Two wheels to adventure: Bikes and why we love them

Tony Wheeler (founder of Lonely Planet) and historian Dr Daniel Oakman join the Library’s Rebecca Fleming in conversation, drawing on the National Library’s incredible collections to discuss all things cycling.

From small commutes to epic journeys, home-made contraptions to technical wizardry, come and hear why cycling remains one of the world’s most popular and enjoyable methods of travel, and how it continues to evolve.

Attend in person

Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential.

Following the talk, Pedal Power are hosting a ride around the lake. Book tickets for the ride.

Watch online

The presentation will also be available online. Please make a booking and the Library’s Events team will send you a direct link to the livestream event via email. Or you can join anytime through the Library’s YouTube channel.

About the speakers

Tony Wheeler

An Asia ‘hippie trail’ trek in 1972 led to the creation of Lonely Planet and the New York Times to describe Tony as ‘the trailblazing patron saint of the world’s backpackers and adventure travelers.’ Since Tony departed Lonely Planet, there’s been plenty to keep him busy including the Wheeler Institute at London Business School (concentrating on entrepreneurship in the developing world), the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne (books, writing and ideas), the Wheeler History of Travel Writing Programme at Warwick University in England, and Planet Wheeler Foundation’s education and health projects in the developing world.

Tony’s bicycle stable includes one in London (which he rode from London to Paris a few years ago) and three bicycles in Melbourne. The folding Brompton will be joining him in Canberra for this talk.

Daniel Oakman

Dr Daniel Oakman is a writer and historian from Melbourne. After a brief sojourn as a public servant in the mid-1990s, he completed his PhD at the Australian National University. During a fifteen-year career as a senior curator at the National Museum of Australia, he curated exhibitions about bicycles, cars, cities and urban design, including Freewheeling, a ground-breaking travelling exhibition on cycling in Australia.

In 2005, his history of Australia and the Colombo Plan, Facing Asia (published by Pandanus Books), was shortlisted for the NSW History Awards. With Melbourne Books, he has published Oppy (2018), an acclaimed biography of the sporting icon and politician Hubert Opperman, and Wild Ride (2020), an immersive exploration of how the bicycle has long shaped understandings of the Australian continent and its people. He published his first novel, Fire in Head, in 2025.

The Details

What: Two wheels to adventure: Bikes and why we love them
When: Saturday 15 November from 10 am to 11 am
Where: National Library of Australia
Cost: Free. Registrations essential.