Despite a large number of cyclists in favour of the shire joining Bicycle Network's Super Tuesday count in 2027, the Mount Alexander Shire Council has instead chosen to conduct their own count.
Next Tuesday, May 5, the council will conduct an active transport data collection. The count will take place between 7.30am and 9.30am, across 15 sites. It will record the number of pedestrians, cyclists, people using mobility aids or scooters, and people with prams. Direction of travel and time intervals will also be noted.
A community-led petition, submitted to the council in April, urging the council to take part in Australia's largest standardised commuter cycling survey, has gathered 355 signatures.
Petition organiser and local bike shop owner Matthias Bringezu said he is disappointed with the outcome.
Despite his reservations, Matthias is encouraging cyclists to make the best of it, calling for May 5 to be 'Ride to Everywhere Day,' asking riders to be visible on tracks, roads and bike lanes across town. The petition raises concerns about data quality and the need for Castlemaine's cycling figures to align with state and federal methodologies, arguing that without comparable data, the town risks missing out on infrastructure funding and its cycling community remains undercounted.
Responding to the petition during question time, the Director of Infrastructure, Michael Annear, said that the council would not join Super Tuesday and would instead conduct its own count using staff and volunteers.