As
an industry we are currently facing one of our biggest challenges, the
competition of international online trade, an issue that has only been
exacerbated by the strengthening Australian dollar, and will only get
more challenging as the value of the dollar increases.
For
too long the bicycle industry has not responded to issues that
adversely affect it with a unified and coordinated voice, as
demonstrated with helmet standards in 2010. The Federal Government has
launched the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Australian retail
sector and we, as an industry, need to ensure that we work together to
provide that strong and united response if we are going to influence the
outcome.
This is an opportunity for the industry to
work together for the betterment of all within it, and I look forward to
your support as the BIA provides this coordinated response.
Peter Bourke
General Manager
Board News
The new board of Bicycle Industries Australia Ltd.
(BIA) has been working hard in the first quarter of 2011, as it
considers a large number of issues affecting the industry. As part of
the process to increase communication with the whole of the sector, the
board will be circulating a communiqué or summary of the minutes from
each meeting. If you would like more detail on any of the items listed
in the board communiqué, or any other issue within this update, please contact a board member or staff within the BIA office.
Federal Government Productivity Commission - International Online Trade
The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper relating to the ‘Economic Structure and Performance of the Australian Retail Industry’.
This paper and related inquiry will investigate one of the key issues
facing the industry today, international online trading. This Inquiry
will be our only opportunity to affect the current government protocols
and procedures after the 2010 tax review of the issues identified no
reason to adjust the tax laws at all.
We need your feedback and support in developing a response to this paper and the terms of reference by 20 May 2011.
I have previously circulated the attached survey and thank you to
those who completed it. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to
complete and will give us the information needed to provide an evidence
based response from the industry on issues including;
The current trends in employment
The size of the industry
The cost of doing business in Australia
This will add to data we have already collected on the impact of
Australian Standards. All information is strictly confidential and no
business can be identified through their responses.
With the commencement of a new board and an opportunity to review
the operations of the organizations activities, one of the key elements
of concern identified was a lack of coordination and collaboration
across all segments of the cycling community. This is evident within
the industry as well as across the sport and recreation areas.
Also identifying this issue as impacting critically on their ability to achieve goals and outcomes, the Amy Gillett Foundation
has taken up the challenge and has been driving a process to create
greater understanding and collaboration across the entire sector.
The formal process and discussions commenced on the 10th of
February with 25 representatives from various organisations from
industry, competition and recreational cycling. Greater coordination of
these sectors will see improvements for all parts of the cycling
community. More people on bikes, means more participants in
recreational cycling, more sport competitors, and this leads to more
sales. Jason Wyatt is representing Bicycle Industries Australia Ltd
(BIA) during this process.
Australian Standards
Two issues have been raised regarding compliance with Australian Standards.
These issues may only affect a small number of wholesalers and
retailers, but it is provided to ensure all of the industry is compliant
with current standards.
Width of handlebars
2.12.1 Handlebar The handlebars shall allow comfort to the rider
and safe control of the bicycle. The maximum overall width of the
handlebars and rigid attachments shall be not greater than 700 mm. Any
fittings extending beyond this width shall be frangible.
The CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARD: PEDAL BICYCLES: SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS of 2004 does exclude the following bicycles from these
standards;
This Standard specifies safety requirements
for the design, assembly, and performance of all types pedal bicycles,
including fully assembled or partially assembled bicycles, but not
including the following:
1. bicycles having a wheel base of less than 640mm;
2. bicycles which are designed, promoted and supplied primarily for use in competition;
3. one of a kind bicycles, being bicycles that are uniquely constructed to the order of an individual consumer;
4. bicycles which are designed to be hinged or folded, or to be
taken apart beyond removal of the front wheel, for ease of storage or
portability;
5. tandem bicycles;
6. power assisted bicycles;
7. bicycles showing signs of appreciable wear or second hand bicycles; and
8. recumbent bicycles.
Any bike that does not fit into one of the above exclusions must
have a handlebar of width under 700mm at the time of sale.
(1) These Regulations apply to protective helmets for pedal cyclists.
