This week, I attended the Chicks Who Ride Bikes (CWRB) first event for the year – the Climb Every Mountain Breakfast.
Last month, I posted about this event and how much I was looking forward to it. The breakfast was hosted by Olympian and cycling commentator Katey Bates who was joined by panelists Aussie cycling legend Loren Rowney and Media guru Jane Aubrey. Unfortunately, Chief CWRB Jordana Blackman couldn’t make it. It was a great way to start the day, the morning was glorious and I really liked the early breakfast format. I got there just ahead of time, signed in and headed out onto the Ship Inn deck to grab a coffee and mingle.
The format allowed for social time on arrival for the first half an hour, then we sat down for breakfast, where we got to meet a whole new group of people at the table. Then the panel took to the stage for a discussion and Q & A, and prizes were given out at the end.
I didn’t have to rush off for work so was also able to hang around and chat some more at the end as well which was an extra bonus!
The view overlooking Southbank from the deck was a wonderful backdrop. The coffee kicked in early and people were mingling and networking. I had a couple of lovely chats to new people and made sure I sat with people I hadn’t yet meet when we sat down for breakfast.
The panel discussion was very interesting.
I like the discussion-style, open, unscripted approach. The stories, challenges and success that Loren Rowney and Loretta Bayliss each shared were poignant, heartfelt and honest. They both have had such different interests, approaches, trajectories, choices and struggles.
Loren spoke of what happened when she was selected to be on the Australian Olympic Cycling Team, how she has dealt with her infamous crash and what she has been working on since.
Loretta drew on her love of mountain climbing, the importance of her ‘tribe’ when building an IT company and the role her children have had in shaping her understandings of life and herself.
Katey was a consumate host: there were laughs and contrasts, a good variety in questions, and she expertly linked panelist insights back to the collective audience.
There is a real power in hearing personal experiences first-hand!
Image: CWRB
There were many highlights, but a few standouts were the personal nature of the event, the vulnerability of the speakers, the friendliness of the attendees, and having a social event that doesn’t involve alcohol.
My favorite aspect of this event was simply having the designated time to meet and talk to a new group of women who I would otherwise not have met – and that we all had a common passion out of which other connections, ideas and topics emerged.
A big thank you to all those who attended – and to the organisers for putting on such an enjoyable and interesting event.
What a wonderful inaugural #CWRB event to kick-start the year!
The 2019 Brisbane
Bicycle Short Film Festival is fast approaching.
This year, it’s on Friday 29th March at the Schonell
Theatre (UQ) St Lucia, Brisbane.
This Bike Festival
is a great night out and Space
for Cycling Brisbane does a great job of putting this festival together.
It’s not surprising
that tickets sell out quickly.
To start the night you can join the Style not Speed social ride to get there. On arrival, there is usually some bicycle-themed entertainment and a chance to mingle and chat about all things bikey.
Image: Style Over Speed (Brisbane)
The festival is divided
into two parts.
The first half
showcases the finalists of the Brisbane Bike Bite entrants. These are local
short films of no more than 5 mins and are often the most popular part of the
night.
This film’s synopsis
is 2600 kilometers, 420 dollars, 30 days, 5 bikes, 3 cameras, 2
guitars, 1 voice, and one of the most influential novels of the 20th century –
The Bikes of Wrath is a story of adventure, physical struggle, human
connection, cultural commentary and the American Dream.
Looks super interesting!
So, if you have not
done so already – get your tickets!
The new year break is a time when many families hit the road for an annual holiday.
Cars full of people travel up and down the Australian East Coast heading to their favourite travel destination.
If you find yourself travelling through Central NSW, why not check out the Animals on Bikes tourist trail?
Animals on Bikes is a 120km creative ‘paddock art’ installation of…. well…. animals on bikes… that you can see from your car as you drive along.
What is Animals on Bikes?
Originally, the inspiration for the project (started by Christine Western), was to capitalize on local tourist services and attractions, such as the Dubbo Zoo.
But as 8 years of drought continued to ravage local farms, it also become a way ‘to boost morale and improve the economic health of our rural-reliant central west communities’.
Animals on Bikesstarted in 2009 as a series of 45 creative 2-metre high sculptures and some smaller ones created by local farmers, farmers wives, Men’s sheds, bus drivers, preschool kids, playgroup mums and other locals.
Now, there are over 100 sculptures on display.
All installations are located off the main highway, between Molong and the Dubbo Zoo, via Cumnock and Yeoval. You can download a map and self-drive a route that suits you.
