Forget the haters; we’re loving the web of cycleways that are going viral all over Sydney. From vintage chicks riding fixies in heels, sporty hipsters in tatts ‘n’ velo caps and weekend warriors in spandex, we are indeed in a two-wheeler renaissance. So we should celebrate – and thanks to the City of Sydney, we’re bloody well gonna.

Starting this weekend, the city is hosting the Sydney Rides Festival, a showcase of cycling culture for seasoned riders, the bike curious, and people who thought they’d left it all behind in Year 5. Highlights of the eight-day fest include the Streetfair of Riding Goodness in Taylor Square, where you can score bike-themed trinkets, get your bike serviced and discover what exactly bike ice cream is (hint: it’s not this, but it might be something like this). There’s also the second coming of the Bicycle Film Festival, which takes its screenings of bike stories up a notch by rolling films at the Sydney Opera House.

Spring bling your bike at one of the Powerhouse Museum’s free Craft Punk: Bike Bespoke crafting workshops, after which you can take your new fashion-forward ride on the Cute Commute: a gathering of style-pedalers who’ll cruise from the city all the way to Bondi Beach. If you’re a competitive type, you can also get your heart racing with the Gold Sprints – a stationary bike race on indoor trainers that pits cyclists against each other and the clock.

Hell, you don’t even need to own a bike to get involved in on the action. The Festival will be offering 25 free bikes available from North Sydney and the CBD for anyone wanting to take a spin, and includes help from qualified instructors. Wonder if they can give us any tips on how to ride like Danny MacAskill….

While Sydney might not be a cycling Shangri-La like Portland or Amsterdam – yet – it is riding the slipstream and becoming a more cycle-friendly city every day. And this coming week, you’re invited to come along for the ride.

When: 8–16 Oct
Details: www.sydneyridesfestival.net
Bookings: For Bicycle Film Festival tickets, go here