For the older set, cycling is the new golf. To the younger among us it is something else entirely – an answer to the problems of carbon emissions, a chance to feel that childhood freedom of wind in our hair; an affordable alternative to transport in an increasingly expensive city. Now here’s something free. And a little pampery.

Later this week, two public car park spaces on busy Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, will be re-purposed and 
re-imagined to provide a fun recreational space complete with bicycle valet parking.

The seed of the project was planted back in 2005 when San Francisco art and design studio, Rebar, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, tossing up prevailing notions of public urban space and empowering people to help redefine space in fun and interesting ways.

Closer to home, Joyce Watts, founder of online bicycle goods retailer CycleStyle, decided to roll with it. It’s VIP treatment for cyclists, basically. That’s Very Important Pedallers (if you like).

At the CycleStyle/Roll Up PARK(ING) day site you’ll get free coffee, the tempting relaxation of magazines, books or games to peruse, or you can simply sit back and enjoy the feel of turf against your toes as you watch the world go by, Fitzroy-style.

CycleStyle/Roll Up PARK(ing) Day site, Gertrude Street, corner George Street, Fitzroy
Friday, 21 September 2012, 9am – 4pm
Free