Cyclists across Surf Coast Shire can participate in a free council trial to help make the region’s roads more bike-friendly.
Two hundred local riders will be selected to participate in a 12-month trial to help Surf Coast Shire Council better understand cyclists’ experiences across roads and paths.
Councillor Phoebe Crockett said each participant in the trial will receive a free smart bike light that will collect data during each cyclist’s ride.
“We are looking for all types of cyclists, families and kids riding to school, newbies, commuter cyclists, fair-weather cyclists and training cyclists,” she said.
“It’s time for everyone to get involved, and we can now offer these lights to more cyclists and collect data shire-wide…and the lights are easy to attach onto any bike and collect data while you ride.
“We participated in a previous project, with 50 cyclists and focused on Torquay roads…and this data has played a key role in helping to shape the design and scope for the current Fischer Street projects.”
Data collected from the trial will help council to improve cyclist safety, guide future road upgrades and strengthen funding applications for better cycling infrastructure.
The data will also remain non-identifiable and is collected to show overall cycling patterns, with participating cyclists able to set privacy zones around areas like their homes.
Visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/SmartBikeLightTrial to apply to participate in the trial by 9 January 2026.
