Cycling Australia is the national governing body of cycling within Australia, affiliated with the International Cycling Union and it is responsible for the sport of cycling in Australia. Each territory and state cycling association is an affiliated organisation (member) of Cycling Australia. All cyclists are members of their state associations through cycling club membership.
How do you become a member of Cycling Australia?
There are over 200 clubs available to the public around Australia where coaching and associated services are accessible. A variety of membership licences are available for competitive and participation events. These licences provide public liability insurance coverage to riders during events as well as training, which is important with the current trend of increasing litigation.
New Participation Growth Program
In order to grow the sport and continue with the success experienced so far, Cycling Australia in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission has set about a new participation program designed to attract new riders to the sport and pastime of bicycle riding, to be known as “Full Cycle”. Full Cycle is based around increasing participation at the grass roots level in order to provide cycling as a viable alternative sport choice for all Australians.
Full Cycle consists of three supporting programs consisting of a new participation licence category and participation event program called Ride It and two skills based programs J-Cycle aimed at children ages 8 to 16 and Skill Cycle aimed at an older demographic of 25 to 55 year olds.
Ride It is competitively priced at $45 for adults, $30 for Juniors and $90 for a family. This licence will allow cyclists to participate in events run by clubs or promoters for the sole reason of just “having a ride”, this licence also covers the cyclist for 12 months public liability insurance which includes training rides. It is envisioned that the Ride It national calendar of events will include several “Ride with the Champions” participation rides that will allow Australians access to our World Champion athletes.
J-Cycle is a skills based program run over eight sessions covering the fundamental safety issues as well as an introduction to the skills required for racing. It is envisioned that J-Cycle will encourage children to be “cyclist aware” as well develop an interest in cycling.
SkillCycle is also a skills based program that is aimed towards the adult population, people who have a bike but find the idea of racing daunting, believing that their present skills are not of a high enough standard to compete or ride safely. Skill Cycle will provide these people with the skills to ride safely as well as allow them the confidence to perhaps one day enter a lower grade or masters race, or even to get involved as a valuable volunteer in officiating, coaching or marshalling.
