Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

It was recently highlighted that there is some factually incorrect online about the advertising in this forum and I am happy to clarify the advertising and commercial policy for the Australian Cycling Forums.

1. We have a tough anti-spam policy and we automatically block thousands of spam attempts and manually block dozens (or sometimes more) each day.

2. Businesses are able to participate... but it is only acceptable to respond to genuine user posts about their brand / product. If there are other arrangements such as the Swiss Side VIP Test or Ultimate Eyewear thread, the commercial participation is disclosed. Businesses often mistake forums (all forums) as an avenue for free advertising and we ask businesses to a) read the forum rules and b) get in touch.

3. Advertising decision for the forum are made in the interest of the community - and have always been in the interest of the community. We concentrate on genuine and non-interruption advertising. For any commercial activities, the nature of the activity is disclosed and these are run in the interest of the forum.

4. Are forum sponsors / advertisers favoured over others? The short answer is no, and the longer answer is that because there is a positive relationship with a brand, there is likely to be more activity with that brand. For example, we don't take payment for reviews on BNA, however because of the relationship they may also be advertising at the same time.

5. When may content be removed? This can be the biggest cause of speculation because the usual moderation approach is to avoid "name and shame". Generally details and decisions are not publicised because it is more appropriate to 'move on' rather than name and shame. Occasionally moderaters (or myself) publish an announcement for the benefit of forum participants who have participated in an active thread and are wondering why content has disappeared.

Products of competitors (to current advertisers) are regularly discussed in the forum and these genuine user posts are welcome.

However content may be removed if it is off-topic, if it contravenes forum rules or if it is reported (i.e. misleading). This has been the case in some recent threads which were removed.

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The Australian Cycling Forums are part of Bicycles Network Australia which has been a registered business since 1999. The forums are run as an independent community and for many years were personally funded. Advertising income covers running costs and BNA doesn't receive member funding or funding from other organisations or entities.

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It may be hard to believe in this day and age however the interest and intentions in running this cycling community are genuine. BNA is not an advocacy group, but it does advocate cycling through this website and forum which remain, to this day, true to the founding principle of creating a free information resource for a general audience to advocate cycling.

Christopher Jones
Admin / AuBicycles

That last paragraph sums it up for me for what is a great website and forum this is. Christopher still needs to walk a very fine line for example with such things as the Swiss Side testing offerings no matter how good they appear as it could be considered cash for comment especially if there was any advertising revenue not accounted for outside regular advertising (eg if BNA or Signale is getting a percentage commission from Swiss Side which is being spruiked quite a lot via the vip testers program and thus bringing in more buyers then thats the fine line that may not sit easy with everyone). But all considered its a very professional run outfit with its heart in the right place from where I am sitting.

rodneycc wrote:That last paragraph sums it up for me for what is a great website and forum this is. Christopher still needs to walk a very fine line for example with such things as the Swiss Side testing offerings no matter how good they appear as it could be considered cash for comment especially if there was any advertising revenue not accounted for outside regular advertising (eg if BNA or Signale is getting a percentage commission from Swiss Side which is being spruiked quite a lot via the vip testers program and thus bringing in more buyers then thats the fine line that may not sit easy with everyone). But all considered its a very professional run outfit with its heart in the right place from where I am sitting.

Hi Rodney.

I agree and disagree. From someone who over many years has been on various forums (one currently having issues around back handed sponsorship - albeit a fountain pen forum)

This site seems to be the most open and transparent of those.

The Swiss side thread (which I'm not eligible for having disc brakes) is fine in my opinion. If this was allowed for other manufacturers of they requested it then I am okay with it.

Let's hope it continues as I've left many a forums after "selling out"

Yeah the Swiss Side thread I think is ok also. I think its because its such a unique marketing approach that its got a bit of mystery surrounding it.

But I totally agree its all about not selling out and integrity which is the case here I think.

Thanks for the comments - The Swiss Side and Ultimate Eyewear take a lot of planning and preparation because there has to be added value for the community - without this then things don't happen. There was some discussion on this in the Swiss Side forum as well and it truely is a challenge to create a balance (which is heavily weighted in the favour of the community).