Image: Animals on Bikes
This project is quite remarkable.
Its impressive that the local community galvanised to link into, and extend, the local region’s tourism industry in creative and unique ways – as well as showcasing the talent, humour and ingenuity of local residents.
Many rural areas are being negatively affected by new highway developments that bypass communities – a theme immortalized as per Radiator Springs in the Disney movie ‘Cars’ for instance. This project is a great example of one community’s proactive approach to redress this.
Image: Rosie the Red Backed Spider. Animals on BikesImage: Animals on BikesImage: Australian TravellerImage: Animals on BikesImage: Animals on BikesImage: Animals on Bikes Image: Animals on Bikes
A big thanks to Claire Tracey, who suggested this story after seeing Animals on Bikes on a trip from Brisbane to Canberra. Thank you! We love it!
This touching guest post comes from Bicycle Create Change’s Research Assistant Nao Kamakura. Nao has recently completed her residency with BBC and is currently traveling Australia, then home to Japan. Here, Nao reflects on her time as a new international student in Brisbane and how hard it was to meet locals. Nao found a commonality with others when riding her bike and this post recounts some of the memorable times she had – thanks to her bike. We can all relate to moments in this post. Thanks for sharing Nao – happy travels and enjoy your rides! NG.
Nao on a bike ride in Brisbane. August, 2018.
Nao’s Reflections on bicycles, Brisbane and networking
Today, I would like to write about my bicycle experience in Brisbane.
Ever since I first came to Brisbane, I have always looked for authentic opportunities to meet new people, make some local friends and build my network. This is because I came to Brisbane alone and didn’t know anyone.
Bicycles helped me communicate with new people
When I first started as Nina’s researcher, I went to a networking event held in the city. Of course, I didn’t know anyone.
Some people are very good at communicating with new people, but unfortunately, I am not that kind of person.
My mind was always fighting – I want to go to this event, but I really don’t want to go!! In addition, I was still worried about my English speaking skill.
So I was a bit nervous.
In my mind, I felt a little bit of panic, things like “With whom should I talk to first?” or “What should I talk about?”.
Then, one person came late and he said “Sorry I’m late and sweaty – it’s because I came by bicycle”
Chaaaance.
I told him that I was a research assistant for a Griffith academic and I was investigating mountain biking.
That was how I could start a conversation with him – about bicycles. It was as easy as that.
Coincidently, he had just finished his PhD at the same University and he told me all about his research. This kind of communication was very interesting for me. But it was only made possible because of bicycles.
This small bicycle conversation led me to build an interesting network.
Evenso, at this early stage, I still didn’t have a special interest in bicycles – yet.
Image: Freepic
In the workplace – ‘the bicycle girl’
A few weeks later, I bought a bicycle.
To finish my studies, I had to do a workplace intership. I wanted to use the bike to get to there because my student concession travel card had expired. Basically, I just wanted to save money.
It was 6km from my home to the company. The road included some slopes and hills, so it was not easy for me to ride the bike for the first few weeks.
At work, people noticed that I rode there and home each day.
Work colleagues started to talk to me about bicycles and riding.
I was surprised.
I wouldn’t have known what to talk about with these same colleagues if I didn’t have my bicycle. But now, people were starting a conversation with me and they wanted to keep talking about it!
Everyone recognised me as ‘the bicycle girl’.
This meant I had many conversations and met even more new people.
One time, a colleague invited me to join a bicycle event with her – and she also asked me to go to Fraser Island with her!
What a miracle! Lucky me!
Riding a bicycle helped my communication and confidence in this new work environment. It was a very special opportunity that I would not have experinced without a bike.
Image: @cyclingbrisbane
Out and about
As for getting used to riding a bicycle, I started to use my bike as ‘recreational equipment’.
I often went to the farmer’s markets near the city on my bike.
Cycling became my new hobby in Brisbane.
On the way to go to markets, I could see that Brisbane’s scenery is very, very beautiful.
Just riding along the riverside made me happy.
Image: @cyclingbrisbane
It was during this time that I realised the full attractiveness of bicycles.
This is just my personal opinion, but I REALLY love riding bikes now.
It puts me into a positive mindset.
When I sold my bicycle (because I had to move out), I was extremely sad….without my bicycle I felt naked!
This website’s title is ‘Bicycle Creates Change’ That is very true.
‘Change’ depends on the person. My bicycle helped me to communicate with people and that was a big change for me 🙂
Last weekend was the 2018 Chicks in the Sticks 3 hr Enduro event.
