Speeding incident highlights realities of riding Mount Panorama

A recent incident at Mount Panorama has served as a timely reminder that while the iconic circuit is open to the public outside race events, it remains a public road — with all the rules that go with it.

Over the Christmas–New Year period, NSW Police detected a 25-year-old rider travelling at 159 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Conrod Straight. The rider was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice and will appear before Bathurst Local Court in February.

Mount Panorama is one of the waypoints listed on MotoRides for riders looking for ideas on where to ride over summer. It’s an iconic location, steeped in motorsport history, and well worth the visit. But it’s also a road that demands respect — not just because of enforcement, but because of its layout.

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Conrod Straight in particular catches many people out. It’s steeper than it looks, and gravity alone will have your speed climbing if you’re not actively managing it. Keeping a bike under the posted limit requires deliberate braking, not just rolling off the throttle. That said, 159 km/h doesn’t happen by accident — that kind of speed needs encouragement.

The incident occurred as part of the NSW Police’s Christmas and New Year road safety operation, which resulted in tens of thousands of infringements across the state. Given its reputation, Mount Panorama is an obvious focal point during these periods.

The takeaway is simple: enjoy the history, enjoy the ride, but remember that public access to Mount Panorama is a privilege. Ride it for what it is — a famous road, not a racetrack — and save the big speeds for places designed to handle them.

You can see our recent ride through Bathurst here: https://www.motorides.com.au/rides/sydney-to-orange