Congratulations to Cecile on winning this amazing prize! She will join Sam and the Bike Odyssey team on an upcoming Othello tour.

Our friends at Bike Odyssey run exceptional bike tours here in Australia and around the globe that are consistently featured in annual most epic trip lists. Check out their full list of tours and book your next adventure.

Thank you to all Bicycle Network members who registered to go in the draw. Keep an eye on In the Loop in 2023 for more opportunities to win!

In the meantime, you can go in the draw to win one of five $100 gift vouchers from MAAP. All you need to do is tell us what you love most about being a Bicycle Network member. Enter the draw below for your chance to win!

The post Congratulations to the winner of our Spring Member Draw! appeared first on Bicycle Network.

Sometimes people say to me, ‘It must be nice not having a boss.’

I answer that while the Board is my boss, the reality is I have almost 50,000 bosses: our members! They part with their hard earned membership fees and I have a responsibility to deliver given the trust they’ve placed in me.

It’s my last day as Bicycle Network CEO tomorrow and I wanted to express my thanks to you for your incredible support.

People also ask me, ‘Aren’t you bored doing the same job for almost 10 years?’ It’s always been a resounding, ‘No way!’

One of Einstein’s famous bike quotes is, ‘Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.’ To me, the never-ending challenge for Bicycle Network to find the perfect balance is what’s made my job so stimulating.

We need to balance how much time we spend celebrating steps forward with bemoaning lack of progress.

We need to balance spending time embracing the positive, progressive thinkers with quelling the aggressive, anti-bike brigade.

We need to balance generating vital funds with pursuing our quest to make the world a better place.

We need to balance time spent looking after those who are loving life on their bike with encouraging others to experience the joy and benefits of two wheels.

Finding that balance is never easy. But over the years, I believe we’ve become more adept at it thanks to how much we’ve learnt from the amazing Bicycle Network members about how to be effective bike advocates, provide memorable experiences and care for people who’ve suffered.

Being Bicycle Network CEO has been an extraordinary privilege for which I’ll be forever grateful. The incredible members of the Bicycle Network family have always been there for me with a wise word when I was in danger of going off track, a caring hand when I needed it most or to join me as we went forward to right a wrong.

Your support has meant the world to me and I can’t thank you enough.

Craig Richards
(former CEO and Bicycle Network member)

The post Goodbye and thank you from Craig Richards appeared first on Bicycle Network.

The post Bicycle Network member testimonial draw appeared first on Bicycle Network.

The Board ensures that Bicycle Network is equipped to respond to the changing circumstances and situations in the external and internal environments in order to achieve its mission to promote the health of the community through the prevention and control of disease by more people cycling more often.

It is the ultimate authority in Bicycle Network and each member of the Board is responsible for Bicycle Network’s controls. These responsibilities are substantial and include law, regulations and internal controls as well as organisational liability and risk management.

The Board seeks nomination of candidates for election with demonstrated skills and relevant experience to these responsibilities.

Nomination application forms can be completed online and nominations must be received by 5:00pm Wednesday 25 August 2021.

Visit the Governance section of Bicycle Network’s website for the call for nominations document and online nomination application form.

Voting

Bicycle Network members aged 18 years or older who have been members for a continuous period of at least the last 12 months are entitled to vote, as per Section 13 of the Bicycle Network constitution.

The Bicycle Network Board election and 46th Annual General Meeting are scheduled for Wednesday 20 October 2021, with further details and the official AGM notice to be communicated.

The post Bicycle Network Board election 2021 appeared first on Bicycle Network.

Operation River Run enforced 10km/h bicycle speed limits on Southbank Promenade.

It was reported that police charged 45 people on summons for riding a bike or scooter at more than 23km/h during the operation.

Being charged on summons means you have to go to court, and in this case, can face a fine of up to $1,652.20. This is very different from receiving a fine in the mail which usually happens when people exceed the speed limit while driving a car.

So far, three members have come forward with their summons asking them to front up at the Melbourne Magistrates Court in November 2021.

Through its riders rights service, Bicycle Network is providing legal representation for those members to support them through the legal process. There’ll be no charge beyond their membership fee for this representation. Of course, we’ll extend that support to all members who’ve received a summons.

CEO and In-house Counsel Craig Richards said Bicycle Network would love to assist all bike riders who were charged on summons during Operation River Run.

“Going to court can be intimidating and confusing and we’d love to help people to make sure they get the best outcome possible,” said Mr Richards.

“Fines of $1,652 are excessive and more than three times the amount of some drink driving fines.

“Our court system is always under great strain and it’s extraordinary that magistrates’ valuable time is being spent on these matters. Imagine if every speeding infringement by a person driving a vehicle ended up in court? We’d need a hundred more Magistrates.’”

