Tony Abbott's road bike

Cycling is a big part of the life of former prime minister of Australia, Tony Abbott. His love of cycling has become a big part of his personal image.

Tony Abbott used this bike the morning after he was elected Prime Minister in 2013 to go for an early morning ride from his Sydney home. As his first public act as Prime Minister, the ride was reported nationally and internationally, with Abbott quoted as saying ‘It was great to start the day with a ride with the people I’ve been riding with for years’.

Tony Abbott’s bike is not just about managing the pressures of office through regular exercise, sport and companionship, it’s also a symbol of his commitment to engaging directly with the community.

Abbott took up cycling initially to participate in Pollie Pedal, an annual charity bike ride from Brisbane to Sydney— a journey of some 1000 km — that gives people ‘off the political beaten track’ a chance to meet parliamentarians. This bike was custom-made for Abbott by Australian company Hillbrick Bicycles ahead of the 2009 Pollie Pedal event which raised more than $100,000 for charity. Abbott also rode the bike in five subsequent Pollie Pedals.