Cockatoo biker hits the road | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

Sandra Fairbrother with Pete the cockatoo riding around Tweed Heads.

Crystal Spencer

PETE the cockatoo has an innovative way of feeling the air beneath his wings.

The 19-year-old bird rides around perched on the handlebars of a push bike ridden by owner Sandra Fairbrother, affectionately known as “mum” to Pete, in their adventures around Tweed and abroad.

“I love doing it for the smile it puts on peoples' faces, especially children and the elderly,” Ms Fairbrother said.

The pair have been staying in the area for about a year as part of a trip around Australia.

They were spotted riding north through Tweed Heads earlier this week headed to one of Pete's favourite spots, Point Danger.

“He loves it up there for the people but he doesn't like the seagulls who hang around.”

The keen cyclist said she was first compelled to bring Pete along on bike rides because she did not want to leave him at home alone.

“I live in a bus and it gets hot in there like a car. I couldn't leave Pete in there so I decided to bring him with me one day,” she said.

“I just stuck him on the handlebars and he loved it. “Since then I've put a small branch in the basket for him to sit and gnaw on. He chewed through one of the brake cables before that.”

Pete has been with the Fairbrother family since he was rescued from near-death as a baby.

The pair have been living in Palm Beach while she upgraded her bus.