Who we are

After visiting cyclovias in other parts of the world and attending the first international Ciclovia conference (held in Bogotá – Colombia in 2005), Angelo Calafatis and Paul Mckay decided to form the Cyclovia Group. The Cyclovia Group ’s aim is to improve the lives of people in urban areas by showing local communities and governments how to develop cyclovias. The Cyclovia Group has strong international connections and it has the support and blessing of the original creators of the Cyclovia in Colombia. The manager of the Cyclovia Group is Daniel Paez.

The Cyclovia Group is part of the Great Event Company which is an Australian based international bicycle Event Company that is dedicated to improving people’s lives around the globe through cycling. It was formed to bring together people who share the same goals. GEC is currently running the first multi-day ride in Africa (November 2006) and has large scale multi-day rides projects planned in the USA, Mexico and South America.

People

Angelo Calafatis (angeloc@greateventcompany.com) has over 20 years experience in all aspects of the bicycle industry in areas such as retailing, franchise development and wholesale. Angelo has been a university lecturer and he has a degree in Economics/marketing and a Master Degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Paul McKay (paulm@greateventcompany.com) has worked in cycling most of his life and been on the board of Bicycle Victoria and their first General Manager. He has developed a suite of bicycle programs including the Great Rides, Bicycle User Groups, Health programs, free bike programs and much more.  He has cycle toured extensively in many countries, raced, doesn't own a car and is thrilled to show beginners how to change gears. In between all of this he has worked as a management accountant, teacher and marketing consultant to the renewable energy world. Paul has an honours degree in accounting, a Graduate diploma in Education and a Master of Business Administration.

Daniel Paez (danielp@cyclovia.org) has worked in planning for the last 7 years, primarily in the design and development of sustainable transport modes. He worked as transport planner in Colombia, the home of the original Cyclovia and he was the Event Manager with Moreland City Council for the first Cyclovia in Australia on Sydney Road. Daniel has an honours degree in Civil Engineering, a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and a Doctorate in Engineering from Melbourne University.