Bike Film Festival

The Bicycle Film Festival is an annual, curated film festival focused on sharing a range of new bike films. Each festival offering is unique, and the films included are selected from submission and the final collection are then toured internationally to sell out crowds.

Brendt Barbur is the Founding Festival Director. He was inspired to create this event in 2001 after a traffic accident while cycling in New York City.

The Bicycle Film Festival is a platform to celebrate the bicycle through various forms of artistic expression, including music, art, and, notably, film and has significantly propelled the urban bike movement as well as promoting lesser-known types of bike riding.

Image: Bicycle Film Festival

This festival now spans 90 cities across the globe and the BFF has garnered a vast audience of over 1 million individuals. It has become one of the foremost art and cultural event advocating sustainability. The Bicycle Film Festival also has offshoot links with associated workshops, screenings, panel events, concert, food events and art exhibitions worldwide.

I really appreciate this event because it showcases new and original films that you cannot see anywhere else. the festival covers such a wide range of experiences, places and styles and it really gives you an insight into how important bicycles are to so many people. It is really a celebration of people, place and riding – it is affirming and heartwarming.

The Bicycle Film Festival’s YouTube channel is a testament to the range of interests, skills and quality of bike films being produced by enthusiasts. Here are a few of the offerings over the years:

My Newest Publication: Using Velo-onto-epistemology to reimagine the candidate-supervisor-relationship

a woman (Sherilyn) stands in front of a bike. They are on a seaside footpath. it is sunny, she wears a bike helmet and there is another bike behind her.

Regular readers of this blog know that I am doing a bike-focused PhD in Education. In a nutshell, my project explores how bicycles feature in West African girls’ access to secondary education.

It is a great project and I love working on it.

I’ve been developing a research methodology called velo-onto-epistemology (VOE) as part of this project. I know it is a mouthful, but the article explains what it means.

I am delighted to share my latest publication which introduces my novel bicycle-focused research approach for the first time.

I wrote this paper with my incredible supervisor Dr Sherilyn Lennon. In this paper, I take Sherilyn for a bike ride as a way to put to work my VOE research methodology and destablise the traditional power hierarchy of the PhD candidate-supervisor relationship.

To show how velo-relationality works differently, we juxtapose – or ‘recycle’ our experiences next to each other (see below) in what we call ‘tandem writing’.

This article is an engaging read.

It is theoretical enough to be rigorous and interesting, but relatable for the everyday reader-rider.

Below is the abstract and a copy of the paper.

Feel free to download a copy (third icon on right below).

Check it out!

Ride on!

Enjoy!

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, the candidate-supervisor-relationship is predicated on a supervisor as teacher/expert – candidate as learner/novice model. But what becomes possible when the materialities of this power dynamic are destabilised and reimagined? This article draws from emerging feminist ontologies to introduce the concept of velo- onto-epistemology [VOE] as a means of re-cycling candidate- supervisor-relationships. VOE acknowledges the agency of the bicycle in moving and being moved. This novel approach is used to explore how stor(i)ed encounters and in-the-moment bodily responses enact current-future becomings. Through re-cycling, the candidate-supervisor-relationship is dis-articulated and re- articulated in ways that enable alternative and more equitable understandings of the world to emerge.

Singapore: Cycling for a new future

Cycling in Singapore. Image: Get Go

Singapore is currently touted as one of Asia’s best cities to ride a bike.

And I can understand why.

From its futuristic skyline, exciting tourist attractions and tranquil parklands, this vibrant metropolis is raising the bar when it comes to being a bike-friendly destination.

My brother lives in Singapore and I often keep an eye on what is happening there. I have been watching with interest as Singapore’s works to implement its intelligent transportation vision – of which cycling is a major focus.

Like most capital cities, Singapore boasts an extensive network of dedicated cycling paths, lanes, and connectors that cover both urban areas and scenic routes. This infrastructure ensures cyclists can travel safely and conveniently throughout the city.

The city’s urban planning emphasizes sustainable transportation options, including cycling. Well-designed bike lanes are integrated into the city’s infrastructure, making it easy to navigate and explore different neighborhoods by bike. Some local favourite routes include the Park Connector network, a 300km tangle of cycle paths, and the Rail Corridor, a 24km bicycle path in the footprint of an old railway, and the Eastern Coastal Loop.

