Bicycle Network

Bicycle Network is an Australian cycling advocacy and participation organisation whose stated mission is to achieve “More People Cycling More Often.” It represents bicycle riders, campaigns for safer and more convenient cycling conditions, provides rider services, and operates large recreational and participation events. The organisation is financially independent and is principally supported by membership subscriptions, event income, sponsorship attached to particular programs, and project funding. Its independence is intended to allow it to advocate for riders without being controlled by commercial or government funders, although some of its positions and partnerships have periodically attracted criticism. The organisation traces its origins to the Bicycle Institute of Victoria, established in the mid-1970s during a renewed interest in cycling for transport, health and recreation. Keith Dunstan became its founding president, while other early advocates, including Alan Parker, pressed state and local governments for safer roads, bicycle lanes, improved planning and cycling education. The institute participated in the development of early Victorian cycling policy, including the Geelong Bikeplan, and helped build a broader culture of recreational and commuter cycling. Its event program became a major part of its public identity and financial model. The Great Victorian Bike Ride, first held in 1984, developed from a proposed one-off celebration into a recurring, fully supported multi-day ride through regional Victoria. Around the Bay in a Day became a major single-day event around Port Phillip Bay, while the Peaks Challenge established a demanding alpine endurance ride. The organisation has also run the Great Escapade, the Great Melbourne Bike Ride and National Ride to Work Day. These programs combine participation and fundraising with the wider objective of normalising cycling among people with different levels of experience. Bicycle Victoria was used as a trading name from 1988 and became the organisation’s formal name in 2005. As its activities expanded beyond Victoria, it adopted the interim name Bicycle Network Victoria in 2011 and the national name Bicycle Network in 2013. The rebranding reflected a broader Australian remit rather than a change into a bicycle manufacturer or retailer. Membership gives riders access to services such as cycling-related advice, maps and information, discounts, insurance benefits and the Ride On magazine. The organisation also works with government, employers, local councils and community cycling groups on infrastructure, road safety, education, commuter programs and bicycle counts. It has maintained a presence in Melbourne and Tasmania, with its principal office in Melbourne, an office in Hobart and a workshop in Sunshine North, Victoria. The organisation has employed a relatively small permanent staff supported by event contractors and volunteers. Bicycle Network’s history has included disputes over the balance between advocacy, event sponsorship and relationships with external institutions. Its support for the Albert Park Grand Prix in the 1990s was criticised by some local bicycle user groups, and a 2004 offer of imported bicycles to early entrants in the Great Victorian Bike Ride drew objections from cycling-industry bodies and was followed by a safety recall involving a front quick-release component. These episodes illustrate the tension between an advocacy organisation’s mass-participation and revenue activities and the expectations of grassroots cycling activists. In 2022 Alison McCormack became the organisation’s first woman chief executive, succeeding Craig Richards, and subsequently highlighted the importance of increasing women’s participation in cycling.

