“Loud but peaceful”: 1000 Bikes Against Domestic Violence rides into Canberra this Friday

Posted on 8 April, 2025

Content warning: domestic violence and death.

“Dear mum, I love you. I miss our holidays together and our tickle fights. You are the best mum in the world.”  This was the message from a six-year-old boy at his mother’s funeral in 2024.

Now, almost a year later, 1000 Bikes Against Domestic Violence is riding into Canberra in Molly Ticehurst’s memory to gather at Parliament House to share one important message: Australia won’t tolerate the domestic violence epidemic any longer.

Taking place on Friday 11 April, the 1000 Bikes Against Domestic Violence ride is a community initiative organised by Molly’s family to honour her life, along with the lives of the other women who have been lost to domestic violence.

According to event organiser Ciara Collins, the idea for the rally was sparked on the day of Molly’s funeral – and what’s louder than 1000 bikes?

“Molly was killed in Forbes on April 22, 2024 – she was the 30th of 103 women killed that year…Molly is just one of thousands of women let down daily by the courts – she is one of many who paid the ultimate price. As her family struggles to heal, they must also lobby governments for change and rally to save lives,” she says.

“Molly’s family and community have been the heart behind this. They have been planning for months in advance, working so hard to get this event off the ground. This isn’t just a standstill rally in one location.”

“They have gathered community from Forbes New South Wales all the way to Canberra which is an incredible feat in itself. The background work of these rallies are a lot harder than most people realise and I am in awe of the amazing work they have done to get this event together. It is a true honour to help her family and community.”

Supplied by australianfemicidewatch.org

Calling for people to meet them at 1 pm at Parliament House to join the rally from 2 pm, you don’t need a motorbike to be involved in the 1000 Bikes Against Domestic Violence – all Ciara and Molly’s family ask is people show up to help them spread their message.

“There are massive campaigns coming up to election but not once have I seen this leading crisis be touched on. We want to know what our leaders and protectors are going to do,” says Ciara.

“How far down their ‘to-do list’ is it? Domestic violence and sexual assault are issues that continue to devastate communities, yet families and survivors often feel sidelined. We’re not looking for blanket promises — we want actionable steps, and we want them now. This is a growing crisis that demands urgent attention. Those in power must act, because the communities who elected them deserve better. The time to make real change is now, and we need our leaders to prioritise it.”

Molly’s parents and son will be at the event, and her son and 120 community members will each lay a flower in honour of all the victims lost since the beginning of 2024. Sherele Moody will also be travelling from Melbourne and speaking at the event.

Taking place the day before Molly’s birthday, and a few weeks before the anniversary of her death, Ciara says the timing of the event is powerful.

“I think this can be such a healing and empowering day for the community and loved ones; seeing people show up and that Molly’s story hasn’t ended with her death,” she says.

“Instead her family and community are using these extremely hard times to make sure this doesn’t continue to happen. Our community and honestly our country needs to acknowledge this, heal and change and I believe this event could help.”

“Let us stand in solidarity with Molly’s family the day before her birthday, to remember her and all the other victims of domestic violence. As many people as possible – men  and women –  will gather at Parliament House to show our collective disgust at the lack of action from our leaders in addressing domestic violence in our communities.”

Images supplied.