2017 VicHealth
Victorian Outdoor/Active Recreation Initiative of the Year
Wheel Women - Cycling

Tina McCarthy and Wheel Women Cycling are commended for changing the face of women’s recreational cycling. Tina displays the attributes of an authentic, honest and realistic role model and her commitment to help women of all shapes and sizes choose an active lifestyle through cycling is outstanding and well recognised. As a group, Wheel Women has changed the face of how to engage women in cycling. Throughout 2017, Tina and Wheel Women have contributed greatly to the increased participation of women in recreational cycling. With no aims of competition or racing, the focus at Wheel Women is to engage women in cycling from a purely recreational and non-competitive level. This then builds the landscape for future development of riders should they wish to pursue competition. In 2017 over 300 women across Melbourne engaged in Wheel Women cycling initiatives in different ways: skills sessions, group rides and cycling events. Wheel Women has successfully entered the largest all-women team into the 'Around The Bay in A Day' ride since 2013 and assembled an 80 women strong women’s ride at the Tour Down Under event in January 2017.