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 Current News
Cycling Promotion Fund News
Bicycle Industries Australia News
Upcoming Events
Introduction
 Welcome to the first edition of the Bicycle Industries Australia and Cycling Promotion Fund industry update and my first chance to directly address the Australian bicycle industry.
And what a time for my first update, just days before the Federal election! We have a lot of information in this update on the positions of our major political parties and how they impact on cycling and our efforts to improve cycling in this country.
It’s been an exciting time for me since being appointed to the position of General Manager in April this year. Coming from a sports management and government background, the role of managing the cycling industry group has certainly been a change.
The last few months have gone past in a blur, with the Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards in June, the Federal election announced in July and the Ausbike expo in August, I’ve certainly had to hit the ground running.
Our office administrator Chris Star and Government Relations Manager Stephen Hodge have put in an outstanding effort to maintain so much forward momentum for the organisation in the period before I arrived in April as General Manager.
Before I go much further, I would like to acknowledge the work of Rosemarie Speidel, who’s role I have now filled. Leaving in December 2009, after almost 10 years at the helm, Rosemarie was known by many in the industry and achieved much to promote cycling to all levels. Rosemarie is still working hard for cycling and I’m sure many will still have contact in her new consulting roles.
I have spoken to many wholesalers and distributors over the last
four months and I certainly appreciated meeting many more at the recent Ausbike
Expo, both during the three days and also at the Industry Networking
Event on the Sunday night. The bicycle sector is at an exciting
point in time, both challenging and rewarding and I look forward to
working with you all to grow the industry's size and importance.
Regards,
Peter Bourke
General Manager
Cycling Promotion Fund
In Memorium In the last three months the industry has also said a much sadder farewell to three great supporters, advocates and gentlemen.It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Ted Wilson (Director, Wilcare Services), Stephen Hart (Owner, Gran Prix Bicycles) and Jack Walsh (OBE). Jack, Stephen and Ted were greatly admired by the cycling community for their immense expertise and contribution towards making cycling accessible throughout Australia. Please refer to this link for further information on their achievements
Current News
Federal Election
What the parties are actually saying –
The Cycling Promotion Fund contacted both of the major parties, requesting they clarify their position and commitment to cycling (refer to letter here) and have received a response from the ALP (response here) which spoke strongly about the funding they delivered to cycling infrastructure through the $40million bike path stimulus, it did unfortunately give little indication of any further commitment.
We are yet to receive a response from the Coalition.
To support the information provided to us, the CPF has compiled a list of policies announced by the ALP, the Coalition and The Greens.
From this table, the Greens have demonstrated considerable support for Active Transport (which includes cycling) along with many environmental improvements from which cycling will benefit. The obvious and disappointing element has been the distinct lack of any commitment or recognition of cycling in either the ALP or Coalition policies announced to date.
Cycling Promotion Fund News
 Launch of 'Australian Vision for Active Transport'
On 12 August 2010 at Parliament House, the CPF in partnership with;
- Australian Local Government Association,
- Bus Industry Confederation,
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National Heart Foundation of Australia, and
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International Association of Public Transport.
The vision promotes action to encourage more Australians to use active transport - walking, cycling and public transport. It outlines 9 key elements to achieve this and calls on the Federal government to invest in an integrated approach to active transport.
The groups signing on to the Vision represent a major partnership for us and one we believe will be a powerful advocate to federal government for better cycling policies in the future.
Please check out a full copy of the document and media release here.
L-R: Senate candidate Matt Watts, Senator Humphries, Stephen Hodge, Dr Lyn Roberts – CEO Heart Foundation, Mayor of Marion SA and VP ALGA, Cr Felicity-Ann Lewis; background cyclists from Pedal Power ACT support the launch.
Research into transport ‘Externalities’
Building on the work with the Australian Vision for Active Transport, the CPF was approached to form a partnership with;
- Australasian Railways Association,
- Bus Industry Confederation, and
- International Association of Public Transport.
It calls on Dr Ken Henry to task the Productivity Commission with researching and reporting on the costs of urban congestion, road accidents, environmental degradation, climate change and energy security associated with Australia’s current transport use. To read the joint media release please click here.
Why is this so important?
These efforts bring together a unique alliance of national organisations and will help us to make cycling a normal, mainstream part of Australian life again.
