Building Momentum for a Cycling City
Pedal Power’s 50th anniversary forum, Spokes and Sustainability: A New Vision for Canberra - hosted in partnership with Andrew Braddock MLA and the ACT Greens- brought together community voices and policy leaders to explore how cycling can shape a healthier, more connected city. Approximately 60 people attended the event, including MLAs, their advisers, government representatives, community advocates, and Pedal Power members.
Facilitated by Stephen Hodge from We Ride Australia, the panel included Doris Voorbraak, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Netherlands; Andrew Braddock MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport; Paris Lord from Canberra by Bike; and Pedal Power’s Executive Director, Cecily Michaels. Together, they painted an inspiring picture of what’s possible when vision meets investment.
Speakers agreed Canberra already has a strong foundation for active travel but needs sustained political will to unlock its full potential. The Netherlands’ example—built on decades of commitment, smart design, and community advocacy—shows that transformation is achievable. Canberra, they said, can lead the nation in creating streets that are safe, convenient, and welcoming for everyone.
The conversation also tackled the familiar challenge: the need for more people cycling to justify better infrastructure, and the need for better infrastructure to attract more riders. Overcoming that loop, panellists said, requires both persistence and courage to act boldly when opportunities arise.
As Pedal Power marks fifty years of advocacy, the forum was both a celebration and a call to action. Canberra’s future can be one where riding a bike is safe, simple, and second nature—the next fifty years of progress waiting to be written on two wheels.
