I'm located in Brisbane, Australia. When I purchased my first bike in April 2006 I went to Velo Bicycles. Although they cover a fair range of bicycles and gear they have some great high end road gear as well. For my first bike I wanted a flat bar road bike and the owner Shayne and his staff were fantastic. They insisted I go for a road test even though I had never been in the shop before. I was a little suprised and said you can hold my keys if you like and I wouldn't be long. I was told that wouldn't be necessary and after they did a first fit of the bike that I was interested in they told me to take my time on my road test. To tell you the truth I was most impressed with their attitude. They also gave me a full on road bike to try to compare it with. Cut a long story short I purchased my flatbar and have been hooked ever since. I am now using it as my commuter for a 15 klm commute tot he city - something I didn't think would ever be possible! It's made a huge difference to my life. Now I'm thinking about my second bike.

I have been in other bicycle stores and noticed once a customer going for a test ride. I don't know how commonplace this is due to limited experience purchasing bikes, however, Knowing much more about bicycles now I wouldn't drop the sort of cash I do and will be doing on the next bike without the test ride. Actually now I think of it I had two rides on the first bike - the second was after the full fitting was done just before I paid for it.

Note that Brisbane is in a differennt state of Australia than Newcastle and obviously things seem to be different there with respect to test rides. Brian is absolutely correct on his summation re freedom and regulation in this country but we have only ourselves to blame for that state of affairs. Australia does not have a culture of freedom like the US.

Anyone else in Oz who can fill me in as to whether taking a bicycle for a test ride is commonplace in their area? If not I will value Velo Bicycles even more than I do now!

Charles