Brisbane’s riverside bikeways were transformed into a sea of dancing skeletons, caped superheroes, and glowing bikes on Saturday 31 October, as families gathered for the city’s inaugural Hallowheelin ride. Hosted by Bicycle Queensland in partnership with local cycling collective Pedal Party Magandjin, the free, family-friendly community event saw a sell-out crowd celebrate Halloween on two wheels.
Blending music, active travel, and community spirit, the evening proved that trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be confined to footpaths—and that Brisbane families are eager for creative, safe ways to get outdoors together.
A rolling party along the Brisbane River
The festivities kicked off at South Bank, where riders of all ages arrived in full fancy dress. Volunteers set to work at the face-painting tent, transforming young cyclists into vampires, ghouls, and wild creatures before the pack hit the pavement.
Leading the pack was an eye-catching, custom-built dual tandem spider bike fitted with a mobile sound system. Pumping out upbeat tunes that turned heads across the precinct, the mobile DJ guided the colourful procession across the Goodwill Bridge and alongside the river.
Brisbane kids and families dressed up for a Halloween Pedal Party in Brisbane
Spaghetti monsters and riverside disco moves
The ride wound its way into the City Botanic Gardens, where young riders were met with an interactive Halloween surprise: the “spaghetti monster”. Children were invited to brave reaching into the monster’s gooey mouth to dig out treats hidden inside its spaghetti “guts”—a delightfully messy stop that earned plenty of squeals and giggles.
As dusk settled, the rolling party looped past Queen’s Wharf and returned to South Bank. The evening wrapped up with an impromptu pop-up disco, complete with portable party lights, upbeat tracks, and guided dance routines that had riders, parents, and even casual riverside bystanders joining in on the fun.
A fun event with an important safety message
Beyond the sweets and spooky costumes, the event carried a meaningful purpose: highlighting the need for safer, more welcoming streets for children and families.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Dr Matthew Burke—who traded his regular attire for a skeleton onesie to lead the pack as “Dr Bones”—noted that events like Hallowheelin show just how much families enjoy riding together when given a safe, supportive environment.
Lit-up skeleton as part of the Halloween Pedal Party, Brisbane 2026
“Halloween is now the most dangerous night of the year to be a child on American streets. Not because of monsters; because of motor vehicles and their dangerous speeds,” Dr Burke said. “Australia’s suburbs have similar problems emerging. So, we created a great fun and safe alternative to enjoy Halloween and everyone loved it.”
Dr Burke emphasised that everyday suburban streets should feel just as accessible as off-road paths: “Our small neighbourhood streets should be safe enough for families to ride a bike with their children. That’s a no-brainer. But our street speeds are way too high in Australia, and especially in Queensland. Governments around the world are adopting 30km/h or 20mph laws for small local streets to make them safe for children, not just for Halloween, but for every night of the year.”
A new family tradition in the making
The overwhelming success of the night was credited to the infectious energy of Pedal Party Magandjin, whose mobile tunes and playful approach turned an ordinary evening cycle into an unforgettable community festival.
“We had so much fun on the inaugural Hallowheelin ride and we can’t wait for next year,” said Pedal Party’s Kathryn Good. “Getting people to have fun and take over the streets on their bikes is our favourite activity!”
With massive smiles, exhausted little legs, and plenty of dancing under the South Bank lights, Brisbane parents can certainly look forward to seeing this spooky two-wheeled tradition roll back into town next October.
