Good People

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ABC News covers Good Cycles response to the Melbourne City Council’s share e-scooter ban

It was great to see Hassan and Jaison speaking on the ABC News in support of Lime and our employees after the Melbourne City Council announced the ban on share scooters a few weeks ago.

 It’s been a hard few weeks for Lime, but there is still a lot to play out as other councils in the north, Merri-bek, Darebin and Moonee Valley have signalled their support for a rental e-scooter scheme.  

As a job-focused social enterprise, we exist to break down employment barriers that marginalised young people face. Lime is a significant supporter of our Youth Employment Program, both here in Melbourne and interstate.

Lime is a significant supporter of our Youth Employment Program, both in Victoria and interstate. We have been a proud partner of Lime since 2020, which has provided 149 employment opportunities in Melbourne in this time and 41 current jobs.

The strength of this partnership has also helped staff develop their skills and capabilities to leadership opportunities either at Lime or through the tailored mentorship program Lime and Good Cycles offers. 

This decision obviously has an economic impact, however it is the people and community impact that Good Cycles is concerned about. 

Watch the ABC News clip here:

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Our partnership with Lime has allowed these Good Cycles employees to find work as scooter and bike mechanics and operations specialists, work that gives them confidence, stability and a sense of purpose. Work that helps break the cycles of unemployment. Sadly the ban on e-scooters is likely to see a reduction in staff and operations. The full extent is unknown at this stage.

Our CEO Jaison Hoernel said “Good Cycles supports the safe and appropriate use of active transport solutions in our cities and all the jobs that it can create. Our research shows young people want to work in jobs of the future such as these green jobs that help our environment and the community. We want to continue supporting Lime while helping young people thrive.”

We are still assessing the full impact of this decision but we do know that e-bikes will continue to operate in the city. We are working closely with Lime to navigate the remaining weeks of the e-scooters operating and the impact that will have on our staff. 

You can show your support to Good Cycles and our Lime staff by signing up to our newsletters and Instagram, so we can keep you informed of future developments. 

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Our Research Release and Round Table Recap

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our Round Table Discussion.

Our Round Table Discussion was opened by Hannah Figueroa, our Impact Evaluation Lead, who released the findings of her research into exploring the  job market experiences of young people who are marginalised and the challenges they experience when trying to secure employment. 

In this research, staff from Good Cycles’ Youth Employment Program (YEP) shared personal experiences that gave valuable insights into how their needs and values influence their job choices, and their views on the challenges and opportunities in future work.

Hannah’s research covers three key areas:

Drivers behind youth unemployment: Understanding underemployment and weak participation in the labour market experienced by marginalised young people.

Engaging our youth: The needs and reasons for engaging in work among young people working at Good Cycles.

The future of work: Creating ‘green’ inclusive and sustainable jobs for young people.

To download a copy of Hannah’s research and access the recording of our Round Table Discussion, please fill out your details below.

"We believe the Good Cycles research is pivotal for corporate development companies aiming to create social impact as it provides strategies for empowering groups and thereby directly contributes to the socio economic uplift of local communities."
Bonny Bayne
Strategic Partnerships & Foundation Manager, Stockland

We also thank Professor Jo Barraket, Hannah’s academic mentor, and the Melbourne Social Equity Institute for the opportunity that allowed this research to take place. The community fellows program enables community organisations like Good Cycles the ability to undertake research of this focus and significance. Congratulations to Hannah on completing her research and thank you for sharing the findings with us all. 

To create employment pathways for young people, we need to listen and learn from young people themselves. We have so much gratitude for Youth Employment Program participants who shared their stories and lived experience with us in the research.

Thank you to Vaughn, a YEP participant and Assistant Manager at Purpose Precinct, who shared his experiences both in the research and at the Round Table Discussion. He gave an invaluable contribution to the discussion with his eloquent and considered perspectives.  