Bicycle Network’s riders’ rights support is also available for members who receive other infringements that should be disputed.

As well as 45 charges on summons, during Operation River Run police issued infringements to:

• 33 people for not wearing a helmet while riding a bike or a scooter
• 9 people for operating an unregistered motor vehicle (8 scooters and 1 skateboard)
• 7 people for using a mobile phone while riding a bike or a scooter

Other offences included failing to dismount and fail to have proper control.

Of course, Bicycle Network encourages all people to obey the speed limit when riding and respect people walking on shared paths. A good guide on a shared path is to ride a bike no faster than someone can run.

The post Have you been sent a Southbank summons? appeared first on Bicycle Network.

Importantly, the support we get in return from our 45,000+ members helps us continue to fight for better bike riding conditions around the country.

Now we are excited to launch two new membership products designed to assist all riders and our mission for a more bike-friendly Australia.

NEW MEMBERSHIP OFFER #1

Basic cover

What is basic cover?

Our new basic membership offer includes third-party liability coverage to give you peace of mind every time you’re out on the bike.

How much does it cost?

Just $80 per year.

What’s included?

Third-party liability that covers you for damage to someone else or their property for up to $5 million. You’ll also get access to a range of exclusive member benefits including Bicycle Network Cashback member rewards program, special offers from our partners like 99 Bikes and discounts to our world-class events.

NEW MEMBERSHIP OFFER #2

Community membership

What is community membership?

Our new non-riding membership, for those who aren’t riding, or may be covered elsewhere, but still want to help us build a more bike-friendly Australia.

How much does it cost?

$50 a year for individuals or $60 for families.

What’s included?

The knowledge your lending valuable support toward the fight to improve bike riding conditions, build more facilities and create fairer legislation for people who ride bikes. You’ll also get access to a range of exclusive member benefits including Bicycle Network Cashback, retail benefits and event discounts.

Together we can make it easier for everyone in Australia to ride bikes.

The post Two new membership products appeared first on Bicycle Network.

Back in 1998, Maurice Blackburn represented Pavel Kapitan, a bike rider who was injured when he came off his bike while avoiding a vehicle that had cut him off. The vehicle fled the scene and Pavel was the only witness.

Pavel made a claim for compensation through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). The TAC argued that independent evidence was required to substantiate his claim. Maurice Blackburn lawyer Geraldine Collins successfully argued that independent evidence supporting the claim was not a requirement under the Transport Accident Act 1986, nor was it a requirement that the injury involved direct contact with a motor vehicle. As a result, Pavel was able to access valuable compensation for the injuries he sustained.

Fast forward to 2017 and another unfortunate and eerily similar accident took place for Rowan White. The movements of two motorists forced Rowan out of the bike lane and onto the adjacent tram tracks where his wheel was jammed and he fell, seriously injuring his ankle.

His claim for compensation was denied.

With the help of Maurice Blackburn (again, Geraldine Collins), Rowan successfully appealed the denial and was granted valuable compensation to cover the ongoing medical expenses associated with his injuries.

Rowan believes his claim was “a matter of justice” and considers it important to acknowledge that his injuries were the fault of other road users, even though he did not come into physical contact with a vehicle. This point resonates with many bike riders who have found themselves in a similar situation.

For the average rider, it is tough knowing under which circumstances compensation is likely to be granted or denied. But fortunately, having those questions answered can be as simple as making a phone call.

Geraldine explained “the facts surrounding the happening of the event are critical to establishing if the accident falls within the legal definition of a transport accident. If they do, the injured cyclist is entitled to receive the benefits provided under the Transport Accident Act, which include lifetime medical and like expenses, lost wages and lump sum compensation, up to the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

With many years of experience and litigation cases on behalf of bike riders, Geraldine was able to obtain a just result for Rowan and Pavel, despite the circumstances not being clear cut.

Maurice Blackburn is proud to have represented many bike riders through their partnership with Bicycle Network. If you have sustained an injury while cycling it is important to know where you stand. Maurice Blackburn offers a free first consultation for Bicycle Network members and offers assistance with making a claim on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.

You can read some other stories from Bicycle Network members here.

The post How Maurice Blackburn help riders obtain compensation appeared first on Bicycle Network.

You can learn more about how it works in the video at the button of this page.

We recently celebrated our very first membership redemption, where Kate from Victoria renewed her families Bicycle Network membership using $75 bike cash she earned through the Cashback program.

Kate’s story

How did you hear about Cashback?

I saw it in an email last year and thought… that seems like a great opportunity!

How have you earned your bike cash?

I’ve earned most of my bike cash through redeeming Woolworths and Dan Murphy’s vouchers in-store, but I am also interested in using it for movie tickets, when the time comes.

