Good Cycles and RideKola are proud to announce our win of the Bike Culture Award at the 2024 Cycling Luminaries Awards, recognising our groundbreaking Equitable Commute Project.
The award-winning initiative has transformed mobility for residents in three Building Communities developments, part of Victoria’s largest social and affordable housing building programme. Located in Flemington, Prahran, and Brighton, these developments comprise 1,084 homes, with 50% dedicated to social and affordable housing residents.
In less than a year, the Equitable Commute Project has made a meaningful impact by creating an active community of eBike users. The programme goes beyond simply providing bikes, offering practical educational programmes to help residents who may not be familiar with cycling develop the skills and confidence to use eBikes and navigate local roads safely.
Adam Lana, Executive Lead Brand & Bikes at Good Cycles said, “The Equitable Commute Project is all about providing affordable active transport options to people who need it most, and what better way than doing that through upcycled e-bikes.”
“We are so proud of the layered impact this program delivers. In the background, Good Cycles is helping young people who face barriers to employment, and at the coal face is Ride Kola and Equitable Commute Project, allowing people in need the access to free transport, which also has a positive effect on both health and the environment. A huge thanks to the team at Building Communities (Tetris) for allowing us to get this project off the ground ”
The e-bikes are similar to a private fleet of Lime bikes, with a bluetooth lock system operated by the RideKola smartphone app, are fitted with lights and guards, helmets are provided and are serviced by Good Cycles with regular onsite visits. All residents are sent a Welcome Pack to introduce the eBikes Hubs and options for use. The Hubs are supported with ‘How-To’ and ‘Tips’ posters around the charging stations.
The programme arrives at a critical time, with recent ABS and RACV data highlighting the financial strain of transportation. The average Australian household now spends nearly $450 per week on transport expenses, a 9.4% increase from the previous year. For lowest-income earners, transport costs can exceed 20% of their income. During a cost of living crisis, the eBike Hubs are having a direct positive benefit for residents within the Building Communities developments.
Resident response has been enthusiastic. To date, a quarter of residents have signed up for eBike access, with bikes logging over 400 hours of journey time in the first six months. They are being used for a variety of reasons, with sixty per cent of journeys under 30 minutes, and the longest single journey was an impressive 25 km round trip.
With ongoing education, practical training, increasing occupancy, and improving weather, the potential long-term impact of these eBike Hubs on residents’ lives, local community, and road congestion is substantial.
The Cycling Luminaries Awards, hosted by We Ride! Australia, have recognised outstanding cycling initiatives for 21 years. The Bike Culture Award specifically celebrates programmes that demonstrate exceptional innovation in promoting long-term behavioural change, emphasising the importance of communication, presentation, inclusivity, and safety in driving cultural shifts.
Here’s to more shared, safe and sustainable riding!
