The evolution of the Bike Centre

From the Lawrence Vale Road Reservoir to Launceston's treasured Bike Centre

City of Launceston

This iconic site nearly 100 years apart - 1922 vs 2020.

City of Launceston aerial imagery 1922 vs 2020.

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Late 1977 - the first plan of the proposed centre.

In October 1976, the Launceston Apex Club approached the Launceston City Council with an idea to construct a Road Safety Centre in the disused reservoir.

Collaboration at its finest.

When the Veteran Car Club of Tasmania then applied to develop a Transport Museum on the same site, both projects were deemed compatible, and in June 1977 a joint committee of management was formed to control the development of the area.

Three years after conception, the Bike Centre was officially opened on Saturday 29 November 1980.

It was originally named the Transport and Safety Centre, but to locals it quickly became referred to as the Bike Centre.

A group of kindergarten kids in 1981 learning about road safety.

That same year the Bike Centre received a national award for its innovative planning.

Image courtesy of the Launceston Examiner 07.05.1981

In the 10 years prior to the Bike Centre closing in 2019, nearly 15,000 events were held.

Birthday parties, playdates, family gatherings and educational sessions, made up the majority of bookings.

Open one day - closed the next.

Thirty-nine years after the centre opened a landslip behind the walls of the centre caused severe cracking in the structure. Engineers recommended the centre be closed down immediately.

Bringing the Bike Centre back to you...

Stage one, which included earthworks has been completed. Stage two, will see the floor of the tank lifted and the height of the walls reduced. And stage three will be the internal fit out of the facility.

Drawing of what the new Bike Centre will look like.

The walls will be significantly lower and the ground will be raised to make the centre structurally sound.

We want to hear from you now!

Take the  survey here  and help us design a space that people can interact with, and create many more amazing memories in the decades to come. 

OPENING MID 2022 (weather permitting)

The City of Launceston's Bike Centre

Tell us your ideas by taking the  SURVEY here. 

City of Launceston aerial imagery 1922 vs 2020.