CWRB – Leading the Way Breakfast

CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
Image: CWRB

What is CWRB?

Chicks Who Ride Bikes (CWRB) connects women through bike riding and rewarding the businesses that support them. Established by Jordana Blackman in Brisbane in 2013 as a Facebook Group to arrange recreational bike rides, the group became the largest of its kind in the country, with more than 2,500 members in the SEQ chapter alone. Its popularity has continued to grow and the organisation now offers a range of community rides, events, services, skills sessions, ride buddy finder and come-and-try opportunities.

CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
Image: CWRB

CWRB – Leading the Way Breakfast.

This event is the second in a series of breakfast events run by CWRB. The first inaugural breakfast Climb Every Mountain was held in February, where speakers Loren Rowney and Loretta Bayliss really set the scene for following events.

The Leading the Way breakfast had a different feel to it. On arrival there was some time to mingle and have a chat while participants grabbed a coffee and found a seat.

Once again, our host Katey did a wonderful job of opening up the forum and asking a few key questions to get started. Both guests were relaxed and open to sharing stories and having a laugh.

CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
Image: CWRB @thebiciproject

It was interesting to hear Anne Savage’s point of view about cycling and being the CEO of Bicycle Queensland. Anne gave some insights about how to get more people cycling, what main issues her organisation deals with, and her personal approach to road riding in the city. 

Jordana spoke about her bold initial start in cycling and how her passion developed into establishing CWRB. Jordana has many anecdotes of wobbly starts, misfires, and U-turns, but also meaningful successes that many of us could relate too. She spoke of a series of hard times and we all wanted to know how she has kept resilient all this time.

Both speakers had quite different views, approaches and experiences of cycling. They discussed how bikes feature in their life, politics, business, family, new beginnings and overcoming challenges. There were also some great questions from the audience at the end.

CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.

As I listened to both speakers, I was struck by the widely differing types (of women) that ride bikes – and how lovely it is that no matter where you come from, or where you are going to, we share a commonality of how to get there.

I also found myself agreeing with some things being discussed, but not relating to other situations. It was yet another reminder that people ride bikes for many reasons, and we all have our own stories with bikes to tell and no two stories are the same.

When Jordana and Anne shared their experiences with a room full of 50 people, of course there are going to be overlaps, acknowledgement and concenus – but also disparity, exclusions, and surprises.

But that is what the whole event is about – celebrating differences and commonalities.

This is one of the primary reasons I enjoy going to these breakfasts. It challenges my conceptualisations of what I think and know about what it is to ‘ride a bike’ – and that other riders have different conceptualisation and experiences that are just as valid, interesting and kooky as mine.

These events remind me to stay open and welcome new experiences, new people and new ways of thinking about things.

At each of these CWRB breakfasts, I have heard something I can directly relate to and something that doesn’t fit in my schema. And a whole range of other affective reactions between.

Stories are so powerful and so important to share. At these events we have the privilege of being granted special access to another person’s private experience of bike riding – something that is completely unique.

What a gift!

And that why I love going to the CWRB breakfast events!

If you haven’t been to one of these breakfast events before, keep checking CWRB Facebook and I’ll see you at the next one!

CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.

The Panel

Here’s a little more about the panel speakers as released on the event invite. As we start getting out the arm warmers and long sleeve jerseys, why not take time out of your busy schedule and join us for a hot breakfast, good coffee and even greater conversation!

Hosted by Olympian and commentator Katey Bates, join CWRB for a hot breakfast and coffee to meet some like-minded peers.

Host: Katey Bates

An Olympian and world champion cyclist, Katey loves her cycling like Eskimos love their ice.

Fuelled by a passion for two wheels, she scaled the heights of international cycling. Her stacked results sheet is highlighted by winning a coveted rainbow jersey with world championship victory in the points race, Commonwealth Games GOLD at back to back games, and a green and gold National champions jersey on the road.

Katey is one of only two Australian women to represent Australia at the Olympics in both track and road cycling, and since retirement, works in broadcasting, commentating on major international cycling events such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Tour Down Under.