Singapore’s Eastern Coast Loop. Image: Get Go

Also, Singapore’s well-maintained roads and bike paths are designed with safety in mind. They have separated bike lanes and clear signage to reduce the risk of accidents between cyclists and other road users and as anyone who has been there will know, Singapore is active in enforcing speed limits, and positive social behaviour.

Singapore has introduced various bike-sharing programs, providing locals and tourists with easy access to rental bikes for short trips around the city. Despite having some issues in the past, these programs are promoting cycling as a viable mode of transportation and usage is projected to boom.

Singapore’s relatively compact size allows cyclists to cover significant distances within a short period. This compactness makes it convenient to use a bike for daily commutes and recreational rides. The other drawcard is that cyclists can enjoy a mix of scenic routes including urban landscapes, waterfront paths, and lush green spaces. This makes cycling both enjoyable and is a great way to see more of the city beyond just the main tourist attractions – which are all easily accessible by bike!

Image: Singapore Land Transport Authority

The Singaporean government has actively promoted cycling as a sustainable transportation option. Initiatives such as car free Sundays, car free zones, the Car-Lite movement and investments in cycling infrastructure demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the cycling experience.

The city hosts various big-ticket sports events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and it is not often you get a chance to ride along a legitimate F1 circuit pit lane! They also have a full cycling calendar offering events from leisurely rides to competitive races. These events foster a strong cycling community and encourage people to embrace biking as a lifestyle.

But still some issues to iron out…

Last year Singapore conducted a cycling review and as part of a discussion on safe cycling on roads, there was a proposal to register bikes and licenses for cyclists. This idea was met with intense public resistance – so it will be interesting to see what happens there.

There are also other issues need to be addressed, such as vehicle-cyclist conflicts, too many heavy vehicles and food deliveries hogging the road, and an over-focus on policing cyclists and issuing them with tickets and infringement notices.

A Today Online news report cites a lack of etiquette, disregard for the laws and ‘a need to exhibit showmanship’ as a few of the main reasons for accidents.

So, there are definitely a few more things to iron out!

But overall, it is great to see Singapore heading in the right direction.

Change is not easy.

But it is encouraging to see the Lion City taking action to be a more cycle-friendly city in the future.

Duck on a Bike – A book about bikes, animals and trying something new

duck on a bike cover sheet
Image: Good Reads

Hey there, bike friends! If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know that I’m passionate about bikes, books, animals, and art. I’ve previously posted on a range of initiatives that celebrate bike books, for example:

Today, I have another fantastic book to add to your collection—one that combines a love for bikes, books and animals. Today, we are pedalling into an adventure called Duck on a Bike by David Shannon. This charming children’s book will make you smile, laugh, and maybe even inspire you to try something new. So, grab a cozy spot, a cup of tea and a young one who love bike stories and let’s ride into this delightful tale!

Enjoy!

Duck on a Bike is a popular children’s picture book written and illustrated by David Shannon. It tells the story of a duck who finds a bike and decides to take it for a ride around the farm.

In this story, Duck begins his adventure by discovering a bike that has been left by a child. Curious and excited, Duck climbs onto the bike and starts pedaling around the farm.

As Duck rides past other farm animals, they are amazed and wonder why a duck would want to ride a bike.

Duck encounters various animals such as cows, pigs, sheep, and horses. Some of the animals are impressed by the duck’s skills, while others are dubious or even jealous.

Duck loves the thrill of riding the bike and having the wind in their feathers (who doesn’t!!?).

Eventually, Duck returns to the farmyard, where the other animals gather around to see what happened on the ride. Inspired by Duck’s adventure, the other animals start trying out the bike for themselves, each with their own unique style.

The story ends with Duck suggesting that someday they might even see a whole flock of animals riding bikes!

I like Duck on a Bike because it is a charming and entertaining book that promotes the ideas of trying new things, breaking stereotypes, and embracing adventure.

