Bicycle organisations
- AlexHuggs
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Bicycle organisations
Postby AlexHuggs » Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:35 am
Hi, just wondering if anyone belongs to an cycling organisation like Bicycles Network or Bicycling WA, etc. (particular interest in the latter). I'm not interested in a local club, although maybe a BUG if there was one near me (there's not, I checked). Anyway, just wondering about experiences, is it worth it, for the insurance, benefits, etc.
- AUbicycles
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Re: Bicycle organisations
Postby AUbicycles » Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:17 pm
I am a member of Bicycle NSW. Key tangible benefit is their insurance and I highly recommend looking into this to see what is actually covered, don't assume because there are a lot of differences in insurance options related to cycling.
The second benefit is that I agree with their policies for improving road safety and facilities for cycling. As a member I am supporting their activities to be up-to-date on transport developments state-wide and to engage business and the government to advocate for cycling.
I don't have a specific interest in their other events, that said, things like uniting the state-wide BUGs not only are mutually beneficial, they also drive cycling awareness and adoption which in turn makes bicycles riders a group of growing importance for governments and decision makers.
Previously I was a member of Cycling Australia through my cycling club - there was insurance which had some differences and the primary reasons were the necessity of a licence to compete, and the insurance was good. I moved to their recreational licence however switched to Bicycle NSW because of the organisations role in cycling advocacy.
Generally, your local state based organisation / advocacy group will be the best suited organisation, for example if you are a Victorian resident, then Bicycle WA is not really that relevant. That said - take time to look at the policies and make sure that you agree with them, that they represent your interests and that you believe that you member fee's are being used well. An alternative to state organisation are smaller organisations which are often regional. You can organise insurance separately as many don't have this, though a regional group may give you more direct input and the ability to see where you are personally help progress cycling matters.
The second benefit is that I agree with their policies for improving road safety and facilities for cycling. As a member I am supporting their activities to be up-to-date on transport developments state-wide and to engage business and the government to advocate for cycling.
I don't have a specific interest in their other events, that said, things like uniting the state-wide BUGs not only are mutually beneficial, they also drive cycling awareness and adoption which in turn makes bicycles riders a group of growing importance for governments and decision makers.
Previously I was a member of Cycling Australia through my cycling club - there was insurance which had some differences and the primary reasons were the necessity of a licence to compete, and the insurance was good. I moved to their recreational licence however switched to Bicycle NSW because of the organisations role in cycling advocacy.
Generally, your local state based organisation / advocacy group will be the best suited organisation, for example if you are a Victorian resident, then Bicycle WA is not really that relevant. That said - take time to look at the policies and make sure that you agree with them, that they represent your interests and that you believe that you member fee's are being used well. An alternative to state organisation are smaller organisations which are often regional. You can organise insurance separately as many don't have this, though a regional group may give you more direct input and the ability to see where you are personally help progress cycling matters.
Cycling is in my BNA
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Re: Bicycle organisations
Postby Dreams V Reallity » Fri Aug 28, 2015 11:53 am
AH, Not knowing your locale, go with what Chris has said.
In the 'city' (NSW country centre of 40+thou people) I live in, there is a BUG. It is not listed in the BNA listings, but I know of it's existence due to local media articles/events. Easiest way to find them was/is 'google' = just typed 'Dubbo b...' and all the possibilities came up, narrow it down by completing bicycles or bug or ,something similar.
Chris, good answer. I will now do some research on what you have said. Didn't think I needed insurance, as I only travel <4km on the (few) days I get to ride to work.
In Dubbo a traffic jam lasts 5-10minutes. In Sydney (was there last week) that is normal to light traffic.
Just remembered why this thread caught my attention. Have just decided to take cycling more seriously (been riding on roads and paths for 45yrs), and was thinking along similar lines to AH.
In the 'city' (NSW country centre of 40+thou people) I live in, there is a BUG. It is not listed in the BNA listings, but I know of it's existence due to local media articles/events. Easiest way to find them was/is 'google' = just typed 'Dubbo b...' and all the possibilities came up, narrow it down by completing bicycles or bug or ,something similar.
Chris, good answer. I will now do some research on what you have said. Didn't think I needed insurance, as I only travel <4km on the (few) days I get to ride to work.
In Dubbo a traffic jam lasts 5-10minutes. In Sydney (was there last week) that is normal to light traffic.
