R I D E R
G U I D E
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Message from
The Lord Mayor Of Melbourne
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The City of Melbourne is pleased to support the inaugural Women’s Ride: a single - day celebration of female peddle power. The Women’s Ride incorporates numerous events around the state including recreational group riding, casual social rides and racing disciplines. A central hub has been set up in Docklands Park which incorporates live music, entertainment and activities. Melbourne women have already organised local riding groups to enjoy new friendships, destinations, and gain confidence as cyclists. We have embraced cycling in our city, with a growing number of people riding as a means of transport, sport and recreation. I congratulate Cycling Victoria on this innovative event and their choice of the Amy Gillett Foundation as their charity partner. Ride safely and enjoy the first Women’s Ride.
Robert Doyle
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Introduction Welcome to The Women’s Ride!
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The Women’s Ride is a single day celebration of women’s riding. Unlike other organised rides, the Women’s Ride is not focused around a single ride or single event. It incorporates a variety of riding events from around Victoria. These include recreational group riding, casual social rides as well as different disciplines of racing. The best part of the day is that its all about you! You can take part in an existing ride, or you can set up a ride with your family, friends, colleagues, whoever. All of the content in The Women’s Ride is generated at a grass roots level by communities of women who love to ride. It’s one day in the year when we all come together to celebrate women’s cycling. The Women’s ride is partnering with local and state-wide events focused on women’s riding, and tapping in to the many programs already on offer for women’s participation. A number of hubs will be set up around Melbourne and regional Victoria to provide riders with a place to meet up, begin or end their rides, as well as meet other people contributing to women’s cycling. For Melbourne riders a central hub will be set up in the Docklands precinct where a range of activities and entertainment will be on offer. Anyone can participate in the ride, with registration being strongly encouraged. Registered riders will receive a package of discounts and gifts from sponsors. Everyone’s a winner! The Women’s Ride is an initiative of Cycling Victoria, and is supported by Vic Health, The Squeaky Wheel and is aligned with the Amy Gillett Foundation as a charitable partner. We intend for the ride be a catalyst for discussion around issues of gender in cycling, and we advocate strongly for an increased presence for women in all forms of cycling participation. 5
Event Ambassador Senator Janet Rice Australian Greens
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Why are you supporting the event? I love riding my bike and sharing my passion for riding with others. People tell me that feeling unsafe on our roads is the biggest factor preventing them from riding. This is particularly so for women. In my home town of Melbourne, around 20% of the riders using painted bike lanes are women. Where there are separated lanes the proportion of women riders is 45 per cent. The solution is clear: we need all levels of government to commit to improve cycling infrastructure to encourage women to get on their bikes. My work encouraging cycling as a federal representative is a natural follow on from my time as a Councillor and Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, when we made big strides forward building bike lanes and paths Last month, the Senate passed my motion calling on the government to adopt a national cycling investment strategy. Unfortunately, the Abbott government stubbornly refuses to back any transport projects other than roads and tollways. But with continued pressure from the cycling community and events like The Women’s Ride, I’m confident we can change that.
What do you love about cycling, and why do you think more women should get involved? There are so many reasons why I ride and why I reckon more women should. It keeps you fit and healthy, it’s efficient, cheap, and reduces congestion and pollution. In Melbourne, more than 50% of car trips are less than 5km. If just a small portion of those trips were made by bicycle, it would go a long way towards reducing pollution and freeing up our roads. But the thing I most love about cycling is that it’s fun! I love the sense of achievement of getting somewhere under my own effort, and I love interacting with the world as I travel including chatting to fellow cyclists, being in touch with the weather and saying hello to magpies, ducks and cats as I pass. The other great thing about riding is that it means I can fit regular exercise into my busy day. It’s quicker for me to ride to work from Footscray to Coburg than catch the train. If I had to make time to get to the gym to exercise I’d never do it.
Why women need to be more physically active? Being physically active is good for the mind, body and soul. I know that if I’m feeling a bit down and a bit lethargic that getting on my bike and going for a ride is just what I need. And the health benefits of regular exercise are incredible. The Heart Foundation tells us that regular exercise reduces the risk of all causes of death by 30%, diabetes by a massive 42%, cardio vascular disease by 32% and cancers by between 20 and 30%. If that’s not enough to get you on your bike I don’t know what is!
