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ISSUE 4, DECEMBER 2012

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It has been another big year for AustCycle, with thousands of adults and children receiving cycle training nationally. We have also increased our reach in both participation and locations, and for that we must thank our hardworking Providers and Teachers.

This edition of our e-Newsletter is jam packed with stories that emphasise the ways in which cycle training has changed the lives of our participants. It also shows that many of our Providers are making their way into schools around the country, helping to teach the skills and behaviours to cycle safely. It is this reason that we will be launching the National School Riding Program in 2013. We believe that teaching children the skills to control their bike and ride safely in both traffic-free and traffic environments will make a huge difference on not only the health and happiness of our children now, but on the number of Australians cycling in the future.

I have been fortunate to see and hear first hand stories of personal achievement that come from AustCycle programs, whether it is the 79 females learning to ride for the first time, the gentleman with cerebral palsy progressing from scooting to using a two-wheeler or the satisfaction of a three-year-old's face riding for the first time.

As with any other rapidly growing organisation, the last year has not been without growing pains. I am the first to acknowledge that AustCycle needs to continue to work to develop our programs and service, but I firmly believe we are heading in the right direction. Next year will be bigger and better than the last and I look forward to working with our stakeholders, Providers and Accredited Teachers to achieve more in 2013.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Department of Health and Ageing and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage for their continued support, as both projects have helped the community get cycling.

On behalf of the AustCycle team we hope you’ve had a great year and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday.

Renew your 2013 AustCycle Membership

Accredited Teachers, now is the time to renew your membership with AustCycle! Current accreditation expires at the end of December but don’t worry, you can renew easily for the 2013 year. The renewal fee is only $25 and you should have received an email detailing how to go about this, so don't delay! If you haven't received an email, contact the AustCycle office for assistance.  Membership cards will be mailed out in early 2013 and to get a sneak peek of what the Level 1 Teacher cards will look like, click below. > Read more

Cadel Evans Visits AustCycle clinic at Siemens

On Sunday, December 9 Cycling Victoria ran an AustCycle clinic for approximately 140 children at the Siemens Christmas Party in Bayswater, with 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans offering up cycling tips to the excited kids. Groups of 20 children at a time were taken through a clinic that included slalom, straight-line drills, and some very fun games. There was a lot of interest in the clinics, with plenty of families registering for the cycling activities despite the competition from mini golf, pony rides and jumping castles. > Read more

After 30 years, Annie gets back on a bike

Annie Denley from Mid-Western has gotten back on a bike for the first time in three decades and now plans to travel around WA with her bike in tow. Thirty years ago an accident resulted in Annie falling off her bike and breaking both arms. Since the accident the fear of falling has prevented Annie from cycling, but she recently signed up for AustCycle lessons in an attempt to overcome this fear. Annie said she was “nervous as hell” when she turned up to her first lesson but that it was something she wanted to do, ‘the first thing on her bucket list’. > Read more

Ipswich residents Cycle Away

AustCycle Teachers headed to Ipswich last month to deliver free cycle training to the community, where participants battled through heat and injury to improve their bike handling skills. Elaine Killen, AustCycle accredited Teacher under Cycle Away, said the course went extremely well, despite temperatures reaching into the thirties on some of the days, and that everyone learned new skills. “One of the ladies hadn’t ridden since she was a child so it took a lot of work to get her confidence up. She fell off within ten seconds of being on a bike but two minutes later she was up and back on her bike.  > Read more

Spokesabout heads into Fraser Coast schools!

