Author: Christina Neubauer

Luminary Finalist at Velocity Global Adelaide 2014

I was recently in Adelaide and attended the VeloCity Global Cycling Conference along with nearly 600 delegates from 34 countries from around the world.

The group I started several years ago, Frocks on Bikes Perth, was a finalist for the Cycle Culture category of the Cycling Luminaries Awards presented on Day 1 at the Conference and I was also a finalist for the Cycle Chic category. While we did not win, it was great to be acknowledged on the international stage regarding the work we have done to change the cycling culture in WA so more people ride in normal clothes. It was even better celebrating with champagne afterwards with with fellow “frockers” including Isabella Cawthorn from Frocks on Bikes Wellington and Janette Sadik-Khan. Isabella crowned me “Queen of Frocks Western Australia” and photographed me on the Bicycle South Australia “throne” wearing my bike helmet “crown”.

Over four days, delegates sampled more than 200 presentations and over 20 tours of bike facilities and other features of the surrounding city. Presentations were given by some of the “rockstars” of the urban cycling world, such as former New York transport commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Copenhagenize’s Mikael Colville-Andersen and many other people I admire including Stephen Fleming and Isabella Cawthorn but most presenters were “just” various policymakers, researchers, advocates, planners, etc from around the world demonstrating the interesting work they’ve been doing to make a better world for cycling and networking with each other. There were quite a few of us from Perth.

I found the whole week very inspiring as I met up with members of the European Cycling Federation, World Cycling Alliance and academics at the Scientists for Cycling Colloquium, attended the welcome at the Town Hall for VIP delegates, joined in several Velo Fringe Bike rides on the weekend as well as throughout the week when I could, in-between the presentations and speed networking.  I also attended a masterclass in Travel Behaviour Change at the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.   I met so many inspiring people that I hope to keep in touch with and ride with again one day.

My greatest joy however, was riding with my husband on a Velo Fringe bike ride as he never rides with me and “is not into bikes”.  The guided rides on the Adelaide City Bikes were not about the bikes, but about what we would see along the way, a chance to take photographs and an easy way to get around the city in a group. We need to collectively get more people riding bikes that don’t usually ride, if we want to change our car centric culture, reduce traffic congestion and achieve my goal stated on the whiteboard – one million bikes in Perth Western Australia.

We ride together – Cyclo Femme on Mothers Day

You are invited to join us for our third social ride. Join us: we are riding as part of Cyclo Femme on Mothers Day.

The nuts and bolts of our ride:

  • Meet at the Agonis Clock Tower, 2232 Albany Highway Gosnells at 9.00am on Mothers Day, Sunday 11 May 2014. This is 200 metres from the Gosnells Train Station. Free parking near Albany Highway is available adjacent the Clock Tower (for those coming from afar).  
  • The leisurely ride will be mostly on quiet roads and shared paths in the  foothills of Perth past paddocks and cows to reach Champion Lakes.
  • We will ride around the lake (5kms) and watch the Stand Up Paddle Board Associations State Championships before heading to a cafe for  coffee.

People are riding all over the world for Mothers Day to show their support for cycling and encourage more women to ride bikes more often. Make time for a ride – even if you can not ride with us. You can sign the pledge or register your own local ride.

If you can’t join us: ride with your family and friends, with your mother, or in honour of your mother. For more information check about Cyclo Femme.

As usual, an important disclaimer: This is an informal social ride and will cover 15-20km.  Your safety is your own responsibility. The ride isn’t cordoned off, marked or sanctioned. All participants are required to wear helmets, follow road rules, take care, give way to pedestrians and other riders.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday Mothers Day for a fun bike ride.Susan and Jill tutu May 12 2013

Glow Ride: Champion Lakes & BBQ

People on Bicycles, Frocks on Bikes, Gosnells Bicycle User Group and everyone else! You are invited to join us for our second social ride, watch the sun go down and a BYO BBQ. Bring your bike lights to try out some night riding around Champion Lakes.

The nuts and bolts of our ride:

  • We will meet at 5.30pm, Saturday 26 April at Champion Lakes BBQ area.
  • We will be riding around the lake, a family friendly 5km. You can do as many laps as you like or just come for the BBQ and photos.
  • Enter Champion Lakes via Lake Road and Regatta Boulevard and park on Dorney Esplanade near the BBQ area (or ride to the starting point).
  • Bring Your Own (BYO) BBQ food, equipment or picnic to enjoy as the sun goes down. There is no charge to use the BBQ. BYO chairs as only limited seating is available.
  • BYO bike, helmet and lights. Bring a friend if you wish. Bling up for a Glow Ride with as many lights as you like.
  • This event is free!

 

Champion Lakes at twilight
A taste of Champion Lakes at twilight

 

About Champion Lakes:

Champion Lakes is in the foothills of Perth between Gosnells and Armadale. It was opened in 2007 and is now more established with grassed areas, BBQs, beaches and picnic areas. Attractive houses have been built in the new estate alongside the lake alongside the BBQ area.

There are generally so many events canoeing, rowing, dragon boat racing, going on at Champion Lakes each weekend it is a lovely place to walk or cycle around. The ‘Events Path’ around the perimeter of the Lake, the one closest to the water is 5km long.

About our social rides:

We’re inclusive and everyone is invited – male and female. We’re not forcing anyone to wear a frock, but we’d like you to wear something casual (read: non-lycra). Why? We are trying to get people into the idea that they don’t need to wear lycra to ride a bike. It is a social gathering and fun ride rather than a race. Non riders are also welcome as they can stay behind, cook on the BBQ, take photos and look after our gear while we are out riding. You never know they may end up wanting to get a bike themselves and start riding too one day.

An important disclaimer: This is an informal social ride, each participant’s safety is their own responsibility. The ride isn’t cordoned off, marked or sanctioned. All participants are required to wear helmets, follow road rules, ride with lights, take care, give way to pedestrians and other riders and overall be very lovely social people.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday with many lights on!

Frocks on Bikes Fremantle

Fremantle is becoming very bike friendly and has a strong emerging bike culture, but this Easter weekend it was very prominent during the Fremantle Festival.  I came across the most amazing person on a bicycle on High Street – the street was closed to vehicles and given back to people including people on bicycles.  I spotted Jessica in her red spotted frock as I walked down from the Round House in Fremantle and along High Street, the exact location where the streets were closed for the Fremantle congestion photo in 2013 (showing people on bikes, pedestrians and people using public transport vs the space taken up by cars being used or parked).

Jessica Arpin showed that you can ride in a frock on a bike in Fremantle for the Fremantle Festival. She was a fantastic performer, originally from Brazil but explores the world and offers a unique approach to exploring the boundaries between theatre, circus, cabaret and street performance, in the language of the place. She wove a marvellous story about choosing prospective husbands and setting tests to see how fit they were, hearing their declarations of love and getting them to ride a bike. Two prospective mates volunteered from the audience and instantly became integral parts of the story she unfolded. Jessica showed her bike skills in a frock and heels and wowed us all with her trick cycling.

I was spellbound as were many others in the crowd. I don’t think that I will be trying out Jessica’s tricks but I know I will be riding in a frock more often and adding heels. I might even get a red polka dot helmet, shoes or dress…

People on bicycles had comfortable seats for viewing performances and were able to get around to see the various performances in Fremantle easily. Bikes were also parked everywhere as people went shopping, bought lunch, consumed drinks and generally do what people on bicycles usually do. It was so much more pleasant in Fremantle with less cars and more space for people to walk, ride, gather and play.