Bicycle Victoria is a self-funded community organisation focussed on cycling, with offices located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1975, it is financially self-supporting and independent of the government. By July 2004 it had grown to 40,000 members stimulated by bicycle sales out-stripping vehicle sales each year from 2000 to 2007, according to the Cycling Promotion Fund.[1] Its principal guiding mission is More People Cycling More Often. In 2004 the organisation employed around 20 permanent staff and a number of staff on contract for events and special projects, as well as using the services of many volunteers to run cycling events. Cycling campaigns to improve cycling infrastructure in Victoria are run by Bicycle Victoria by lobbying and negotiating with the Government of Victoria, Local Government, Vicroads and other organisations and agencies. Local affiliated groups (known as Bicycle User Groups, or BUGs) campaign in local areas for local improvements, organise rides, local bike education and maintenance workshops and provide a grassroots basis for wider bicycle campaigns. Infrastructure for Cycling in Melbourne has been greatly improved by the campaigns of Bicycle Victoria, including the development of many on road bike lanes and shared use Melbourne cycle trails, such as the Federation Trail following the route of the disused sewer between Footscray and Werribee.[2] From 1979 the organisation was a member of the peak Australian body representing non-competitive cyclists, the Bicycle Federation of Australia, but discontinued its affiliation during 1998.
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Great Victorian Bike Ride
Bicycle Victoria campaigns are sustained through an extensive calendar of fully supported bicycle rides and events, which also encourage greater cycling. The Great Victorian Bike Ride was first organised in 1984 by the Bicycle Institute of Victoria (now Bicycle Victoria) with 2,100 riders. It has become a regular event with several thousand people participating on the 20th anniversary ride in 2003. In 2004, a free new bike was given to each ride registrant. This sweetener, coupled with the attractive route following the Great Ocean Road, saw the total 2004 attendance (including volunteers and staff) exceed 8500. Bicycle Victoria staff and volunteers have developed the facilities and the logistics plans for catering for the needs of several thousand cyclists and volunteers on the move each day. As well as toilets, showers, cooking and washing up facilities, and moving thousands of tents and luggage, an FM radio station broadcasts and a daily news sheet is produced. Hazard and direction signs, water stops and marshals are organised for the route each day. It has been called by The Age as "Arguably the world's greatest one-week cycling holiday"[3]
Other events
Several other events are also organised during the year including:
- Around the Bay in a Day: in October 2006, more than 14,000 riders took part in this ride
- Ride to Work Day: in October 2006, 10,000 first-time riders and regular commuters registered prior to the event. An estimated 30,000 took part on the day throughout the state[4][5]
- Bike Path Discovery Day: riders are introduced to Melbourne's extensive network of off-road trails
- Orange Great Melbourne Bike Ride: in March 2004, 14,000 people participated
Bicycle Victoria say that they have no involvement, nor do they endorse, the regular Melbourne Critical Mass bike ride that occurs on the last Friday of the month in Melbourne.
Member Magazine
Members of Bicycle Victoria review a bi-monthly magazine called Ride On (changed from BVnews for the June 2004 issue). It provides updates on cycling infrastructure & safety campaigns, product reviews, health & maintenance articles and suggestions for places to ride.
References
- ^ Australian car sales slump as buyers go for imports by Bridie Smith, The Age, January 5, 2007. Accessed May 4, 2007
- ^ Companies fight bike path plan By Royce Millar City Editor The Age, October 17, 2005. Accessed May 4, 2007
- ^ On yer bike Paul Edwards, The Age August 6, 2006. Accessed May 4, 2007
- ^ Pedal power pulls a crowd By Sasha Shtargot, The Age, October 5, 2005 Accessed May 4, 2007
- ^ Petrol price fuels surge in bike sales By Sasha Shtargot, The Age, October 6, 2005. Accessed May 4, 2007
