1 Bicycle Victoria's Foundations
About this page
- Our Organisation
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- purpose
In this section we draw the links from our purpose, as defined by the Constitution, to the things that we do.
High level statements
We want everyone to experience that 'Life is better on a bike'.
Our purpose is to measurably grow the cycling world...to get More People Cycling More Often.
Our ultimate milestone is to make riding a cultural norm so we have healthy people in a healthy society.
Benefits to the individual
We articulate the vision of a society where more people ride more often – to let people know that ‘Life is better on a bike’.
There are significant benefits for every individual who takes up bike riding – especially improved physical health, better mental health and a greater sense of well being, fulfilment and happiness. Other powerful benefits from bike riding include a sense of connectedness and better relationships including new friends, closer neighbours and a sense of belonging. Riders consistently report that these benefits are their main motivations for riding.
Riders also enjoy the savings and convenience of using a bike for transport.
Benefits to society
The benefits of more bike riding flow out to the wider community.
The more people ride for transport the more time is saved, congestion removed and the cost of transport infrastructure reduced. These benefits are matched by a reduction in transport related pollution including greenhouse gases.
Bike riding for pleasure leaves behind more jobs in tourism and recreation. Bike riding for transport improves productivity and reduces time off work for illness.
Above all the community benefits from a reduction in disease and the pain and financial costs caused by disease.
What we do
Our aim is to make significant measurable change at a societal scale - in perceptions, behaviour and bicycle infrastructure. We use societal measures such as the census to see if bike riding is growing. We have developed other measures such as Super Tuesday and Hands Up!
We look for initiatives that will provide a high return on our effort. As a result we emphasise, increase and improve bicycle infrastructure and run large scale behvaiour change programs such as Ride to Work and Ride2School. We will go anywhere to make these things happen.
How we work
We try and be well networked everywhere so we can attract a wide range of support and contribution that will leverage and multiply our effort. We work to change perceptions through marketing, promotion and communication. We look to attract contributions of all types as well as develop great talent in our volunteer and paid staff.
We aim to speak up for riders and provide a point of reference on bike riding. We provide expert services to individuals, organisations and government agencies as well as to other bike groups.
Using our evidence-based expertise we provide advice on policy, on projects, offer practical suggestions and provide media comment.
What we value
We value our members and supporters; our volunteers and staff.
We value our contribution to more people cycling more often as well as the contribution of others.
We value our independence, our clarity & focus, our optimism and enthusiasm; our discipline, courage and persistence.
Our organisation
We want our organisation to be an inspirational leader and a role model in the world of bike riding.
We try to be bold, strong and innovative and always to do our best.
We believe it is important to be inclusive and open; responsible, accountable and astute.
Support the people who support your bike riding. Join Bicycle Victoria.