BikeSA - Friend or Foe?
Over recent times I have been thinking about BikeSA and their role in the cycling community in SA. I guess the decision to scrap the Coast 2 Coast in favour of the new VeloAdelaide ride triggered these thoughts.
Like many people on this forum I was disappointed to hear the news about the Coast 2 Coast. I don't want this discussion to open up the whole debate about that particular ride - I think that has been well covered elsewhere.
It is easy for us all to sit back on our comfortable Brooks saddles and have a go at BikeSA but who are we really having a go at? BikeSA is a member based organisation of which many of us are members. So are we just shooting ourselves?
I don't know much about the internal workings of BikeSA - I have been on many of their rides and events and have enjoyed them all. I have also seen the hard work that goes in by a small band of volunteers to make these events happen.
Maybe it is time to find out more about BikeSA and a bit more about why they dropped the C2C...maybe there is something more that I/we could do to make sure that other great rides are not lost in the future. Or maybe it is possible to resurrect the C2C for 2013.
The BikeSA AGM is on Wed Nov 30th and I might just drop on by to see what the go is with BikeSA. After all we are all about the same thing - people in Adelaide getting out and riding their bikes!
I have added an event for the AGM here!
Tags: BikeSA
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on -
This is a no brainer for me, Bike SA is very much a friend!
Are they perfect? No!
Do they make mistakes? Yes!
However they do most things right. They are also our voice to the various levels of government arguing for better cycling infrastructure, better cycling related laws etc.
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Permalink Reply by Doddsy on -
What "better cycling related laws" are they arguing for?
Is a metre matters the only one?
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Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on
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Things like tougher penalties for motorist that hit and sometimes kill cyclists.
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Permalink Reply by Shav Bird on -
I too am a BikeSA member, and while I have had my minor issues with them, they are quick to help settle an problems out and make sure I am happy. Plus I get plenty of support and have plenty of other events and activities supported by them. Yes its sad to see C2C go (Ive never been on this btw) but perhaps they are appealing more to other members within the city areas or even getting greater sponsorship from city businesses to help promote this event. Not sure and am only speculating. Personally, I like BikeSA.
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
we need all the cycling supporters we can get, without disagreement between organisations.
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Permalink Reply by Big Block on -
I had a chat to Maureen Merrick (BikeSA President) at the Willunga stop during the Amy's Ride. I asked her about the Coast to Coast. It was the loss of the major sponsor.
I ride Cobwebs (a BikeSA ride) every Sat morning (weekly rides such as this organised and promoted by a state-wide cycling body only occur in SA), and some of the other events. I have the insurance cover they include in membership. I get the benefit of the advocacy done on behalf of cyclists.
They are what we make it.When we sought improvements for the running of Cobwebs, we turned up at the Ride Leaders meetings, had the issues discussed and received all the assistance we sought.
I am always amazed at how Maureen remembers my name, every time she sees me. Once in Melbourne for a Around the Bay in a Day ride and I was in street clothes waiting for others, Maureen (in Melb for a Cycling promotion) stopped me on the street and greeted me by name, and had a chat. Maureen is a long term friend of the diverse range of cyclists found throughout SA.
The staff and particularly the volunteers at Bike SA have a remarkable history of success and organisational skill for cycling events.
I am enjoying the enthusiasm found by Forum Members here. Ideally, in my view, some from here will nominate for some of the BikeSA Committee positions, either this year or in future years.
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Permalink Reply by Don Murray on -
FRIEND, and good value. Just as with our real friends we need not agree on all matters.
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Permalink Reply by Don Plush on -
Agree 100% with your comments about Maureen...a true champion of cycling in SA!
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Permalink Reply by Caroline Cuthbert on
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BikeSA are a fantastic organisation with some great events and we are very happy to be members. I talked to Russell about the Coast to Coast... he said that we may see it again one day, but they also think its important to try something new.
Chris and I participated in the recent BikeSA Annual Tour. The logistics required to organise the ride, the camping, the moving and the feeding of 200 cyclists is phenomenal... cudos to Russell, Maureen, Chris and the very committed hardworking band of volunteers who did so much to make the week a great success... I've seen how hard they worked for us, up before everyone else, having breakfast before sunrise, and packing up after everyone else had gone to bed.
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Permalink Reply by David Bastians on -
well the c2c was one of my favourite rides but I think also that we've got to remember that one of the key goals of BikeSA is to get more people cycling (more often). Most of the members at AC are already cycling; most of us regularly. While I am not going to be riding the velo adelaide it is not necessarily done for me.
Change is a part of life and with it comes opportunity. If opening the freeway gets a good number of new people out then it will meet the overall goals I think.
Meanwhile the enthusiasts at AC can still ride to Victor Harbour whenever we want.
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Permalink Reply by David Hughes on -
I'll be a little sad to see the Coast to Coast go, however, I think it was a particularly brave and necessary decision to make to allow room in the already super busy cycling calendar for the new ride. Having been involved in many C2C's over the years, its a great ride, but been done many times now. I look forward to the opportunity to ride the freeway. I have very fond memories of riding through the tunnels before they were first opened. It was an absolute privelige back then, and I'd be very excited to have that opportunity again.
and back on topic, Im very supportive of the work that BikeSA does, though I should comment that I have a long history with the organisation, volunteering for over 10 years, as well as working for them occasionally. I believe that BSA is just one of several organisations that do thier bit for a positive influence on cycling in South Australia.
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Permalink Reply by Ol' Dr. Cadence (Mathew) on
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Well, they are more friends to me than...bike Victoria!! What a h00t!
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