Bicycle NSW's impact reaches beyond Australia
Bicycle NSW exists to represent the interests of the NSW community. And yet, whilst work within our state will always remain the focus, we are part of the broader global conversation about cycling.
There is an extensive list of talking points and objectives - from lowering speed limits and reducing road deaths, to encouraging more cycling and building multi-modal societies - which are shared by an equally long list of individuals, organisations and cities around the world. It could be policy ideas in Paris, or community initiatives in Mexico. No single example exists independently, without extending or overlapping with another.
So whilst we continue to lead advocacy campaigns here in NSW, we also find time to look further afield, not only for inspiration and ideas, but to create meaningful connections that will support and develop the work we do.
That is why we began our ongoing partnership with the Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association of Ehime Prefecture in Japan in August 2024.
The purpose? To support one another’s shared vision of using cycling to generate tourism and foster cultural exchange. The relationship has a specific focus on some internationally renowned pieces of infrastructure: seven spectacular suspension bridges that link six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea and our very own Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Ehime’s Governor Nakamura (second from left) on Observatory Hill with Peter McLean, Mel Tarrant and Sarah Bickford of Bicycle NSW. Bicycle NSW showed off some of the best bits of the city on a 60min bike tour which (of course!) included crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Image: Bicycle NSW)
An official partnership between Ehime Prefecture and Bicycle NSW
Bicycle NSW began working with staff from Ehime Prefecture back in 2022 when a delegation visited us in Sydney for an discussion about Ehime’s natural assets and impressive bridges.
Two years later, on 22 August 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Amora Hotel in Sydney.
Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean and Governor Nakamura formally agreed to collaborate on growing tourism, share ideas on improving cycling and promote events that celebrate bike riding(Image: Bicycle NSW)
There were over 30 guests. The room was busy with Australian and Japanese government officials, representatives of the cycling media and advocacy world, as well as travel agencies and airlines. Bicycle NSW President Mel Tarrant and CEO Peter McLean both spoke about the work that Bicycle NSW does to make NSW better for bike riding. Governor Nakamura gave a really interesting presentation about Ehime’s cycling culture and the iconic bridges.
A special toast was made with premium mandarin orange juice that had made it all the way from Ehime. And, as always, gifts were exchanged, including fantastic Cycling Shimanani jerseys.
The main highlight was the commitment to participate in the flagship events hosted by the respective destination: Ehime’s Cycling Shimanami and Sydney’s Spring Cycle.
For more detail, check out this great round up of the day.
More about cycling in Ehime
Ehime is a small prefecture on Shikoku Island in the sunny south of Japan. With a wealth of natural and man-made attractions, Ehime attracts tourists from all over the world. Many come to cycle, and make a beeline for the impressive bridges linked by dedicated long-distance ‘cycling roads’ – such as the 70km Shimanami Kaido which runs along the toll road linking Shikuko to the main island of Honshu.
A map showing the location of Ehime and the Shimanami Kaido route linking Shikoku and Honshu islands via dozens of smaller islands in the Seto Inland Sea. (Image: cyclonoie.com)
The Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, with three spans totaling 4km, is the most iconic of the 7 bridges (Image: Visit Ehime Japan)
Cycling tourism is taken seriously in Ehime. The Cycling Life-style Promotion Association is an official (and properly funded) division of Ehime’s tourism ministry. Recognising the health and economic benefits of cycling, the Ehime government sees that investment in cycling is essential.
The capital of Ehime, Matsuyama, is one of the most bike-friendly cities anywhere in the world. Cycling is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life and the historic urban form. Nearly 90% of high school students in Matsuyama travel to school by bike, an astonishing mode share that eclipses that of Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
Bicycle NSW President cycles the Shimanami Kaido
Following the official recognition of the partnership, Bicycle NSW’s President, Melinda Tarrant, made a personal trip to participate in the 2024 Cycling Shimanami event.
This was an amazing opportunity to see the route first hand, and pedal over the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge on the route, to Oshima Island.
“The views from the bridges are just spectacular and the riding is so enjoyable on lovely wide roads and then along the sea side,” recalls Melinda.
“I was a little nervous about the gradient for riding onto the bridge but actually the amazing engineering with the circular ramp made it very easy and not a struggle at all.
“The very special experience of riding out with a large bunch on the expressway, which is only closed on the day of Cycling Shimanami, was magical. As is expected in Japan, everyone was very polite, cheerful and enthusiastic which made it a lot of fun”.
Bicycle NSW President, Melinda Tarrant, during her experience of the 2024 Cycling Shimanami event (image: Melinda Tarrant)
Having had the opportunity to work in Tokyo between 2008-10, Melinda is a big advocate for visiting Japan.
“I highly recommend anyone to come to the region, whether to do the ride on their own along the well marked route or to attend the organised biannual event.”
This most recent visit also served a deeper purpose. “Now that I have had the opportunity to ride the event myself, it will help us to better promote the ride to Bicycle NSW members in future years,” says Melinda.
“I gained a number of ideas from attending Cycling Shimanami which we will leverage for Spring Cycle. One of those is to provide the opportunity to other regional areas within NSW as well as overseas events organisers to come to Spring Cycle and promote their events in the post-ride village.”
2025 Spring Cycle: a chance to ride together
In October 2025, as Sydney’s iconic ride returned, the Bicycle NSW team welcomed several representatives from the Ehime Prefecture to share the joy of riding along the 50km route.
On a beautiful spring day, as the sun glowed across the start line at St Leonards Park, we paused for a group photo, before setting off.
Two members of the Bicycle NSW team, Loretta (far left) and Sarah (far right) with three representatives of Ehime Prefecture at 2025 Spring Cycle start line (Image: Bicycle NSW)
And setting off! (Image: Bicycle NSW)
The Ehime team hosted a stall at the finish line of the 50km route. As well as tourism information and maps, there was an amazing virtual reality experience that gave people the opportunity to ‘ride’ along the roads of Japan. All from a static bike in Sydney Olympic Park!
Bicycle NSW’s Membership Coordinator, Yvonne Poon, takes her turn to ride into the wind of the Shimanami Kaido route (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Keen to explore Ehime in real life?
Head to the Cycling Ehime website for some serious trip inspiration!
If you’re interested in riding the 2026 Cycling Shimanami event, explore the event website page. Entries open in April 2026.
In 2027, the world’s bike community will descend on Matsumaya for the Velo-city conference.
Want to ride Spring Cycle 2026?
Become a Bicycle NSW member and be first to hear about the 2026 event and early bird discounted entries.
You will also support our advocacy to make NSW better for bike riding, and benefit from best personal accident and public liability insurance available to recreational riders in NSW.