If we not only support the current boom in sport cycling, but also promote cycling for all for short trips and as an integrated part of public transport then we have a better chance to significantly grow the industry and a we will benefit with a more sustainable, healthier and less congested environment.
The Australian Bicycling Achievements Awards 2009 On June 12, the 2009 Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards were held at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
With standing room only, 9 awards were presented from almost 90 nominations. The awards provide an opportunity to demonstrate the range and quality of excellent initiatives being undertaken around Australia that are shaping the future of bicycling.
With all political parties present, the event also provides a strong vehicle to influence political decision makers about cycling infrastructure in the future. See http://www.cyclingawards.com.au for further details.
Winners display their Awards in front of Old Parliament House with Parliamentary Secretary Maxine McKew and Senator Milne.
Post Election Activities Following the Federal election, we will continue to pursue;
- Federal Government response to the Australian Vision for Active Transport, and the positive changes that will be achieved for all Australians,
- The Productivity Commission to report on Transport ‘Externalities’ to ensure cycling is integrated into ‘Transport’ planning,
- Work with Infrastructure Australia on the endorsement of a Benefit-Cost Ratio for cycling infrastructure, to begin to put a consistent value on cycling spending,
- Work with state bicycle bodies with the Victorian state election in November and NSW state election in March 2011.
Government Relations Manager
Stephen Hodge has continued to deliver significant outcomes as the Government Relations Manager for the CPF based out of Canberra. The projects identified above reflect this work, but further details are provided in his report here. (PDF, 345kb)
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 Bicycle Industries Australia News
New Opportunities
The Board of the BIA has guided many activities that have benefited the whole of the cycling industry. This has included the introduction of the CPF and the introduction of a Government Relations Role within the CPF.
There is currently an opportunity to provide greater input into the direction of this organisation and the benefits it brings to the bicycle industry.
A number of our Foundation Directors who have given their time and knowledge to the direction of the organisation for many years are now looking to hand the baton on to motivated members of the industry with fresh ideas and energy.
The board is investigating new terms of reference and criteria to ensure that the BIA and CPF continue to achieve their aims and benefit the Austrian bicycle industry and our community.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss this further. The CPF Board will contact the industry in due course to advise of the changes and call for nominations.
Corporations Amendment (Corporate Reporting Reform) Act 2010
On 28 June 2010, the Corporations Amendment (Corporate Reporting
Reform) Act 2010 received Royal Assent. As a consequence, some
significant statutory changes have been made that will affect areas
such as financial reporting as at 30 June 2010. The Corporations
Amendment Regulations 2010 (No. 6) were also enacted on 29 June 2010
which impacts the disclosures in consolidated financial reports.
The purpose of the reforms was to reduce red-tape, improve
accountability and transparency of disclosures and refine the
reporting framework. An outline of the amendments and their
effective date are included below.
Refer here
for full details.
ACCC - Fixed wheel bicycles
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) is responsible for the administration of the Trade Practices Consumer Product Safety Standard: Pedal Bicycles: Safety Requirements 2004. The mandatory standard references Australian/ New Zealand Standard 1927:1998 (as amended).
A recent trend in the supply of fixed wheel bicycles without key mandatory safety requirements such as a front and back breaks(SIC) is of concern to the ACCC. Attached is a supplier guide for fix gear bicycles outlining the key requirements of the mandatory safety standard.
Below is a link to the bulletin. Please feel free to copy and distribute. For our records it would be appreciated if you could advise on where the bulletin is to be distributed or provide the ACCC with copies of any publications in which the bulletin may be circulated.
Standards Australia
Standards Australia has released a new edition of the AS/NZS 1927:2010 Standard relating to bicycles. You can see prices and more information about the new edition here:
- Document link here for 'AS/NZS 1927:2010, Pedal bicycles - Safety requirements'. Note: preview located to the left of the publication title, under the publications cover image.
It is vitally important that you know when a Standard has changed so that you can remain confident that you:
- are developing your products or services with current best-practice methodologies;
- implement any required changes to your products or services before your clients ask for them; and
- can respond to best-practice recommendations quickly, helping you to gain a competitive advantage.
To see what publications are being used by your industry peers to create competitive advantage, be sure to refer to the Suggestions section for AS/NZS 1927:2010. Please ensure you are also referencing AS/NZS 2063:2008 with amendment 1 incorporated on 13 December 2009 relating to helmets.
Upcoming Events
Until next month,
PS. Please email any feedback, news or ideas to me at:
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