The idea of navigating your city on an eBike is exciting. But if you’re new to two wheels, you might be asking yourself, “Where do I even start?” The thought of getting lost or getting stuck on a sketchy road can feel daunting. At Lug+Carrie, we believe that the best bike routes aren’t about speed; they’re about finding joy and a new way to see your city. With a little planning and the right tools, you can turn every outing into an adventure. Here is our guide to finding safe and scenic eBike routes in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbabe.
Your golden rules for route planning
Before you even open a map, remember these three golden rules that separate a basic ride from an epic one.
First, it’s about prioritising safety over speed. The quickest route on a car app is often the most hectic for a cyclist. A great bike route focuses on dedicated bike lanes, chill backstreets and footpaths if you need. Don’t be afraid to add a few extra minutes to your journey if it means a safer, more enjoyable ride. Plus, when you skip the traffic, you’ll more than likely make up the time anyway!
Beyond safety, consider the terrain. Knowing the elevation of your route can help you manage your energy and battery. The good news? With a Lug+Carrie eBike’s powerful Bosch motor, you’ll be conquering hills with zero sweat and breezing past every struggling cyclist. It’s a total game-changer.
Finally, the beauty of doing life by bike means you can easily stop off along the way. So make your ride about more than just getting from A to B. Plan for points of interest along the way, such as a coffee stop, a scenic lookout, or a park. So much better than being stuck in traffic, right? Such a vibe.
Your go-to route planning apps
We’ve all got Google Maps, but cyclists know there’s a whole world of tools designed specifically for bikes.
Google Maps is a solid place to start for urban navigation though. If you are using it, make sure to turn on the cycling layer. In your Google app, tap the layers icon in the top right corner, and select cycling under map details, this will layer on the best cycling routes.
For easy urban travel, Citymapper is a standout choice. It’s a hugely popular public transport app in major cities like Melbourne and Sydney (sadly not Brisbane, but you can vote for it to come here next), and its cycling features are seriously good. You can choose from three different route options: “quiet,” “regular,” and “fast,” allowing you to easily prioritise safety over speed.
For detailed ride tracking and community-based routes, Strava is an invaluable tool. It is the world’s most popular app for cyclists, and its “heatmaps” are a fantastic way to discover new routes. By showing you the most popular roads and paths where other cyclists are riding, Strava’s heatmaps are an excellent guide to finding routes that are well-travelled and likely to be safe.
For more detailed planning, Komoot is a fantastic choice. This app has an intuitive route planner that pieces together cycling-friendly paths and trails. Users can drop notes on great cafes, scenic lookouts, and other cool spots along the way which shows up in the “community highlights” feature.
How to discover new routes stress-free: a phone mount
“I still remember the first time I rode with the kids on our Lug+Carrie. Our eBike had been delivered a day early so I surprised the kids and rode to pick them up from daycare, a lovely 7km ride around the river. It still makes my heart soar thinking about it, we were all so excited!”
“But, on the way home I kept taking wrong turns. It was June and getting dark, the kids were getting hungry and I had to keep stopping to check my maps. I was up for the adventure, but I can imagine how it would put people off. After that I started spending a bit more time planning my route or chatting to other riders for advice before I tried something new. Even then, I’d still have to stop and check my phone along the way.”
“That is until the Lug+Carrie team recommended a Quadlock phone mount for my handlebars and I LOVE IT! Having my navigation out front is fantastic for discovering quiet streets, dedicated bike lanes, and shortcuts I never knew existed.”
That was Harriet, former Lug+Carrie customer, now in our Marketing team. Two years and 6000km later, Harriet has managed to go car-free in Brisbane. The Quadlock phone mount is one of her top three accessory recommendations for making your eBike a true car replacement.
Planning your ride in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
To make your planning even easier, here are our top tips and resources for each city.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a cycling city, and it has the infrastructure and resources to prove it. Our favourite app, the RACV’s Arevo, is a local gem known for its ability to plan safe cycling routes while also integrating with public transport. We also love Citymapper For a scenic coastal ride, the Bay Trail is unbeatable—the Brighton to Port Melbourne section is a great, family-friendly option.
The Lug+Carrie crew and community of Good Movers is a wealth of route inspo. We’ve shared a bunch of awesome rides in our Strava. From longer weekend adventures like Eltham to Fitzroy to short central routes along the Yarra, there’s something for everyone.
And if you’re riding close to Fitzroy, come and say hi! Melbourne is where it all began and our flagship store is worth a visit!
Sydney
Sydney’s cycling network is expanding rapidly, and the right tools are key to finding the best routes. In addition to Strava, we highly recommend Citymapper. With it’s dedicated cycling features (like the quiet, regular, fast route options we mentioned above), and real-time transport updates make it a very handy tool for getting around and about in Sydney. For a beautiful ride that’s mostly flat, try the Parramatta Valley Cycleway that winds along the river.
Our Lug+Carrie team and community have shared their favourite Sydney rides and we’ve shared them all in our Strava. Take a look at all our routes and search by Sydney to find fun adventures, like this ride along the Cooks River Trail.
Our Sydney store is in Alexandria, swing on in for a chat!
Brisbane
If you’re from Brissie, or you’ve ever visited the River City, you’ll agree, it’s an eBikers paradise. From Kedron Brook Cycleway in the North, to the Veloway in the South biking infrastructure is on the up. Strava is a great resource for finding the best local rides. The River Loop is the most iconic Brisbane ride, with dedicated bikeways that make it both safe and incredibly scenic.
Check out Lug+Carrie on Strava and search “Brisbane” for local routes including this fun one which takes you over the new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge as well as the recently completed City Link Cycleway.
The Gabba is where you’ll find us hanging out in Brisbane, pedal on in!
Your most valuable resource: the Lug+Carrie community
After you’ve consulted the apps and mapped your route, there’s one more resource that’s better than any technology: the collective wisdom of our Good Mover community.
Our Rider Network on Facebook is where you can link up with thousands of other Lug+Carrie riders. Looking for tips on the best weekend route to take the kids on, or how to get to work? Ask the network! The advice is real, relatable, and based on firsthand experience.
You’ll find stories about everything from riding the Grampians Rail Trail to finding the perfect cafe stop, or even getting tips on how to keep the kids warm on a cold morning commute. These are your people—a supportive group who can share their favourite scenic routes, secret shortcuts, and the best places to stop for a coffee, giving you the kind of local insight no app can match.
And remember to follow Lug+Carrie on Strava for fun local routes in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. From “Bikes and no alc brews” to a “Solar system ride”, we’ve got fun routes, just search by city.
Lug+Carrie, hands down the best way to explore your city
No matter which app you use or which route you choose, the best way to explore is on a Lug+Carrie eBike. The powerful Bosch motor make hills a breeze so you can tackle any route. Our long-lasting batteries can give you a massive range, so you can explore without worrying about getting home.
With our expert service and support, including free on-site maintenance for subscribers and Rider Rescue, your only job is to plan your next adventure!
Get started by booking a test ride or using our online bike builder to customise your eBike.
