three potential track layouts. A dedicated training track of 850m, a race circuit of 1.25km and a longer circuit of about 1.79kms (see pictures below). The longest circuit takes in some of the surrounding roads and would require traffic management as well as approval from Venues West, who will be managing the area. This circuit would potentially be used for bigger events like state or national races. The shorter 1.25km track circles the new pit lane and open air amphitheatre area. This does not require traffic management, but would require approval from Venues West. The shorter circuit, or “training track” is meant to be accessible for cyclist at all times except when used as part of the motorsport circuit or used as bus parking during a stadium event.
So, let me explain a few things before we delve further into track design, etc. A stadium event is any time that the stadium fully utilised. i.e. footy game, concert, etc. During these times, they generally close off the roads surrounding the stadium and force people to take public transport. Unfortunately, all these extra buses need to go somewhere and they will be parked on the training circuit. So, that is one caveat on our training circuit that is “available at all times”. Fortunately, most of these events don’t take place on a Sunday morning when our races usually do, so there is some room for negotiation.
Speaking of that, the relationship with Venues West and how things are booked is also an unknown at the moment. The fear is that the amphitheatre area will be booked out so often that we never get to use the 1.25km circuit. Our only saving grace is that we generally run races on a Sunday morning, so could probably negotiate around bump in, bump out access for another party setting up inside the race track. The same applies to organised training sessions on the smaller circuit. It is unknown at the moment how that will operate. If the Speeddome is anything to go buy (also managed by Venues West) then potentially slots of time could be booked out by clubs, or set times for all access bulk training could be organised.
The majority of the discussion that was had last week with the designers centred on the training circuit and what it would look like. The length of the circuit was raised as a concern if used for racing, but due to the camber of the race track and access for pedestrian walkways, this is the best option we have. The southern straight which shares alignment with the event track is part of the car race circuit and should be wide enough for competitive racing. The northern side runs parallel with Roger Mackay Drive and will be separated from normal traffic. However, the motorsport circuit uses the full width of the bike and car lanes, so any barriers need to be removable. Their initial suggestion was to put those small slightly elevated lumps (armadillos) between the cars and bikes. I cautioned against that as it is hard for bikes to see them when in a group and if you hit one you will end up on the road side of the circuit. They said they will look into a wall to separate the traffic.
Another bonus has been the advocacy work from Westcycle to push for lighting to be put around the training circuit. This gives us unprecedented access to a circuit all year round and potentially allows us to run midweek winter races. However, I can foresee a number of operational safety issues with having a circuit so readily accessible. For example, what happens when a training group is riding around and some random enters the circuit in the opposite direction. Should the circuit have only one direction, or does that then limit the usability of it?
So there is lots of discussion still to be had and lots of areas where this could swing either for or against us as cyclists. Hopefully we can get in front of the right people at the right time so that we can have a facility that we can actually utilise.
I realise that this blog goes out well past just our club, so I am willing to be used as a focal point for any questions that people may have or want to be presented when discussions are held. If you add any queries to the comments on the facebook posts, anything I can’t answer, I will try to table at the appropriate time.
Other Information
2026 and 2027 international trips –
SPR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
Please complete this brief EOI for either or both tours
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct –
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for early bird $105 until 30 April 2026; normal entry $125 until 30th September, late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We will look to book accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year, cost to be advised; in Friday 16 th October out Monday 19 th October; shorter stay if preferred for the same price. You can register your interest for accommodation via this EOI.
For further queries please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au.
Upcoming Racing
- WACX AusCycling National Series (23-24 May)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (24 May)
- AusCycling 2026 Junior State Individual Time Trial (ITT) Championships (30 May)
- AusCycling 2026 Junior State Road Championships (30 May)
- WCMCC Road Race at Casuarina (7 June)
- WCMCC Road Race at Pickering Brook (14 June)
Juniors
Saturday (23/5):
Apologies, due to a family emergency our Juniors coach, Giovanni, has had to fly back to Italy and will not be here for the next weekend. The teenage juniors are invited to join the adult club ride, departing at 7:00am from the Coode Street car park in South Perth and will be chaperoned within the main rides by Peter, club president.
Please check the SPR Junior WhatsApp channel for any last-minute updates. If you’re not yet in the group chat and would like to be included, just let me know.
Events coming up
CX series. Check the calendar here: https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar/
AusCycling 2026 Junior State Individual Time Trial (ITT) Championships (30 May)
AusCycling 2026 Junior State Road Championships (30 May)
From the Ride Coordinator
One of the reasons we like to keep the size of Saturday groups to around 15 riders, is to limit the physical length of the group on the road. Longer groups are a greater disruption to traffic, and more susceptible to being split at lights. One way to help maintain a compact group is for those on the front to delay accelerating when coming out of corners.
Road Closures for this Sunday’s HBF running event are available here : https://www.hbf.com.au/run/road-closures#map
Saturday 23rd May
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Development group (*) – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
Transition: Trans Abernethy 39.96km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Morley Drive 50.77km SPR Saturday
(*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.
Sunday 24th May
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Brktn Weir 79.19km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Brktn Weir 79.19km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: F’berg Urch Obs 92.84 km SPR Sunday
Monday 25th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 26th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Ride starts at 6:30am at Koorak Kings Park Cafe Car Park
Main 4/Transitional/Novice
Kings Park laps at own pace, coffee at 7:30am
Wednesday 27th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 28th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 29th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am