This is a delightful story for young and older young readers – and I appreciate its humorous illustrations and inclusive subtext that anyone, (even a Duck or any other animals) can ride a bike.

Ride on Ducks!

Image: Good Reads

Image: Good Reads

And it’s good to see that this beloved book being celebrated by readers and libraries more broadly – like this installation below from Rippon Public Library!

Image: Ripon Public Library

Keshia Roberston: Black Wheelwomen Legacy Shero

Keshia Roberston: Black Wheelwomen Legacy Shero. Bicycles Create Change.com 24 March 2023
Source: Bike Summit 2023

The US National Bike Summit is an annual conference event that brings together bike advocates and enthusiasts from across the country. Now in its 23rd year, will be held from March 26 – March 29, 2023. This year the summit will be held in Washington, DC and the program offers a range of engaging activities, including in-person workshops, mobile discussion groups, biking opportunities, and networking events. Its primary focus is to foster the development of a Bicycle Friendly America that caters to the needs of everyone. In order to accommodate participants both physically and virtually, all sessions, panels, plenaries, and keynote speeches will be live-streamed online.

I was super excited to see this year that Keshia Roberson was one of the Key Summit speakers.

Keshia will be hosting the They Were Seeds: The Buried Legacy of Black Wheelwomen.

This session explores the legacy of Black women cyclists and how their roots have inspired future generations of diverse riders.

See here for more on this session.

Keshia Roberston: Black Wheelwomen Legacy Shero. Bicycles Create Change.com 24 March 2023
Image: Bike Summit 2023

Keshia Roberson

The incredible contributions of Black women in cycling deserve our recognition and celebration. Throughout history, remarkable figures like Kittie Knox and Ayesha McGowan have shattered barriers and blazed a trail for Black women cyclists.

Their groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire a new generation of Sheroes who are dedicated to creating more opportunities for Black women and girls to embrace the exhilaration of biking.

The remarkable Keshia Roberson founded Major Knox Adventures (MKA) with the aim of honoring the legacy of these trailblazers.

MKA is dedicated to providing affordable bike trip experiences, ensuring that women of color can partake in the transformative joy of outdoor adventures. It’s important to acknowledge the representation and contribution of African-American women cyclists which has been historically lacking and sorely underrepresented.

MKA seeks to change that by fostering inclusivity, creating a welcoming environment, and empowering Black women to experience the outdoors in all its splendor.

It would be amazing to hear Keshia Roberson present the They Were Seeds: The Buried Legacy of Black Wheelwomen at this year’s 2023 Bike Summit.

It is great to see a virtual conference option as well….mmmm….maybe next year….

Keshia Roberston: Black Wheelwomen Legacy Shero. Bicycles Create Change.com 24 March 2023
Image: Major Knox Adventures

5 Cyclists Project

As regular readers of this blog know, I have a particular interest in decolonial herstories and in uncovering the lesser-known stories, contributions and experiences of women on two wheels… which is how I come to know about Keshia.

I contributed to a journal publication last year which looked at geography and collective memories through art – and in this article, I cited the incredible 5 Cyclists Project (included below and see the full article here), which is the inspiration for Keshia’s MKA 1928 Legacy Tour.


The 5 Cyclists Project showcases the incredible untold story of five African-American women, Marylou Jackson, Velva Jackson, Ethyl Miller, Leolya Nelson and Constance White, who in 1928, biked 250 miles cross-country. At the time, cycling was overwhelmingly white and elite, a dynamic that still remains today (Mackintosh & Norcliffe, 2007). The centrepiece 5 Cyclists photograph (Scurlock, 1928), challenges essentialising assumptions as to when, how and why certain bodies cannot move through landscapes. It questions mainstream notions of who a cyclist is, where they can go, how far they travel, what spaces they can access, and how mobility shapes environments encountered. This project reminds us that certain voices and lived experiences are systematically overlooked, and the need to shed light on the complex issues and legitimacy of racialised, gendered, and classed experiences.

by Nina Ginsberg
Read more here
.


I am truly inspired by the multitude of remarkable endeavours undertaken by bike activists, and it fills me with great admiration to delve into the rich legacy of extraordinary women in the world of cycling, both past and present.

