While we are still cycling in our local area during these COVID-19 times, I wanted to put out this post about the O-Bahn Bikeway. The City of Tea Tree Gully has widened and re-surfaced this bike path in the last couple of years and it is now in excellent condition.
The O-Bahn Bikeway from Klemzig to Tea Tree Plaza Interchange is a gradually climbing shared path that connects to the Torrens Linear Trail and the Dry Creek Trail.
History of the O-Bahn
The O-Bahn Bikeway uses the same transit corridor as the O-Bahn Busway, developed in 1986 to service the North-Eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
Made of elevated concrete track and allowing buses to travel 85 kilometres per hour, the busway enables commuters to make it to the city faster than if they were travelling by car.
Klemzig Interchange to Paradise Interchange (3 km)
The O-Bahn Bikeway officially starts at Klemzig Interchange. However, if you are going on a recreational ride, Drage Reserve Car Park, on the opposite side of the Torrens River is more convenient. There’s plenty of car parking space and public toilets.
If you are riding to the start point by bicycle, the Torrens Linear Trail will help you to connect from most places.
From Klemzig, the O-Bahn Bikeway follows the southern side of the Torrens River for a kilometre.
Then it breaks off to follow the eastern side of the busway. At this point, you pass the Lochiel Park Golf complex, where you can get a pleasant coffee in the sun in non-COVID-19 times.
I used to commute along this section of the O-Bahn Bikeway a few years ago. It was a common occurrence to come across koalas around this point. So if you see a group of people craning their heads upwards, it’s worth while stopping to see if they have spotted a koala.
From there, there’s a short 3% gradient climb up to Hill Street. Then a pleasant level ride will take you all the way to the Paradise Interchange.
Paradise Interchange to Baymor Reserve (4 km)
At the bridge just after the Paradise Interchange, you can connect to the Torrens Linear Trail on either the south or north sides.
From here, the official O-Bahn Bikeway uses Brookvale Road on the eastern side of the busway.
Brookvale or Willowbrook Road?
Brookvale Road is fine when you are rolling down from Tea Tree Plaza. However, if you are climbing north, it’s better to use Willowbrook Road. Brookvale has a sharp 5% ascent, whereas the climb on Willowbrook is more gradual.
Once you cross Lyons Road, you begin the only major climb of the O’Bahn Bikeway. It’s a one kilometre climb with a 3% gradient.
You are rewarded at the top by views across the Hope Valley Reservoir.
From the Hope Valley Reservoir, it’s a little over a kilometre on the O-Bahn Bikeway until the tunnel through to Baymor Reserve.
Baymor Reserve is important, because from there you can connect to the Dry Creek Trail. Use the traffic island to cross at North East Road and then head north or south on the Dry Creek Trail at Kelly Road.
Baymor Reserve to Tea Tree Plaza Interchange (2 km)
After Baymor Reserve, there is another 3% climb for a few hundred metres. Then, except for one short, sharp dip, the O-Bahn Bikeway flattens out as it nears Tea Tree Interchange.
Summary of the O-Bahn Bikeway
The 9 kilometre O-Bahn Bikeway is an important commuter route connecting Tea Tree Interchange with Klemzig and the city. The recent re-surfacing and widening by the City of Tea Tree Gully has greatly increased the appeal of this bike path.
Heading north, it’s an overall climb of 120 metres. However, the gradient can be flattened by using Willowbrook Road after Paradise.
Signage for the bikeway is good in places but non-existent in others. If you’re not familiar with this trail, it’s best to use the map above.
Here’s a video of a recent ride I did on the O-Bahn Bikeway going south from Tea Tree Plaza to Klemzig.
Another local bikeway that provides for a relaxed and uncrowded ride during these COVID-19 times is the Levels-City Bikeway.
For general commentary about riding during COVID-19 times, see Solo Riding during the Pandemic.
Top picture: View to the Hope Valley Reservoir from the O-Bahn Bikeway
