Chris Tallentire: WA’s ‘Minister of Cycling’ talks advocacy, gravel, pro cycling & much more…

WestCycle caught up with Member for Thornlie, Chris Tallentire, as he arrived at Parliament House (on his bike of course) for another day’s work in WA’s chambers of power…

Chris doesn’t just enjoy cycling though – his tireless advocacy for bike riding, cycling events and active transport has many regarding him as WA’s unofficial ‘Minister of Cycling’.

As Chair of the Bike Riding Reference Group/Active Travel Group, the Lower House’s only regular bike commuter is deeply engaged in initiatives to get more kids and adults riding bikes across WA.

In this wide-ranging chat, Chris speaks candidly of the challenges faced to boost bike riding participation rates; the role big firms can play in backing green commuting; the grassroots effects of WA’s recent pro cycling successes; the rise of gravel and…the joy of bike riding!

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Tim Roach

Elected Director | Off Road

Tim has been in senior leadership and strategic development roles for more than twenty years. He is currently Director of Executive Education in the School of Business and Law at Edith Cowan University and is a past Assistant Commissioner and General Manager in the public service. He is an Accountant (FCPA) and sits on the Divisional Council of CPA Australia.

Tim has been involved in racing mountain bikes, BMX and triathlon for many years, both as a father of two children who race and as a past and current bike racer. Tim is the current over-50 State Champion in downhill mountain biking. He is also a very regular and enthusiastic transport cyclist; frequently seen in a suit and tie riding to meetings in the city on a mountain bike.

Denise Sullivan

Chair | Governance & Risk Committee

Denise Sullivan has a career spanning over twenty years in senior management and executive roles in the state public and not-for-profit health sectors.

In her usual role of Director Chronic Disease Prevention with the Western Australian Department of Health, she leads the development of state chronic disease and injury prevention policy and planning frameworks and contributes to the shaping of the national preventive health policy agenda.

Her professional interests cover many aspects of chronic disease and injury prevention encompassing health communications, health promotion and research, public policy on health and workforce planning and development.

She has a particular interest in furthering collaborations with other sectors with a mutual interest in promoting a more active and healthier WA community, and creating and sustaining environments that support this. Denise is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Leadership WA Signature Program, and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian College of Health Service Managers.

Denise is a recreational cyclist and recent convert to mountain biking (although trainer wheels still on!).