Guest Speaker: Anne Savage. CEO of Bicycle Queensland.

Without a doubt, Anne leads the way for cycling and advocacy. Anne Savage is the CEO of Bicycle Queensland. With an early career background in journalism, her recent career experience includes ten years at the Cancer Council and direction of a major project for Queensland Health. Her experience, skills, and competencies have been developed over nearly two decades of policy and advocacy practice across sectors and industries. She has directed landmark campaigns on social justice issues such as tobacco control, Indigenous health equality, and geographic and social disadvantage. Her work has introduced her to stakeholders spanning from the highest levels of government to local level community groups working as part of the global community to promote health equity and a sustainable development agenda. She’s a dedicated cyclist who has never owned a car and can’t remember how to drive.

Guest Speaker: Jordana Blackman. CEO of Chicks Who Ride Bikes.

When she was only 25, a cancer diagnosis changed her life dramatically. While in recovery, she saw a poster for a Ride To Conquer Cancer event at her local cafe. This 200km-over-2-day event was raising money for the very hospital she was treated, and she wanted to do something huge to give back. There was only one problem…

After buying her first bike (and falling off it on more occasions that she’d like to remember), she rode her first charity bike event alongside her partner and 2,000 other fundraisers – each of which had been touched in some way or another by cancer. She spent a lot of time training on her own or on an indoor wind trainer because she couldn’t find a group of girls to ride with at her pace, so when she moved interstate in 2013, she decided to create a Facebook group to make friends and meet other women who rode.

CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.
Our amazing baristas: Angeli & Rosso
CWRB - Leading the Way Breakfast. Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th May, 2019.

Transforming ex-bike-shares into mobile ‘insect’ libraries.

Transforming ex-bike-shares into mobile 'insect' libraries. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th May, 2019.

China has a problem with excess bike-share bicycles.

So what to do with all the bicycles mounting up in bike-share graveyards?

The team at LUO Studio have come up with a very innovative solution.

Their answer is a gorgeous winged beetle-shaped mobile library called Share Lady Beetle that uses retired bike-share bicycles as the frame.

Brilliant!

Transforming ex-bike-shares into mobile ‘insect’ libraries.

This project has it all: bicycles, creativity, recycling, books, education and community.

According to Luo Yujie* the Shared Lady Beetle was created after talking to a friend who teaches young children and was lamenting the regular need to have on hand interesting literacy and educational materials to help engage young students.

What better way to engage young curious minds that with this beautifully designed mobile art bike library?

Transforming ex-bike-shares into mobile 'insect' libraries. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th May, 2019.

LUO Studio’s website describes the art bike as being ‘A mirco movable library for kids’ and details more information about the project including:

  • A Reflection on “Sharing”
  • A Mobile Maker Classroom for Children
  • A Mirco Shared library
  • Shared Lady Beetle in an unknown city

The analogy given of the Shared Lady Beetle is that it is a “beneficial insect walking on the urban leaf.”

Transforming ex-bike-shares into mobile 'insect' libraries. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th May, 2019.

How is it made?

The mobile library was made using a standard retired bike-share bicycle which still has it’s two back wheels, to which an additional load-bearing wheel is added to help distribute the weight and extra length of the beetle design.

Reclaimed light-weight metal sheeting and bodywork from cars was used to make the wings and exterior exoskeleton.

The moveable wings are hinged so they can open. Inside, there are three separate levels of shelves that can hold rows of books or educational resources like paper and pens, as well as art and crafts or other materials.

The studio says they are “committed to creating more durable, friendly and quality space through creative thinking, craftsmanship spirit of devotion and caring for nature.”

Projects like these are so important in providing inspiration for creative and innovative recycling ideas for unused bicycles.

Not only is this design aesthetically beautiful and incredibly functional, it is also a prime example of how skilled upcycling (of bicycles) can be integrated into our daily moments in a way that positions bicycles as being a normal, accepted and expected part of our everyday life.

Designs such as the Shared Lady Beetle are important in helping to shift long-held traditional views that bicycles are only used (or good for) for riding and that ‘biking is unsafe’. It is projects like this one that turn such flawed logic on its head.

