| Bendigo pedals to become bike capital |
Bendigo is pedalling towards becoming a bicycle destination thanks to Bike Bendigo. A man in a suit is on his way to make Bendigo the bicycle capital of Regional Australia.
Coordinator of Bike Bendigo Steven Abbott, says cycling in Bendigo is booming.
Over the last eight months, he has seen passionate local people looking to turn Bendigo into a bicycle friendly city.
"[As a next step] we thought we need a united voice here, a community based organisation to bring it all together."
Bike Bendigo is the organisation with a simple vision: more people on bikes.
This initiative has a lot to map ahead: from logo to events like Ride to Work Day. They recently held a drop-in session at Tom Flood centre before its official launch on October 17.
"We didn't want it to be a formal workshop and we invite anyone and everyone who wants to get involved."
Steven says cycling is not just for athletes riding in lycra.
"I like to ride in a suit - which is a little bit unusual, but a bike is a logical choice to get around the city and be active."
Bendigo boasts elite cycling athletes including world recent championship winner Glen O'Shea.
Steven thinks cycling is also flourishing in grassroots, as those professionals "...don't forget where they come from."
"Every second event I go to, Scott McGrory is right in down in the grass roots. Those elite sportsman want to see Bendigo continue to thrive."
Steven and Bike Bendigo members looked across the world to find the difference between the best cycling cities and those not renowned for pedal power.
"All the best had a coordinated community voice, which is legitimised through a corporation logo and branding."
Some planned Bike Bendigo initiatives include Family Fun Bike Training and Repairs sessions at monthly Farmers Market and the Bike Life column in the Bendigo Weekly.
Currently only 2 per cent of the population ride their bike to work. However Steven says bike riding is on the increase.
A bike count in March showed a 24 per cent increase in people riding to work compared to last year.
"This is high and positive but it's only one year. Bike Bendigo will commit to building a bicycle culture over a decade."
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