The Botanical Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) looks after both Kings Park and Bold Park and is currently shaping their 20 year Master Plan. A Master Plan sets the direction for the future and will assist in any decisions that are made and any changes that are suggested. Both parks will always be focussed on their biodiversity and cultural history, but they do acknowledge the role they play as a location where cyclists ride and train.
The “Place Understanding Report” which is used to inform the Master Plan references cycling in Kings Park as –
“Cycling is a popular activity within the park, serving both commuters and recreational riders. The park has also seen a significant rise in road cycling participation since hosting the AusCycling Road National Championships in 2025”
Before going on to recognise –
“Speeding cars and informal parking poses risks to cyclist safety…”
The upgrade of the road surface and removal of speed humps that us as cyclist have enjoyed over the past couple of years may also be under scrutiny as they state –
“The current road widths and smooth surface conditions facilitate speeding which poses a significant risk to pedestrians and cyclists.”
And –
“Speeding is most prevalent on May Drive, with 68% of vehicles exceeding the speed limit near Rio Tinto Naturescape and 61% near May Drive Parkland. On Fraser Avenue, approximately two in five vehicles travel over the speed limit in the absence of traffic calming interventions.
The issue is further exacerbated by the design of the roads, which feature generous, smooth lanes with minimal traffic calming measures, encouraging higher speeds.”
There is also some good data around the times of days that vehicles enter the park from the five different entry points. It is clear that down the bottom end of the park (Poole and Park Ave’s) the traffic peaks at 8am and 5pm on weekdays which is consistent with vehicle commuter traffic using the park as a cut through.
As you can see, they seem to be making a case for installing traffic calming devices for our own safety. This is the first issue for us.
The second part is around the usage for cyclists as a training location and what we might like to see in the future. What would a safe cycle training location look like to us as opposed to what it may look like to some bureaucrat that doesn’t understand what we do.
There are four stages to this Master Plan development.
- Discovering
- Listening
- Interpreting
- Resolving
The first stage developed the report as linked above and now they are ready to listen. This involves a survey to gather community feedback.
Again, being a park that focusses on conservation and biodiversity, many of the tick boxes relate to these issues, but they have acknowledged that active recreation areas are an important part to who uses Kings Park. There are a couple of freeform text boxes that allow you to put in your views. This is that place that we need to be specific about what we need and why Kings Park should continue to be a location for us to train.
Some suggestions for feedback might be –
Instead of traffic calming devices an alternative could be to restrict traffic at certain times to stop the rat race cut through.
Mention that speed humps and slow points are actually more dangerous for cyclists.
The central location allows many cyclists access to safer training rather than being pushed further out of town.
Kings Park has always been central to the cycling community in Perth, from Boxing Day Pappa’s, ATTA Birds in the Park or just to have a spin close to home. This is an opportunity for us to raise our voice and let government know that we want to continue to use it, so please take the time to give them feedback.
Event Information
TdF Activities for SPR members
The Tour de France is being celebrated by South Perth Rouleurs through Alliance Française de Perth, inspired by different regions of the cycling calendar. The Grand Départ last Saturday included all things Spanish with cocktails, wine, food and a live cross to Tom McCracken, commentator in Barcelona. It was inspiring and very worthwhile.
The final event is Friday 24th July 2026 6.00-8.30pm Alps Stage 19, Gap → Alpe d’Huez with regional presentation, drinks and tasting. Jethro Gammie‑Nagle, Tour Australian Cycling Commentator & Sports MC leads the discussion of the most memorable and defining moments with a live cross to Tom McCracken. The evening finishes with a live broadcast of the Tour.
Location: 75 Broadway, Nedlands WA
Cost: $63pp with discount code TDF2026; dietary needs recorded at registration.
More details and booking: https://www.afperth.com.au/event-rsvp/tour-de-france-2026-stage-3/
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 normal entry $125 until 30th September, then 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 have booked accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year; in Friday 16th October out Monday 19th October 2026. This is now currently full with those who have already put in an EOI. However, in case there is a cancellation or enough new interest, we could book another apartment but would need to know soon via this EOI. Note shorter stays cost the same price. Please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au for more info.
Canola classic 2026
It has been a few years since SPR formally promoted the Canola Classic and with declining mass road cycling events, participation is key to keeping Western Australia’s cycling community vibrant.
Set in the picturesque Shire of York on Sunday 23 August, cycle routes of 93km (1200m climbing) or 52km (600m climbing) take you from the York township through boundless blooming yellow canola fields of the Avon Valley. Registration costs $145 and $130 + booking fee ~$5 respectively; more information on the ride routes.
York is ~1hr drive from Perth so you can drive up in the morning or stay overnight. Contact Carol at admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au if you want additional information. So why not support this ride with other SPR members – you can ride or just come up for the weekend to enjoy with wonderful scenery.
Upcoming Racing
- WACX Numbat Cup at Iho Park (19 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (19 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (19 July)
- SWCC River Rd Climb (19 July)
- X-Speed Junior Road Series 2 (25 July)
- ATTA TTT at Casuarina (25 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (2 Aug)
Juniors
The forecast for this coming weekend looks favourable for a ride and here is the program for this Saturday:
Saturday (18/7)
We will all meet in Shelley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/5WLpEZwqzvB2zyC47) at 10.30am. The plan is to practice bunch riding skills. However, we will adjust our program on the basis of the numbers.
Our U17 and U15 juniors are invited to join our main club rides from Coode St car park (South Perth) at 7am. I will be there supervising them.
Please check our WhatsApp SPR junior channel for any last minute call. If you are not in the group chat, please let me know if you wuold like to be included.
Events coming up:
19/7/2026 – CX racing, Liquor Barons Numbat Cup Series #5, Iho Park, South Guilford https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar
25/7/2026 – WA Junior Road State Series – Round 2 https://entryboss.cc/races/31183
From the Ride Coordinator
At time of writing, the weekend is looking a bit touch & go with regards to showers on both days. If it does come to the worst, you can always get your cycling fix by watching the Tour de France where the weather and the racing is red hot!
You might have noticed, recently, that we are down a few Ride Leaders due to illness and unexpected commitments. We’d like to give a big shout out to Natalya who stepped up last Saturday to ride lead “a strong group of riders” from M3. We’ve heard that the group worked well together as a team.
So listen to your Ride Leader (RL) on the day. We can all do our bit to ensure a safe enjoyable ride regardless of how many (or few) RLs are available.
Saturday 18th July
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 Cresswell 40.21km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Scarborough Beach & Hale 51.21km 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 19th July
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Khna Weir 68.66km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Khna Weir 68.66km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Khna Trnr Obs 98.01km SPR Sunday
Monday 20th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 21st July
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 22nd July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 23rd July
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 24th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am