What a wonderful gift this art bike would be for any school or community.

I hope to see more recycled bicycle/education fusions like this in the future.

Ride and read on Lady Beetle!

Transforming ex-bike-shares into mobile 'insect' libraries. Bicycles Create Change.com. 26th May, 2019.

* Luo Yujie is the founder of LUO Studio and Director of the Sustainable Village Studio of China New Rural Planning and Design Institute. See more of LUO Studio’s work on their website which has project descriptions in Chinese and English.

All images from Colossal.

What happened at BikeHack19?

I’m still recovering from BikeHack19! It was intensive, fun and interesting for many reasons. I’m constantly being asked ..What happened?! So, here’s a summary snapshot of each day at BikeHack19. Congrats to all involved. Well done all! NG.

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
BikeHack19. Image: Twitter @TMRQld

What happened at BikeHack19?

Previously, I posted details about the upcoming BikeHack19 event in Brisbane. BikeHack19 is Australia’s first hackathon-style event where teams work to address the challenge of getting more people on bikes more often in Queensland.

It was a 45-hour intense event.

There were 90+ people, 79 hackers, 26 pitches, 13 final teams, 3 business development masterclasses, 3 mentor round-robin sessions and 1 customer focus group (30 pax) and a final pitch to an expert panel of 4 judges who decided on the prize winners. PHEW!

There was $25,000 in prize money for the 4 main categories as well as other additional prizes.

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: Channel 7 Facebook

Friday Day 1: Initiation

The event started 5 pm Friday night.

On arrival, there was time for hackers and organisers to meet-and-greet and network before the official opening.

The opening address had guest speeches by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads The Honourable Mark Bailey, Matthew Longland (Deputy Direct Generals Translink TMR), Adam Rogers (Director, Cycling & Walking TMR) and Matt McQuaid (Client Director Aurecon).

The event was facilitated by Aaron Kirby who did a great job of keeping all the teams motivated and on task all weekend. At this stage, Aaron ran participants through a warm-up game Is that your personality in your pocket? – a fun activity to get the hackers interacting and set the scene well for the ideas pitch and team formation yet to come.

A quick aside note..during the weekend, Aaron also set an additional challenge for hackers to: connect with 10 people, teach someone a skill, stay involved and build something awesome – another great way to mingle and share skills with other teams.

After the warm-up game, was the initial ideas pitch.

This is an important element of hackathons because its where hackers get to share their ideas – and its the first time other participants hear and chose what projects they might want to work on for the rest of the weekend.

Overall, there were 28 1-minute ideas pitched to the audience. Below are my quick notes on each idea and the pitches with a star next to them ended up forming teams that night (with others teams being added on Saturday).

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: TMR Qld
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.

If you’ve not been to hackathon, the 1-min pitches briefly detail who you are, what your idea is, the name of the project (if you have one) and who is needed for the team to make it happen.

We then got to vote for our favourite 3 ideas and started forming teams.

Some of the teams and people changed, joined, splintered and morphed over the next 12 hours until the teams were fully set by 10 am Saturday.

Then it was game on.

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: @TMRQld

Saturday – Day 2: Development

After an 8 am breakfast, teams got started working on their projects.

It was an intense day.

Many teams were still getting to know each other, as well as running around the city (and online), doing customer validations, continuing research, and developing and consolidating what their actual project/idea was.

From 8.30am until 6 pm, teams had a series of startup workshops (like how to use a Lean Startup model, Facebook Ads, and the event Slack platform) and a constant round-robin of consultation with mentors, industry experts, sponsors and subject matter experts.

Each mentor session added an extra layer of complexity, understanding and reality to the projects. Mentor whiplash!

At different stage throughout the day, people were running in and out of the building – hackers were busy interviewing would-be customers, making phone calls, pivoting on their ideas, tweaking concepts, mocking up product trials, sending out online surveys, designing pilots, making AV documentation, calling in favours – oh yeah…and voting in the election!

