The Levels-City Bikeway is a cycling route that starts in Mawson Lakes and ends in the city. “The Levels” used to be an old name for the Mawson Lakes area.
The map below shows the route to Bundeys Road. From there you can make your way to the city using any of a number of bike paths.
Mawson Lakes to Pooraka
Unfortunately I cannot recommend the first two and a half kiilometres from Mawson Lakes to Pooraka along Main North Road. (I’ve shown this section in black on the map.) Especially the inbound side is dangerous, as there is no bike lane between Montague Road and South Terrace.
Pooraka to Walkerville (8 kms)
The Levels-City Bikeway between Pooraka and Walkerville is a really enjoyable ride.
Pooraka to Grand Junction Road
It starts with the only major climb of the bikeway. However, at an average gradient of 3% for one kilometre, the ascent past the velodrome is quite manageable.
Once you get to Grand Junction Road, the recently-installed traffic island provides a reasonably safe crossing.
Grand Junction Road to Regency Road
For the next three kilometres, the Levels-City Bikeway follows Kent and Robert Avenues. These quiet and pleasant back streets run parallel to Hampstead Road.
On the whole, the intersections are handled with roundabouts, making for good flow most of the way.
Regency Road to North East Road
The next major intersection is the connection between Robert Avenue and Galway Avenue via Regency Road. Once again, a traffic island gives you some protection while crossing busy Regency Road. On your return journey, recently installed traffic lights are a big improvement on the previous situation.
Galway Avenue is lovely in the quieter weekend days. However, the bike lane can get squishy if a bus comes through when a car is parked on your left!
North-East Road to Walkerville
The third major crossing on the Levels-City Bikeway between Pooraka and Walkerville is at North-East Road. This crossing has also been improved with a wider green bike lane and a bicycle button at the traffic lights.
Burlington Street is a delight, with little traffic and a nice down-hill roll.
Once on Walkerville Terrace, the short ride to the roundabout at Smith Street is reasonably safe. A bike lane is provided for most of the way.
With convenient bike racks, the Walkerville shopping centre is a good stop for coffee or public toilets. We have always found Nest Cafe and Bistro to be very bike-friendly.
Walkerville to the City
I don’t like the next section further down Walkerville Terrace. With cars turning in front of you to get into the underground carpark, it feels dangerous. After that, it’s a little more peaceful until you get to the City Ring Route. At that point, the bike lane becomes scarily small.
As I understand it, the intention is that cyclists mount the footpath here and then take a narrow slip-lane into Park Terrace. However, I thought this didn’t flow well. Therefore, in my map above, I have offered an alternative route through Gilbert and Matilda Streets.
The ride along Park Terrace is very pleasant. Importantly, there’s a good traffic light option for turning right into North Adelaide at Simpson Street.
From there you can join the Adelaide Parklands Trail to the Bundeys Road intersection.
I’ve marked this section in blue. Although it’s quite ride-able, you need to watch out for the traffic on Walkerville Terrace.
Summary of the Levels-City Bikeway
In summary, the Levels-City Bikeway is a very pleasant ride for the eight kilometres between Pooraka and Walkerville. However, you do need to take care at the three major intersections.
In the Uncool Cycling Club, we use this section often for our coffee rides. We are looking forward to resuming these once COVID-19 is over 🙂
The next section between Walkerville and the city can be busy. However, you do have the option of joining the Torrens Linear Trail via the bridge on Victoria Avenue.
The Main North Road section from Mawson Lakes to Pooraka is best avoided.
Unfortunately, signage on the Levels-City Bikeway is sporadic after Regency Road. You really need a map if you haven’t ridden the route before.
Here is a video of my Easter 2020 COVID-19 Ride on the Levels City Bikeway from Pooraka to Walkerville.
Other good bikeways are the Outer Harbor Greenway from Port Adelaide to the city and the O-Bahn Bikeway from Tea Tree Interchange to Klemzig.
For general commentary about riding during COVID-19 times, see Solo Riding during the Pandemic.
It looks like a very enjoyable ride – you certainly seem better served with cycle tracks than we are. Like you the current situation seems to be bringing more cyclists (and walkers) out and about and still kind enough to offer assistance when I got a puncture – fortunately not needed as I had the boss, complete with full repair kit, with me!
Hi Libby Yes, we are fortunate in Adelaide but still a long way to go to catch up to Germany or the Netherlands. Glad you had your mechanic and repair kit with you when the puncture struck 😎
nice post, i liked the cover photo.
Thank you Vijay 😎
Hi Helen
Well done on the summary of the Mawson Lakes to the city bike track.
Having ridden it many times when I rode from Pooraka to the city for work, I have found a few variations that are worth considering.
Coming out of Mawson Lakes on Mawson Lakes boulevard – go straight across at the lights at Main North Road and go along the creek line which goes through the middle of Montague Farm – quite a pleasant and safe detour or use Henderson Ave.
To avoid the dangerous section of Main North Rd between Montague Rd and South Tce – either take the Dry Creek trail up to the footy oval then wind your way through to South Tce or branch back towards Main North Rd and use Scott St (from Pratt Ave to South Tce).
Just got to watch all the traffic on the roundabouts through Enfield.
Towards the end of Galway Ave – Turn right down North St (Before the ABC) and go down to D’Erlanger Ave and follow it to the end at Nottage Tce.
Then turn right and immediately left and head down Hawker St (big and wide street).
At the end – cross the lights into North Adelaide and use Melbourne St or the one which is parallel to Melbourne St. From there you can take a left turn before the Childrens Hospital and head down past the zoo to the city and the Torrens.
Thanks so much for your input Bryce. I really like both your alternatives for the section between Mawson Lakes and Pooraka. Since reading your comment, I have also tried your suggestion for approaching the city from Galway Avenue. Although I really enjoyed riding through these back streets, I wasn’t so keen on having to cross Nottage Terrace, which can be extremely busy. So for me, I’d rather the Levels-City Bikeway for that section. Thanks once again for your comment.
You’re lucky to have these wider bikeway options. Looks like a nice ride. I’m about to head out for a ride myself…I wish we had something like the Levels-City bikeway close to my house.
You’re right Caroline. We are pretty lucky in Adelaide 🙂
Thanks again Helen. Yes, some roads I will not ride upon as too narrow and busy near me. I go the longer way on quieter roads as I am sure you would too.
Warrnambool has some good pathways but still a lot to do to make it simpler and safer. New estates are providing pathways through them. Winter is upon us as it is raining and 12 degrees.
Last year went to Adelaide and walked around the port and Victor Harbour. I see bike trails to Victor Harbour which look exciting.
Hi Graeme – I am envious of you living on the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail although I must admit that it was raining last time I was there 🙂 The bike trail that you saw at Victor Harbour was the Encounter Bikeway https://uncoolcyclingclub.com/encounter-bikeway/ You must make time to do it next time you are over this way 🙂
Hi Helen
I worked for over a month in Barham NSW early last year. Got to ride around and through forests and quiet country roads. I had five punctures in the first week. So I went to the general store in the side street of Barham and they fitted Paceracer kevlar type tyres and thick tubes. For over 18 months I have not had a puncture. I have had the tails of rivets nad glass in my tyres yet they dont penetrate.
Had trouble getting a new back tyre though, so might have to go back to Barham. Lol
All the best and keep inspiring us.
Wow! 5 punctures in a week. Glad you found a solution 😎