Orange Treadlies, about 40 recreational cyclists, showed off their shiny new colours at Cook Park on Tuesday to lift their profile and become easier for motorists to see them.

The group of mainly retirees and part-time workers get together for rides around Orange every Tuesday and Thursday.

Group spokesman Chris Morgan said most motorists in Orange were obeying new laws to give cyclists room when passing them.

“It’s a very definitely necessary piece of legislation,” he said.

“Anybody who’s been cycling for a reasonable amount of time would have had a few near misses.”

He said that on the open road some motorists were not aware they could cross the centre lines safely to avoid cyclists.

“And a lot of people are giving us more room than they need too,” he said.

“It is well appreciated that they give room for cyclists.”

He said other cyclists in Orange were welcome to join the rides.

“It’s a relaxed group, it is totally informal, there’s no membership, there’s no committee.

“Orange is such a beautiful district to go around, we avoid busy traffic.”

The rides start from Cook Park from 9am for about 25km on Tuesdays and 40-50km on Thursdays.

You can learn more about cycling this Sunday when the Orange Bike Fest 2017 event is on at the Moulder Park Velodrome.

There will be track cycling races, you can test your skills in a time trial and you can try a range of bicycles with expert advice through the Try2Wheels program. 

The event also features a display of vintage bikes with a swap meet and bike shop stalls.

And it is next door to the Rotary Community Markets on the Moulder Park Netball Courts.

This Orange Wine Festival event will have about 100 stalls selling arts, crafts, clothes and produce plus food stalls and entertainment for children.

Bike Fest is on from 9am-noon while the Rotary Markets are on from 9am-2pm.