The dedication and passion exhibited by individuals like Keshia is so needed today.

To Keshia and the Bike Summit community, keep shining and making a positive impact!

English Australia: PD Fest 2023

This weekend, I’m presenting at a QLD English teachers conference. This post shares the four AI tools I’ll be presenting in my session. Enjoy! NG

Image: IEEE Teaching.org

This weekend, I am presenting at the English Australia QLD PD Fest 2023.

The EA PD Fest is an excellent opportunity to engage with fellow educators and share ideas and experiences about teaching, learning and educational engagement. I always look forward to this event and have attended several times before. See more on the EA PD Fest 2017 here and the EA PD Fest 2018 here.

The session I am presenting will explore how some AI tools can be incorporated by English teachers into classrooms. I’ve been experimenting with using AI with my English language students for a while now and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with other teachers – and hearing their ideas as well.

English Australia: PD Fest 2023. Bicycles Create Change.com 17 March 2023

Innovative AI Tools for English Language Teachers:
The Future is Now
by Nina Ginsberg

Attention all English teachers! Join us for an exciting session where you will learn how to harness the power of AI in your ELICOS classroom. In this session, we use some of the latest AI tools to engage students and reinforce English language skills. Not only will you leave with a better understanding of how AI can support language acquisition, but you will also gain practical tips and strategies for effectively integrating AI into your existing curriculum and classes. All demos are in real-time so you can see exactly how quick and easy it is to create unique and purposeful AI-supported ELICOS activities.

Bring a laptop or iPad if you want to follow along. All participants receive a handy take-home AI teacher’s resource pack. Suitable for new AI users and teachers who want to know more. This is an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in education technology and bring some excitement to your English language classroom. So don’t wait any longer, embrace the future!!

Here’s a copy of my presentation PPT:
Student permission has been given for all work shared.

English Australia: PD Fest 2023. Bicycles Create Change.com 17 March 2023

Paint by Text is a free and simple AI image editor tool that allows users to create and edit images using natural language commands. Users can give simple instructions, such as “make the sky more blue” or “remove the background”. There are three stock images to edit or you can upload your own photo.

Start with simple instructions and check the basics

  • Get student suggestions and/or pre-teach some useful words
  • Start with one simple instruction
  • Use keywords not full sentences or complex instructions
  • Check spelling
  • Discuss ambiguity

AI takes things literally

Some good things to keep in mind from Re-Thought: Write positive prompts that describe what should be present, not what should be missing. “A man without a beard” will result in a bearded man. If it is in the prompt, it is likely to be mapped. So write “a clean-shaven man” for pictures with predictably clean-shaven man

Vocabulary: use concrete instead of abstract words. For example:

  • Concrete: koala, bicycle, sushi, spaghetti, fire truck (more predicable)
  • Abstract: hope, happy, success (more diverse results)
  • Build up instructions
  • Start with one word, then build up
  • Give students a few examples: night, Umbrella, Christmas, gift, purple ribbon, in Tokyo

Grammar: discuss different language features

  • Prepositions – above, next to, besides, from, in, out, under
  • number noun OR adjective + noun

Class Activity: Change the Picture

Give students a chance to explore the tool. Ask them to change a picture three times and record what prompts were used. Students can also upload their own picture to modify. In pairs or groups, use the four images to practice key English language features, such as

  • Compare and contrast
  • Vocab: clothing, colours, setting, time, objects
  • Past, present, future
  • Tell the story…
  • Predict what picture/will happen next
  • Discuss what worked and didn’t work with each photo edit


English Australia: PD Fest 2023. Bicycles Create Change.com 17 March 2023

MURF AI is a text to speech tool that employs a versatile AI voice generator to produce natural-sounding speech from text inputs. MURF AI voice generator can customize the speech by selecting different voices, languages, and speech styles to suit specific needs. The free version offers a 300-word immediate voiceover recording and 10 mins in the studio and there is a massive range of voice selections.

The two MURF features I’ve used are the free text to speech and the Studio.

1. Text to Speech

Access this online via the NUF website Product tab. It gives 200 words and have 3 voices to choose from. Once you paste your text, it will take a few second to covert. You cannot download this copy, just listen online.

