The Mudgee architect and heritage advisor is the first of 22 Australian Cyclists Party candidates announced to contest seats in the Upper and Lower House at March 28 election. 

Ms Hickson has been riding for more than 20 years and a member of the party for about nine months. 

“Partly I’m running because I totally agree there should be a representation somewhere in the government towards cycling and cyclists and also to give the country a voice of course,” Ms Hickson said. 

Her aim is to encourage people to cycle and campaign for improved infrastructure with the provision of designated bike lanes. 

“I suspect many don’t cycle more often because of their anxiety about the road and competing with traffic, so if we can improve that,” she said. 

“After all so many people and heaven knows what percentage, but a huge percentage rode as children and somewhere along the line we lost it.”

Ms Hickson is one of hundreds of Mudgee cyclists who compete and ride for leisure in various social and competitive groups including Mudgee Cycle Club and Mudgee Triathlon Club. 

“I think Mudgee’s really cycle friendly there’s probably more than a dozen cycle groups that go out,” she said. 

She said the party is not a single issue organisation.

“We’d like to raise those issues because it actually makes everyone healthier if they cycle so it’s not just about cycling it’s about a healthy body. 

“I really don’t think I’d be as well and happy as I am without cycling, my husband Norm is 84 and he’s still cycling very well.”

Cycling for more than 30 minutes a day reduces the chance of developing diabetes by 40 per cent, improves energy levels by 20 per cent and can decrease fatigue by 65 per cent.