Just remembered why this thread caught my attention. Have just decided to take cycling more seriously (been riding on roads and paths for 45yrs), and was thinking along similar lines to AH.
D V R
Still Dreaming.
Still Dreaming.
- Thoglette
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- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:01 pm
Re: Bicycle organisations
Postby Thoglette » Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:07 pm
BTA was the best cost/performance ratio (given that insurance was the only tangible output). But they seem to be suffering an existential crisisat the moment.AlexHuggs wrote:Hi, just wondering if anyone belongs to an cycling organisation like Bicycles Network or Bicycling WA, etc. (particular interest in the latter). ... for the insurance, benefits, etc.
BWA is significantly more expensive but throw in reduced rates to their "sportifs" and a magazine. BWA is currently transforming itself from a "sportif-only" organisation into something much broader covering all forms of cycling.
Cycling WA is the local branch of the national competitive cycling regulator. If you don't race, don't bother.
We have WestCycle too, which purports to be the "peak body for cycling in WA" but is only funded by Sports & Recreation (no DoT money, no ORS money*) which (to stay within forum rules ) is best described as "potentially conflicted".
There's also BUGs and other clubs but I'm not aware (through ignorance) of any of these offering insurance.
If you're a sandgroper I struggle to see any value in the organisations based "over east" .
* last time I looked. I'd love to be corrected.
Stop handing them the stick! - Dave Moulton
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
- AlexHuggs
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 11:12 pm
- Location: Perth, WA
Re: Bicycle organisations
Postby AlexHuggs » Fri Aug 28, 2015 3:08 pm
Thanks. Kind of what I suspected.
- AUbicycles
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Re: Bicycle organisations
Postby AUbicycles » Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:18 pm
Supporting advocacy will always be tough and it is hard to think of it in terms of return on investment or immediate value.
Most would agree that a strong organisation with broad support will have more leverage advocating - so it is a numbers game. Though the organisations can't do one dimensional political advocacy only, so rider participation events are important - Bike SA for example work a lot in consulting which has two benefits, they get money for their expertise which helps funding, but also provide the cycle positive expertise which flows into planning and infrastructure and benefits cyclists.
Aside from insurance, if you are an individual which needs to see specific results within a definite time plan, then supporting a bigger advocacy group will not be satisfying.
As suggested, there is also a lot of organisation and competitive issues plaguing cycling advocacy in Australia and some groups specifically working competitively (not just one, rather a few) rather than exploring opportunities to unite and become stronger. Unfortunately for us cyclists, this is holding cycling advocacy in Australia back and the outlook is not good.
I estimate that we are looking at around 10-15 years before it is worth reassessing cycling advocacy - not suggesting it will be be solved by then, rather we can expect 10 - 15 years of far slower progress than cyclists in Australia deserve in advocacy. After which another review would see if the status quo continues or if the groups are prepared to unite.
There have been meetings and attempts, and there is some unity but it requires all major groups uniting to be truely effective across all levels of government - then all cyclists are represented and not just a selection from Victoria or a selection from Queensland.
Most would agree that a strong organisation with broad support will have more leverage advocating - so it is a numbers game. Though the organisations can't do one dimensional political advocacy only, so rider participation events are important - Bike SA for example work a lot in consulting which has two benefits, they get money for their expertise which helps funding, but also provide the cycle positive expertise which flows into planning and infrastructure and benefits cyclists.
Aside from insurance, if you are an individual which needs to see specific results within a definite time plan, then supporting a bigger advocacy group will not be satisfying.
As suggested, there is also a lot of organisation and competitive issues plaguing cycling advocacy in Australia and some groups specifically working competitively (not just one, rather a few) rather than exploring opportunities to unite and become stronger. Unfortunately for us cyclists, this is holding cycling advocacy in Australia back and the outlook is not good.
I estimate that we are looking at around 10-15 years before it is worth reassessing cycling advocacy - not suggesting it will be be solved by then, rather we can expect 10 - 15 years of far slower progress than cyclists in Australia deserve in advocacy. After which another review would see if the status quo continues or if the groups are prepared to unite.
There have been meetings and attempts, and there is some unity but it requires all major groups uniting to be truely effective across all levels of government - then all cyclists are represented and not just a selection from Victoria or a selection from Queensland.
Cycling is in my BNA
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