Chicks in the Sticks (CITS) is Queensland’s premier all-women’s MTB event. It has been running now for 4 years and registrations have been gaining steadily. This year there were 233 entrants.
CITS is all-inclusive race experience catering for both elite riders and those new to MTB and there is a strong emphasis on fun, community and giving riding a go.
The original date set in late August at the Karingal site was cancelled due to thunderstorms.
As luck would have it, the rain cleared on Sunday and a beautiful steamy and sunny day burst forth for our race day at Scribbly Gums Conservation Park.
How was the event?
I got there early and set up a little area for my gear and bags. The junior race started soon after and it was inspiring to see the under-10 girls giving it their all.
I got my race plate, chatted to a few people I knew and visited a few of the stalls. After getting a sense of where the senior race track was, I moved my gear to a position that was quick and easy to have a pit shop to replenish supplies during the race.
Unlike previous years, this time I was riding the full 3-hour solo. As the morning got more humid and hot, I could see that this change in weather was going to be a factor during the race and I was glad I gave some good thought to my water and race supplies.
My approach was to ride steady and see how I felt. It’s been 2 years since I’ve officially raced – and I was at CITS to support the event, not to ride hard and total myself. There were some elite racers out to smash it and many were there to give it a go and a surprising number of seniors were doing their first ever race.
I was not in costume, just comfortable MTB gear – a decision I was very grateful for later when the sun was blaring down and I saw many people in costumes suffering more so. I could see the heat taking a toll on the less experienced riders. By lap 3 (2 hours in) the field had spread out considerably, with quite a few calling it quits early due to the heat.
I rode with a few people who were struggling on the uphill fire trail – just chatting and encouraging. One lady had not eaten, so I gave her some of my food and keep her company up the hill. It reminded me how hard it was when I first started riding and how much I valued the insights and advice of my more experienced MTB mates. Their input saved me a lot of needless suffering – for which I am eternally thankful.
Image: Chicks in the Sticks
What else happened?
Interestingly, I was the only singlespeed riding- and the trails were perfect for it. Really, there was bugger all elevation, but lots of windy single track. The consistently tight turns and gravel spread the field right out. Confident cornering technique played a massive role in conserving energy and holding speed. Perfect conditions!
I chugged along at my own speed and chatted to a few other riders. My goal was to keep my head positive and enjoy the day – everything else was a bonus. So without any race expectations, it meant I could relax and enjoy the ride.
I found my groove after lap two and was feeling surprisingly comfortable. I ended up doing 5 laps 9kms laps in total without destroying myself in the heat and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
It was good to be part of this event. It was lovely to see how hard people were working and how different people deal with their individual race day challenges.
I had a great time riding and was glad I pushed myself to ride further than I have previously without destroying myself. It was a great day for a ride and the event was super fun. I will definitely be back next year! See you there!
Congrats to the organisers!
Kudos to the organisers and all the wonderful people that helped make this such a fabulous event like the participants, the RATS Cycling Club, volunteers and heaps of partners/family/friends.
The Chicks in the Sticks committee did a great job. A big congratulations to Barbra Neal, Lisa Toia, Amanda Harrison, Seb Mitaros and Christine McKay for all their hard work behind the scenes.
Congrats to all the riders – especially those who were riding for the first time.
It is always so inspiring to see how proactive, creative and engaging the Bike Bendigo crew are.
Each year they add more amazing events to their ever-expanding calendar of awesome bikey-things to see and do.
No wonder Bendigo is Australia’s premier regional cycling capital!
This week saw the opening event of their annual month-long bike Bike Palooza Bendigo festival.
Source: Gold Central Victoria – The Yarn Ride
Bike Palooza Bendigo
The Bike Palooza Bendigo calendar has over 120 bike-related events for all ages, stages and interests.
To kick it all off, there was a colourful community event, where families and riders of all ages donned their favourite dress-ups and met at Wolstencraft Gardens for a picnic and day full of free creative and fun activities.
Source: Bendigo Advertiser
What’s on?
Bike Palooza offers heaps of events and activities, including:
Australian Walking and Cycling Conference (29-30 October)
CycleLifeHQ National Cycling Tourism Conference (26 October)
Pop-up learn to ride park and Open Streets Bendigo (27 October)
Filmed by Bike international film festival (27 October)
Bendigo Cycling Classic (28 October)
Open Streets Bendigo at Fun Loong Fun Day (20 October)
Ride2Work Day (17 October)
Community rides every Sunday
This year will also see an inaugural pop-up learn to ride park, which will be held on Saturday 27 October.