We extend our gratitude to our panellists, who shared their experience, knowledge and support:

Bonny Bayne (Strategic Partnerships & Foundation Manager, Stockland)

Myf Galloway (Asia Pacific Retail Training Manager, Trek Bicycle Corporation)

Quentin Mercier (Industry Capability & Inclusion Manager, John Holland)

Lara Nickless (Operations Manager, Lime Australia)

To download a copy of Hannah’s research and access the recording of our Round Table Discussion, please fill out your details below.

In social enterprise, we know the power in creating a sense of belonging through human connection. We’ve learned a lot about how to do it well and want to be a blueprint for how business can be.

If we’re making good workplaces for people who’ve experienced barriers to employment, it means that we’re making good workplaces for everyone. 

“Businesses need to start approaching practices differently because this is your workforce of the future. There’s only going to be more young people and they’re going to be the older people in the next few years. If you want to have a good business in ten, fifteen or twenty years, this is needs to be important to you now.”

Kirra Johnson, Executive Lead People & Impact, Good Cycles

Our first discussion event may have ended but the discussion certainly hasn’t. If anybody wants to keep talking, talk to us at Good Cycles, talk to each other, and let’s keep the discussion and action going.

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Luz reflects on her work experiences so far at Good Cycles.

Luz went from rarely riding a bike while living in Mexico to cycling up to 8 hours a day within our Good Spaces division. Joining Good Cycles in 2021, her work varied across council asset maintenance and car share cleaning. 

Today, she is working as a retail assistant in our bike shops while developing her bike mechanics skills. Luz reflects on her experiences out on the road and shares what she has learned.

Tell us about the transition between infrastructure services and retail bike shops? What skills have you been able to transfer?

It’s been quite interesting because I had no background in bikes or mechanics. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming to me, but it has been hectic. What’s been important is learning and taking it a day at a time. Overall the experience has been good compared to how other bike shops would treat a newbie. My communication skills I picked up from working in the public are useful in the bike shop as well. For example how to communicate with managers, and with the team in general. They have been so helpful to me, I can’t thank them enough.

Together with her colleagues/mentors Stef and Abby, Luz is taking steps to improve the way women and female identifying people are perceived in bike shops. According to a 2023 Bicycle Association study on diversity in cycling, women only make up 8% of the cycling industry’s workshop based roles, 40% of administrative roles and 19% of customer facing roles.

 

Have you encountered any challenges in the cycling industry?

Cycling is very much a male-dominated industry. Sometimes people believe they won’t receive the best advice from a woman. In some cases, female store members have been flat out ignored! In our bike shops, I believe we are challenging these stereotypes; on some days you can come into our Melbourne CBD store and there will be three female mechanics all working together, all with expert bike knowledge. This is why I think we need to prioritise hiring women in this industry.

Luz, you have spent time living in Mexico. What is the cycling culture like in Mexico compared to here in Australia?

It’s terrible over there. That’s probably one of the main reasons I never got used to riding bikes on public roads. The most I ever rode was as a toddler, dodging chairs and tables on a kid’s bike in the house. Every Wednesday in my town, there would be a community bike ride but the police would escort us to make sure nobody would injure us on the road. It was kind of like a protest if you think about it, they would treat it like that because people don’t respect cyclists at all. Cycling was more like a recreational activity and not a mode of transport like here.

"I enjoy being creative through problem solving, whether I'm in the store or outside doing asset maintenance on a path inspection."
Luz
Retail Assistant

And what does cycling mean to you now, after having worked at Good Cycles?

For me personally, using the e-bikes during the work shift meant freedom to discover new parts of the city and take in the landscape, the open spaces. I realise now how important cycling is in Australia and how empowering it is to own a bicycle, to use it for everyday tasks. It’s so much safer here compared to Mexico. For example, here schools have bike cages and everywhere you go there is a place to lock your bike on the street.

Overcoming negative stereotypes in the cycling industry and providing quality service to our customers is something Luz has become passionate about since joining Good Cycles. Gaining communication skills in Good Spaces and transferring those skills in our retail stores has given Luz confidence and stability in her life.

Curious about joining our crew?

Visit our Good Jobs page and see what opportunities await you.