Do you use the app or your home computer to buy vouchers?

I use the app on my phone. It’s easy to buy a voucher while you’re in the store. Sometimes I pre-purchase a voucher before I go to the shops, but even if I leave it to the last minute while waiting in the queue to checkout, the voucher is available immediately.

How easy is it to buy and redeem vouchers?

Extremely easy – my credit card is stored so it is just a matter of going to “buy express vouchers” in the app and it is very self explanatory. 

Thanks Kate!

There you have it, it’s that easy according to Kate! 

If you haven’t given our Cashback program a chance yet, follow Kate’s lead and see just how easy it is to pay off your annual membership for free by earning bike cash every time you shop. 

Bike cash can be earned on regular shopping purchases including groceries, fuel, bike gear and hundreds of different brands in the online shop. The benefits add up quickly – you could be earning hundreds of dollars every year.

Bicycle Network members are automatically signed up, you just need to activate your profile!

Not yet a member?

Sign up today to access Cashback as well as a range of other benefits and discounts.

The post A Cashback redemption story appeared first on Bicycle Network.

Maurice Blackburn have been supporting Bicycle Network members with legal advice for over 25 years. 

It’s important to communicate with other riders and road users while on a bike, but the rules around signalling while riding can be confusing.

This is largely because the relevant road rules are not clear cut.

Knowing the rules around signalling is important because almost every time you ride a bike you will need to stop or make a turn and it will increase your safety if those around you know that you will be making a change.

It can also be a legal requirement.

What are the rules?

Whenever moving to the right, including when changing lanes or turning, you must signal by extending your right hand out to the side.

By contrast, when moving to the left, bike riders are not required to signal to other road users.

Bike riders are also not required to signal that they’re stopping.

Why the difference?

The answer can be found in the road rules of each state and territory.

Bike riders are required to obey the same road rules as drivers.

There are specific road rules that provide when and how a road user should signal.

For a right hand turn in Victoria, the rules state that if a vehicle in question does not have “direction indicator lights”, the driver must indicate the change of direction by signalling with their right hand.

The rules explain that to give a right hand signal the driver must extend the right arm and hand horizontally and at right angles from the right side of the vehicle, with the hand open and the palm facing the direction of travel.

The same does not apply when turning left.

According to the rules, a driver can only indicate that they are moving left by using a vehicle’s left direction indicator lights.

As bicycles have no direction indicator lights, it seems to be the case that bike riders don’t have to signal for left turns.

The rules in Victoria also make it clear that the requirements for stop signals do not apply to bicycle riders as they are not fitted with brake lights.

Signalling in practice

It is worth remembering that signalling while riding a bike is more difficult than signalling when you’re driving. As such, it is important to take extra care when signalling.

Signalling can compromise your stability or ability to steer as it involves taking your hands off the handlebar. This is something to be wary of if you are travelling on a slippery or bumpy surface or there are tram or train tracks nearby.

While you may not always be legally required to signal, provided it is safe to do so, it is still a good idea to signal when turning or stopping.

This will let others around you know what you’re doing.

A simple hand gesture can make all the difference.

Maurice Blackburn provide support for all Bicycle Network members when you need it. If you’ve been involved in a crash or incident you can receive free legal consultation with Maurice Blackburn. Not a member? Join now from $11.49 a month.

Sign up this month and receive a free undershirt worth $49!

The post Signalling – it’s a tricky business appeared first on Bicycle Network.

For more than 100 years, Maurice Blackburn has helped everyday Australians access justice when they need it most. As experts in road accident and public liability claims, we have helped cyclists get back on track sooner.

We can help members with:

• Road accident claims, whether you’re on your bike, in your car, a passenger or a pedestrian
• Understanding their legal rights and obligations in any other kind of accident – at work, in a public place or through the negligence of someone else
• Accessing superannuation insurance entitlements if you’re injured or ill for any reason and can’t work.

As a Bicycle Network member, your first consultation is completely free – meaning it won’t cost you anything to find out where you stand. And if something happens to you, you want Australia’s #1 plaintiff law firm on your side.

We’re also looking forward to providing members with regular updates on your rights as a bike rider, including understanding the rules around using a mobile phone while riding and what the law says about attaching a GoPro to your helmet.

If there’s anything in particular you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear your suggestions.

Contact Maurice Blackburn Lawyers for more information on how we’re helping Bicycle Network members. Call us on 1800 810 812.

As well as assistance from Maurice Blackburn, Bicycle Network members also get bike riding insurance and a range of other benefits.

Join us during spring 2019 and you’ll receive a bonus Bicycle Network base layer to keep you comfortable as the weather warms up.

The post Maurice Blackburn helping Bicycle Network members get back on track appeared first on Bicycle Network.