Anna Meares, Mathew Hayman, Caroline Buchanan, Troy Brosnan, Matthew Keenan, and Robbie McEwen are just some of the names who have thrown their support behind the proposed structure which aims to amalgamate the 19 organisations that currently deliver the sport in Australia into one centralised entity.
"We, the undersigned," the open letter reads. "Believe the AusCycling proposal jointly developed by BMX Australia, Mountain Bike Australia and Cycling Australia is the best model for the future growth of Australian cycling and will deliver ongoing benefits for riders of all disciplines, preferences and bikes.
"Australian cyclists with the best interests of the sport at heart have been crying out for years for all forms of cycling to unite to form one strong, effective and inclusive organisation for the benefit of all.
"We believe AusCycling is the right vehicle to give cycling the voice it deserves, and to get more people active on bikes to realise the vision of making cycling the largest participation sport in Australia."
Proponents of the new structure expect the benefits to include one membership for multiple disciplines plus the elimination of the bureaucracy involved with servicing 19 boards at various levels across Australia.
Representatives of the proposal travelled the country presenting roadshows on the proposal's details and set up this for more information. Official voting on the proposal is currently underway.
AusCycling's biggest detractors include Cycling NSW and , both for different reasons. Cycling NSW, the NSW state body for road and track cycling has reservations mainly on financial grounds and conducted a poll of its members regarding AusCycling, the result of which led it to it will be casting an official No vote this month.
WestCycle, WA's state body that delivers road, track, MTB and BMX supports the amalgamation of disciplines and elimination of some bureaucracy but believes state associations, especially those already delivering strong advocacy across disciplines, still have a role to play and should not be dissolved.
Chrstophe Mallet and Dave McKenzie spoke to Steve Drake, CEO of Cycling Australia for the Zwift Cycling Central Podcast:
LISTEN TO
AusCycling with Steve Drake, CEO of Cycling Australia - Zwift Cycling Central Podcast
SBS Sport
29/10/201927:51
The full open letter:
We, the undersigned, believe the AusCycling proposal jointly developed by BMX Australia, Mountain Bike Australia and Cycling Australia is the best model for the future growth of Australian cycling and will deliver ongoing benefits for riders of all disciplines, preferences and bikes.
Australian cyclists with the best interests of the sport at heart have been crying out for years for all forms of cycling to unite to form one strong, effective and inclusive organisation for the benefit of all. We believe AusCycling is the right vehicle to give cycling the voice it deserves, and to get more people active on bikes to realise the vision of making cycling the largest participation sport in Australia.
AusCycling promises cycling of all forms a strong, successful and sustainable future. Its key benefits include:
One unified voice to more effectively advocate on behalf of all cyclists and clubs - for everything from infrastructure to safety and bike education
One strengthened and aligned membership body to increase the prospect of corporate partnerships and support from all levels of government
Enhanced resources and support services for all clubs and members through professionally staffed offices in every State & Territory
A single race licence that covers all disciplines – no need for a separate licence to ride BMX, mountain bikes and road and track bikes
A competitive, all-inclusive insurance product included with licence or membership fees that leverages the scale of the new entity
More control placed in the hands of clubs that run the sport at the local level - they will be the voting owners of AusCycling
More coaching and education programs at all levels
A fully developed career pathway program for aspiring athletes
A truly integrated cycling community to help cycling fulfill its potential as a leading Australian sport.
No matter what your discipline, AusCycling will produce better outcomes for clubs, their members and all Australian bike riders. That is why we urge you to contact voteholders who will decide AusCycling’s fate and make known your support for this important structural change.
Signed by:
Robbie McEwen
Cycling Commentator
Winner, 12 TdF stages
Anna Meares
Australian Cycling legend
Olympic, Commonwealth and World Champion sprinter
Matt Keenan
Cycling Commentator
English speaking World Tour events
Phil Anderson
First non European to lead TdF
TdF stage winner, Sporting & Cycling Hall of Fame recipient
Simon Gerrans
Australian Road racing champion
2 x TDF individual stage wins, Aus RR champion ‘12, ‘14.
Caroline Buchanan
Pro BMX racer
5 x World Champion, ‘12 & ‘16 Olympian
Michael Drapac
Australian Cycling Patron
Owner & sponsor, multiple NRS and pro teams
Troy Brosnan
Elite Downhill Rider
2019 UCI MTB World Champion Silver Medallist
Scott McGrory
Commentator, Host
Gold medallist, Sydney Olympics
Sarah Gigante
Elite Road and Track Racer
2019 Elite RR National Champion
Mathew Hayman
Australian road race classics specialist
Winner Paris - Roubaix 2016
Dr Bridie O’Donnell
Director, Office for Women in Sport and Recreation
Road & track cycling champion
Anthony Dean
Pro BMX racer
2016 Rio Olympian
David McKenzie
Cycling Commentator
Nine year pro, winner Giro d’Italia stage.
Logan Martin
Pro Freestyle BMX rider
Freestyle World Champion, 2016
Andrew Christie-Johnston
Director Sportif Team BridgeLane
Produced multiple World Tour riders
David Morgan
Coach, mentor
Junior development specialist
Wade Wallace
CyclingTips.com Founder
Rider, writer and founder
Peta Mullens
Pro MTB and Road Racer
11-time National Champion
Craig Richards
CEO, Bicycle Network
Cyclist, advocate, industry leader
Matilda Raynolds
Bike Product Marketing Mngr
Bike adventurer, racer
Sian A’Hern
Elite MTB Racer
Current Oceania Champion, National Championship silver medalist
Scott Bowden
Road/MTB racer
2016 Olympian; Road, MTB
Ben Stewart
Founder, Cycling Dads Oz
Commuter and advocate
Hank Duchateau
Adaptive MTBA racer
3 x Pan Pacific Games gold medallist
Glenn Jacobs
World-trail Founder
MTBA Life Member
Jackson Frew
MTBA member
Elite Downhill Racer, 2019 Oceania Champion
Lee Turner
Rider, Commentator
Fmr Pres St Kilda CC
Robert Crowe
Director, Ridewiser Training
Olympic Cyclist
Nicholas Squillari
VeloKicks owner
Multiple Victorian elite time trial champion
