In the somewhat hidden but important linking suburb of Willoughby in Sydney’s north, busy at work has been a Bike North member, advocating for improved conditions for cyclists.
That person is Mary Ann Irvin, recipient of a Bike North Volunteer Award for 2025.
A member of Bike North’s advocacy team, Mary Ann has been at the pointy end of change in the Willoughby area, participating on the Council’s Bicycle Committee for over eight years and in its reincarnation as the Active and Integrated Transport Advisory Committee since 2023. She has worked with others to put forward proposals for slow streets, contributing to the draft Bicycle Strategy.
Of her work on that committee, Bike North member and Willoughby Councillor, Andrew Nelson, participated on that Committee and mentions that:
MaryAnn has a detailed knowledge of Willoughby’s extensive bike routes and was able to contribute to discussions from a very sound position. She was also supportive of structuring that Committee so that it could more effectively provide feedback to Council. During our term together on the Committee we were invited to contribute to Council’s Cycling Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2034. As well as attending workshops to discuss input and the structure of that Plan, MaryAnn and others on that Committee made very lengthy submissions on the draft document.
While production of the final document has been significantly delayed and we have yet to view it, I believe it will be substantially improved as a result of MaryAnn’s submission, and I look forward to significant action to improve Willoughby’s bike infrastructure in coming years.
Council’s 2025-26 Operational Plan and Budget was approved at Monday night’s Council Meeting (23/6) and included a substantially increased monetary provision for bike infrastructure and implementation of the bike plan, for which I think MaryAnn can take some credit.
Bike North’s Advocacy Convenor for Willoughby , Carolyn New, explains more of Mary Ann’s significant contributions:
MaryAnn has taken a special interest in the shared path along the Pacific Highway delivered several years ago, regularly monitoring and reporting to Willoughby Council the on-going issues that need rectification and/or completion as well as new maintenance issues.
MaryAnn is a member of the Artarmon Progress Association where she has also lobbied for their support for the completion of the outstanding items on this shared path resulting in their correspondence to Willoughby Council on these issues.
Another item of special interest for MaryAnn is the Herbert/Hampden bike path for which Council has recently received Get NSW Active Funding for the first stage of construction. Her presence and positive influence on the Artarmon Progress Association will continue to be essential to the successful implementation of this project and remaining stages of this bike path.
MaryAnn also continues to provide significant input to other Willoughby community groups such as WEPA (Willoughby Environmental Protection Association) which broadens her credibility on active transport issues beyond the immediate cycling enthusiasts and raises her profile positively with local and state politicians and other community members.
Advocacy Co-ordinator David Thomson states:
MaryAnn is one of the quiet achievers of Bike North and of our advocacy efforts. She has worked quietly on a wide range of issues for many years which, along with the work of others in the Willoughby area, have achieved significant gains for bike riders and for the broader community.
Congratulations Mary Ann on this award and thank you for your advocacy on behalf of not only Bike North members, but the general cycling public in Northern Sydney.
Nominated by Carolyn New, Advocacy Convenor, Willoughby & North Sydney
Supported by Andrew Nelson & David Thomson, Advocacy Co-ordinator