Bicycle Network developed from the Bicycle Institute of Victoria, formed in 1975 during a period when cycling was regaining popularity for recreation, health and transport. The organisation’s creation was encouraged by Victorian politician Brian Dixon, who brought together bicycle advocates including journalist Keith Dunstan. Dunstan became the founding president. Early campaigners concentrated on practical safety and planning issues, including bicycle lanes, road design, education, enforcement and access to pleasant places to ride. The group’s early work coincided with state planning initiatives. In 1978 the Victorian government approved the Geelong Bikeplan as a five-year demonstration project. The plan combined infrastructure with education and encouragement, and helped establish a model for treating cycling as a transport-planning issue rather than only a sporting activity. Bicycle advocates also supported bicycle education in schools and the eventual development of police bicycle-patrol capability. The organisation became an incorporated association in 1986. It adopted Bicycle Victoria as a trading name in 1988, and the growth of recreational cycling in the 1980s gave it a larger community base. The first Great Victorian Bike Ride took place in 1984, attracting roughly 2,100 riders. Although initially intended as a one-time event, its popularity led to annual rides and made supported mass participation a central part of the organisation’s model. The 1990s brought further expansion. Bicycle user groups were established in 1990 as local forums for campaigning, rides, maintenance education and grassroots organising. The first Around the Bay in a Day ride was held in 1993. Harry Barber became chief executive in 1996 and remained in the role for many years. Bicycle Victoria also advocated for improvements to Melbourne’s cycling network, including on-road lanes and shared-use trails such as the Federation Trail. The organisation’s relationships with grassroots groups were not always harmonious. Its support for the Albert Park Grand Prix in 1993 was viewed by some bicycle user groups as inconsistent with local cycling and environmental concerns. Bicycle Victoria later staged the Great Melbourne Bike Ride around the circuit before the first Grand Prix, which some critics saw as lending cyclists’ apparent endorsement to the event. The dispute contributed to resignations and weakened relationships with some local groups. During the 2000s Bicycle Victoria expanded its event calendar and national cooperation. It participated in the 2007 Bicycle Coalition announcement with Bicycle NSW, Bicycle Queensland and Bicycle South Australia, working on projects including National Ride to Work Day. The organisation continued to derive substantial income from membership and supported rides. Its 2004 offer of free imported bicycles to early Great Victorian Bike Ride registrants was criticised by retail and industry associations over quality, waste and competitive effects. A component safety recall subsequently affected the bikes. Bicycle Victoria also pursued charitable status. In 2011 it campaigned to be recognised as a health promotion charity, in opposition to the Australian Taxation Office’s position. It succeeded in obtaining charity registration, but not health promotion charity status or the associated deductible-gift-recipient treatment described in the organisation’s historical account. In July 2011 the organisation began using Bicycle Network Victoria as an interim name and completed its transition to Bicycle Network in August 2013. The change signalled a national operating and advocacy ambition. Bicycle Network now combines policy advocacy, membership services, cycling education, commuter initiatives, rider information and major recreational events. Its principal base is Melbourne, with a Tasmanian office in Hobart and a workshop in Sunshine North. In 2022 Alison McCormack became the first female chief executive, succeeding Craig Richards. The organisation has continued to promote greater cycling participation, including efforts to increase the number of women who cycle.

• 2022

  Alison McCormack becomes first female CEO

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  McCormack succeeded Craig Richards and brought a stated focus on increasing women’s participation in cycling.

• 2013

  Bicycle Network name adopted

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The rebrand reflected the organisation’s nationwide reach.

• 2011

  Interim Bicycle Network Victoria name adopted

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The organisation began a two-stage transition toward its national Bicycle Network identity.

• 2007

  Bicycle Coalition announced

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  Bicycle Victoria joined peer organisations in announcing cooperation on national cycling projects.

• 2005

  Formal name changes to Bicycle Victoria

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  A new constitution was adopted on 7 November and the formal renaming occurred on 5 December.

• 1996

  Harry Barber becomes CEO

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  Harry Barber began a long tenure as chief executive.

• 1993

  First Around the Bay in a Day

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The organisation launched its major single-day ride around Port Phillip Bay.

• 1990

  Bicycle user groups established

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  Local bicycle user groups were created to support grassroots rides, education, maintenance and advocacy.

• 1988

  Bicycle Victoria trading name adopted

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The organisation began operating publicly under the Bicycle Victoria name.

• 1986

  Organisation incorporated

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The Bicycle Institute of Victoria became an incorporated association.

• 1984

  First Great Victorian Bike Ride

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The first supported multi-day ride drew about 2,100 participants and subsequently became an annual event.

• 1978

  Geelong Bikeplan approved

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  A Victorian government pilot combined cycling infrastructure, education, enforcement and encouragement.

• 1976

  Pedal Power newsletter begins

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  The early newsletter set out the organisation’s focus on safe, convenient and pleasant places to ride.

• 1975

  Bicycle Institute of Victoria established

  [1]Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org

  Victorian bicycle advocates formed the organisation that later became Bicycle Network, with Keith Dunstan as founding president.

An independent, membership-supported Australian cycling advocacy and participation organisation combining public-interest campaigning with large-scale rides, commuter programs and practical services for bicycle riders.

• Membership service

  Bicycle Network membership

  A subscription-based membership program that supports the organisation’s advocacy work while offering riders practical benefits. Historical benefits include cycling-related insurance, retail discounts, maps, advice services, member information and access to Ride On magazine. Membership is open to the public and is a significant source of organisational income.

• Cycling publication

  Ride On

  Bicycle Network’s member magazine, formerly known as BVnews. It provides cycling information and advice for riders and forms part of the organisation’s membership offering.