(2) However, these Regulations do not apply to the following helmets:
(a) protective helmets of a size too small to be reasonably fitted to:
(i)
Headform AA defined in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS
2512.1:1998, published by the Standards Association of Australia on 5
September 1998; or
(ii) Headform AA defined in Australian/New
Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2512.1:2009, published by Standards Australia
on 7 April 2009;
(b) helmets for use as toys which cannot be reasonably mistaken for protective helmets for pedal cyclists;
(c) helmets for use as toys which may be reasonably mistaken for
protective helmets for pedal cyclists, if the words Warning: toy
helmet only - do not use as safety headgear are marked clearly and
legibly in a conspicuous position on:
(i) the helmet or on a label attached to the helmet at the time of supply to the consumer; and
(ii) the principal outer display face of any packaging in which
the helmet is supplied to the consumer; with the word Warning in
capital letters not less than 5 mm high, and the remaining words in
letters not less than 2.5 mm high;
(d) helmets (except BMX
helmets) designed and constructed principally for use by cyclists
engaged in competitive racing, if the words Warning: racing headgear
only - inadequate impact protection for normal road use are marked
clearly and legibly in a conspicuous position on:
(i) the helmet or on a label attached to the helmet at the time of supply to the consumer; and
(ii) the principal outer display face of any packaging in which
the helmet is supplied to the consumer; with the word Warning in
capital letters not less than 5 mm high, and the remaining words in
letters not less than 2.5 mm high.
BMX race helmets
- Clause D excludes all BMX helmets from race exemptions from the Australian Standards
- We have sought clarification from the ACCC on this matter, but
they are unwilling to define what a BMX helmet is, therefore their
interpretation is that any helmet sold for use as a BMX helmet (for any
type of riding) must be tested to Australian Standards.
- We recommend seeking independent advice if you are unsure on this matter.
For Queensland suppliers, I recently contacted the Queensland
Office of Fair Trading who had advice on their website that BMX race
helmets were exempt from the Australian Standards, they have indicated
this is incorrect and removed the information from the website.
Import data
Bicycle imports for the month of February have been low. Adult
bicycle imports are on par with last year’s figures, but the number of
children’s bicycles imported fell below 10,000 for the month, well down
on the 24,000 imported during February last year.
There continues to be a number of opportunities for the industry
to work together to promote cycling to the wider community.
Ausbike Expo
This year Ausbike 2011
has been extended to include a dedicated BMX Hall. A third Hall
featuring a theatre that will hold the inaugural Ausbike Film Festival
has also been added. The event is the largest gathering of the industry
in Australia and with the partnership formed with Fairfax Media the
event promises to draw a large public attendance. The inclusion of the
public days and the involvement with mainstream media has also meant
there will be a good showing from tour operators and tourism making the
show a true gathering of the whole industry. Contact Simon Head on and
email on
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Lifestyle and Bicycle Expo
Cycling Australia has teamed up with SBS Cycling Central to deliver
a novel new public bike expo, The Bike & Lifestyle Show in Sydney
22-24 July and Brisbane 17-18 September. Sydney's show coincides with
the final stages of world cycling's ultimate showcase, the Tour de
France, thus the expo will feature a first-of-its-kind SBS Live Site
for the penultimate Alpe d'Huez stage. In Brisbane the show is the
pre-event for the Asia Pacific Cycling Congress.
For more information on exhibitor opportunities and ways in which you
can reach the expected 15,000 patrons contact Stephen Harris on 03 8415
8411 or
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and visit www.bikeshow.org.au
The CPF introduced the Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards
commenced in 2002 to acknowledge and celebrate the work of many
individuals and groups from around Australia demonstrating initiative
and commitment to promote cycling. The awards celebrate volunteers,
politicians, businesses, professionals, schools, groups and local
governments. This year we have also introduced a media category to
celebrate those in the media, who often against great challenges,
promote cycling and the benefits it brings to the community.
Each year the number of nominations continues to grow, with a
record number of 91 this year. The awards will be held at Old
Parliament House in Canberra on the 1st of June, commencing at 7.15am.
We are extremely delighted that the National Heart Foundation has continued as the naming rights sponsor again this year.
Submissions
Stephen Hodge, CPF Government Relations Manager, with significant contributions from members of the CPF Expert Advisory Committee,
completed a submission in response to the Federal Government
Department of Infrastructure and Transport, National Urban Policy draft
policy.
CPF News 
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