At 6 pm, all the teams had 10 mins each to explain their ideas to a focus group of 30 people who gave immediate feedback and asked questions – everyone was exhausted by this stage.

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
BikeBuddy Sunday morning ride into BikeHack19. Nina, Eric and Victor.

Sunday – Day 3: Final Day

After another early start, the morning sessions included a workshop on the final pitch and another series of last-minute mentor meetings to finalise ideas.

By lunch, all teams were working on final pitch rehearsal and preparation.

At 3 pm, all worked stopped. All team PPTs were submitted.

Guests started arriving for the final 4pm panel presentation.

For final pitches, each team had a 5-min to present with a PPT (and other realia or prototypes) to a panel of 4 judges.

The four judges, Neil Scales OBE, Evelyn Storey, Peter Bourke and Majella Edwards.

The judging criteria: Validation, Business Model and Execution.

Here’s the final team panel pitch order:

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
The awesome Brisbane River Cycle Team. Image: TMR Qld

Individual BikeHack19 Awards

A big thank you also to Prof. Rowena Barrett and QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Business School, (QUT Fondary and QUT Real World) who offered 5 additional cash and recognition prizes to individual hackers.

  1. Spirit of the Hack 
  2. Best social media engagement 
  3. Hustler Award
  4. People’s Choice 
  5. Pivot Award

It was a real honour to receive the Spirit of the Hack Award. It was a little embarrassing when the Aaron asked the whole room to stand up and point to the person they think embodied the spirit of the event – and everyone pointed to me! I was awarded it for helping other teams, being enthusiastic and having a passion for getting more people on bikes – of course!

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.

Beyond BikeHack19

This BikeHack event must have been a massive effort to get organised.

As a participant, I was impressed by how available and supportive the organisers and sponsors were over the whole weekend.

Congrats and thanks to all!

A massive big thank you to the amazing sponsors, organisers, mentors and volunteers who made this weekend possible.

This includes event organisers Fishburners Sarah and Issac who were particularly outstanding. Sarah I will not forget your stairwell help! Fishburners supplies a brilliant range of inspiration, collection and connection to support tech startups including a collaborative office space in Brisbane.

Aurecon supplied their amazing office for the event. It was an absolute delight being able to work in their office space – thank you!

The TMR Queensland staff were always on hand to answer questions and help out where and whenever they were needed.

And kudos to the supporting sponsors Deloitte, 99 Bikes, Pedal, Merida and event facilitator Aaron Birkby.

I think all the teams did really well and as a participant I can appreciate all the extra hard work behind the scenes that no-one else sees. I also commend all the teams on their final pitches – it is such a difficult thing to do.

Below are the 4 category winners and the DG’s special prize.

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Images: BikeHack19

Overall it was an epic event. The weekend was full of the necessary ups and downs that come with hackathons, startups and working with new people.

A big congrats to all the hackers who participated and gave their time, skills, ideas and energy to help explore ideas get more people on bikes more often in Queensland.

Great job everyone!

See you for the next BikeHack!

What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
The Cylight Team
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: Twitter @ItawTf
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: Twitter @IHolmyrd
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: Channel 7 Faceboo
What happened at BikeHack19? Bicycles Create Change.com. 21st May, 2019.
Image: TMR Qld

Bike Shop Artist Residency

Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

I love seeing art in bike shops.

Bikes and Art just go together.

It is a pairing that makes sense – like bikes and dogs, or bikes and coffee, or bikes and sunshine (*sigh*).

Free Cycles Community Bike Shop is in Missoula, (Montana, USA).

This shop is already a stand out example of a grassroots bike shop that offers a wide range of services, programs and events, including music, performances, theatre, food/organics, trivia, and film nights – in addition to its other bike-related workshops, community events, fundraising, education and outreach programs. Phew!

Free Cycles has a long history of supporting local and visiting artists by providing a performance space for their ongoing creative and artistic program.

To add to this, Free Cycles initiated an Artist Residency Program.

Such a great idea!

Biking is a creative act for many people.

Aside from being a great use of space, resources and networks, having a local artist in a bike shop is a great way to cross-pollinate, motivate and actively support community integration, extension and diversity. Very cool!

Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

Video: Path Less Pedaled

Overview

This project facilitate the creation of art at Free Cycles Community Bike Shop in Missoula for public exhibition/interaction, with used bicycle parts from Free Cycles and recycled materials donated by Home ReSource.

The Artist in Residence Program create a more dedicated interaction between artist and place; practice and environment; art and bicycle; sculpture and community.

Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

What is the artists program?

The Artist in Residence Program at Free Cycles is a new initiative to connect Artists with the Missoula community through the love of cycling.

Artists are invited through a public art call, and when selected may spend up to one month in the warehouse studio.

Here Artists are granted the time, space, materials, and equipment to create.

Artist participants are able to source materials from the thousands of donated bikes in stock on the Free Cycles property, as well as donated and reclaimed construction materials from local materials giving partner Home ReSource.

Upon completion of their residency Artists in Residence are asked to provide one workshop day to staff and volunteers, one workshop day to be offered free of charge to the public, and one work of art suitable for installation on the Free Cycles 2 acre property.

In its initial year the program is set to offer residencies to four local artists.

The program’s goal is to be able to offer artists fair compensation for their educational work and provide a stipend for their time in residence with hopes that future funding can grow these amounts to seek artists in all stages of their careers.

Bike Shop Artist Residency. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

Why initiate an artists program?

The planning process for this project has been happening informally for many years.

By offering a community space, that encourages citizen interaction, Artists are attracted organically out of their love for creative process.

For more than two decades Artists have been creating with materials from Free Cycles, often in their own shops but sometimes on site.

With the recent purchase of the two-acre property and 28,000-square feet of building space this year has provided opportunity to formalize our artist oriented programming and increase our community workshop offerings.  

This program will ensure the future of the Free Cycles warehouse as a permanent part of the Free Cycles Community Bike Shop’s engagement at a pivotal time in the property’s future. 

Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

Who is ‘MIST’?

MIST is the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation. MIST is a citizen-based non-profit organization in Missoula, Montana. They have a strong focus on making walking, bicycling, and public transit more complete, accessible and enjoyable.

They work to create a system of movement that is safe, equitable and environmentally sound. Four programs work towards these goals, of which Free Cycles Community Bicycle Shop is one.

Free Cycles Community Bicycle Shop seeks to create a healthy community through a wide range of strategies.

The goal of Free Cycles is to help Missoula, Montana transition to a more sustainable transportation system while simultaneously setting a strong example for other places. 

Through these programs will help individuals collaborate and work to be active stewards of the community with an emphasis on social and environmental justice. The idea is to work towards this mission through education, empowerment, and engagement.

The education programs strive to give people the knowledge to maintain their bicycle independently, use it safely, and eventually share their skills with others.

By increasing the accessibility of human powered transportation, the organisers seek to directly empower individuals from all walks of life with the ability to move themselves.

Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

Free Cycle Projects

These projects focus on community engagement to facilitate a sense of collective responsibility, a strong sense of place, and human connectivity.

Free cycles has had approximately 200,000 total participants to date. There have been 38,000 bikes donated since 1996 of which about half gone out as free bikes while about one quarter have been recycled and one quarter have been repurposed. About 6,000 have taken the BikeWell safety, maintenance, and orientation class.

Bike Shop Artist Residency. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency Program. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.
Bike Shop Artist Residency. Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th May, 2019.

All Images: Free Cycle website or @freecyclemissoula (IG). This post was adapted from an article first published on Indiegogo.

Happy Fearful Mother’s Day Cycling Mums!

Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create
The joy of being a cycling mum. Image: Trek Cycles

Today is Mother’s Day.

The idea of Mother’s Day is to honour mothers for all they have done.

Traditionally, family members give flowers, cards and gifts, or make mums breakfast in bed or take them out for lunch. Or something that is similarly supportive and nice.

I went online to see what was being peddled specifically for ‘cycling mums’.

I expected to see the normal product-pushing commercial crap (which was all there of course), but then I saw an article I found very disturbing.

