[publictransport] Geelong's meeting 12/01/08

[russell lindsay]

Geelong: there were only 3 people attending.
There was concern about the way the law came into place arbitrarily and
paranoia that maybe the next law will be to ban bikes from roads during peak
hour to alleviate traffic congestion, or that those of Jewish faith have to
wear a yellow star, etc,etc.....

We have decided that we will have affirmative action at this stage.  
On 1st of Feb, we will urge as many people as possible to lock up their
bikes in two rows either side of an entrance to a rail station from anytime
in the morning and then collect them at 7pm at night.  We estimate, we
should get at least 40 bikes.  Should make for a good media picture without
pi!!ing people off. 
Longer term plans, we may have to follow Melbourne or Castlemaine's lead.
Purely due to low interest levels, although campaigning local cyclists is
important to us.  

Russell 

-----Original Message-----
From: publictransport-bounces at yarrabug.org
[mailto:publictransport-bounces at yarrabug.org] On Behalf Of Brianna Laugher
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 2:21 AM
To: Public transport access for all users
Subject: Re: [publictransport] Todays meeting 12/01/08

Hi all,

Thanks for those who were able to attend and those who attended in
spirit. We had around 15-20 people at CERES - any reports back from
Castlemaine or Geelong? There was impressive enthusiasm and passion,
not to mention breadth of experience. Lots of people were from BUGs
but there were also BV members and unionists and people who had
interesting anecdotes about the goverment and transport system back in
the day. :)

Hopefully summary notes will appear on the list soon, as well as pictures...

My brief memory is
* Band together with PTUA for bigger picture PT improvements
* Contact cycling groups and ask them to put pressure on BV
* Leafleting Friday 18th (?) - this Friday!
* Protest day Wednesday 23rd morning - cardboard bikes, leaflets, sumo
suits? :)
* inner Melb meet again late Jan/early Feb?
* Message to DOI:
**(short term) appoint someone who can issue exemption passes as of now
**(med term) reduce definition of evening peak hour, too long
**(med/long term) remove blanket ban and introduce some other
restriction, e.g. concession fare for bikes, or max 1 bike per
carriage and 0 in first carriage
**(long term) introduce bike hooks, influence purchase of new train
stock to include storage (esp for V/Line, coming up in July?)
* Message to general public: this is not about special treatment for
bikes but basic expections of comfort and reasonable service for all
commuters.
* General feeling V/Line ban absolutely must be overturned, totally
intolerable, and booking system introduced
** contact regional councils, tourism bodies, regional cycling groups,
to push this point to DOI

My action list includes "improve leaflets", didn't quite get to it
today but it's on the list, and as always forward any suggestions to
me offlist or onlist, or comment on the site. (some people have
commented and I haven't worked on their suggestions yet, it's coming
too though!)

Also me or Chris will probably take part in Tuesday's 3RRR "Along for
the ride" program. So that will be fun.
http://www.rrr.org.au/news.php?nid=64

And finally I note BV has updated their pages about the bans again.
"10 Jan 08 Bicycle Victoria's overall aim is to make it easier to ride
your bicycle to and from train stations. We're also of the view that
bicycles should be allowed on trains.
However, we recognise that given the current overcrowding on trains,
it is unfortunately not practical to take bikes on all peak-period
commuter trains. Regrettably, this will inconvenience some riders.
When the overcrowding issue on trains is solved we can then approach
the Public Transport Division to request that the current peak-period
restrictions are lifted."

Hm, is there actually a formal measure for crowding? Is it just when
people stop bitching?

OK lots to do this week folks! :)

cheers
Brianna



On 12/01/2008, cfsmtb <telstar at cfsmtb.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Great meeting today at CERES, very productive and now we have
> short/medium/long term goals and a timeline to work towards in the next
> few weeks.
>
> I won't pre-empt yet what was discussed without first cross-checking
> notes (to be sent) and the audio recording (also to be sent)
>
> Will be away for most of tomorrow, so please work towards any allocated
> action, drafts or information to follow up if you were doing that.
>
> Many thanks for all your great ideas and making the time to attend.
>
> More soon!
>
> cheers,
>
> Chris ;)
>




-- 
They've just been waiting in a mountain for the right moment:
http://modernthings.org/

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