Source: Bendigo Advertiser – The Yarn Ride
The Yarn Ride
My favourite event this year would have to be the first ever Yarn Ride set for 14 October.
I love the idea of a parade of yarn bombed bikes taking over the streets – ridden proudly by knitted, woolly jumpered and bescarfed cyclists.
Wicked!
What a great way to celebrate bike riding and get more people involved in bicycle culture.
So if you are in the area, be sure to grab your bike, head down and get involved!
Earlier this year at the EA (QLD) PD Fest, our Bicycles Create Change session won the QLD Bright Ideas Award.
So, thanks to Pearson and the EA Queensland Branch, I’m in Sydney representing our BCC internship team session at the conference.
I am very honoured and very excited!
EAC 2018 Day 2 Program
Session Presentation:
From EAS to Collaborative Internship:
Lessons and insights where Bicycles Create Change
Many international students undertake English and Academic Skills (EAS) and DEP bridging classes to get into university with the ultimate aim of getting a job in their field of study.
There is a perception that English classrooms are for learning English, University tutorials are for discipline-specific content, and the workplace is for vocational skills. Internships are one-way students can become more work-ready. However, a number of studies confirm that current tertiary students lack generic employability skills (ACNielsen Research Services 2000; ACCI/BCA 2002), an issue that is even more challenging for international students.
I was curious to explore what a career development program that specifically catered to the academic, vocational and personal needs of the international students in my DEP classes might look like.
This presentation is a brief overview of the origins, activities and outcomes of this exploration: The Bicycles Create Change.com 2016 Summer Internship Program.
Program background
This Internship was a volunteer, eight-week, collaborative internship that ran from January 4th to February 27th, 2016. It required participants to fulfil 80-110 working hours.
The blog Bicycles Create Change.com (which has over 110,000 readers locally and internationally) served as the professional platform for work activities as it was a low-cost, high-exposure, authentic, skills-integrated outlet to showcase work.
The program was semi-structured with space to modify and self-initiative content. Hours were achieved individually, in pairs and as a team. The team met for one full day each week to review tasks, run workshops, refine skills and to discuss progress.
Theoretical underpinnings
This program integrated key theories including, scaffolding new skills (Vygotsky 1987), the need for authentic vocational guidance, participation and engagement (Billet, 2002), promoting creative thinking and expression (Judkins, 2015) and building on foundational DEP EAS skills and competencies (GELI, n.d.).
Origins and participants
The four volunteer participants varied in ages, backgrounds and degree levels and disciplines. The 4 volunteers for this program were; Sachie (female, 23, Japanese, Philosophy undergrad), Mauricio (male, 33, Columbian, IT PG), Juliet (female, 37, Indian, Special Education PG) and Gabriel (male, 42, Cameroonian, Social Work PG).
All participants had just graduated from the Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) 10-week DEP program in December.
Semester 1 2016 did not commence until Feb 28th. This left a gap of 9 weeks before university started, which is when the internship was undertaken.
Key considerations
There were are a number of key considerations built into this program:
Strengthening self-confidence and independent learning
Experience with unique, transferable and challenging skills
Fostering creativity and valuing artistic expression
Emphasis on developing reflection, collaboration and planning skills
Integrating EAS, vocation and personal skills to a range of contexts
Promoting initiative and the ability to generate own opportunities
Increasing employability, CV and work-ready skills
Authentic interactions and connection with locals/community
Create a comprehensive evidence portfolio of work, skills and achievements
To have fun applying skills in a challenging and productive way
Program design
The focus was to build on current competencies, develop new skills, build a professional portfolio of experience (and evidence), and for participants to become more confident in initiating their own opportunities and outputs.
This program minimised the ‘daily’ supervision and ‘student’ mentality of traditional internships to instead put supported autonomy firmly into the hands of each participant, who ultimately self-managed their own workload.
Tailored experiences (below) provided exposure to a collection of advanced competencies that are cumulatively not commonly experienced in other internships or classes.