It was on BikeRoar, a website touted as being an independent product resource website devoted to helping cyclists #BuyLocal – fair enough.

Published last year under the section heading TECH TIPS, it was written by Australian cyclist Jayne Rutter and titled 11 Mother’s Day gifts for cycling mums.

The list of 11 gift ideas looked innocent enough.

  • The first item was a water bottle.
  • The second was a free massage.
  • The third was a book.
  • The fourth ‘a 2-hour leave pass from the kids’ to ride to a local café
  • The fifth was a Run Angel Personal Safety Device

…………..and it was the last one that stopped me.

Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create Change.com. 12th May, 2019.
Image: BikeRoar’s #5 top gift for Mothers Day

I didn’t read on.

There is so much wrong with this list.

First, the article is listed under ‘Tech Tips’. It has 11 items, but only one (#5 above) is actually a tech product. There is a Garmin mount (#6), but not the actual Garmin. Odd. I sincerely hope this is not because of some preconditioned, subtle, habitual, gender stereotype like women aren’t good at tech…. 1 out of 11?

But more than that, it was the actual product #5 itself I found unsettling.

I appreciate that this product comes from a place of concern.

But its very existence is a recognition that abuse of women is so widespread that no woman is safe – at any time.

Violence against women has become so commonplace that giving a personal safety alarm to our mothers is one of the top five gifts we can get her. Really? Top five. I find that so disturbing.

Have we become so accepting and desensitised that violence against women occurs so regularly that we are equipping our mothers with panic alarms – for when they ride their bikes in broad day light!

What the hell!!

Do you know any male cyclists who wear panic alarms?

I find it disconcerting that most people would not see, or question how disempowering for women this seemingly harmless Mother’s Day list and the giving of a personal alarm is. And therein lies the issue.

Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create Change.com. 12th May, 2019.

Female bike riders are at risk

It can be hard to recognise and understand the scale of abuse women experience.

Women face physical and sexual abuse all the time.

Women constantly get unwanted comments, looks, sniggers, honks and disparaging, offensive, sexualised remarks like ‘I’d hold a knife to that’ (said by two men walking past Laura Bates*). We live in a society where ‘I feel rapey’ t-shirts are now sold on Ebay.*

If you think I’m over-exaggerating, have a look at the Everyday Sexism Project*.

As a woman, riding a bike makes you a target.

Or running.

Or walking a dog.

Or going to school.

Or going to the shops.

Or………………. well, you get the picture.

It can be challenging for the amazing men in our lives to understand the extent and danger to physical safety that just being a female is.

Just because you might not see it or experience it yourself, does not mean it is not happening.

Women routinely feel unsafe. We live in a culture where women are culturally trained to fear men, being outside, being mobile, being in public and being alone.

Verbal attacks, sexual assault, rape and street harassment are commonplace. Just ask a female friend or family member about getting public transport after dark.

Aside from all these issues, the personal alarm is also problematic because it puts the responsibility of criminal behaviour on the (would-be) victims. Women. As Laura Kipnis points out “I can think of no better way to subjugate women than to convince us that assault is around every corner”.

We place the responsibility of persistent and immediate danger on women, who then restrict their movements, reduce activities and live in a perpetual state of anxiety. That’s control.

Yup, the epitome of a modern, free, independent woman.

Another issue is that the personal alarm suggests that women are unsafe only when out of the house – like when riding a bike – and that attacks are only perpetrated on the street by strangers. Yes, this happens a lot, but it is not the full picture.

The idea that women are only unsafe in public is a fallacy.

A Personal Safety Survey conducted in 2012 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated that most instances of violence against women were perpetrated by someone known to them: around 74% of women who had experienced violence in the last 12 months, and 87% of women who had experienced violence since the age of 15, reported that the perpetrator was someone they know.[8]

Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create
Image: Lyndsay Williams. The Toronto Star.

Abuse of female cyclists occurs every day

Women know this abuse happens, but sadly, most men are unaware of the extent and impact gender and sexual harassment have on females and female cyclists.

A few recent news pieces have tried to highlight the issue:

Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create Change.com. 12th May, 2019.

