Ella is a Town Planner who currently lives in Northcote. She loves avoiding traffic on one of her many bikes to work, on weekends, around the city and out to Frankston. Ella sure is passionate about informing as many people as possible how fun cycling can be.

How and when did you discover a passion for bikes and bike culture?
As a kid I always had a bike. …when I started my first professional job I saw that a lot of adults rode bikes (commuting and recreation) and realised that it was something I could enjoy as an adult aswell.

Can you remember your first bike?
It was a hand-me-down from my sister. It was so old school. My dog at the time was a menace and decided to eat the seat for some reason.

What bike are you riding at the moment?
I actually own three bikes! I have a road bike that I use for those long rides, a hybrid bike that I use as a work horse (it can carry lots of shopping!) and a vintage late 60’s early 70s’ ladies bike which I use for short trips and on planned bike rides.

What do you do for a penny?
I am a town planner working in the public transport area. The main focus of my job is to integrate public transport with land use and development decisions. I work with experts in the rail, tram, bus, walking and cycling fields.

Are you a member of any clubs or associations or groups that support bike riding?
I am part of a cycling club called ‘Frocks on Bikes Melbourne’, and I have joined my workplace BUG (Bicycle User Group). Frocks on Bikes is a fantastic movement – we’re a group of ladies who get dressed up and cycle to different places.

What do you love about Melbourne?
I absolutely adore Melbourne, for so many reasons. I enjoy helping plan Melbourne’s new development both in the inner city and in the outer growth areas. The cycling paths are fantastic and they take you to some amazing destinations.

Do you have a favourite bike store?
like Brunswick Street Cycles quite a lot.

What is your biggest bike peeve?
When cyclists disobey the road rules.

What would you change about the city to make it better for bike riding?
We need way more bike parking spaces, to maintain cycling as a really convenient option. Also I think the bike share scheme should be extended to key destinations outside the CBD.

Mark was one of the Winter Lights crew. He found out about the project when 4 separate people all emailed him on the same day telling him he should get involved (or maybe it was three…) Originally from Wales, he is a little bemused still by the lack of education around bike awareness in Australia.

Where you do live and how many kilometres do you generally ride a week?
I live in Brunswick East and  I work  right in the heart of the city, so I commute on my bike (most of the time!) and I generally get around and about on my bike too. I’d say I’d do between 20 to 40 kms on average per week.

Can you remember your first bike? Tell us a bit about it.
My first bike! That’s going back a fair way…it may have been a chopper or something similar. My brother and I would head out after breakfast and be gone most of the day on our bikes. I grew up in a small village in Wales, so plenty of beautiful lanes and fields to ride around.

How and when did you discover a passion for bikes and bike culture?
I guess being a kid on a bike started my relationship with riding. It was so much fun then, and still is – as well as being a great mode of transport and exercise!

What bike are you riding at the moment?
It’s a mountain bike that I bought in the mid nineties; it’s serving me very well. It’s called a Mongoose Threshold.

Why do you ride?
I’ve always loved the feeling of riding ever since I was a little boy. It feels so free and exhilarating being outside. It’s a wonderful way to exercise and of course it’s kind on our environment. I love getting around the city and surrounds on my bike… And it’s so easy getting a park!

Where is your favourite place to ride? Least favourite?
I love riding from my home in Brunswick East to Fitzroy for a cuppa. It’s a pretty easy ride through the alleyways and side streets of Brunswick to the bike path on Park Street in Carlton, then I follow that to and through the Edinburgh Gardens (beautiful trees and greenery) then on to Brunswick Street! I suppose my least favourite would be riding down Collins Street; though it’s a bit bitter sweet really! It’s quite exhilarating going down Collins Street from Spring Street, but it’s a bit dodgy with all the taxis, pedestrians, cars and trams! You need to keep your wits about you!

Star sign / favourite colour / favourite music / favourite food?
Libra. Blue. All kinds of music really. Bangers and mash!

What do you do for a penny?
I’m a singer and songwriter. And I work in a shoe shop too!

Biggest bike peeve?
Hmmmm….. Not so sure really! Don’t know if I really have one. Unaware Taxis!?

If you could pick one person, who would you want to go for a ride with and why?
I’d like to go for a ride with my 3 year old niece, it’d be great to let her lead the way and to have a journey directed by a child’s inspiration and direction. I reckon it’d be ‘interesting’ and fun!

What do you love about Melbourne?
I love the bike tracks and paths, it really is becoming a great city for cycling. I love the multiculturalism; the food, music and festivals.

Favourite bike shop?
My housemate works for The Fitzroy Revolution…. So!!!

What would you change about the city to make it better for bike riding?
I really like the division between the bike path and the road along the top part of Swanston street, it would be great to design something along that line for as many of the bike paths as possible. It would be great to be able to ride through the Carlton Gardens, though I do understand why it is prohibited. I’d say more of an education in awareness of cyclists for car drivers (dare I say… Taxi drivers especially!) would be excellent.

Caz is one of Melbourne’s many camera-carrying bike fiends. By day she takes photos for the likes of Treadlie Magazine and by night she likes to ride with her friends from  fixed.org. Caz described herself as ‘not so brilliant on the “tricks” side of things, but I am a smooth, solid rider.’ Caz, you weren’t lying. Thanks for riding with the Winter Lights posse. This is Caz holding a precious little bird.

Where you do live and how many kilometres do you generally ride a week?
Richmond’s home for me – and I’m aiming for a round 1000kms this month.

Can you remember your first bike? Tell us a bit about it.
My first bike arrived for my fifth birthday. It was pink, and had tassels on the bar ends.

How and when did you discover a passion for bikes and bike culture?
I always enjoyed riding bikes, but after buying a fixed gear bike, I soon discovered there was a whole community out there.

What would you change about the city to make it better for bike riding?
Education for drivers. I once had someone car-door me, and they actually had no idea why it was their fault.

What bike are you riding at the moment?
It’s an Avanti Solo Drop. It’s a white frame.

Why do you ride?
Mostly for the feeling of freedom. It’s a way to get around quickly, while getting fit and feeling the wind in your face.

Where is your favourite place to ride? Least favourite?
I love the path that leads up north – under a freeway, and it weaves in and out of the highway pylons, and heads right out to the concrete open drains. Least favourite is Chapel Street or Glenferrie road – the cars are crazy.

Star sign / favourite colour / favourite music / favourite food?
Pieces / Sky Blue / Atmospheric / Sushi

Favourite bike shop?
Pony Bikes!

Biggest bike peeve?
Having to wear helmets.

If you could pick one person, who would you want to go for a ride with and why?
I get to ride with the one person I like riding with most, all the time!

What do you love about Melbourne?
Everything. It’s an amazing city, with so much culture, and so many things to do.

What do you do for a penny?
I’m a photographer. If you would like to talk to Caz about taking photos, contact her via: CAZBAR 0400 091 454