Counters Count Commuter Cyclists

Joining the thousands of volunteer counters across the country, Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail members Rob and Nola Jarvis gave an extra commitment for their involvement in Australia’s largest manual bike count ‘Super Tuesday 2022’ held in March. Bicycle Network conducts Super Tuesday to record volumes, gender, and movement flow of people commuting on bikes, where the Friends group regularly assists with this event.

Yet leading up to this activity, Rob underwent planned surgery to both his knees, so it was uncertain if Rob could still participate being unable to cycle or drive and his walking mobility was relying of the use of crutches. As both are keen cyclists and community minded volunteers, the couple decided that they would both do the count at Rob’s one nominated count site in Strathdale, with Nola driving Rob to the site.

While most Super Tuesday counters stood at their particular site between 7am – 9am, Rob wasn’t able to be a ‘normal’ counter this year. Needing to keep his knees and legs elevated, it was a case of sitting back in a reclining chair for Rob!

As volunteer counters and cyclists, the group members were proud to have collected important data for Bicycle Network and the City of Greater Bendigo council, assisting to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in the Greater Bendigo urban area.

Both Rob and Nola enjoy cycling for exercise and commuting, sharing social time with cycling friends over a coffee, plus one of their favourite rides is to enjoy the O’Keefe Rail Trail. Not only cycling within Victoria, they have both been involved with the Friends group’s trip to New Zealand, where members cycled some of the South Islands trails such as the Central Otago Rail Trail.