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Charitable Partner
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The Amy Gillett Foundation is charitable partners with The Women’s Ride. This partnership was made through our knowledge that a huge barrier to women’s cycling is the fact that women do not feel safe on the roads. The AGF is a charity with one purpose – reducing the incidence of death and injury of bike riders. Since the inception of the AGF they have been the catalyst for change, focusing on what should be, rather than what is.
The It’s A Two Way Street Campaign is aimed at educating both drivers and bicycle riders on mutual respect and other important road rules and behaviours that are crucial when sharing the road.
The Amy Gillett Foundation has two key safety campaigns, which were both developed to bring to life bicycle related safety messages via community activation through promotion, education, and awareness. We encourage all participants to donate towards the Amy Gillett Foundation and their efforts to increase safety on the roads.
A Metre Matters raises motorists awareness of the need to provide a meter when overtaking bicycle riders. 9
Sharing the roads and paths:
Safe Cycling Tips
Sharing roads and paths provides you with information about rules and safe behaviours when interacting with bicycle riders or when you are riding. Bicycle riders, drivers, motor bike riders and pedestrians are all legitimate users of the road system.
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Road rules
Be predictable
>> Know and obey the road rules
>> Be clear about your intentions
>> Know your responsibilities
>> When changing direction, indicate with sufficient notice to other road users
>> Obey road signs and signals >> Bicycles are considered vehicles and are permitted on the road, unless signed, even if there is a nearby off-road path >> Be alert >> Be aware and anticipate the next moves of all road users, especially children and older people
Be courteous >> Be considerate and patient on all roads and paths >> Acknowledge good behaviour >> Don’t respond to road rage or harassment
>> Make eye contact with road users, especially at intersections >> Use green bike lanes highlight high-risk areas >> Look out for pedestrians crossing the road 11
Bicycle riders >> You cannot pass a vehicle on the left when the vehicle is indicating and in the process of turning left >> Keep your bicycle roadworthy - you must have at least one effective brake, and a working bell or horn >> You must stop behind a stationary tram and wait for the tram doors to close and the pedestrians to clear the road before continuing >> You must wear an Australian standard bicycle helmet, >> Securely fitted and fastened
>> Be aware of opening car doors >> Ride outside the car door zone when safe to do so >> Don’t ride in a driver’s blind spot, make sure the driver can see you >> Watch for hazards and obstacles on the road, such as potholes and grates >> Cross tram tracks at right angles >> Look for vehicles, motor bikes and pedestrians entering and exiting driveways and laneways
>> You must not ride in areas reserved for pedestrians
>> Don’t move in and out of traffic maintain a straight line
>> You must not ride more than two abreast unless overtaking. When riding two abreast, bicycle riders should not be more than 1.5 metres apart
>> Use clear hand signals when changing lanes and turning >> Use your bell, or voice when approaching pedestrians and other bicycle riders
>> You can only carry up to the number of people that the bicycle and attachments such as trailers are designed for
>> Ride at appropriate speeds when using a shared path or footpath
>> You must ride in an on-road bicycle lane if there is one unless impractical to do so >> You must give way to pedestrians on footpaths and shared paths
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>> Ride with caution passed parked cars
>> Slow down when overtaking pedestrians >> When riding in a group in busy traffic, or on narrow roads, consider riding in single file to allow vehicles to overtake safely
>> Be considerate about where you park your bicycle so you are not obstructing footpaths, pedestrians, wheelchairs or mobility scooter access >> Keep adequate space in front of you to void wheels overlapping >> Don’t cut in too soon after overtaking another bicycle >> Ride within a single vehicle lane >> You must not ride more than two abreast riders should not be more than than 1.5 metres apart >> Use your voice and hand singles to point at hazards or obstacles >> Do not change directions or brake suddenly
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Events
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Docklands Park Events Hub
Location: Docklands Park 51 – 91 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008 Time: 10am – 2pm Contact Person: Melanie Darmanin, Mark Drehlich Email: vic.development@ cycling.org.au Number: 03 8480 3000
Come down and meet likeminded individuals at our Docklands Hub. With riders from all around Victoria meeting there to refresh, chat and enjoy the lively atmosphere. We will have stalls running that represent all aspects of women in cycling, including Cycling Victoria/Breeze.
Janet Rice, Australian politician for The Greens and strong advocate for cycling will be at the Docklands Hub on the day to show her support for women in cycling.
