It’s never been easier to get out on a bike whether it’s to pop down the shops or go for a longer ride. There are some great places to ride in Alexandrina.

You can explore the Encounter Bikeway that links the coastal towns of Goolwa, Port Elliot, Middleton and Victor Harbour. Or you might want to explore many of the quiet back roads around the district. If you’re not sure, try it with others. The Goolwa and District Bicycle User Group holds regular rides, usually meeting under Hindmarsh Bridge.

Riding a bike isn’t just about riding for leisure. Bikes are a great way to get around in our towns. You can catch up with friends for coffee, go shopping or get to work.

Which bike?

Make sure you find a bike that suits you. Check it’s the right height and is comfortable to ride. Ask at a local bike shop to help get it set up just for you. Think about accessories you might need, like a basket, lights and helmet.

There are also more electric bikes on the market now, making it easier for you to get your exercise and go further. E-bikes are convenient commuting options for those travelling longer distances than they could regularly cycle. E-bikes can be charged at home by plugging into a regular electricity wall socket. E-bikes under the Australian Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) are restricted to a maximum power output of 200 watts and 25km/h legally.

Riding to school

Teaching and supporting children to ride to school is one of the best ways to keep them healthy and fit and build their independence. If you have the time, ride with them to help them learn about how to cross roads safely. Ask your school what it does to support children walking and riding to school.

Need to Know

● Reduced running costs from using electricity and less need for maintenance
● More models coming onto the market
● Can reduce emissions if source is renewables (e.g. solar)

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a type of vehicle that uses wholly or partially electric power instead of fuel. EVs are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits (producing zero emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels). There are several types of electric vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).

A fully electric vehicle uses rechargeable batteries to power an electric motor and need to be plugged in to power to recharge. These types of vehicles can only travel so many km how far on a single charge, this is called their ‘range’ which varies on the model and battery size.
Find out where the EV charging points are in SA. Whilst plug-in hybrids and hybrid electric vehicles can use a combination of electricity, and petrol or diesel fuel to power the electric and combustible engine which means they are less impacted by range.

EV technology is always improving however, it is important to consider how you use your car and how you will access charging points (if needed) to determine what is the best-suited EV for your situation:
●How you use your car, how far, and frequency of your travel
●Charging points and your charging network
●Price and availability
●The right EV for you - battery, plug-in hybrid or hybrid electric vehicle

Battery Electric Vehicle
Battery Electric vehicles have an electric motor and do not use any fuel, which makes them carbon emission-free. The batteries are recharged by plugging into a charging station.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Hybrid electric vehicles use a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, which uses the energy stored in batteries. They can use as much as 60 per cent less fuel and emit around 30 per cent less carbon emissions than a conventional vehicle does.
The battery enhances the fuel economy of the vehicle. The battery is charged through regenerative braking, which reuses the energy lost in braking, and by the internal combustion engine. A hybrid vehicle is a great city-car option for better fuel economy without sacrificing the performance of the car.

Plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) has a rechargeable battery to plug into an external power source to charge. PHEVs have two power sources: an electric motor and a gasoline engine. The battery powers the electric motor and can be recharged by plugging the vehicle into an electric outlet or charging station. PHEVs can operate in all-electric mode, fuel mode, or a combination of both, depending on the driving conditions and battery charge. When the battery is fully charged, PHEVs can travel a certain distance on electric power alone before the fuel engine kicks in. This distance varies depending on the model of the vehicle and the size of its battery.
PHEVs offer several benefits over traditional fuel vehicles, including reduced emissions and improved fuel economy.

You can check out an up-to-date list of electric vehicles available in Australia on the Electric vehicle Council’s website.

Need to Know
● Limited car models available and can be expensive
● Fast charging and good for long distance travel

Hydrogen cars convert fuel into energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen to power an electric motor. Hydrogen fuel cells are lighter than the batteries used in electric vehicles and take less than five minutes to refuel, making them more suitable for long-distance and commercial vehicle operations.

Hydrogen cars are a zero-emission alternative, as they only produce tailpipe water vapour and heat. However, the production of hydrogen fuel can create greenhouse gas emissions if the hydrogen is made from coal or gas. Another sustainable alternative is ‘Green’ hydrogen, which results from a process called electrolysis that extracts hydrogen from water.

The South Australian government has introduced a $3,000 Electric Vehicle subsidy to support the purchase of new hydrogen vehicles. A three-year vehicle registration fee exemption is part of the subsidy. This subsidy is part of a wider Hydrogen Action Plan that includes the construction of electrolysers, funding to support the construction of hydrogen refuelling stations and trials of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

There are currently two hydrogen fuel cell vehicle models approved for use in Australia:
● Toyota Mirai
● Hyundai Nexo

Rather than automatically picking up the car keys, think about what’s the best way to get where you want to go. You can save money, get fitter and reduce emissions if you try walking, cycling, public transport or driving an electric vehicle.

Find out more about:
● Cycling
● Electric vehicles
● Hydrogen vehicles

Public transport
There are many public transport options to get around Alexandrina.

Walking
Check at Walking SA to re-discover your region differently.