New hub for cyclists

New hub for cyclists

By Sean Car

Local not-for-profit group Good Cycles has kicked off a crowd-funding campaign to build a community bike hub on Harbour Esplanade.

Places Victoria has teamed up with the bike-based social enterprise to match every dollar raised in an effort to make the $40,000 community initiative a reality.

To be located just south of Hortus cafe on the old tramlines, the new hub will operate as a small bike shop and service centre, while also providing another facility for Good Cycles to conduct a range of social programs.

The project will also provide services to the thousands of cycling commuters along a key stretch of the Capital City Trail.  

Good Cycles marketing manager Matt McCullough said the new facility would help the organisation to engage, educate, empower and find employment for people experiencing disadvantage.

“We’ve had hundreds of participants come through our bike-based social programs and we see the difference bikes can make everyday,” he said.

“The hub’s establishment will have an immediate impact on Good Cycles’ social programs allowing us to do more good, reach more people and transition more of our participants through to employment in the industry.”

With construction expected to be completed in August this year, the facility will be a semi-permanent shipping container conversion painted by local designer and street artist George Rose.

The project has received a huge amount of support from the local community to date, which has included a large contribution from the Bank of Melbourne’s neighbourhood fund.

However, with the crowd funding campaign ending on June 27, Mr McCullough said the organisation was still calling on the community to help raise the funds required.

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