Physiohealth will be providing free massage on the day for you to come and down and enjoy after your ride. Soul Kitchen and OoOdleLishious will be providing tasty meals and coffees throughout the day, for your post ride refuel. Live entertainment will be provided by the Victorian College of the Arts, with Double Standards 10am – 12pm, and then Laura and Marco from 12pm – 2pm. 15
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Catherine Deveny’s Pushy Women
Location: 54 Victoria Street, Carlton Victoria 3053 Time: 4:00pm Contact Person: Pip Carroll Email: pip@thesqueakywheel. com.au
Writer, comedian and commuter cyclist evangelist Catherine Deveny presents Pushy Women, a stand up show for the love of bicycles. Seven high profile babes push the envelope with tales of triumph, tragedy and everything in between. Now in it’s fourth year, Deveny collects Melbourne’s most fabulous and fiercly funny women to share their story of life on two wheels.
Featuring: Julia Morris / Clare Bowditch / Fiona O’Loughlin / Rachel Berger / Alicia Sometimes / Fiona Patten / and Catherine Deveny This event is always a sell out show with over 240 people attending each year. So get in quick next year for tickets!
Melbourne Bike Polo Come and Try Day
Location: Princes Hill Secondary College, Carlton North 3054 Time and Date: 19th April 2015, 11:00am Contact Person: Alice Lewis Email: alewis@nightbrigade. com.au
Bike polo is a fun, social game that also helps in developing general bicycle skills. We play 3v3 and the aim is to use your bicycle, mallet and teammates to score goals; the team with the most goals after 12minutes wins!
Turn up when you like and have a go;
You are welcome to ride your own bicycle though we will be supplying bikes, mallets and all equipment necessary so feel free to come and use what is here.
11am-12pm: Demo Games (from experience Bicycle Polo players) 12pm-3pm: Have a Go! (This is where you can try your hand at bike polo skills) 3pm-5pm: New Player Pick Up Games (Slow games with anyone who wants to try playing a friendly game of polo) We’ll have experienced players to offer tips and assist, as you will be riding in close proximity to others on a hard surface helmets are mandatory and covered footwear is advisable. Also note that while this event focused around women, we invite anyone who is interested to join in.
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How do you solve a problem like Maria?
SheSpoke 2015
Location: 330A Beaconsfield Parade, Saint Kilda West VIC 3182 Time: 10:00am Contact Person: Jessica Cerejo Email: jcerejo@portphillip.vic. gov.au Number: 9209 6274
How do we get more women riding? Start where SheSpoke left off and join us for champagne breakfast at a RSVP-only event. With speakers – Q&A style at 11am – exploring the themes of women, empowerment and everyday riding. Meet others, share stories, be inspired and join the conversation. Skills and bike maintenance sessions to follow. Everyone is welcome. Ride and event organisers are welcome to start or end their planned activities from this event. Just get in touch with Jess. 18
SheSpoke in 2014 was a three month festival dedicated to promoting women’s participation in bike riding. The series of rides, workshops and special events were designed to celebrate, inspire, entertain and empower women of all life stages. She Spoke is about having fun, making connections with other women, learning new skills and trying something you may not have tried before (or for a long time).
Try a Cargo Bike Day
Location: 42A Marine Parade, Saint Kilda 3004 Time: 10:00am Contact Person: Emmy Heikamp Email: info@dutchcargobike. com.au
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Good Cycles Service Deal
Location: Corner of Village Street & Fishplate Lane, Docklands Time: 9:00am Contact Person: Matt McCullough Email: matt@goodcycles.org Number: 0430 070 080 Address: www.goodcycles.org
Get your bike running smoothly for the 12th April with an expert service from Australia’s first notfor-profit bike shop – Good Cycles.
Cycles we believe bicycles are an excellent tool for achieving this mission of ours.
All participants in The Women’s ride get a 15% discount on any service level – just book online at www.goodcycles.org and use the Promo Code – WomensRide2015. Good Cycles mission is to give a helping hand to those with genuine and often serious barriers to getting ahead in life. At Good 20
Good Cycles run a variety of bicycle-based programs to help us achieve our community/social aims. All their programs are geared towards engaging people who have significant barriers to employment and providing them with mentoring, training, education and meaningful employment.
Women’s Ride Bike Check
Location: 14 Prentice Street, Brunswick 3056 Time: Anytime leading up to The Women’s Ride! Contact Person: Huw Velacott Email: info@commutercycles. com.au Number: 03 9388 1319
To help you get your bike ready for The Women’s Ride, Commuter Cycles is offering FREE “On-thespot Tune-up & Safety Checks” during the two weeks leading up to the event.
