2. Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Bicycling Western Australia (BWA)?

BWA is a not for profit, self-funded community organisation for ALL cyclists in Western Australia. By getting involved with BWA you are contributing to the improvement of bike riding throughout WA.

MEMBERSHIP

BWA membership

BWA offers a membership which includes Australia’s Premium Bike Crash Insurance as well as many other benefits.

How much is BWA membership?

• $99 for individual
• $79 for concession (full time students, seniors and unemployed)
• $135 for a family of 2, ie a couple or a parent and child living under one roof
• $155 for family of 3+, ie family living under one roof includes children up to 21 years or 25 years if a full time student)
• $50 for affiliate membership, ie members of Cycling Australia who hold a racing licence

For more info click here

What are the benefits of being a BWA member?

• Insurance
• Ride on magazine
• Member discounts
• Discounted entry into Cyclo Sportif and BWA events
• Access to Blink, your online service hub
• Advice from experts
• Supporting BWA campaigns

For more info click here

What does the insurance cover me for?

Injury to yourself, injury you cause to someone else and damage you cause to someone else's property, anytime while riding a bicycle anywhere in Australia. Bicycling Western Australia membership does not cover your bike or accessories. As a member of BWA you can have peace of mind every time you ride anywhere in Australasia.

For more info and to view the Policy Wording click here or visit here

How do I make a claim?

If you would like to contact us regarding a claim, please do so through the "Contact Us" page.

When you contact us, please have ready your membership number, date and location of crash, brief summary of what happened and any other relevant details.

What to expect after renewing?

Membership cards are being processed every week. You should receive a new Membership card within 2 - 4 weeks of renewing your membership. If you have any questions, please send us a message.

EVENTS

What is Cyclo Sportif?

Cyclo Sportif is the name of our series of participation events which are fun for the recreational cyclist. Most of our events are timed “team” events and have something for ALL types of riders, whether you are just starting out or an experienced athlete. Join over 5,000 participants and enjoy riding in a safe and fun environment.

Do I need to be a Member to Ride?

You have to be either a Member or Friend of BWA to ride in our events. An advantage of being a member is you are covered by our 24/7 insurance and also you get discounts off the price of events. We are delighted to welcome new faces to our events, so please feel free to come and try.

When are your events?

We have five events in our Cyclo Sportif Series scheduled in 2011. All events are within an hour and half from the Perth CBD and are at stunning locations. View our calendar of events for all event information.

How fit do I have to be?

We have a distance for everyone, so if you only ride once a week, you may like to do the 30km distance or if you ride more regularly, you might like to do the 60km and if you ride often, then you can tackle the 90km distance.

Is everyone else fast? What happens if I can't keep up?

Our events are "team" events and we have strict team protocols which must be adhered to. One of the protocols is to keep as a team, so if someone is faster, then they can assist you with a gentle push. You however should find a team where you are all about the same ability, so you can truly enjoy the Cyclo Sportif experience.

Do I need all the kit?

You will need a reliable bike. A road bike is preferable, but a mountain bike or hybrid bike is acceptable. As long as your team bikes are all the same, ie all on mountain bikes, or all on road bikes, etc. Once you get the cycling bug then a visit to one of our sponsors and they will help you get fitted out with everything you'll need. It goes without saying that you must wear a helmet as they are compulsory. A good pair of cycling shorts is a must for comfort. Additionally, a reasonable pair of cycling shoes and set of pedals that you "click" in to will also make the experience more pleasurable, and clothing to cope with weather if the season requires it. You will need to bring along a spare inner tube, a pump, a puncture repair kit and a bottle filled with an energy drink/water and energy food/bar/gels.

Enter as a Team or Individual?

You can either enter as a team, ie ride with friends, family and colleagues in teams of 4-9 or you can enter as an individual and we will place you in a team of your ability.

What distances are the events?

Designed for all types of riders, you can choose to ride 30km, 60km or 90km at each event. Every course takes you through stunning locations in and around Perth.

What are the Event Entry Fees

• Member - $55
• Non-Member - $75
• Juniors - $30

Price includes lunch and GST. Non-members are NOT covered by insurance

How do I register for an event?

Registrations for Teams or Individuals can be made by visiting our registration page. A step by step guide is available to assist you through the registration process.

When do registrations close?

Cyclo Sportif registrations usually close Tuesday midnight before the event or they may close earlier if the event reaches capacity numbers. Sometimes we put a limit on the amount of entries due to the safety of the courses. To avoid disappointment, we recommend you enter early. Late registrations are not accepted.

Do I have to pre-register or can I just arrive on the day?

You must enter before the event registrations close on the Tuesday of the event week. We do not take registrations on the day.

I have just joined as a BWA member and when I try to register the screen displays a "mismatch" note?

The registration system requires 48 hours (2 Business days) to upload new or renewing memberships, in order to receive the BWA member fee you will need to re-register in a couple of days. If entries close before then, you will have to enter as a non-member and pay the non-member fee.

I have registered for an event and paid, how do I know if my registration is confirmed?

Once you have completed the registration and payment process you will receive a receipt. This receipt also is confirmation that we have received your registration and we will contact you leading up to the event with further information.

Once I have entered, what happens next?

An information pack with all the details you will need will be emailed to registered riders the week (Wednesday) prior to the event.

Do I get a refund if I cannot ride?

BWA has a "no refund policy" because it actually costs us to refund. For more information about policies, click here

Can I enter as an individual?

Yes, and we will put you in a team of your ability. To register / enter click here

What type of bike can I ride?

Team bikes need to be consistent in type, that is, all road or all MTB. Tandems are accepted in either format.

What happens if there are only 3 of us in a team?

We will join your team up with another team of the same ability.

Can I change the distance of my ride on the day?

No, we don’t accept changes on the day. You can ride another distance, but your time won’t be accurate.

If one team member is unable to finish the ride, can the other team members continue?

The principle of our Cyclo Sportif events is to participate and to complete a set event. It follows therefore that a team should not ‘abandon’ a rider. The team should stay together even if one rider punctures. Unresolvable mechanical failures are the exception and participants can make their way back to the start/ finish area on their own.
For more cyclo protocols click here

Do I get a meal after the event?

Every participant gets to enjoy lunch (included in the entry fee) and goes in the draw to win over $1500 worth of prizes.

I have read through the FAQs and still have more questions?

Please send us an email via the website “contact us” and someone from the membership, insurance or events team will get back to you.