Presidents Report 2004 Whether Bicycle Tasmania is busier, or life in general, perhaps both, but it does not seem that long ago that I was tackling the Presidents Report for 2003. Bicycle Tasmania’s scope is potentially very wide covering so many aspects of cycling and their related issues that it is easy to feel frustrated when it seems that so little progress has been made. But it is inspiring, as always, when one considers what we do achieve each year with limited time and resources. It was satisfying finally to see the Cycle Instead Cycle Commuting Program in operation, raising the profile of commuter cycling tremendously particularly in Southern Tasmania. The Cycling 25 program has selected, trained and supervised over 25 new bike commuters who are not only taking on quite a commitment but also play an important role in dispensing a very positive cycling message to their colleagues, family and friends. This year has also seen the development of the Cycling Talkback sessions on the ABC Tasmania, State-wide Morning show with Tim Cox, these now occur on a regular basis every 5 or 6 weeks. The ability to discuss cycling related issues, receive feedback from the community and promote responsible bicycle use using this medium is incredibly valuable. I must thank Tim Cox who must be the best known regular bike commuter in Tasmania for this opportunity. Tim’s support continued with his offer and our acceptance to become Bicycle Tasmania’s Patron. Prior to this a Patron was not a matter that Bicycle Tasmania had considered but I am certain that it is a step forward and his role (when we put him to work!) will have to have positive effect on cycle advocacy in Tasmania. During the last year to eighteen months a number of regular Hobart cyclists have commented that motorists attitudes towards cyclists have improved. There are of course a myriad of reasons why this may be occurring but the Cycling Talkback and CyclingSouth’s Adult Rider Courses would have to have a substantial positive influence. Successful public events at the Hobart Home Expo and Clarence Health Expo provided invaluable interaction with the public who are usually full of questions regarding cycling but also provide feedback on the issues and concerns they come across on their bikes on a day to day basis. Looking forward to next year our activities are set to expand due to our affiliation with Cycling Australia and their Ride It initiative. This will provide us with the relevant insurance to run a calendar of rides and other events. This in conjunction with the popularity of the Rides section of our website promises to satisfy what seems to be a demand from both BT members and the Tasmania cycling community as a whole for organised rides. It is also planned to put the ‘ State’ back in State Bike Week by running some events in the north of Tasmania during Bike Week. The Rides section of the website will also develop as a more and more valuable resource for visiting cycle tourists. Such developments unfortunately come at a cost, which has necessitated a raise in membership fees both to cover the new insurance premiums and to ensure Bicycle Tasmania is on a sound financial footing. One of the other ‘costs’ perhaps of this potential expansion is the extra workload for the current active Bicycle Tasmania members. To fully realise the potential that the insurance offers us requires as much assistance from our membership as possible. I therefore appeal to all existing and future members to consider whether they are able to assist in any way at all. As little as an hour a month could make a big difference. I am optimistic that we are at the beginning of a positive feedback loop as the more pro active we are the more members we will attract, which in turn will increase the potential number of active members. Bicycle Tasmania’s strength is its membership, I am therefore grateful for all current members for continuing to support bicycle advocacy in Tasmania. Particular thanks of course to the active members who hold positions on the Committee, without which very little would happen and who between them work many hundreds of voluntary hours on behalf of all cyclists. This is my third Presidents report and in each one I have expressed a heartfelt gratitude on behalf of all Bicycle Tasmania members to Kate Tamayo for her sterling work as Treasurer. Kate after 6 years in the position has decided to retire, her efficiency and competence in managing and advising Bicycle Tasmania’s finances will be a hard act to follow. Secretary and Webmaster Andrew Heard is also one of the strengths behind Bicycle Tasmania, from the mundane recording and distribution of meeting minutes to the ongoing success of our website. The site is one of our successes thanks to his efforts and expertise, the number of ‘hits’ is constantly rising, as the site becomes a premier source of information for those cycling in Tasmania. It is heartening to have members come forward to assist or take on a committee role such as David Edwards who took on the membership secretaries position early this year. Again to have an important role such as this quietly and efficiently managed by David is a huge asset to Bicycle Tasmania. Last, but certainly not least I would like to thank the members who are active in some other way either representing Bicycle Tasmania on variety of local and interstate committees or assisting locally. With an increasing number of people using bikes for recreation and transport Bicycle Tasmania’s role in encouraging and providing information to facilitate this is more important than ever. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy year of cycling.