So, this Mother’s Day was frustrating.

I am angry that the happiness and warmth that should be the focus for Mother’s Day is undermined by seemingly ‘nice and thoughtful’ gifts which are actually unchecked, unspoken and unseen consequences of the misogynistic control and abuse of women.

Perhaps a more apt sentiment for today is Happy Fearful Mother’s Day Cycling Mums!

I have hope though.

There are many amazing women and men who call out any behaviour that would make a mother, any woman, or any person, feel uncomfortable.

I salute these people.

I hope our cycling community shows it’s strength, voice and action to make sure ALL riders, including women, are made to feel welcomed, safe and respected every time they ride.

Perhaps then, we’ll have no need of panic alarms for female cyclists.

Here’s to hoping.

Have a safe Mother’s Day all.

Resources:

Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create Change.com. 12th May, 2019.
Image: Bill Penn
Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create Change.com. 12th May, 2019.
Image: Rape and Domestic Violence Australia
Happy Fearful Mother's Day Cycling Mums! Bicycles Create Change.com. 12th May, 2019.
ABC Breakfast radio segment (above): Constant abuse stops women riding bikes

Transferring Alison’s sailing insights to BikeHack19

My last post was an invitation to Brisbane’s upcoming BikeHack19 event. I have had a lot of interesting responses and conversations with friends and colleagues about this event and suggestions for pitches.

I asked Alison Turner, a dear friend, if she would like to come to BikeHack19 with me. 

Alison and I have worked on a number of creative projects before. She not only has a head for business and project managing, but she is a skilled artist in her own right and I have called on her (many times!) when working on this-or-that thing either to cast her discerning eye over an idea, to practically help solve a design issue or just to join in making whatever it is I’m working on.

She is great company, a skilled artist, a flexible thinker and killer at scrabble – everything you want in a project buddy!

Unfortunately though, Alison can’t come to BikeHack19.

But the offer got her thinking.

Alison worked for Australia Sailing for many years and was in charge of training and increasing participation in sailing in Queensland. So unbeknownst to me, she set her business prowess and program insights to good work. After doing some research of her own, she used her experience promoting sailing participation to the BikeHack19 cycling challenge and brainstormed some ideas.

The next time I saw Alison, she presented me with her brainstorm (see below) and explained it in detail – it was spot on.

Transferring Alison’s sailing insights to BikeHack19. Bicycles Create Change.com. 8th May, 2019.
Alison and her BikeHack19 brainstorm.

We chatted about the similarities in crossover of participation issues between sailing and cycling – and how much transferability there was between the two sports.

I love having people like Alison in our community. She is an example of those who not only freely give their time and ideas to friends, but who are equally excited to apply the same effort and passion to building a more cohesive and active community – what a gift!

I am very appreciative to Alison.

Thanks so much for your ideas and time!

I will definitely be taking these ideas to BikeHack19.

Alison’s initial brainstorm

Key organizations:

Sport Aus/Aust Sport and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

Clearing House for Sport

Using as background the Gemba Report 2012:

  • Cycling had (in 2012) 17% participation joint third in the 15 sports Surveyed with swimming the top at 33% and sailing at the bottom with 2%
  • Gender ratios in cycling were 18% male and 15% female
  • Cycling participation declined from 31% in the 5-9 year age group, 27% in the 65-75 year age group
  • 39% of participants cycle more than once a week
  • Of the top 15 sports, cycling is third with 8.8point eight% participation and frequency (after gym and swimming)
  • Future interest insight going showed 5% really interested, 10% neutral, and 69% not interested
  • Barriers to cycling participation – cost, lack of equipment and who to participate with
  • Cycling was NOT in the top 5 sports noted as being:
    • ageless
    • innovative
    • Australian
    • exciting
    • fun
    • has integrity
    • accessible
    • community
    • cool
    • exclusive
    • for older people
    • for younger people
    • gaining in popularity
    • International
    • popular or safe

General comments

  • Sponsorship for programs are likely to be remembered
  • In my sports males are more dominant
  • Competition is a very small percentage of participation in sport
  • Health is improved if participants find enjoyment in the sport
  • Are there any junior cycling programs like Auskick or Surf Groms or Surf lifesaving Nippers?
  • Future participant needs should be considered
Transferring Alison’s sailing insights to BikeHack19. Bicycles Create Change.com. 8th May, 2019.
Transferring Alison’s sailing insights to BikeHack19. Bicycles Create Change.com. 8th May, 2019.
Transferring Alison’s sailing insights to BikeHack19. Bicycles Create Change.com. 8th May, 2019.

