From club camaraderie and weekday commuting to spectacular streetscapes and the joy of riding, the Sydney Rides photo exhibition captures the inspirational and the everyday.

We’re looking for images inspired by the bike and people who ride, with the top 30 exhibited in the garden gallery at Paddington Reservoir Gardens.

Here are the stories behind some of last year’s featured images.

Julie Stinson, My Soigneur Called Oscar

Julie's son, Oscar, went on an excursion to Paddington Reservoir Gardens with his day care.

He just loved the picture because it featured both his dad and his favourite Transformer.

What was your inspiration behind the image featured last year?

The photo captured a unique moment. Bike riding brings us together as a family.

What’s your best tip for photographers looking to capture an image for the 2019 competition?

Inspiration can come at anytime and anywhere. And you don’t need an expensive camera to win (my photo was taken on an iPhone).

David Sark, Night Reflections

David really enjoys street photography and discovering unexpected moments while out shooting.

He has been taking photos for a number of years but only in the last year has he been more focused and spent more time developing a style.

What was the inspiration behind your photo featured last year?

The city takes on a different feeling after the rain and I was drawn to the way the coloured lights were reflecting on the ground along the bike path.

What’s your best tip for photographers looking to capture an image for the 2019 competition?

It might be obvious, but go to locations where you know there will be bikes at times when you can capture interesting light. For example, late in the afternoon before sunset or after dark for a different mood.

Toby Forage, Ridden Out

Toby loves architecture and architecture photography. He’s also a huge fan of good photojournalism, as he believes it's really important for the world to see things in the news, and not just hear things.

He thought the Sydney Rides gallery was an excellent exhibition, with lots of variety and styles.

What was the inspiration behind your photo featured last year?

I read a lot about bike share schemes failing in Australia and it made me kind of sad.

I'm a keen rider, and would love to see Australia, and Sydney in particular, nurture the type of cycling culture seen in Europe and Asia, where bikes are pretty much a chief form of transport for many people.

Seeing disused bikes while commuters shuffled past kind of told that story. In Amsterdam or Copenhagen, for example, all those people would probably have been on a bike.

What are your best tips for aspiring photographers looking to capture an image for the 2019 competition?

Be authentic and original. Sydney Rides is all about promoting cycling, so do your best to fit your image to that message.

Peter Sedlacik, Upside Down

Peter bought his first film camera when he was 12. He became a professional photographer after leaving Slovakia for Sydney, where he found more time to craft his photography skills.

He was inspired to see how each participant sees the world through their unique lens at the Sydney Rides exhibition last year.

What was the inspiration behind your photo featured last year?

I take quite a lot of yoga photography and I'm always trying to come up with creative ideas. I had my bike close by so I said, let's try this one.

What are your best tips for aspiring photographers looking to capture an image for the 2019 photo competition?

Go out and explore different situations, light, perspectives, angles. Just play.

Edward Barry, Try Time

An amateur photographer for around 3 years, Edward is particularly interested in film photography and vintage cameras.

He loves street photography and believes being able to capture interesting photographs from often mundane happenings takes great skill.

What was the inspiration behind your photo featured last year?

I was at the football watching the Newtown Jets play. There’s always a great family atmosphere at Henson Park on game day, and I think the photo captured the excitement following a try from the home team.

What are your best tips for aspiring photographers looking to capture an image for the 2019 competition?

Perhaps look for something outside the usual. Bike riding can be found in interesting places and isn't just confined to the road.

Enter now

The Sydney Rides photo competition is now open. Entries close 2 August.

Each photographer featured will receive $150 and the overall winner will receive $750 to spend at a local bike shop of their choice.

The competition and exhibition is part of Sydney Rides 2019 – a vibrant program of experiences, adventures and inspiration.