Spokesabout has headed into schools in the Fraser Coast region, completing the first round of courses run under the Active Transport Program/FCRC. AustCycle accredited Teacher Michelle Lennard said two low traffic skills courses were run for children aged 10 to 12 years of age, and that both courses were a great success. “Both groups of children were taken for a short 4km road ride to reiterate the riding skills they had learnt over the beginner and intermediate courses”. > Read more

Mountain bike classes a hit in Manjimup

Manjimup took on the challenge of running an advanced Mountain Bike clinic last month and the women are now planning to enter a team in the Karri Cup, which is a mountain bike stage race held annually in Northcliffe in March. The six-week ladies mountain bike course was run in Northcliffe, Western Australia as part of the Well Being Warren Blackwood Healthy Communities Initiative. Accredited AustCycle Teacher Tim Saunders led the women through a series of skills to give them the confidence to ride off-road. > Read more

Bowen PCYC holds free AustCycle courses for Whitsunday residents

The Bowen PCYC in the Whitsundays helped a mother and her son get the confidence to ride on their own, running a free bike handling skills session for the pair. Judy Adsett, Healthy Communities Coordinator for the Whitsunday’s Regional Council, said that although course numbers weren’t high, the program was a great success with participants enjoying a social ride along Bowen’s picturesque front beach. > Read more

Just Ride Cycles is transforming Lismore

Just Ride Cycles has been keeping busy with AustCycle courses in Lismore, running a women’s only group that is learning to do hill climbs for the first time, while also teaching a young adult with down syndrome how to ride safely in traffic. Accredited AustCycle Teacher Rachel Sipple said the family of the boy approached her for AustCycle training because he is moving out of home and needs to be able to commute safely around town. > Read more

Warrnambool looks toward 2013

Warrnambool City Council is revelling in the success of its AustCycle programs and is already planning for 2013. Despite only being on board since August, Clare Vaughan, Program Manager from the Healthy Communities Initiative in Warrnambool, said that to date 80 people have completed or are currently enrolled in an AustCycle course. So far Warrnambool has focused on teaching adults with a disability, but in the New Year more classes will be run for the general community. > Read more

Cycling WA reaches out to kids

Cycling WA has been busy teaching kids in Western Australia how to ride safely under their Be Active, Cycle Instead program. Claire South, Development Manager at Cycling WA, said the bike skills program, delivered using the AustCycle framework, has gone from strength to strength over the past year. “Our team of around 40 AustCycle Teachers has helped us to deliver bike skills education to young children as well as run workplace health and wellbeing programs, deliver training for Indigenous groups, as well as reach the broader adult and elderly population through our learn to ride and Healthy Communities Initiative programs”. > Read more

AustCycle participants join in Amy's Ride SA

This year a group of AustCycle participants from Onkaparinga used their new bike handling skills to join in the fun of Amy's Ride SA. The group was taught cycle training by accredited Teacher and Provider Lee-Anne Fleming as part of the Healthy Communities Initiative, and it was during this training course that they set their sights on joining in the ride. “We were talking about the ride amongst ourselves and a couple of the participants ears pricked up and they said ‘can we do it?’ So we looked into it for them and that was that”. > Read more

Age proves to be no barrier when re-learning to ride a bike

Macedon Ranges Shire Council and AustCycle are helping local residents improve their bike skills, giving one 60-year-old lady the confidence and desire to start her own social riding group. Now semi-retired and in her early 60’s, local Kyneton resident Rhyl Gould was keen to re-learn an old skill – how to ride a bike. But, given that she hadn’t ridden a bike for generations, Rhyl didn’t quite know how to begin. It was after finding a local AustCycle program that Rhyl decided to take the plunge, completing a six-week bike handling skills course that was run as part of the Council’s Healthy and Active People Initiative. > Read more

ACT residents get Cycle Education

Since joining as a Provider in mid-2011, Cycle Education has delivered bike handling skills courses to 64 participants, run 16 bike maintenance sessions and had 38 participants join in on guided social rides within the ACT. Sommer Sherwood, Healthy Communities Project Officer for the ACT Government, said that when participants were asked if they had increased their knowledge of bike safety, changed their attitude towards riding a bike, gained more confidence to ride a bike and increased the amount of bike riding they do, the close majority strongly agreed. To register your interest in AustCycle programs in the ACT email raynie@cycleducation.com.au or visit http://www.cycleducation.com.au.