BikeHack19 Invite

BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.

Brisbane is hosting Australia’s first-ever hackathon about bike riding BikeHack19 later this month.

In a similar vein to a 3 Day Start Up or tech Hackathons, this event is focused on solving a problem. In this case, the cycling challenge is…..

How can bike riding be more accessible and appealing in Queensland so people ride bikes more often?

This event is not focused on changing policy, but it is an exploration of any other possibilities that could include bike tech, gamification, design, data, support services or new business ideas.

Anyone over the age of 18 can participate as long as they are not a government employee.

When I went earlier this week to BikeHack19’s info night, I was sitting next to a tech start-up entrepreneur on one side and an engineer on the other. Other people I spoke to came from widely diverse backgrounds including sociologists, researchers, students, town planners, public health academics and programmers. I was surprised at how few cyclists there were.

Here’s the event schedule.

BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.

BikeHack19 is promoted as being an opportunity to meet new people and expand networks. As well as working with fellow hackers in teams over the weekend to process their ideas, there are also industry experts, advisors and funders on hand to suggest and mentor teams throughout the process.

Previously, I participated in a 3 Day Start-Up  (3DS) intensive which ran 40 Griffith PhD candidates through an entrepreneurial practical intensive on how to develop aspects of their PhD research into a start-up business. It was fun, but very intense. Five key reflections emerged for me from my 3DS experience – insights that I will need to revisit as I consider if I will participate in BikeHack19.

It was interesting to see some of alternative views about BikeHack19’s purpose and objectives being voiced on Reddit.  In many cases, online forums and interest groups have a wealth of ideas and comments on localised issues.

BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.

Ideas, resources and profiles

A long list of relevant data and an array of resources have been collated to help generate the best ideas – here is a few:

BikeHack19 provides a comprehensive list of data and resources – check it out!

Queensland Bike Strategy’s recent bike riding updates and case studies.

To help focus and refine ideas, the organisers commissioned Enhance Research to look into the issue using a 3-phase research design. They collated findings into 3 ‘profiles’ on the common type of bike riders in Queensland and their motivation.

These profiles (see them below) inform the three challenge categories and can be used as a stimulus ‘target market’ for the teams.

BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.

Cash Prizes

Overall, there is $25,000 in prize money – much more than other similar events.

The $25,000 is divided into four cash prizes.

            Overall team with best idea: – $10,000

One (1) overall winner prize of $10,000 for ‘best overall idea’ and three category winner prizes ($5,000 each) will go to the teams that come up the best ideas that address each of the three categories:

  1. Active Transport – $5,000 prize
  2. Happy, Healthy Families – $5,000 prize
  3. Tourism and Recreation – $5,000 prize

Winners will be determined by a judging panel on the Sunday night. Prize money will be distributed to each member of the winning team, equally with no strings attached.

BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.

What is expected by the end of the weekend?

There are no hard and fast rules on what is expected as a finished ‘product’ to be pitched in the final presentation on Sunday evening.  The focus is more on teams working through stages of ideation, process and development of solutions to the challenge.

So if you have an idea about how to get more Queenslanders on bicycles – check out BikeHack19 and pitch your idea.

Who knows maybe your idea will win!

To be part of BikeHack19 will cost you $30. Register here

BikeHack19 is proudly presented by Fishburners Brisbane in collaboration with Aaron Birkby, and is supported by Aurecon and the Dept. of Transport and Roads.

Here are the three profiles:

BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.
BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.
BikeHack19 Invite. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th May, 2019.

All images from: BikeHack19 or from the event info night PPT by Enhance Research.