“Break the Silence, Brake the Cycle”
The wheels have come to a halt as we reflect on the success of our annual “Break the Silence, Brake the Cycle” Charity Bike Ride. This year, we proudly partnered with TIACS to raise awareness and funds for mental health within the blue-collar community, promoting healthy and open conversations.
Building on the momentum from last year’s inaugural ride, we recognized the significant barriers to accessing free mental health support in the construction industry. Inspired by this need, Ben and the Van Ryt Industries team set out on a 215km journey from our warehouse in O’Connor to Busselton, rallying behind TIACS. This nonprofit organization provides free, confidential, and accessible counselling and mental health services to truckies, tradies, blue-collar workers, and those who care about them.
TIACS offers a professional text and call service designed to make speaking to a counsellor as easy as possible.
This year’s ride was our biggest yet, with over 35 participants, including many enthusiastic young riders, helping to raise over $21,000 for TIACS to deliver early intervention mental health support.
Our fundraising efforts will make a meaningful difference, with each session provided by a TIACS counsellor costing $130. Thanks to the generous contributions from both our supporters and riders, at least 161 additional free sessions will be provided to those who need them most.
While fundraising is a vital aspect of our mission, the core purpose of our annual charity rides is to promote conversations and awareness. Echoing TIACS’s message, “This is a Conversation Starter,” Director Ben Van Ryt emphasizes that this year’s initiative served as a powerful reminder of the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability—especially within the blue-collar community.
We were also fortunate to collaborate with TIACS partner TradeMutt, a social impact workwear company, to design this year’s vibrant uniforms. Their bold graphics were intentionally created to spark discussions about mental health, transforming an often-invisible issue into a visible and urgent conversation.
Many flat tires, falls, and moments of frustration later, we have drawn—or should we say, rode—this year’s ride to a close. With next year’s charity event already on the horizon, Ben expresses his excitement: “The inspiration and drive to grow bigger and better each year makes these events more impactful and important to the people involved and the charities we support.”
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants of this year’s event. The support, camaraderie, and enthusiasm displayed by our riders truly embody the spirit of this initiative.
A special thank you also goes to our industry and creative design partners for their invaluable support in making our annual charity ride a success. Together, we are making a difference in our community!
- Haus Wilkie
- No Ordinary Films
- Combi Coffee
- Bunnings Trade
- Gage Roads Brewing Co
- Otherside Brewing Co
- Princis Butcher
- The General Store – Melville
- Isuzu – Major Motors
- Fat Duck Cycles
- Phase3 Landscape Construction
About TIACS
Dan Allen and Ed Ross established TradeMutt and TIACS in 2020 to address the mental health challenges faced by the blue-collar community, using their vibrant workwear to spark discussions about mental well-being. They recognized the importance of not only initiating these conversations but also ensuring that ongoing support is accessible, leading to the creation of TIACS. TIACS is a nonprofit organization providing free mental health support Australia-wide. TIACS’s mission is to start conversations surrounding mental health among Australia’s blue-collar communities and provide accessible phone/text counselling support.
*Image/Design credits – Haus Wilkie*