The program integrated three main competency streams: EAS, Professional Skills and Individual Development. The program was scaffolded, so tasks became progressively more challenging and required greater participant self-direction to complete, as seen below:
Unique features
Participants undertook a series of challenging tasks, including:
Develop and present a professional development workshop (individually and in pairs)
Undertake an individual project that resulted in an output (ie. Crowdfunding project, publication)
Self-identify an industry leader to cold call for a 20-min introductory meeting
Complete a Coursea MOOC on an area of their choosing
Research a social issue to creatively present as an individually ‘art bike’ as part of the team Public Art Bike Social Issue Presentation and Forum
Research and produce five original blog posts on how bicycles are being used to create more positive community change in their home country
Weekly meeting with an assigned independent industry expert mentor
Join an industry association and attend events
Series of community activities: vox pops; invite locals to contribute to a community storybook; solicit locals to donate bicycles; deliver their work at a local community garden to the general public as part of the Art Bike Public Forum; conduct an individual public presentation
Complete an Internship Portfolio (documentation of work and reflection journal that documents, audits and reviews tasks, opportunities and skills)
The BCC Internship Team: Public Art Bike Social Issue Presentation and Forum. Sunday 13th March 2016.
Takeaways:
There were many lessons learnt from this project and given time constraints, only a few are mentioned in the presentation. Some key takeaways were:
Provide transferable and unique opportunities to develop ‘generic employability’, critical reflection and creative problem-solving skills
Provide integrated, genuine and practical ways to apply skills
Celebrate strategies, ‘sticky points’, ‘misfires’ ‘pregnant opportunities’ and successes
Make tasks more challenging and higher profile
Participants loved having more contact with the local community
Adaptations are needed for aspects to be taken up by educational institutions
Work from the end result backwards (CV and skill development)
Have visible, productive and meaningful evidence (or body) of work
Foster ability to independently create own opportunities and networks
Honour unexpected outcomes
Change the mindset to change to experience
References:
ACCI/BCA (2002) Employability skills for the future, DEST, Canberra.
ACNielsen Research Services (2000) Employer satisfaction with graduate skills: research report, Evaluations and Investigations Programme Higher Education Division, Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA).
Billett, S. (2002). Workplace pedagogic practices: Participation and learning. Australian Vocational Education Review, 9(1), 28-38.
Griffith English Language Institute (GELI): Direct Entry Program. (n.d.) Retrieved from: https://www.griffith.edu.au/international/griffith-english-language-institute.
Judkins, R. (2015). The art of creative thinking. Hachette UK.
Lyons, M. (2006). National Prosperity, Local Choice and Civic Engagement: A New Partnership between Central and Local Government for the 21st Century. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
McLennan, B., & Keating, S. (2008, June). Work-integrated learning (WIL) in Australian universities: The challenges of mainstreaming WIL. In ALTC NAGCAS National Symposium (pp. 2-14).
Vygotsky, L. (1987). Zone of proximal development. Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes, 5291, 157.
This weekend, I’m at a 2-day HDR Research Conference collaboration between the University of Queensland and Griffith University. At this conference, we are discussing how to interrogate and reconcile research paradoxes where notions of justice, integrity and impact in an increasingly complex post-truth world. I’m presenting a session (see below) as well as being a Plenary Panelist.
Reconciling research paradoxes: Justice in a post-truth world
UQ & GU Postgraduate Research Community Conference
2018 has seen the ascendance of post-truth politics also known as post-factual and post-reality. Post-truth is opposed to the formal conventions of debate, the contestation of ideas and the falsifiability of theories and statements. In a post-truth era what reigns supreme are fallacies, talking points, leaked information, and so-called fake news fueled by unfettered social and traditional media, and a highly-polarised political spectrum. What are the implications of post-truth to educational research that values social justice, ethical integrity, the search for the good of the community as well as that of the individual? How will research and its tenets of validity, reliability and trustworthiness respond to the challenges brought upon by a post-truth world?
My presentation: The good Samaritan and little white lies: False news, transparency and project challenges of researching NGOs.
Keywords: INGOs, transparency, self-reporting, M & E mechanisms
Around the world, thousands of International non-government organisations (INGOs) provide much-needed support and aid to those in need. But in the eyes of the general public, perceptions of INGOs are mixed. Some perceive INGOs to be ‘good Samaritans’, while others question project motives and management. INGOs continue to face criticism in a number of key areas: project practices, corruption, hiring policies, salaries of top executives, distribution of donated funds and lack of transparency. For researchers who work with INGOs, this adds an additional layer of complexity to the research process and research relationships.
This session will explore how factors such as unsourced media reports, reliability of M & E mechanisms, use of grey literature and the legitimacy of self-reported outcomes has equally enriched and problematized the aid and INGO research space. Using key examples and my own INGO experience, I will reflect on ethical and methodological ‘white lies’ that can arise when researching with INGOs.
