Celebrating ten years of change on World Social Enterprise Day
Good Cycles begins its 10-year anniversary celebration on World Social Enterprise Day, November 16, 2023, what a great day to celebrate 10 years of change. This momentous day gives us a chance to reflect on how we got here, the impact that we have made and provides a guide into our future of impact and growth.
2013–2017
In 2013, founders Loretta Curtin & Luke Wright created Australia’s first bike based social enterprise, using the bicycle as vehicles for positive change. Our goal, to train young people and break down their barriers to employment.
I could not hold a steady job, it was really hard. With Good Cycles, they gave me the structure … the support. And I had mentors. ~ Andy, Good Cycles employee-trainee
Through the Pedal Empowerment Program and with the help of corporate and government partners including Westpac Foundation & the City of Melbourne, Luke and Lorretta trained, upskilled and donated bikes to refugees, asylum seekers and young people from diverse backgrounds including those within the justice system.
In 2016, our fresh-faced CEO Jaison Hoenel joined Good Cycles bringing with him his global knowledge of bike share, retail, and an idea to expand and to create more jobs for young people.
2017-2021
After almost four years of repairing thousands of bikes and training hundreds of young people, Good Cycles starts creating meaningful jobs by delivering services by bicycle.
By partnering with the likes of Melbourne Bike Share, Citywide, Toyota, DM Roads, Fulton Hogan & more, our services include carshare cleaning, environmental waste collection, asset maintenance, solar bin checks, and delivery, logistics and more.
“I didn’t feel like there was an expectation that I’d do anything that I wasn’t capable of. It was very accommodating for me.”
~ Eve, Pedal Empowerment Program and Car Services
Using bicycles as work vehicles enabled Good Cycles to offer jobs to young people while removing thousands of cars, vans and light trucks from our roads.
In 2022 alone, Good Cycles prevented 20,000 kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere and removed 50 light vehicle movements from our congested roads a week!
This job has given me purpose and a reason to wake up in the morning, so I’m very grateful for that.
~ S’moe, Good Spaces Team member
2021 – 2023
December 2021, saw Good Cycles go beyond the bicycle acquiring Open Spaces, a commercial landscaping and horticulture business which helps young people find jobs. At Open Spaces, the crew are responsible for landscaping, collecting litter and mowing grass for the entire length of the Western Ring Road; across fifty plus Fire Rescue Victoria sites across Melbourne.
We opened our fourth bike shop in 2022 with Nightingale in Brunswick’s award winning social enterprise apartment complex and we are servicing all the Lime share bikes, across Melbourne and now Sydney.
During this time we define our social impact through our Youth Employment Program, which provides countless hours of employment, coaching and support to young people facing barriers to employment.
December 2022 saw us partner with STREAT and the Victorian Government to launch the Purpose Precinct, at the Queen Victoria Market a hub showcasing and selling the wares of over 40 social enterprises, including….
Ten years on, we are still innovating to create meaningful jobs, currently employing about 150 people across Melbourne and Sydney. Over the 10 Years we have directly impacted 767 young people through “Good” employment and training opportunities.
Impact that breaks down barriers to employment, nurtures our community, is good for the environment and creates good cycles of change.
