750 Members took part in the Bicycle NSW Members’ survey late last year. Thank you. Your feedback is critical in assisting Bicycle NSW to focus on the services that matter most and the activities that Members really value.
Are you one of the 96% of members telling your friends about Bicycle NSW?
“We are very delighted that survey respondents gave Bicycle NSW an 8.3 satisfaction rating on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being ‘highly satisfied’,” says Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “89% said they would be renewing their membership.”
A whopping 96% of Members would refer a friend or family member!
And it appears you already do as almost 33% of new Members said they were referred to us by a friend, family member, a BUG or another bike riding group or club.
Thank you to all the Members who have referred a friend or a family member to us.
“I think this is a great membership and I recommend it to all my bike riding friends” - Katie
The word is spreading fast! Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean (5th from the right), caught up with the Illawarra Ramblers, Bicycle NSW's newest BUG, on a recent local ride near Wollongong. Many of the Illawarra Ramblers members have joined Bicycle NSW (Photo: Bicycle NSW)
A changing membership profile
The ‘average’ respondent to our survey was a man between the ages of 45 – 65+ who likes to ride on the road, cycleway or shared path and lives in a Sydney metropolitan suburb.
However, we know that the word ‘average’ does not describe the majority of our Members.
For example, in 2023 we saw some changes in our Membership base: we now have more female, new, younger, and older Members than ever before. You are all truly unique and interesting!
Based on your responses and feedback, other trends are also clear. There has been an unprecedented uptake in e-bike riding, increased interest in riding on cycleways and shared paths, more ‘transport’ riding to shops and other facilities, and as well as holiday destinations.
Although the survey respondents are still passionate about road cycling, it is clear that e-bikes and the ever-improving cycleway networks are driving a rapid increase in riding for transport (Image: Bicycle NSW)
We were happy to learn that there was an almost equal number of long-standing Members (6-9 years) and new Members (3-5 years or less) completed the survey. The survey has given us a balanced view into what a cross section of our Members think and need.
What services Members do value most highly?
The survey found that Members continue to value their leading personal accident and public liability insurance. 95.57% of those who answered this question put insurance cover as the most important benefit offered by Bicycle NSW.
When asked which benefits are most valuable as part of Membership, insurance cover came out first, closely followed by advocacy work (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Taking out second place is the vital advocacy work which Bicycle NSW undertakes. Legal support was the third most-valued benefit.
“This is a very pleasing result. It is without doubt thanks to the expertise provided by our partners Advantage Legal, complemented by generous support and individual legal information from the Bicycle NSW team,” says Peter McLean.
Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean hits the streets and the media to advocate for a cycleway on Oxford Street in Paddington as part of our Build a Better Oxford Street campaign (Image: Dion Georgopoulos/SMH)
What does Bicycle NSW do best?
When asked to rate our efforts in different activities, it is clear that the dedicated work of our advocacy and communications teams continues to impress the bike riding community.
We share advocacy news, member events, project updates and recent submissions in our monthly Member newsletters, on the website and across several social media channels. This includes stories about where to ride (including ride to work commutes) and policy work with local and State Government.
Members’ views on how Bicycle NSW performs in different areas again highlight the importance of the advocacy and insurance offer (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Where do we need to improve?
The Members’ survey provided us with several great suggestions on content and themes to include the monthly newsletters, as well as additional membership benefits and services to investigate.
We also received important feedback from Members living in regional and rural areas of NSW some of whom feel we have become a little too ‘… metropolitan and politically minded’ and could provide more information ‘…on new cycleways, rail trail expansion, regional news and information.’
It is true that a good chunk of our advocacy work is targeted on the Sydney metropolitan area. With 71% of respondents to our survey living in Greater Sydney, this is to be expected.
However, we are extremely interested and involved in advocacy initiatives in other areas of NSW, as demonstrated by our successful campaign to reduce red tape for rail trail projects and the ongoing push to unbox regional bike tourism.
In the Where to Ride section of our website, you can find lots of inspiration for riding in regional and rural areas of NSW. We invite all Members to share their stories with us.
So, whether you live in Sydney or in another part of NSW, we strongly encourage all our Members and Bicycle User Groups (BUGS) to contact us for support and advice on local advocacy matters and initiatives.
Bicycle NSW is, and always will be, supportive of every rider.
Continuing the conversation
Our commitment to all Members is that we will use the data we have collected to benefit you all.
Bicycle NSW will focus on making changes and improvements based on your feedback so once again thank you to everyone who completed the survey. Keep the feedback coming and we'll keep listening.
While we have some work to do in 2024, we feel confident some important milestones will be reached.
Of course, the Bicycle NSW advocacy team will continue to work hard to 'create a better environment for all bicycle riders in NSW'. We know safer roads, separated cycleways, and more opportunities to explore NSW on two wheels are important for our Members.
Bicycle NSW has been the peak advocacy body in NSW for more than 48 years and we collaborate with community groups, BUGs, individual Members and other stakeholders to make our mission a reality.
We cannot do our advocacy work without your support. Keep an eye on our communication channels for ways to get involved. We regularly share information about consultations and surveys, inviting Members who live and/or ride in the relevant Council areas to make submissions and take an active interest in their local community.
Change can seem painfully slow but together we can move mountains!
And if you are not yet a Member….
Please take it from our current Members. Bicycle NSW membership is a VERY worthwhile investment.
Not only do we have the best bicycle insurance, but Bicycle NSW has been actively campaigning for 48 years in NSW for better infrastructure for bike riders of all ages and abilities.
For any questions please contact Annabel Coddington from our friendly Membership team at info@bicyclensw.org.au or call the office on 02 9704 0800