2. The Studio

Upload any documents, Google Sheets, PDFs or web links and you get 10 mins free audio. Also has a great range of voices and functionality to change speed, share and export.

Also try Speechify which is the next step up in Text to Speech.


English Australia: PD Fest 2023. Bicycles Create Change.com 17 March 2023

Teach Anything is a simple and easy to use free, open-source AI tool that allows users to ask a question which it then creates two different versions – easy or professional – of the same answer.

This tool can be used in a variety of ways:

  • a tool to quickly modify a topic introduction for upper/lower levels
  • exploring diverse perspectives
  • outlining oral presentation topics
  • comparing language registers
  • discussing vocab/language shifts from spoken/written
  • In pairs. Give one student the ‘easy’, the other student has the ‘professional’ answer. As a team look, for language shifts and changes. Then together, rewrite the answer again as a ‘new’ third version. I like to use the third as an ‘academic’ answer. This task practices and reinforces academic structures (topic sentences, TEEEL paragraphs, transition words, include examples, specific details and evidence, intext citations…etc). Or as a news report. Or as instructions.

English Australia: PD Fest 2023. Bicycles Create Change.com 17 March 2023

Night Cafe is one of many AI Art Generators that uses Artificial Intelligence to create unique pieces of art in a matter of seconds. Users can input a prompt and/or select from a range of styles. Once you sign in, the interface is relatively straight forward and you can generate one free image at a time or get a set amount of free tokens per day.

In class, I usually show three different AI art generators (Night Cafe is one) and let students experiment and chose their favourite one to work with.

Student-created AI art can be used to in English language classes in several ways:

  • Speaking and Listening: Students work in pairs or small groups to describe the AI-generated artwork to their peers. This activity can help students develop their speaking and listening skills, as well as their ability to use of targeted language features like grammar, conjunctions, transitions phrases and who, what, when, where, how and why aspects.
  • Vocabulary Building: Elicit students’ own words, preteach or scaffold vocabulary. Use AI-generated art to reinforce and/or introduce new vocabulary words. Students identify objects, places or concepts within the artwork and practice using the new vocabulary in context.
  • Writing: Use AI-generated art as inspiration for the writing assignments. Students write a paragraph, short story, poem, or dialogue based on the image, and teachers can provide feedback on their writing skills, including grammar, vocabulary and style.
  • Paragraph/Essay Writing: Students write a paragraph or short essay (cause and effect, compare and contrast, advantages and disadvantages) about the image, focusing on developing vocabulary and grammar skills and applying language features learnt from class.

The example below is from a recent class. We had been working on the topics of climate change, animal extinction and social media to practice cause and effect writing. To end on a more positive note, I asked to students to reimagine a different, more positive future. I encouraged them to be as creative as they wanted. The students used Night Cafe to create an AI image and wrote a cause-effect explanation for their new vision which they then presented to the class. They love it! Here is one example (shared with student’s permission):

English Australia: PD Fest 2023. Bicycles Create Change.com 17 March 2023

Worlding: Revisiting Chapters

Worlding: Revisiting Chapters. Bicycles Create Change.com 6 March 2023
Image: Art of Quantum 2021. Eddleman Centre for Quantum Innovation, UC Santa Barbara

Undertaking a PhD is a constant mix of wild emotions, academic tensions and ever-present confusion.

Here is an example from today in 100 words.

Revisiting Chapters

It’s a strange feeling….being back at the research desk. Revisiting methodology. Trying to produce my first ‘real’ full chapter. I need to send this to my supervisors in 10 days. Throat is tight and house needs cleaning. I force myself to stay with it. Where did I leave off a month ago? Mmmm…there it is…now that bit is okay ….interesting… actually, I wrote more than I thought!  There are some nice sections. Time to kill my darlings. Yellow highlights for gaps yet to fill. I add content from two years ago – surprised at its eloquence. It’s kinda coming together. Potential. 

Artist Hilary Warren: Everyday bikes in Hoi An, Vietnam

This blog is dedicated to celebrating bicycles in their many forms.

