Mik

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Lucinda Makrakis

Lucinda Makrakis has over 25 years banking experience, predominately in the field of lending risk. Having spent many years examining both industry and property exposures, her strength is identifying and mitigating risk.

In 2018 she sat on the Westpac Foundation Scale Up Grant Finance and Risk committee which sparked a desire to use her skill set in a social enterprise environment. This lead to her joining Good Cycles in May 2018 and the Board in October of the same year. She’s now employed in the banking industry on a part-time basis to allow time to focus on her own online business and voluntary roles.

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Darrell Wade

Darrell is the Co-founder and Chairman of Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company and a certified B Corp. A highly regarded entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, Darrell and his Co-founder Geoff (‘Manch’) Manchester created Intrepid in the late 1980s as a new way for people to explore the world that was immersive, sustainable and affordable.

Darrell has been an advocate on climate change for more than 15 years. He was one of the first Australians to complete Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project training and is vice chair of the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council where he leads the development of its sustainability agenda.

Darrell is part of the advisory group for Travalyst, a global partnership founded by The Duke of Sussex, and is the director of two philanthropic foundations. He is chairman of both The Intrepid Foundation and Melbourne-based social enterprise Good Cycles.

Beyond travel, Darrell is a respected leader in the entrepreneurial sector and is actively involved with a number of start-ups, accelerators and university programs.

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Jaison Hoernel

Jaison has over 20 years of professional experience in the bicycle industry in Australia and internationally. With influential roles across the industry, Jaison’s depth of expertise is highly regarded. He has enjoyed success in establishing one of Australia’s most successful and highly regarded commuter and specialty bicycle retail shops, holds an MBA (Executive) from RMIT and has a highly developed financial acumen.

Jaison has held management positions in both Australia and Asia and been actively involved in developing sponsorship and funding models for public transport projects internationally. Jaison is committed to social equity.

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The Youth Pathways ‘In Our Own Words’ project

Youth Pathways In Our Own Words Participant

Good Cycles program participants have recently shared perspectives about the difference Good Cycles has made in their lives  through the Youth Pathways project. Youth Pathways is a collaborative initiative sponsored by the City of Melbourne to facilitate innovation between youth-focused local organisations such as Good Cycles  about how best to support opportunities for young people.

The recent ‘In our Own words’ project sought to know more about the impact of partnerships and collaborations in successfully delivering impactful outcomes for program participants. Good Cycles’ Yasin, S’moe and Ali shared their insights and experiences:

Yasin’s Story:


S’moe’s Story:


Ali’s Story:

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Keeping Melbourne’s shared user paths safe!

Good Cycles has partnered with DM Roads to improve Melbourne’s shared user pathways for everyone!

After pedestrians expressed safety concerns over the use of utes to undertake shared user paths (SUPs) inspections along the Hume, Western and Metropolitan Ring road Freeways, DM Roads contacted Good Cycles to see if we could undertake this work with a safer alternative: bikes!

Following thorough training from DM Roads on hazard and defect identification, our team began inspections in November 2019.

Since then, our inspections have evolved to incorporate a ‘find and fix’ approach, allowing us to assist DM Roads by filling small cracks and gaps in the paths, fixing street signs and removing graffiti, as we go along inspecting the paths. This approach creates efficiencies and increases productivity for DM Roads.

We’re excited to provide an innovative service that meets both business needs and broader environmental needs, replacing large inspection vehicles with a bike to reduce carbon emissions and impact on vegetation.

This work also provides supported employment for young people, such as Nathan (pictured above), facing barriers to entering the workplace or sustaining a secure connection to work.

Good Cycles is proud to partner with DM Roads to offer safer and more environmentally friendly solutions to SUPs inspections.

To find out how Good Cycles can provide environmentally-friendly maintenance and logistics services for your organisation, please contact us here.

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Eve’s Story

“The Pedal Empowerment Program (PEP) allowed me to slowly get back into the routine of having a weekly commitment after several years of unemployment, and meant that instead of relying purely on a CV and interview I was able to introduce myself to people over a few weeks and demonstrate my skills and eagerness to learn.

“Regular interview approaches had been difficult for me due to both ADHD, and the fact many interviews I’ve had placed more focus on me explaining my gender, health status, or intermittent past employment than what I can actually contribute.

“After the Pedal Empowerment program I was offered a transitional employment role that acknowledged my obstacles and let me build confidence, fitness and stability at my own pace. The ongoing support offered was unconditional – they understood my hesitance to trust an employer, and lack of confidence in some areas of work, and built that trust and confidence over time. I wasn’t pushed into unsustainable rosters or expectations.

“I’ve learned that I can enjoy work and actually look forward to my day rather than just persisting for the sake of income and stability. I appreciate being given autonomy and being trusted to work on tasks independently, being given a variety of physical and mental tasks, and being in a workplace which is accommodating of people’s challenges and differences.

“The financial stability I’ve gained through regular work has allowed me to dramatically improve my own life. I am now able to afford to access the health care I need, have a secure and comfortable living situation, and have been able to support my partners and friends when they need it.

“I heard about PEP through another participant, and it came with a strong recommendation. I wish more young people were hearing about it, and similar programs, from their Job Service Provider or other employment service.”