In July, Nao Kamakura joined Bicycles Create Change as Research Assistant. Nao is investigating rates of participation in mountain biking, with a particular focus on rates of female participation. Below is Nao’s first post for BCC where she shares a few preliminary findings and thoughts.
Image: Nur Andi Racvanjani Gusma
How many Australians participate in mountain biking as a sport?
But, how many people actually participate in mountain biking as a sport?
According to 2016 data from the Australian Government Australian Sports Commission, cycling is the 5th most popular sport in Australian for women (over 15 years) old and its total number of participants was 85,5231.
The total female population (for all ages) in Australia is 12.2 billion in 2016. Therefore, statistically, 7% of Australian women ride bicycles! This number includes both road cyclists and mountain bikers.
To participate in mountain bike competitions, riders need to register with Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), which is the peak national organisation for mountain biking.
MTBA covers a number of off-road biking styles, including cross country, downhill, observed trials, cross-country marathon and cyclocross. Currently, MTBA has over 15,000 members and 175 affiliated clubs nationwide.
The number of female MTBA members in 2017 was 2,481 – and this gives provides our initial baseline for female participation and interest in the sport of mountain biking. However, these membership rates do not adequately signify actual participation rates.
Although MTBA registration offers membership in categories such as: race, non-riding, recreation, public liability, value-add, free trial, family and day licenses – it is important to keep in mind that are still a number of riders who are/have not registered with MTBA who mountain bike – and that their participation would not be represented in these rates.
Many riders are registered, but not all MTBers participate in competitions. In particular, these numbers do not include the account for many riders who enjoy mountain bike without participating in competitions.
WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2015-2010
The approach, definition and classification of mountain biking vary significantly between the individual states and territories. Such differences impact how data is analysed, where funding is allocated and how the sport is viewed (and represented) by each state’s governing body. This is an area that will be of concerted interest for the project I am working on.
Interestingly, Western Australia is the only state that has clear statistics on mountain bikers. The WA government published the WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2015-2020 to encourage more people to engage in mountain biking. The report clearly states that the number of women who mountain bike is 14,400.
However again, these results do not mean that each of those 14,400 riders engages with MTBA as a sport, but it does list that the top three reasons Western Australians ride mountain bikes is 1) for the outdoor experience, 2) for fitness, and 3) for socialising.
So initial investigations show mixed results about the rates of mountain biking registration and participation.
WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2015-2010
So far, my research has not yet confirmed the actual number of female mountain bikers in the whole of Australia – the rate is still unconfirmed.
One reason for this is that the definition of mountain biking is ambiguous.
Depending on what you read or what states/territory you are in, mountainbiking can be classified as a sport, as recreation, or as transport. This lack of consistency means that it can be difficult to compare data sets.
It is a challenge and a pleasure to be learning more about mountain biking in Australia – and I look forward to sharing more insights and findings as they arise.
I hope mountain biking is more recognised as a sport in the near future and that rates of participants will increase!
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is held every year in the first full week in July. NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, but the NAIDOC acronym has since been adopted as the name of the national event.
This years theme is Because of Her, We can! This theme celebrates the essential role that women have played – and continue to play – as active and significant role models at the community, local, state and national levels.
Bicycles Create Change fully supports greater recognition and understanding for the contributions and importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Islander peoples.
For NAIDOC Week 2018, I found myself once again scouring the internet for some interesting stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bike riders.
It was disappointing – there are very few to be found.
When I typed in ‘cycling’ (despite other keywords), Tour de France material dominated the my feed. This is not surprising as the Tour de France is the largest international cycling event and is on currently. What was odd though, was that it would come up even with the main keyword ‘indigenous’ included in the search. Very few of the 176 riders from the 22 teams riding this year are not Caucasian or from a European or Scandinavia background.
This got me thinking.
Where are Australia’s Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander road riders and cyclists?
I’d like to see Australia invest and take action on this year’s NAIDOC theme and increase female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in cycling.
It seems that road riding in Australia is like many other Western countries where the “unbearable whiteness of cycling” prevails and cycling continues to be the domain of rich, white men.
Australia and its cycling industry has a terrific opportunity here to make a difference – to be proactive in making cycling, road riding and biking in general more accessible for First Nations peoples.
Here’s to hoping that in the future there will be greater recognition, more support and sincere inclusion of more First Nations people in cycling and biking.
As I watch the Tour highlights after posting this, I think: How awesome would it be to see First Nations cyclists in the Tour de France? NG.