Art is a fundamental aspect of this passion, and I have shared numerous posts featuring artists who incorporate bikes in their work, such as:

I found Hilary’s work on the website Blue Thumb: Home of Australian Artists and it immediately caught my eye for a number of reasons.

First, she’s an Australian female artist who, despite winning many awards, is not as well known her male counterparts. But that’s not what drew me to her work – it was the fact that two out of her five prints on the site featured a bicycle!

I also appreciate that Hilary is an older artist who only has two followers and few views of her work on this platform. As someone who values supporting and increasing the visibility of lesser known or underestimated individuals, I was more interested in Hilary’s work than the others listed.

I was also interested to Hilary uses work uses etching, which is not a common art medium – and certainly not one I have seen used in bike art very often at all.

I was also intrigued by Hilary’s artwork because it brought back memories of my time in Hoi An. I had the pleasure of cycling around the city and taking in the local atmosphere, and her prints captured that feeling so well. It was a delightful reminder of the happy days I spent exploring the city on two wheels and seeing exactly the kind of houses her work depicts.

Hilary’s choice to depict bicycles in the everyday life of Hoi An is significant because it serves as a reminder that bikes are utilized by diverse communities all over the world. It challenges the normative images and pervasive media representations that often only showcase white men as cyclists. By highlighting how people from all walks of life use bicycles in their daily routines, Hilary’s prints offer a much-needed reset from the limited and exclusionary messaging we often receive about cycling. It is refreshing to see such a representation showcasing a broader range of bike riding lifestyles, contexts and experiences.

In this collection, Hilary depicts everyday life in Hoi An, Vietnam, where bicycles are a staple of daily life. The way she captures the spirit of the city and how casually the bicycles wait outside people’s front doors at the ever-ready – is simple and meaningful.

It’s a testament to the way that bicycles are woven into the fabric of a community, becoming a vital part of the culture and identity of a place.

I like that her prints are understated and simple.

The sepia wash accentuates the nostalgic feeling of bygone years ..a time when every house had a bike ……. (*sigh*)…………..

Hilary Warren the artist


Hilary Warren is a Canberra-based printmaker who began her art career after working in science. She obtained a PhD in Plant Biochemistry in 1970 and worked in Immunology until her retirement in 2014. She then turned her skills to printmaking, focusing on the Photopolymer Photogravure technique, in which she adapts her own photographs to create etched photopolymer plates. Warren has developed this skill through workshops with well-established Australian printmakers, and her hand-pulled prints are created using oil-based etching inks and Hahnemuhle paper.

Warren’s early work focused on images from her travels in Europe and Asia, but with travel limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she has started a series of botanical etchings using photographs taken in her own garden and at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. In other works, she explores still life, always emphasizing the use of light and shade to create a unique view of something ordinary.

Warren is committed to participating in the Australian and international printmaking community and finds inspiration in print exchanges, exhibitions held in Canberra by the Artists Society of Canberra and the Canberra Art Workshop, and prestigious art prizes, where she has been selected as a finalist in several. She is always eager to learn from others and continues to develop her skills through workshops and collaboration with other artists.

Read more about Hilary Warren: BIO HERE

Costa Rica: bicycle policy, tax incentives and decarbonization by 2050

Latin America is driving the promotion the use of bicycles as a means of transportation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating cleaner and healthier societies. Costa Rica has a progressive national policy that promotes the use of bicycles and road safety education. Here is a little more about what is happening there. Very inspiring! Enjoy! NG.

Photo: Gabo G./Shutterstock

Costa Rica: leading the way with national bicycle policy

Costa Rica is driving bicycle riding and policy action in Latin America.

Costa Rica is leading the way with its national policy to promote the use of bicycles.

The country is offering tax incentives for companies that encourage their staff to use bikes. This initiative forms part of the strategy to decarbonize the country by 2050.

More and more businesses are providing exclusive parking slots, showers, and changing rooms for their employees, among other facilities.

The aim is to encourage more people to use bicycles instead of cars, which generate more than 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in Costa Rica.

Road safety education

To further promote the use of bicycles, the government is calling for better street infrastructure and road safety education.

