RIDE REVOLUTION

Thank you to every person that heard of the mission and decided to support!

If you want to know more about this project, sign up to be a member of Mobilise T.I. and reach out if there is a way you think you could specifically support us in our mission.

If you are or know of a qualified bike mechanic (that would be interested in funding their own travel costs to the Torres Strait) to deliver some skills workshops in bike maintenance and repair, please put them in contact.

email: [email protected]

website: bit.ly/mobiliseti

If you were unable to contribute this time, fear not, our objectives are ambitious (pie-in-the-sky, in fact!) and so we continue to seek support, both finanacial and in kind.

Support the Ride Revolution

Or, if you would prefer, you could purchase us a gift card from one of the following bike related retailers, and email it to [email protected]:

• 99Bikes
• BikeBug

Please note, we are unable to accept donations of second hand bicycles directly, however, you may like to take yours to:

Brainwave Bikes - Melbourne

Revolve Recycling - Sydney

Bikes4Life - Brisbane

Or, search "refurbished bicycles" or "second hand bicycles" and your area. Alternatively, contact your local council and they will most likely be able to point you in the right direction.

Mission: Let's fill a container with bikes and start the ride revolution!

We want everyone, especially more women, mothers, caregivers and kids, to have an option to get around for free, through access to high quality bicycles.

With a deliberate grass-roots effort to cultivate a bicycle ecosystem that relies less on imports, fewer people will be dependent on private cars and paid lifts to get around, and more people will have the freedom of mobility.

To do this, we need:

1. more affordable high quality bikes for kids and families;
2. to properly set up a community bike hospital - with tools and parts to share;
3. local repair training for First Nations youth.

Ultimately, this campaign is about improving mobility resilience in the Torres Strait.

We need...

Why? 

If you rode a bike as a kid, you know the joy that comes from such freedom. Many kids (and even adults!) in the Torres Strait do not have this opportunity, largely due to the cost of remoteness. Enabling access to a working bicycle and local repair options, through contributing to this project, would be transformative.

It would also move the region towards alignment with the Closing the Gap targets and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through sustainable transport.

What's the current problem?

Well, on one of the smallest most populated islands - Waibene (aka Thursday Island or "T.I.")

some locals are paying up to $100 a week or more for 1-2 km short trips just to get to work, take kids to school, or pick up groceries or medication.

(Walking is popular, but environment and weather conditions can make this option slow and uncomfortable, esp. with young kids)

This is largely due to the:

1. absence of public transport;
2. high cost of fuel and fares; and
3. lack of affordable bicycles.

Each of the above factors is predominately caused by the high cost of importing... everything. 

This campaign is here to start the Ride Revolution!

How You Can Help

Let's make one of these a reality. 

Who for?

This initiative is for all local community members, but with priority afforded to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mothers, caregivers, and children, especially those that would benefit most from access to a bicycle. 

Local children and families could be leaders in demonstrating practical climate resilience simply by traveling by bicycle instead of driving or being driven.

Who are we?

Mobilise T.I. is an informal group of over 100 community members living on T.I. coming together over a belief that everyone should have more sustainable mobility choices. We are informed by community input, observations, reports and data.

This campaign has come out of many months of listening to community and bringing together ideas that exist from all over the world around sustainable mobility and grassroots community actions.

“At Revolve Recycling, we’re committed to bike equity, empowering communities through the health, social, and educational benefits of bike riding. Our partnership with Mobilise T.I. supports this initiative by providing access to bikes as a sustainable alternative to cars, especially in an island community with no public transport and a circumference of just 5 km. Not only does bike riding offer skills in responsibility and independence, but it also builds resilience by reducing dependence on imported fuel. Together, we’re working to make Waibene / Thursday Island a leader in sustainable transport, promoting a healthier and more self-sufficient future for all." - Guido Verbist, General Manager

How will it work?

Mobilise T.I. is focussed on cultivating a local bike ecosystem through running free community projects aimed at sharing skills, time and resources in the Torres Strait.  This campaign is intended to allow more people to participate and have a free way to get around.

The Weekly Bike-to-School Bus

The Monthly Bike Hospital & Free Bike Exchange

Join Us!

We encourage individuals, organisations and corporate entities to get in contact if there is a preferred way you would like to join us in supporting this campaign and be recognised for doing so.

Please note that the platform adds a 5% booking fee upon checkout, so please consider this when choosing the amount you would like to contribute. Shipping of Rewards is also additional.

Thank you! Esso!

The Ride Revolution Team | Mobilise T.I.

Please note, all donations will be combined and allocated after completion of any fundraising and grant raising - according to amount raised, need, demand and practicality, any additional associated or unforeseen costs will be covered when required beyond those specifically identified in this campaign, plus the specific items may change to better achieve the objective of improving sustainable mobility options for women, mothers, caregivers and kids in the Torres Strait region.

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Contact Sarah Tedder at Mobilise TI at [email protected] | +61447290611

Website: https://mailchi.mp/bd5bdd07a228/mobilise-ti

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/834184058531975

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Mobilise TI recognises the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work, ride and play, the Kaurareg people.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples maintain a unique, un-severed and strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and waters, and practice language, lore and culture which enriches our lives and identity as a nation.

We acknowledge the past and present elders of all Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area and the continuing connection to land, sea and sky and respect the culture and lore of all Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people.

We believe that more sustainable transport options would mean our actions could better align with this acknowledgement, and would offer a meaningful way to respect Kaurareg Country and culture.