four essentials before you ride the Rail Trail 

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is designed to feel easy.

 

Wide paths, gentle gradients and stunning scenery make it accessible for all kinds of riders, from first-timers to seasoned cyclists. But don’t let that relaxed feel fool you. The Trail is still a shared, road-related space. People walk, ride, pass, stop and cross paths throughout the day, which means awareness and responsibility matter. A little preparation goes a long way. It keeps you safe, protects others, and helps everyone enjoy the ride. Before you set off, there are four simple things that make all the difference.

Person wearing a black bicycle helmet and bright pink Nike t-shirt stands beside a bike on a leafy trail, holding the seat and handlebars, with an orange backpack and hydration pack straps visible. A second person with a helmet and bicycle is partly visible behind, surrounded by dense green foliage. Two adults walk side by side along a paved trail surrounded by dense green vegetation. One person wears a dark tracksuit and cap, gesturing with a raised thumb, while the other wears a light blue long-sleeve shirt and navy track pants. In the background, a cyclist rides along the same path. Two adults walk side by side along a paved trail surrounded by dense green vegetation. One person wears a dark tracksuit and cap, gesturing with a raised thumb, while the other wears a light blue long-sleeve shirt and navy track pants. In the background, a cyclist rides along the same path.

Helmets are compulsory

Your head matters. Even experienced riders have the occasional wobble. A small fall can have big consequences, so this one is non-negotiable. We wear seatbelts in cars without thinking twice, and a helmet is no different.

Make sure you have a bell fitted

The trail is a shared user space and it can narrow in places. People move at different speeds and have different abilities out there! When you are riding a bike, a bell is the easiest, friendliest way to let someone know you are coming through. No shouting. No surprises. Just a quick heads up that everyone understands. 

Lights, camera, action

Some sections of the trail, including tunnels, have no lighting by design. This is to help protect sensitive local ecosystems like glow worms and microbat habitats. It is up to you to bring the light. If you cannot be seen, you are not safe. Simple as that. 

A bike in good working order 

The trail is not your average city bike path. Surfaces can vary, villages are spaced out, and help is not always right around the next corner. A quick check before you ride can save you a long walk. Here’s a quick checklist before you set out:

  • Are my brakes working?
  • Is the bike chain in good condition?
  • Are my tyres pumped up?
  • Do I have a basic repair kit packed?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are ready to ride!

Person riding a road bike on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, wearing a helmet and casual cycling gear, on a paved section surrounded by lush green forest, with trail signage and seating visible in the background after light rain. Close-up of a bicycle seat and frame with a small saddle bag on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, positioned next to a wooden post, with soft golden light and a blurred green trail sign and lush trees in the background. Three cyclists riding closely together on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, wearing colourful cycling jerseys and helmets, moving along a paved path with sunlight hitting the trail edge and dense, shaded trees forming a dark forest backdrop behind them.

Putting it into practice 

At Burringbar recently, we tried something different. Instead of just telling people, we made it interactive: 

  • A playful RDT checkpoint (random dance test) 
  • A chance to make a safety pledge
  • Free bells, lights and helmets thanks to Tweed Shire Council 

It proved something simple. When safety is easy, visible and a bit fun, people are far more likely to do it. 

Group of children wearing high-visibility vests and helmets posing with circular stop and pedestrian signs on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, standing beside a large traffic cone and a “Selfie Spot” sign, with a performer in a bright pink costume joining the group against a backdrop of lush green trees and a paved trail. Person standing behind a three-wheeled recumbent bike on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail while a performer in a bright pink costume sits on the front holding a green “GO” sign, with lush green trees, rail tracks and a paved trail visible in the background. Child wearing a bike helmet sitting at a table on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, participating in a road safety activity with an adult using a stamp on a Ride Smart Stay Safe card, with sunscreen applied on the child’s face and educational materials and signage visible in the background.

Before your next ride 

Take 30 seconds and run this simple check. 

  • Helmet
  • Bell
  • Lights 
  • Bike ready to go 

Then refresh yourself on the full safety and rules guidelines on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail website. If you do these four small checks, chances are you will have a much better ride. 

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