Ready, set, go – Children learn to cycle

AustCycle and Cycling Australia have partnered with Play Valley Kids to develop two cycling books about the experience of learning to ride. The two new picture books are available in boy and girl versions and tell the story of Harry and Sophie and the excitement of receiving their first bikes. The book also includes safety tips as well as video links like this one, which helps teach children to correctly pedal and brake. > Read more

Cycling Victoria launches new Breeze bike riding program for women

Cycling Victoria has launched a new bike riding program designed to get more women involved in cycling, after discovering that only 15% of their current membership is female. The program is funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria and aims to establish a network of women-only bike rides across Victoria, to be led by accredited female AustCycle teachers. The fun, social rides are aimed at women who are just starting out in cycling and will have a policy of leaving “no rider behind”. Each ride will be conducted at a comfortable level and skills training will be provided to all participants. The rides will also start and finish at a café so the women can mingle, relax and get to know each another. > Read more

Nominate your business for the 2013 Bicycling Achievement Awards!

Nominations are now open for the 2013 Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards, which recognise people, projects and initiatives that have spread the benefits of cycling to communities across the country. All individuals, groups, businesses and schools can be nominated for the Award under any one of nine categories. So this could be a local bike shop, educational institution or any private business that promotes cycling. If you make a positive impact on people who ride, or if you get new riders on a bike, then you are eligible to enter. We think all our Providers have a great chance of winning, so nominate yourself today! Visit the official website here for more information, online entry forms and category details.

Wheel Women (Victoria)

Tina McCarthy of Wheel Women just spent 'a week in another world' on the Great Victorian Bike Ride and she said she is still wondering if there is anything that can top the experience.

“Two years ago I started training with my son's high school for the 2011 Great Victorian Bike Ride,” Tina said. “I won't forget that first training ride because I could barely keep up on my clunky old mountain bike which weighed the equivalent of a semi trailer. I'd always been a rider in my early years but motherhood and career just seemed to get in the way. When I got back on the bike for the training rides it just didn't feel like a happy experience watching all the students pass me effortlessly”.

“With a bit of help from my husband I managed to pick up a second hand lightweight bike just to see if things could be better and if riding was for me. I haven't looked back! It was a totally new experience and before I knew it I was not just keeping up with the students, but passing them as well. I didn't ride the 2011 Great Victorian Bike Ride because I just knew I would never make it. But my passion for riding soon grew into a whole new career move (as well as a brand new bike). I have just recently completed my AustCycle training course and have committed to being a Provider with my business called Wheel Women (and Wheel Cyclists)”.

Tina’s passion is teaching and introducing women to the sport of cycling and she hopes being an AustCycle Provider can help her achieve this.

“As an older woman, I was amazed at how many women had said to me that they'd love to be riding their bikes but just didn't feel confident. Nor did they feel like riding with their husbands because it always ended up in a race! Lots of women also told me they didn't like riding on their own so Wheel Women was born. My aim is to cater to women who either want to try riding as first timers, or who want to get back into cycling after many years away from it - just like me”.

“And guess what, my local bike shop have even employed me for a few hours each week to be their women's 'specialist', in order to cater to all the women who often feel a little intimidated by the bike shop experience. I'm so passionate about seeing other women get on their bikes and find the joy and freedom I have found, and to find the confidence to just get out there and do something for themselves, because in turn they are being great role models for their kids”.

Recently, Tina was asked by her son’s school to ride with their students as an adult support person as they were finding it difficult to find a female staff member who could manage the enormous distance of the ride.

“I wasn't entirely sure I could do it myself, but I gladly accepted. After completing all 590km with an amazing bunch of Year 9 and 10 students from Suzanne Cory High School, I feel like my AustCycle training was put to great use. I spent most of the ride supporting the girls and keeping them going, unofficially throwing in a few tips along the way. It was tough at times through those hills and in the freezing rain, and there were moments of tears when they just didn't think they could continue. But each one made it across the finish line and watching that was one of the true highlights of my life”.