Good Jobs
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Lucas’ experiences as an Operations Coordinator

At our fast-paced warehouse in North Melbourne you’ll find Lucas. He began working with us in 2020 and developed transferrable workplace skills that saw him move from car share cleaning to become our City Services Operations Coordinator. During our interview, Lucas reflected on how he learned to create a safe, more inclusive workplace for others, and how he works to create good cycles of change in the wider community.

What was an average day like in car share cleaning and which skills could you transfer to your current role?

Using an e-bike, I would carry cleaning equipment to various work sites in Metro Melbourne. Typically, I would clean up to 14 car share vehicles per shift, completing work orders after they had been cleaned. I think time management and taking responsibility were two skills I transferred to my role as Operations Coordinator. Working under time constraints prepared me to stay focused while coordinating tasks in the warehouse. And even though I am based in the office, I still get to go out into the CBD to do grouting and lock removals which helps break up my day.

Were there any challenges in your role as Operations Coordinator that you had to overcome?

In the beginning, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome because other team members were older than me and they appeared to have more experience than me. This left me feeling like I didn’t deserve to be here. Another personal challenge was overcoming social anxiety when talking to the staff. It used to make me feel uncomfortable because I went from being part of the team to transitioning into a leadership role. I would notice people talking to me differently, but I persevered to become more secure in my position and gained confidence in the role. I’ve also taken steps to make staff feel more comfortable while working, which has provided me with a sense of purpose.

Tell us about some of the steps you’ve taken to make staff feel comfortable while they work.

I’m motivated towards helping make the workplace a more comfortable environment for feminine presenting staff because I didn’t come out as trans until after I began working here. When I started my transition, I experienced a different level of respect from men in the street based upon how I presented myself. I started to notice a huge disparity in how our feminine presenting staff were being treated when they went out into public to work. 

Incidents were going unreported as they were reluctant to speak up. It wasn’t fair to them, so I sat down to listen to their experiences so we could develop strategies about what we could do as a workplace to improve the situation. One thing we tried was sending people out in pairs and never being alone on the street for long. We also made the workplace more welcoming, creating safe spaces to share stories from the job. That meant we could bond over the good and the bad, and rely on each other if we ever needed help. The benefits were immediate and it has been a boost to the warehouse ever since.

"Being an ally is a worthwhile cause and something I am passionate about."
Lucas
Office Coordinator

What has been a highlight for you while you’ve been working here?

Some of our staff used to struggle coming to work on time and found it difficult to focus. When our Youth Coaches guided them, you could see a change. Their work ethic improved and they were arriving to work with a sense of purpose. Doing the simple things right and seeing them accomplish their goals reminded me why I enjoy working at Good Cycles.

Lucas embraces our mission of creating good cycles of change. He spreads positivity by dedicating himself to leadership and being an ally for underrepresented staff members. His willingness to do the right thing is something we should all strive for, whatever our role in life is.

Curious about joining our crew?

Visit our Good Jobs page and see what opportunities await you.

Good Jobs
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Docklands News drops by the Docklands Bike Hub

Recently, our Docklands Bike Hub had the pleasure of a visit from Docklands News

Since 2003, the print and digital publication Docklands News has been a resource for community orientated news for all in and around the 3008 postcode. Docklands News journalist, Kaylah-Joelle Baker, visited our retro-fitted shipping container ‘Hub’ to chat with the team about their experience working with Good Cycles, and what makes our organisation different amidst Melbourne’s bicycle servicing landscape.

(Pictured L to R) Good Cycles' Docklands' staff Abby and Byron, with Good Cycles' Brand & Marketing Manager Adam Lana

Good Cycles’ Docklands’ mechanic Byron summed it up succinctly in his conversation with Kaylah:

I find this place actually creates the opportunity to up-skill employees, whereas in other places there can be limited opportunities to be up-skilled on certain levels of knowledge and tasks. I find this place gives a lot of time to allow staff to learn under seniors and create opportunities to up-skill so you can end up running your own shop in some instances. A lot of people can stay at a lower level of development in other places, whereas this place finds or creates the time for its employees to discuss things.

Byron, Good Cycles mechanic

To read the full article over on the Docklands News website, click here!