WA Bike Month Ambassadors

Professor Hayley Christian AM is a well-known expert in child health research at The Kids Research Institute Australia and the University of Western Australia. She leads a team that improves children's active play, health and development by creating effective programs and policies that involve families, children, communities, and built and natural environments. Her work involves strategies to increase active play opportunities to support young children develop healthy behaviours for lifelong health and wellbeing.  Hayley works with multi-sector organisations nationally and internationally to promote children’s physical activity and health. Her contributions extend globally, with her ‘Play Active’ policy being adopted by the World Health Organisation.

"Encouraging bike riding and active travel among children, their friends and family is vital for fostering lifelong healthy habits. Not only does it promote physical activity, it helps children develop a sense of independence and connection to their environment and community, and creates safer, more vibrant neighbourhoods."

Joe ‘jopossum’ Collard is currently the Chairperson of the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Cultural Advice Committee, co-author/co-designer of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Joe is an accredited Aboriginal tour operator and recently partnered with WestCycle to deliver a series of Aboriginal bike tours along the Perth waterways.

Joe is also the producer of the Aboriginal language program at Noongar Radio and is Founder/Managing Director of Djoona Pty Ltd, specialising in cultural immersion, training and consultancy business.

“Bike riding helps our mental health, it’s good for our body and we’re getting all the benefits from being outdoors. Bikes are for everyone. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what your background is, what your level or experience, we can always acquire the skills of getting on a bike.”

Stan Shaw has been a radio presenter with the ABC for 14 years, just about the same amount of time he has been into mountain bike riding.

Based in the south-west of WA, which has become an epicentre for trail towns in recent years, Stan counts himself very lucky to have the opportunity to frequently enjoy the great outdoors on two wheels and have iconic bike paths in his own backyard.

Stan loves downhill trails and his favourite spots to ride are the loamy, flowy trails of Margaret River.

“My love for bicycles began when I was five years old, when I got my first BMX and set about finding ways to build jumps and then clear them around the suburbs of Perth. These days, for me, riding is all about getting some exercise, clearing the mind and exploring all the wonderful trail networks of WA.”