We’re incredibly proud to announce that Party Onbici has been selected as one of just 10 semi-finalists in the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Sustainable Cities Challenge — and we’ve been awarded a $50,000 implementation grant to test our solution in Venice, Italy.
The Sustainable Cities Challenge
The Toyota Mobility Foundation Sustainable Cities Challenge is a landmark $9 million global initiative designed to find innovative solutions that increase the usage of low and zero-carbon transport modes in cities around the world.
Three cities were selected to host the challenge:
| City | Country | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Venice | Italy | Historic city mobility |
| Detroit | USA | Urban revitalisation |
| Varanasi | India | Sustainable development |
Each city receives $3 million in grant funding to support innovative mobility solutions over a three-year period.
Standing Out from 126 Innovators
Venice’s Sustainable Cities Challenge attracted 126 innovator entries from around the world. From this competitive field, only 10 semi-finalists were selected — and Party Onbici was one of them.
Being chosen as a semi-finalist means:
- $50,000 implementation grant to test our solution
- Direct collaboration with the City of Venice
- Access to Toyota Mobility Foundation’s global network
- Real-world pilot opportunity in one of the world’s most iconic cities
Why Venice?
Venice faces unique mobility challenges. As a city built on water with narrow streets and bridges, traditional car-based transport isn’t an option. The city is looking for innovative ways to:
- Reduce congestion on its limited pathways
- Encourage active mobility among residents and visitors
- Measure and understand how people move through the city
- Build community around sustainable transport choices
Our platform helps address these challenges by:
- Organising group bicycle rides — making cycling more social and safer
- Measuring active transport usage — providing data on how cycling infrastructure is used
- Building cycling communities — connecting people who want to ride together
The Birth of “Party Onbici”
Here’s a fun fact: this challenge is where we got our name.
When we were selected for the Venice challenge, we knew we needed a name that honoured the Italian connection. “Onbici” is Italian for “on bike” — and combined with our original “Bike Party” concept, Party Onbici was born.
It felt right. A name that celebrates both our Australian roots and our Italian opportunity. A name that captures the joy of cycling together. A name that works in any language.
So when you see “Party Onbici,” you’re seeing the result of this incredible journey from Sydney to Venice.
From Sydney to Venice
It’s remarkable to think that a solution born from the cycling community in Sydney is now being tested in Venice. But the challenges are universal:
- People everywhere want safer ways to cycle
- Cities everywhere need better data on active transport
- Communities everywhere benefit when cyclists connect
What works in Sydney can work in Venice — and what we learn in Venice will make our platform better for cyclists everywhere.
The Road Ahead
The Sustainable Cities Challenge runs over three years:
- 2024: Semi-finalists selected, implementation grants awarded
- 2024-2025: Testing and piloting solutions in Venice
- 2026: Final awards distributed to winning solutions
Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with the City of Venice and the Toyota Mobility Foundation to pilot our platform and demonstrate how community-based cycling solutions can transform urban mobility.
What This Means for Our Community
This recognition from one of the world’s largest automotive companies validates our approach:
The future of urban mobility isn’t just about vehicles — it’s about connecting people and making sustainable transport choices easier and more enjoyable.
For our riders in Australia and beyond, this means:
- Continued investment in our platform
- Global learnings that improve the experience for everyone
- Validation that community-based solutions matter
Thank You
To the Toyota Mobility Foundation for believing in our vision. To the City of Venice for welcoming Australian innovation. And to our community of riders who prove every day that cycling is better together.
Ready to be part of a globally recognised cycling community? Download the app and find your next group ride.