“About 2km from the end of the ride one of my lovely student girls told me that this had been the most 'meaningful' thing she had ever done. If that is what cycling brings to young women, then I am so pleased to be a part of the revolution. I just know with my AustCycle training I will be able to make a difference”.

info@wheelwomen.com.au
www.wheelwomen.com.au
Phone: 0412 993 650

AustCycle Provider Ride-a-Bike Right has won an outstanding achievement award in the field of sport and recreation and AustCycle would like to extend their proud congratulations to owner and Teacher Lee-Anne Fleming.

Lee-Anne said she was “very pleased, proud and blessed” with her award from the Playford City Council, which was awarded to her at the Celebration of Ability event for the International Day of Disability.

The annual Celebration of Ability event recognises the abilities of people with a disability and acknowledges the contributions they make to the community. Awards are given to people who work in a disability field and cover categories such as education, community service, personal development, business, employment, and the arts.

Amy Gillett Foundation releases new Ride Rules

The Amy Gillett Foundation has launched a new 'Ride Right' campaign in an attempt to reduce the incidence of cycling injuries and deaths.

Supported by the Transport Accident Commission, the campaign consists of a collection of Ride Rules to remind riders of things they can do to stay safe, and these rules are displayed on posters and postcards using humorous pictures.

CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) Tracey Gaudry said the campaign is just another step forward for the foundation and forms part of their broader strategy to reduce incidences through awareness and education.

> More

Stay cool on your bike this summer!

It is officially summer in Australia, which means hot, humid days for all. But just because the weather is sizzling doesn’t mean your bike needs to be parked in the garage until the cooler winds comes back.

There are several things you can do to keep your core temperature lower this summer, allowing you to ride through the heat and maintain your fitness levels.

Ride in the early AM. The coolest time of day is sunrise so if you’ve got the motivation to pull yourself out of bed in the early morning then definitely do it. An added bonus is that you get your exercise out of the way before you even realise it.

Drink cold fluids. Don’t leave home without your trusty water bottle in hand and make sure you slip in a few ice-cubes to keep your water cool and drinkable. If you know you’re heading out for a long ride consider taking a drink with electrolytes to replace the salts you lose through sweat, and if you want the ultimate cool drink, freeze your water bottle the night before so it can melt as you ride.

Wear the right clothing. Choose your riding outfit carefully, making sure you pick clothes that will allow perspiration to evaporate quickly. If you can, opt for spandex or Lycra as they have superior moisture wicking properties, keeping you cooler and dryer in the long run.

Wear sunscreen. Don’t forget to protect your skin this summer. Lather up in a water-resistant sports sunscreen to avoid sunburn and sunstroke. Another benefit to this is that sunscreen can decrease your skin and body temperature, so you stay cooler during your exercise.

Slow down. If you’re cycling to commute to work or to get from point A to point B then simply slow down. Take regular breaks and sip your water, stop off at a coffee shop for a cool drink and take tree –lined, shady streets if you can. Most importantly, remember to smile at other cyclists and make the most of being out in the glorious Aussie weather - before you know it the rain will be here!

The City of Melbourne is working to make cycling more accessible for people of all ages and abilities, improving links to existing bicycle routes around the city. They have outlined their priorities and aims for the next four years in a Bicycle Plan.

Currently:

• 81,500 trips are taken to, from and within the City of Melbourne each weekday
• In March 2012, bicycles were 11% of all vehicle movements in the central city of Melbourne during the morning peak
• There are 52km of on-road bike routes and 68km of off-road bike routes in Melbourne


By 2016:

• It is hoped there will be a 50% increase in bicycle trips to, from and within the municipality
• 15% of all vehicles entering the central city during the morning peak will be bicycles
• Two north-south and two east-west bicycle routes will be designed within the central city
• There will be a 15% change in the number of trips taken between two and seven kilometres from car to bicycle

To view the infographic of the plan, click here.

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