This education will be mandatory for all students in public and private schools. The government is also encouraging and regulating municipal systems of public bicycles. Public and private initiatives that promote the use of bicycles are already booming in Costa Rica.

BiciBus, a company that provides advice to those who want to replace their cars with bikes, is one of them. Another is the Cycle-Inclusive badge, which is granted to cycling-friendly businesses.

In addition, a team supported by both BiciBus and Cycle-Inclusive travelled 917 kilometres by bicycle from San José to Panama City to raise awareness of the role of bicycles in creating cleaner and healthier societies.

This initiative shows the positive impact that bicycles can have on communities and how they can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Making positive change

The initiatives highlighted in the UN Environment Programme report demonstrate the positive impact that bicycles can have on communities.

Costa Rica’s national policy to promote the use of bicycles, better street infrastructure, road safety education, and municipal systems of public bicycles are all effective ways to promote the use of bicycles as a means of transportation.

This report is a perfect example of how bicycles can create positive change, and this initiative is a model that other places should follow.

By encouraging the use of bicycles, communities can live better lives while creating a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.

An example for other countries

These initiatives taken in Costa Rica to promote bicycle usage are a remarkable example of how a country can take concrete steps towards decarbonization and creating a more sustainable future.

By offering tax incentives to companies that encourage bicycle use by their staff, improving street infrastructure and road safety education, and promoting public and private initiatives that support cycling, Costa Rica has set an impressive benchmark for other countries to follow.

It’s heartening to see the positive impact that bicycles can have on communities, and how they can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.

This case study from Costa Rica provides valuable lessons and inspiration for other cities and countries looking to embrace clean mobility and create healthier and more sustainable environments for their citizens.

Photo by Laura Dixon

Initial source idea for this post: UN Environment Programme

Winner 2021 GAET Sessional Teacher of the Year

I went to Sierra Leone to do my bikes-for-education PhD fieldwork and got back in February 2020, 10 days before COVID ceased all international travel and pushed education online. It was a super hectic time for teachers, academics, students, parents and education administrators – which is why being awarded the Griffith Award for Excellence in Teaching (GAET) – 2021 Teacher of the Year (Sessional) was such an honour. I haven’t shared this news on this blog yet as it happened in July 2022 while I was on my blog break. But now I’m back, here are some details. Hooray! NG.

Winner 2021 Teacher of the Year. Bicycles Create Change.com 13 January 2023

Regular reader of this blog know I love teaching.

I have been teaching for 17+ years and this is my 10th year at Griffith University.

I have worked hard to become the kind of inspirational teacher I wanted to have when I was a student at Uni.

In 2019, I received a Highly Commended recognition for my work with international students.

In 2020, like every other educator, I was busy managing students, classes, and colleagues as we all responded to the educational and institutional disruptions due to COVID lockdowns and migrating everything online.

So, it is an absolute honour to be recognised for all that hard work with the 2021 Griffith University Award for Excellence in Teaching – Teacher of the Year (Sessional).

2021 GAET Teacher of the Year (Sessional)

I received this award for dedication to improving the quality of education and learning experience for Griffith students and my use of a strength-based approaches to promote lifelong learning through themes of community, care, confidence, and curiosity.

The panel feedback commended my ability to make students feel more valued, empowered, and connected to learning.

CLICK HERE for more about my GAET.

After such a hectic time – this award is a wonderful boost!

Thank you to all who have supported me over the years – to the countless students, colleagues and friends who encouraged, provoked and joked with me along the way.

What is the GAET Teacher of the Year (Sessional) Award?

Griffith University’s Awards in Excellence in Teaching is a prestigious, annual award that recognizes the outstanding contribution of sessional teachers who have demonstrated excellence in their teaching practices and have made a significant impact on their students’ learning outcomes. The award aims to promote and celebrate excellence in teaching, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of sessional teachers who play a vital role in the university’s academic community.

This award recognises teaching skills, innovative teaching practices, student engagement, and contribution to the enhancement of the learning experience of students.

Winner - 2021 Teacher of the Year. Bicycles Create Change.com 13 January 2023
Griffith University Awards Night. Image: Griffith University