Local cyclists can apply to take part in a free trial to share data from their cycling experiences to help make our roads more bike friendly.
Surf Coast Shire Council is partnering with See.Sense, IMOVE and TAC to bring cutting edge technology to the community through smart bike lights.
Council will select 200 local riders to take part in a 12-month trial, each participant receiving a free See.Sense ICON3 smart bike light, valued at over $240.
The project uses data gathered by the lights to help Council understand cyclists' experiences across local roads, paths and cycling infrastructure in Surf Coast Shire.
Cr Phoebe Crockett said this real time data has already proven its value.
"We participated in a previous project, with 50 cyclists and focused on Torquay local roads," said Cr Crockett.
"This data has played a key role in helping to shape the design and scope for the current Fischer Street projects."
The project is now expanding through the Surf Coast area and Council is calling on regular riders to get involved.
"It's time for everyone to get involved, we can now offer these lights to more cyclists and collect data shire-wide," said Cr Crockett.
"The lights are easy to attach onto any bike and collect data while you ride."
"We are looking for all types of cyclists, families and kids riding to school, newbies, commuter cyclists, fair-weather cyclists and training cyclists."
Data collected will help Council to:
- Improve cyclist safety on local roads.
- Guide future road upgrades.
- Strengthen funding applications for better cycling infrastructure.
All data collected remains non-identifiable and is aggregated to show overall cycling patterns. Participating cyclists can also set privacy zones around areas here they prefer no data to be collected, such as their home.
Apply to be part of the trial by Friday 9 January 2026 at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/SmartBikeLightTrial
