Australian Cycling Luminaries Awards National Finalists Announced
7 November 2024 | Announcement
Media Release: Thursday, 7 November 2023
WeRide has today announced the finalists for the 2024 Cycling Luminaries Awards. Winners will be announced at a special event hosted by Deakin University in Melbourne on 27th November.
This year there are eleven finalists across the three categories of Leadership, Infrastructure (the Built Environment Award) and Programs (the Bike Culture Award).
The event also features the nationally anticipated launch of the RideScore Active Schools program Evaluation Report, a joint collaboration of WeRide with the Sunshine Coast Council.
Tickets for the event are free but registration a must for entry to Deakin University’s stunning Deakin Downtown venue in Melbourne. Book online at Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cycling-luminaries-awards-tickets
See the complete list of nominees: www.weride.org.au/what-we-do/cycling-awards/about-the-awards-2-2/2024-awards-nominations/
The short-listed finalists are:
Bike Culture Award
- Equitable Commute Project – this collaboration between Good Cycles and RideKola is making a meaningful impact on lives by significantly improving mobility through a safe and active community of eBike users.
- Wheel Sisters – this inspiring program for culturally and linguistically diverse women in the northern suburbs of Merri-bek, Melbourne is breaking barriers and building community.
- Darebin Loves Bikes –inspiring everyday people to become everyday riders, this Council program is highly visible in the local community through a Free Monthly Bike Check program and associated bike skills workshops and resources.
- Ausbike – more than 2,000 kids have learned to ride their bikes safely in just the first 12 months since Toby Brown established the program in Western Australia.
Built Environment Award
- College St cycleway, City of Sydney – at only 650m, this contested bikeway is a key link in the CBD and is back with the support of 72% of Sydneysiders who support bikeways.
- Toowoomba Safe Streets – a first in Queensland, cycling prioritised with 30km/h speeds and road upgrades to prioritise bike traffic.
- Mary to Bay Rail Trail – unique native flora and fauna and shade feature in this impressive volunteer-built 11km Rail Trail in the Fraser Coast region.
- St Kilda Road bike lanes – completed in 2023, bike traffic is up 220% on a year earlier.
Leadership Award
- Jaison Hoernel – the CEO of Good Cycles is using the bike for positive social change and supporting young people who face barriers to employment.
- Anthony Aisenberg – responsible for Australia’s largest crowd-sourced bike data project and the smash hit ‘unconference’ Transport Camp, Anthony brings his expertise and passion to create better connections for vibrant cities.
- Sarah Cleggett – Sarah started Kidical Mass Adelaide in 2021 with the ‘Babes on Bikes’ protest ride and has become a voice for safer school zones and crossings.
Awards key facts
- See the complete list of nominees: www.weride.org.au/what-we-do/cycling-awards/about-the-awards-2-2/2024-awards-nominations/
- Held since 2002, these annual Awards recognise the people, places and programs that contribute to making Australia a better place to ride a bicycle.
- The 2024 Australian Cycling Luminaries Awards are organised by We Ride Australia and were first held in 2002.
- Finalists and winners are selected by an independent panel consisting of three senior experts from the government, health and local government sectors. More info here www.weride.org.au/cycling-awards/judges/
- The Awards will be hosted by Deakin University at their Deakin Downtown venue.
- More information on Awards available at weride.org.au/what-we-do/cycling-awards/about-the-awards
Media contact
- Peter Bourke mobile 0438 871 271, email peter@weride.org.au
Full details of the Awards and an extensive photo gallery will be available on the WeRide website shortly after the event. A selection of images of winners and speakers will also be available on request.