Bicycle NSW supports a state-wide network of affiliated local Bicycle User Groups (BUGs). BUGs organise enjoyable and inclusive recreational rides and promote bicycle riding for fitness, recreation, transport, and social engagement.
All BUGs encourage community and fun. But some do much, much more. Alongside their jobs and family commitments, many BUG members can be found working closely with governments and decision makers to advocate for improved infrastructure for bike riding.
And one of the most active BUGs is CAMWEST
“We are incredibly grateful to our BUG members who put in countless hours as volunteers. They really help Bicycle NSW achieve its mission of creating a better environment for all bike riders,” says Bicycle NSW CEO, Peter McLean. “Their knowledge of local conditions is unmatched and their contribution hugely amplifies our advocacy.”
Key CAMWEST members at Parramatta Park on Australia Day 2023: From left – Amy Dixon, Andrew Goard, Rob Kemp and Charlene Bordley, the CAMWEST’s President (Image: Rob Kemp)
CAMWEST, started by Ian McIndoe in 1987, was a pioneer Bicycle User Group in NSW. The primary aim was to advocate for better cycling infrastructure in Western Sydney.
“Back then, advocacy was focused on the council areas of The Hills, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, Parramatta, Auburn and Holroyd,” says current vice-president and advocacy lead Rob Kemp. “We now concentrate on Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith and Cumberland, all local government areas with fast-growing and very diverse populations.”
“There have been a few lean years for advocacy but we are once again writing regular submissions. It is hard to keep up with the plethora of plans and strategies coming from Councils and other bodies! These range from long-term active transport plans, to planning new paths or improving existing ones, to road ‘upgrades’ which impact existing cycling infrastructure”, says Rob.
“An example of the latter category is the widening of the M7 motorway. Although the long-term impacts on the M7 path should be minimal, there will be short-term closures and diversions during the construction works. Along with Bicycle NSW, CAMWEST has a seat at the M7 Traffic and Transport Liaison Group. We’re trying to ensure that path users are minimally impacted by the planned works.”
Cumberland is the latest council in the CAMWEST area to release a walking and cycling strategy. “It’s good to see that some of the routes that we proposed in earlier surveys made it to the ‘high level’ list of suggested active transport corridors. We’ve written a detailed submission and now we are diving deep into the Parramatta Bike Plan Refresh,” adds Rob.
Thank you, Rob, for everything you do!
Of course, group rides are also important for CAMWEST!
“In the early days, we would hold a couple of larger events per year and invite riders from near and far,” remembers Rob. “The on-road Tizzana Winery ride with pre-lunch distances of 30, 50 & 70km was the group’s main fund raiser. Riders were handed a map of the various routes which started at Windsor railway station and headed out around Lower Portland and Sackville to Tizzana Winery for a catered lunch. Riders would then ride the 20km back to Windsor. A car would act as sag-wagon to pick up any stragglers!”
The other annual event was a ride to highlight the growing cycling infrastructure around Western Sydney. Local councils were usually roped in to provide lunch. For several years routes followed variants of the Bay to Mountains loop.
CAMWEST member Mark Robson showed Bicycle NSW some of the brilliant paths in western Sydney on a recent tour. We highly recommend jumping on the train and exploring the area.
“As time progressed, we moved away from the larger organised events to the more familiar smaller group rides - along with some multiday tours,” says Rob Kemp. “We are a small group and we struggle to run the number and diversity of rides that some of the larger BUGs organise. However, we’re trying to step up to the mark on this front. We recently held a dinner ride and hope to do these several times a year.”
A CAMWEST group in Wianamatta Regional Park, Ropes Crossing, in 2022. (Image: Rob Kemp)
In March this year, CAMWEST teamed up with Western Sydney Cycling Network to organise the inaugural Western Sydney Gear Up Girl ride. Both groups had separate starting locations but converged at Prospect Reservoir for a catered lunch. Hopefully this will be an annual event!
To augment the riding opportunities, CAMWEST has introduced self-guided rides. Anyone with a mobile phone can to choose an appropriate route and navigate it with the assistance of voice cues without making wrong turns. This is a fun way to explore areas of Sydney that you may not be familiar with.
Rob Kemp is the group’s tech guru. “On a more niche nerdy level, I’m developing a multi overlay web mapping tool which brings together some existing map and imagery sources in what we hope is a more user-friendly form. I’ve included my Snap Send Solve reports and hope to develop an interface which will allow other members to add reports as well,” says Rob.
CAMWEST’s bicycle valet parking service
Around 15 years ago the group purchases some second-hand bicycle racking. Members use it to run bicycle valet parking at events around Western Sydney.
The CAMWEST crew at the bicycle valet parking area in Parramatta Park, Australia Day 2023
(Image: Charlene Bordley)
What is Bike Valet Parking?
“It’s where a temporary bike parking enclosure is set up so that members of the local community can ride to an event and have their bike parked securely while they enjoy the festivities,” explains Rob Kemp. “Parking is free for the bike riders. The council pay us to provide this service as a way of encouraging active transport to the event. Our enduring event is the Australia Day festivities at Parramatta Park. It’s great to see the families that ride to the event – plus the variety of different bikes that people ride!”
Well-stocked bike racks thanks to CAMWEST’s bicycle valet parking on Australia Day 2023 in Parramatta Park (Image: Charlene Bordley)
Would you like to assist CAMWEST with its activities?
Do you live in Western Sydney or enjoy riding around some of the great shared paths and quieter roads around the area? Are you a ride leader, or are you interested in becoming one? CAMWEST would love to hear from you! Some members are also members of other BUGs, so don’t let that put you off getting in touch.
Want to join an existing BUG in your area or form a new group?
Find out how to become a member of your local BUG or set up a new BUG here. And make sure you join Bicycle NSW to support our advocacy and benefit for top-of-the-range insurance and a myriad of member benefits!
Each month we will be doing a story on one of the many active and dedicated BUGs throughout NSW. We have recently written about the Inner West Bicycle Coalition and the Western Sydney Cycling Network. Look out for future stories on BIKEast, Bike North and many more.
