WestCycle Programs
WestCycle runs a host of programs that support our mission of more people riding bikes more often. Check out some of those programs here. If you would like to know more about them, or have ideas or suggestions about programs we could run, please get in touch.
RIDE LEADER Course
The WestCycle Ride Leader Course (RLC101) is a partnership between WestCycle and The Road Safety Commission developed to improve group riding safety in WA.
The initiative seeks to foster an environment of collaboration between riding groups to open a line of communication with WestCycle, which will advocate for improvements in practice and infrastructure as well as inform Ride Leaders (RL) of their obligation and liability as a ride organiser.
From the information gathered via registration, WestCycle has been creating a database of local rides for anyone looking for a new ride to join. Register for the Ride leader Course HERE.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
Did you know that the rate of children riding and walking to school in Western Australia has fallen from about 75% down to about 20% since the 1970s? WestCycle’s Safe Routes to School program promotes Active Transport for school trips through the identification and promotion of key safe routes utilising existing infrastructure.
Through an extensive process involving school catchment analysis, map audits, site audits, local community engagement with parent bodies, school feedback and local government, the Safe Routes to School Program delivers behaviour change within local communities to boost Active Transport rates and its associated benefits of reduced traffic congestion, parking issues, pollution and carbon footprint. It also improves activity levels, children’s independent mobility, as well as mental and physical health outcomes.
Talk to us today about the Safe Routes to School program and how it can transform your local community
WOMEN ON WHEELS
Women on Wheels aims to encourage and inspire more women to ride. It’s for women, trans and non-binary people who are live in Western Australia and are interested in bike riding in all its forms. WestCycle offer a range of women-only programs and workshops including learn to ride programs, mountain biking workshops, bike maintenance workshops, and our newly introduced “learn to clip in” workshop.
To find out more about our upcoming WOW programs, click here.
Annual activation PROGRAM (AAP)
The vision of the Department of Transport’s Annual Activation Program (AAP) is to activate use of Perth’s Primary Cycle Network and strives towards bike riding becoming a widely accepted form of transport.
WestCycle, with support from the University of WA, has been engaged by the Department of Transport since 2022 to manage a suite of activities that aimed to increase patronage or activation of communities on Perth’s primary bike path network.
The overall program aims to:
Promote and encourage bike riding for transport, fun and for a healthier lifestyle. Increase awareness and use of new and existing bike infrastructure, bike routes, and local facilities that can be accessed by bike. Encourage new, novice and rusty riders of all ages and abilities to go for a bike ride.
AAP aims:
Build an evidence base and narrative for the efficacy of Activation.
Establish what a successful AAP would look like as an ongoing scalable initiative.
Since 2022 the AAP Pilot has delivered an array of community-focused initiatives including:
- Open Streets
- Rider Engagement Program (Beeloo and Djeran Riding Series)
- PSP Activation event series (Epic Bike Quest)
- Evaluation Program
Open Streets
The Open Streets series of events are based upon the international Open Streets concept and aims to make streets vibrant public spaces utilised by all. Open Streets close off a section of a street to run community activities, to offer alternatives about how spaces can be utilised through an active transport lens.
Open Streets events engage local community groups like local Town Teams to foster local co-design processes to ensure community buy-in and involvement. Over the past two years we’ve held Open Street events in Leederville, Queens Park, Mandurah, Victoria Park and Joondalup.
DJERAN/Beeloo riding series
The Beeloo and Djeran Riding Series are designed as a 4-ride, weekly series for families with school-aged children to learn about Nyoongar culture. People can attend one or more sessions.
Nyoongar leaders Joe Collard and Olman Walley lead the series, providing insights into the Beeloo clan culture, language, and history. The rides explore significant locations along Derbal Yerrigan (Perth Waters), Dootanboro (Melville Waters), and Dhagarro (Canning River), offering participants a deeper understanding of the region’s indigenous heritage.
Alongside these cultural elements, each ride incorporates bike skills activities and games to enhance participants’ riding proficiency.
Find out more here.
Epic Bike Quest
Epic Bike Quests are family-focused, fun, self-guided bike rides, that require attendees to answer location-specific questions along the way. The event series aim at increasing awareness and utilisation of certain sections of the Principle Shared Pathway and Primary Route Network.
Each event has a bike mechanic on site to provide free mechancial support and basic maintenance – and a cycling instructor to provide skills training. Prizes are awarded to participants and all children who complete the Quests to encourage bike enthusiasm.
Click here to find Epic Bike Quests happening near you.
Evaluation Program
The University of Western Australia works with WestCycle and the Department of Transport to design and deliver evaluation programs that measure the effectiveness of activities that seek to change attitudes and behaviour around bike riding and bike riding infrastructure. This data informs the conception and selection of future programs.
WA BIKE MONTH
WA Bike Month, held in October annually, is a month-long celebration of bikes and the people who ride them. WA Bike Month aims to promote and encourage people of all ages and abilities to ride bikes for transport, fun and for a healthier lifestyle.
WestCycle works with the Department of Transport to deliver WA Bike Month initiatives.
Follow WA Bike Month on socials for updates.
