A NEW craze is sweeping Toowoomba’s cycling community.

There is little doubt cycling has developed into one of the most popular pastimes in the Garden City, as hundreds don their lycra and hit the streets each day.

But Bikeline Racing has recently launched a fun alternative to peddling the streets - roller racing.

Roller racing involves two bikes being placed on rollers and linked to a computer screen, where competitors go head-to-head over a 250 metre sprint.

Competitors’ respective positions are indicated by lines on the computer screen and a final race time also appears on screen.

Bikeline Racing’s Matt Hickey said roller racing was popular in the United Kingdom and United States, but yet to reach its full potential in Australia.

“It’s done in the UK and US and it attracts massive crowds of people who scream and carry on,” Mr Hickey said.

“There hasn’t really been anything going on here so I got in touch with the company that makes the kits and I’ve designed and built ours.”

Roller racing events are currently being held on a Thursday night at Bon Amici’s Cafe in Margaret Street, attracting between 20 to 30 competitors each time.

Mr Hickey, however, said he hoped to eventually move roller racing to a Friday or Saturday night and made it clear the event was not just open to cyclists.

“We’d like to get it running on a key night like a Friday or Saturday when there is a lot more of the public around, so hopefully we can build the atmosphere like they have in the UK or US,” he said.

"One of the great things about roller racing is we can put it in the middle of a pub or cafe and create an atmosphere with the people watching.

“The majority of those racing have been the cycling mob, but we’ve had people who are just having a coffee at Bon Amici’s jumping on and having a go.

“A lot of people haven’t seen the rollers before, but more serious cyclists use rollers as a training tool.

“The ones we use have been modified so anyone can jump on and have a go now.”

Roller racing is held at Bon Amici’s Café from 7pm each Thursday night.

All are welcome to try their hand at the new craze.