• Supported cycling event · 1984

  Great Victorian Bike Ride

  A non-competitive, fully supported, usually nine-day ride through regional Victoria. Routes vary by year and commonly cover about 550 kilometres, with a rest day and logistical support for participants. First held in 1984, it became one of Australia’s best-known mass participation cycling holidays.

• Mass participation cycling event · 1993

  Around the Bay in a Day

  A one-day challenge around Port Phillip Bay in Victoria. The event uses the bay as a recognisable physical landmark and is designed to accommodate a broad range of riders. It grew into one of Australia’s largest single-day cycling events.

• Endurance cycling event

  Peaks Challenge Falls Creek

  A demanding alpine ride of approximately 235 kilometres with more than 4,400 metres of climbing. Its route includes Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, and participants must complete the course within a stated time limit.

• Commuter cycling program

  National Ride to Work Day

  A behaviour-change and workplace program encouraging people to commute by bicycle. It promotes the health, financial and environmental benefits of riding and provides employers with information about facilities and policies that can support bicycle commuting.

• Supported cycling holiday

  Great Escapade

  A multi-day supported cycling holiday held in different Australian states and, on some occasions, overseas. The format is similar to the Great Victorian Bike Ride, with routes and duration varying according to the host location.

• 2004

  Free bicycles and safety recall

  The organisation offered imported bicycles to early Great Victorian Bike Ride entrants. Cycling-industry bodies criticised the arrangement over quality, retail impacts and disposal issues. A front quick-release skewer on the bicycles was later subject to a safety recall.

  Source

• 1993

  Albert Park Grand Prix controversy

  Bicycle Victoria’s support for the Albert Park Grand Prix was opposed by some bicycle user groups, which regarded the position as inconsistent with local cycling advocacy. Some members resigned and relationships with grassroots groups became strained.

  Source

Read more

• 2011Health Promotion Charity campaign

  Australia

  Bicycle Network Victoria sought recognition as a health promotion charity in order to strengthen its charitable position and obtain associated tax treatment.

  Outcome. The organisation obtained charity registration but not health promotion charity status or deductible-gift-recipient status.

  Source
• 2006National Ride to Work Day

  Australia

  A national commuting initiative encouraged individuals and workplace teams to ride to work and helped employers develop supportive facilities and policies.

  Outcome. The program became a recurring participation and behaviour-change activity.

  Source
• 1978Geelong Bikeplan

  Geelong, Victoria, Australia

  The organisation supported a pilot cycling plan combining engineering, education, enforcement and encouragement.

  Outcome. The plan became an early Victorian example of integrated cycling planning.

  Source
• 1976Safe and pleasant places to ride

  Victoria, Australia

  Early Bicycle Institute of Victoria advocacy focused on safer roads, bicycle lanes, better planning and convenient cycling facilities.

  Outcome. Contributed to the organisation’s long-term role in Victorian cycling policy and infrastructure advocacy.

  Source

• 2022

  Appoint first female chief executiveOther

  Background

  Craig Richards left the CEO role after leading the organisation during its national-brand period.

  Action taken

  Alison McCormack became chief executive.

  Aftermath

  McCormack publicly emphasised increasing the number of women who cycle.

  Source

• 2013

  Adopt Bicycle Network as the national brandStrategy

  Background

  The Victorian name no longer represented the organisation’s broader Australian reach.

  Action taken

  The organisation changed its name to Bicycle Network.

  Aftermath

  The brand became the umbrella identity for national advocacy, membership and cycling events.

  Source

• 2011

  Begin national rebrandingStrategy

  Background

  The organisation’s programs and advocacy increasingly extended beyond Victoria.

  Action taken

  It first adopted Bicycle Network Victoria as an interim name.

  Aftermath

  The transition was completed with the Bicycle Network name in 2013.

  Source

• 2005

  Formalise the Bicycle Victoria identityStrategy

  Background

  The incorporated association adopted a new constitution and moved from its historic institute identity to the Bicycle Victoria name.

  Action taken

  The formal renaming occurred in December 2005.

  Aftermath

  Bicycle Victoria remained the organisation’s principal public identity until the later national rebrand.

  Source

1. 1Bicycle Networken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Bicycle Network official websitebicyclenetwork.com.au