Helen Sadler is a Town of Cottesloe councillor, doctor, commuter and lifelong active travel advocate who WestCycle welcomed to its Board in late 2024.

We asked Dr Sadler a few questions about her new role and her engagement with those who ride bikes and other devices in WA.

What motivated you to want to join the WestCycle Board?

WestCycle is a great organisation – I really want to put my Local Government, Medical and Board Skills to good use on the board so that WA becomes an amazing place for everyone to ride a bike.

What is your vision for cycling in Western Australia over the next few years?

That all forms of riding are celebrated and widely enjoyed in WA – from the local trip to the shops or beach or school to competitive cycling and everything in between.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for WestCycle?

There is a massive opportunity for WestCycle to build a movement of people who see riding as a solution to many of Perth’s challenges – from congestion, to increasing use of our public transport, to keeping people healthy and out of the medical system.

One challenge is to overcome the understandable reservation that many have to getting on their bike, due to the real and perceived safety issues with our incomplete bike network.

How do you plan to advocate for cycling at a state and local government level?

Working with other organisations and individuals in a positive way always achieves more. It’s a great way to amplify the value of riding in all its forms to both metropolitan and regional WA. Presenting riding as a solution to many of our State’s problems, is how I like to view things. Having a new Minister for Preventative Health presents a real opportunity for WestCycle and the State to amplify the role of riding as a great way to maintain physical and mental health.

Can you share any past experiences that you think will help guide WestCycle’s strategy?

My time in Local Government and primary health care as a GP gives me a very community-based approach. I’ve also learned that you always get more done if you work with others and maintain a positive mindset.

Two years living in the Netherlands with my family when the kids were young, also really transformed my thinking about what was possible in a community once all levels of government get the biking vision. I hope that this approach together with my board experience helps make a positive contribution to the WestCycle Board.

Do you have particular areas of focus? 

I am very much an everyday rider – I just use my bike to get around. I don’t even think of it as ‘commuting’. Rather than having one area of focus, I think that every form of bike riding supports the others and vice versa. Every kid riding to school is a potential race winner. Every elite athlete is a potential parent teaching their kid to ride a bike! Every person who has yet experienced the freedom and joy of riding is missing out.

How can bike riding infrastructure in WA be improved?

There is a massive opportunity to transform Perth into a much more liveable and enjoyable place to move around. The current investment in rail and future investment in the river ferry network can be supported by a strong network paths for walkers and riders. Building this network will fill the trains and ferries with customers who arrive by foot or bike. Together we can resolve the congestion crisis in Perth. It’s also such an enjoyable way to get around.

How can WestCycle work with councils and state government to improve safety for bike riders?

I think that WestCycle is best placed to work with councils through the WA Local Government Association, rather than individual councils. Amplifying the success stories, providing consistent messaging about effective and safe infrastructure are two strategies that come to mind. Advocating for lower speed environments in appropriate settings is another.

Engaging constructively with State Government as the respected State voice for all things riding has always been WestCycle’s approach. Doing this while highlighting the evidence for and benefits of investment in infrastructure and policy change is my priority.

How can more people be encouraged to take up bike riding, including women, children, and new riders?

Storytelling is a one great way to demonstrate what is possible for those who are interested in riding but may be unsure. Anecdotes of role models of riders of different ages and abilities who have embraced riding can act as a real source of inspiration.

How can WestCycle engage more with the WA bike riding community?

WestCycle’s recent decision to create the free Ride Community membership is a great way for riders to engage with us, add their voice to ours and help us to amplify our influence. Building strong relationships with organisations aligned with our vision and mission is another way to achieve this.

WestCycle can build on its strong foundations and expand its reach by ensuring it is relevant to emerging riders of all types.