Commuter Cycles is a bike workshop dedicated to everyday cyclists. Fixing bikes is what they do. If you love your bike and love to ride it from A to B, Commuter Cycles is your bike shop.
We’ll pump up your tyres, lube your chain, adjust the gears and breaks, and check for any additional safety issues that might need additional attention.
Bookings are essential – call or email us on the contact information above to schedule a time any time before April 12th.
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Cyclocross Skills Session
Are you cross-curious? Are you mad for mud? Don’t know where to start? Want to improve your skills? DirtyDeeds are back with their annual womens skills clinic so you can see what all the fun is about with cyclocross. Come out and learn from 2x National CX Champion Lisa Jacobs Wheelie good instruction by Jeremy “CrossBoss” Soawyer 2 hours of fun and skills building! Meet near the rangers office at the end of Separation Street. EVERYONE WELCOME! ANY BIKES ALLOWED!
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Location: Darebin Creek Trail, Alphington 3078 Time: 10:00am Contact Person: Dirty Deeds Email: dirtydeedscx@gmail. com
Wheel Women She Rides at Docklands
Location: 473 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008 Time: 9:30am Contact Person: Tina McCarthy Email: info@wheelwomen.com. au Number: 0412 993 650
Wheel Women is running 6 She Rides Programs across Melbourne: Docklands, Hawthorn, Knox and Geelong.
Our Sunday Confidence program coincides with the Women’s Ride and we will commence the session at our usual meeting place on New Quay Promenade before we make our way to Wheel Women HQ at Docklands.
The She Rides programs are what Wheel Women has always done… we GET women on bikes! In a supportive and very social environment we encourage women to learn with each other and make friends, enabling them to become regular riders.
It’s a full program so we’re sorry, we can’t take any extras on the day, but we invite you down to watch and get to see what this great program is all about!
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City of Melbourne are proud supporters of The Women’s Ride 24
City of Melbourne is proud to support The Women’s Ride. City of Melbourne has always been a strong advocate for safe cycling with the Share our Streets road safety program that encourages all road users in Melbourne to show courtesy and respect to make their journey around the city safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Share our Streets addresses issues specific to the City of Melbourne’s unique urban environment such as how to use shared spaces, the impact of distractions and cardooring. For more information on the City of Melbourne Share Our Paths Program, go to http://ow.ly/LgO4a
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Event Supporters Vouchers Seight Customer Cycling Wear are revolutionising custom cycling wear in Australia. Located in Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia, Seight is a premium custom cycling apparel provider to the Australian and Worldwide markets. Seight Custom Cycling Wear produces cycling shorts, bike jerseys, bib shorts and tights, vests and jackets, arm and leg warmers and other Australian custom cycling clothing specifically designed for racing, training and casual wear. 10% Off in store purchases offer.
Specialized design bikes, rider gear, bike equipment and pretty everything to do with cycling! They are, riders designing advanced bikes and equipment that make your ride better. They have everything for any age, skill level and bike. Specilized also have a female dedicated E-Magazine called “Your Ride. Your Rules.” This is a space to discover stories and bits of info that showcase a broad range of locations, riders and personalities. Specialized have supported The Women’s Ride by providing drink bottles to all of our participants.
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Physiohealth consists of a dynamic team of experienced and professional physiotherapists and other health professionals who offer excellent services at extremely convenient times that suit the busy individual. Their team of qualified physios are able to help people with pain, movement and dysfunction problems, ranging from athletes, injured workers, motor vehicle accident victims, arthritis sufferers, senior citizens, pregnant women and children. Physiohealth are supporting The Women’s Ride by providing massage to all the participants who come to the Docklands hub on the day!
Winning Edge specialises in all forms of giftware and presentation items, they customise, manufacture and wholesale distribute many major brands. Winning Edge are in their 29th year of operation, so let them use their experience within the industry help you! Winning edge have provided the trophy for the Cadel Evans race, designing it to signify important things to Cadel Evans. 10% Off in store purchases Offer.
a’qto design riding apparel is aimed to be an expression of self. They aim to be different through imaginative design to celebrate the individual who powers the machine. a’qto are providing all The Women’s Ride with a pair of race division technical socks for all participants on the day!
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Event Partners