Bicycle Network

Bicycle Network

Bicycle Network logo
Motto	More People Cycling More Often
Formation	1975
Type	Charity
Location	Australia
Membership	45,000
Main organ	Board of Directors
Staff	60 permanent staff
Volunteers	varies during year, estimated 50–500
Website	http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au

Bicycle Network is a charity, one of the largest cycling membership organisations in the world (45,000 members, 2015), whose mission is to have More People Cycling More Often. The name was changed from Bicycle Victoria to Bicycle Network Victoria in July 2011 to Bicycle Network in August 2013.

Bicycle Network is financially self-supporting and independent. It is primarily funded by its major events and membership subscriptions. Some events and programs receive specific government and commercial sponsorship, though Bicycle Network maintains financial independence as an organisation. This independence allows the organisation to lobby in the interests of bicycle riders without perceived external financial pressure, although this is debated by critics (see below).

Currently Bicycle Network employs about 60 permanent staff and has a number of additional staff on contract for events and special projects, as well as using the services of volunteers for events. Craig Richards is the CEO, succeeding from Harry Barber who had been the CEO since 1996. Bicycle Network has offices in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The organisation also has a workshop in Sunshine, Victoria.

The organisation was established in 1975 as the Bicycle Institute of Victoria. It became an incorporated association in 1986 with a new constitution passed on 7 November 2005 and incorporation and formal renaming of the organisation to Bicycle Victoria occurring on 5 December 2005.

The formation of the Bicycle Institute of Victoria in 1974 was instigated by Brian Dixon MP, Victorian State Government Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation. Dixon bought together a group of bicycle advocates including Keith Dunstan to help form the BIV. Dunstan went on to become the founding president of the Bicycle Institute of Victoria. Rupert Hamer's Government also formed the State Bicycle Committee (SBC) which was originally within the Ministry of Transport. Under Dixon, the SBC reported directly to the Minister. Its having to report through VicRoads only occurred circa 1990.