Wrapping up 2016

Before we all ride off into the sunset for our summer holidays, we wanted to take some time to sit back, reflect and celebrate the year that was.

At the core of everything we do at Bicycle Network is the strong belief that physical activity is vital for a happy and healthy life. We’re here to make __bike riding easy for everyone, regardless of your age, gender, location or ability.

In 2016 and every year, we’re on a mission to build a nation of happy and healthy __bike riders.

Here’s just a snap shot of our journey in 2016:

• Our membership and influence grew to more than 52,000 members
• We saw plans for compulsory ID for NSW bike riders dropped after months of hard-fought campaigning
• We built the case for building better facilities by counting bike commuters across more than 100 council areas as part of Super Tuesday/Super Sunday
• Ride2School celebrated its 10th birthday in March with the biggest Ride2School Day ever, marking a decade of getting Aussie kits active.
• We launched our first program aimed to get teenage girls active, Mind.Body.Pedal which went on to be nominated for a VicHealth award.
• We attended hundreds of meetings and consulted on hundreds of major projects across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania to ensure that there were safer and better places for people to ride
• We ran the inaugural Newcrest Orange Challenge in partnership with Destination NSW, with our first velodrome finish line and Food and Wine Festival.
• More than 2,000 incredible volunteers gave up their time to help with our programs, events and advocacy.
• We took a stand for women’s cycling launching The Ascent program and women-only ride on closed roads in the Dandenong Ranges
• Bicycle NT joined the Bicycle Network family to further strengthen bike advocacy in the territory and advance bike riding nationally. 
• We stood for Riders Rights, calling for an overhaul of licensing laws.
• National Ride2Work Day saw hundreds of thousands of Australians jump on their bikes and get active on their way to work
• Our Parkiteer program expanded to 12,000 users with 89 cages across the network
• The Happiness Cycle gave away it’s 10,000th bike
• More than 20,000 riders off all ages, hopped on their bikes for a pedal on one of our events, which included Around the Bay, RACV Great Victorian bike Ride, Ride the Night, Newcrest Orange Challenge, The Ascent, Peaks Challenge series rides and Tour de Depot.

What a huge year! And we couldn't have done it without our incredible members, volunteers, partners, supporters and friends.

Have a well-earned break and we hope you enjoy the all bike rides that come with it.

Please note our Christmas – New Year office hours: 

Our offices are closed from Friday 23 Dec and we won’t be back until the Tuesday 3 January.

See some snap shots from the year on our Flickr page.