Cycling Victoria, the peak body for organised cycling in Victoria, awarded Ladies Back on Your Bike founder, Jacinta Costello, Best Women’s Development Initiative at the annual International Women’s Day awards on 6 March, 2014.

Jacinta was also nominated in two other sections; Champions of Change and Iris Dixon Woman of the Year.

The awards seek to celebrate and highlight the work of those who across Victorian communities are promoting cycling as a way of life, a recreational hobby, or a sporting activity for women and girls. The awards were first introduced in 2013 and are supported by VicHealth.

“Many thanks must go to ‘you’, the great women, who have embraced me and my idea of getting back on your bike and enjoy everything that comes with this, including the camaraderie and fun!” said Jacinta.

Cycling Victoria CEO Kipp Kaufman said the nominations this year showed the significant level of dedication to supporting women in cycling. “It is pleasing to see the strong response in each award category, and the number of high quality submissions,” said Kaufmann.