05 Aug 2015 Hello from the PPA CEO
Dear Members
As of Monday, 3 August 2105, Pedal Power has a CEO. That’s me. Robert Vogel. 45 years old. Married, with an 8-year-old daughter. All three of us ride bikes and we do most of our riding on the slopes of Table Mountain.
I ride with mates. I ride alone. I ride for coffee. I ride at night. Sometimes, I ride to race. But I always ride for fun.
I have joined an experienced and competent team at the PPA office that have been doing great work to date and I know that I can draw on their experience in taking PPA forward, one pedal stroke at a time.
Communication with our members and the cycling community is very important to me. I’d like to keep everyone better informed about the work that we do at PPA and provide you with updates and regular progress reports.
Communication is a two-way conversation and I am looking forward to finding out about your ideas, comments, concerns and criticisms (hopefully mainly constructive!)
We are looking at adding to the list of member benefits and give you some great deals, both with businesses in your community and those that operate nationally.
We are already engaging with government and experts in the field of cycling advocacy to make sure that bicycles and other forms of non-motorised transport are included in roads infrastructure planning in the future. This is a long-term process and we will keep you informed as we go along.
We have set up a Commuter portfolio and are already speaking to roleplayers in this space. We are aware of the challenges and are prepared to take a leading role in advocating for better & sensibly planned commuting infrastructure.
Our Safe Cycling intiatives will include schools and aim to entrench safe cycling awarenss from a young age, but at the same time we want to encourage kids to cycle to school and use their bikes to explore.
I will be working closely with our Excecutive Committee that will offer guidance and perform and oversight role over the various campaigns and projects.
These are exciting times that lie ahead for PPA and I am looking forward to the trail ahead. Let’s hope there is more flowing single track to enjoy than rocky terrain!
Yours in cycling
Robert