[YarraBUG-list] October-November YarraBUG News

Tue Oct 2 01:15:48 AEST 2007

Hi all,

Welcome to the new YarraBUG email list, hopefully there will be less 
spam problems with a Mailman list, now first up ...

**A special ticket offer for Yarra BUG members**

2 for one tickets for the 5th October show of "Seditious Delicious". 
Please contact Russell McGilton at russell_mcgilton at iprimus.com.au to 
book! Offer strictly limited to four people. Get to it and contact Russell!

More about Seditious Delicious: Sitting for his victory portrait, Mr 
Howard, in a Dorianesque moment, wishes for his painting to grow old and 
decrepit while he becomes immortal and in power for forever. However, a 
mysterious figure puts a hex on the portrait and the reverse happens: 
the painting gets better looking as John Howard becomes uglier with 
every evil thing that he does! Join us for an evening of embarrassing 
sound effects and mimic mayhem in this live radio play. Free terrorist 
SIM card with every ticket! Erwin Rado Theatre, 211 Johnston Street, 
Fitzroy. Friday 5th, Saturday 6th October at 8pm. Sunday 7th October 
7pm. $ 22 full. $19.00 con.8pm to 9pm (Sunday show 7pm to 8pm) BOOKINGS: 
8412 8777 or online at www.melbournefringe.com.au

Now here's the October-November YarraBUG news ...

- YarraBUG Public Forum Feedback
- 3CR - Proposed Bicycle Show
- Next YarraBUG Meeting
- Yarra Ride to Work Day
- Yarra Bicycle Advisory Committee
- Yarra Council Meeting - Motion supporting cycling in Yarra
- Creating a Sustainable Future for Yarra - Yarra Environment Strategy – 
Community Consultation
- Want to Cycle to Work?
- Want to get ready for Ride to Work Day?
- Family Rides for Mums, Partners and Kids
- Adult Beginner's Bike Course
- Bike Love-In and Picnic
- Solutions to Climate Change Community Festival

YARRA BUG NEWS

1. YarraBUG Public Forum Feedback
See below to item no. 6 about the Motion supported by Council stemming 
from the Yarra BUG Public Forum on September 16. Forum notes will be 
distributed shortly to participants and a summary will be posted to the 
list soon. Sorry about the delay, I've been enduring a nasty cold for a 
couple of weeks, as have many people over the last month.

2. 3CR - Proposed Bicycle Show
Update: YarraBUG was contacted by 3CR to help develop a proposed Bicycle 
Show for 2008. So far we've put in a joint funding application for a 
community grant with 3CR to cover costs and placed a submission to join 
the Community Radio Federation. Last week we attended a 3CR Board 
Meeting to present YarraBUG as a potential affiliate group. We should 
know about the Boards decision in about a month and if the community 
grant application is successful by December. Stay tuned!

3. Next YarraBUG Meeting
Our next meeting is Tuesday 16 October, 7.30pm at Suede Bar, 284 Smith 
Street, Collingwood. The Public Forum has given us plenty to discuss, 
this months topics will including strategising Yarra BUG's priorities 
for the next 12 months, issues with road user attitudes towards 
cyclists, growing our membership and developing a rides calendar for the 
summer months. Another issue that has been mentioned is that Tuesday 
night meetings aren't easily accessible for many people, so alternative 
venue or times are being considered. If you have any suggestions please 
contact us: enquiries at yarrabug.org

YARRA COUNCIL NEWS

4. Yarra Ride to Work Day - 17 October 2007
Ride to Work Day is coming up on Wednesday 17 October and Yarra Council 
is organising a community breakfast at Victoria Gardens, corner of 
Burnley & Victoria St, Richmond. YarraBUG will be having a stall, so 
please contact us if you can help on the day. For more contact Kate 
Simnet, Yarra Sustainable Transport Officer: SimnettKATyarracity.vic.gov.au

More about Yarra Ride to Work Day: 
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Publications/Media%20Releases/Ride%20to%20Work%20Day.asp

Yarra City Council has organised a free breakfast on Victoria Street 
near the Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre between 7.00am to 9.00am, for 
all cyclists participating in National Ride to Work Day on Wednesday 17 
October. The event aims to encourage new riders to join the cycling 
community. It is also to reward people who leave their cars at home and 
use sustainable transport to travel to and from work regularly already. 
Activities on the day include: Free coffee and breakfast, Free bike 
maintenance, Police with engraving tools, Giveaways from Victoria 
Gardens stores, Yarra Leisure prizes, Hairdressers fixing ‘helmet hair’

5. Yarra Council Bicycle Advisory Committee
Next meeting: Wednesday 24 October 2007 at Richmond Town Hall, The 
Lounge. Please note change of venue. There's big news about Gipps Street 
Step developments, after several years of lobbying things are starting 
to happen! Other topics will include the planning towards the next Yarra 
Council budget allocation for bicycle infrastructure and regular Bicycle 
Network Planning items.

YarraBAC Meetings:
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Consultation/Bicycle%20advisory%20committee/

6. Yarra Council Meeting - 18th September
Great news from Septembers Yarra Council Meeting, the Motion detailed 
below followed on from the YarraBUG Public Forum and was supported by 
Council. It does have some additions and these should be available in 
the Council Minutes. As you can read there are several proposals to 
further enhance cycling and sustainable transport in Yarra, including 
utilising Yarra council facilities for end of trip use for cyclists, a 
proposed Yarra Cyclovia and a Car Free Day.

A report is being prepared to be presented to the next Council meeting 
on Tuesday 16 October. So please ensure you can either attend this 
meeting and give support during Public Question Time or make a written 
submission to Council supporting these iniatives. Obviously there is a 
clash with our planned BUG meeting, so please contact us if you would 
like to attend or we can make alternative arrangements for our meeting. 
email: enquiries at yarrabug.org

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Council/Meetings

Details of Motion 1 – better supporting bicycle riding in the City of Yarra
That a report be prepared for the November cycle of council looking at 
options for:
1) Increasing bicycle parking in the City of Yarra, including through:
a) Converting some car parking spaces to bicycle parking spaces in 
supermarket shopping areas (for example in the Swan St Richmond Coles 
and Piedimonte’s in North Fitzroy) and in strip shopping areas;
b) Introducing a minimum number of bicycle parking hoops per 10 meters 
in activity centres;

2) Implementing a car free day in 2008;
3) Implementing a ‘Cyclovia’ activity in 2008, possibly in partnership 
with other IMAP councils;
4) Making facilities at the Richmond Leisure Centre (and other City of 
Yarra facilities) available for bike riders who would like to use the 
showers and bike-lock up facilities available (eg for a small fee);
5) Supporting activities that encourage hesitant riders to ride more 
often (such as the Absolute Beginner Chicks group, a women-only group 
which supports women to ride more, through riding activities and social 
events).

Moved: Cr Maltzahn. Seconded: Cr Fristacky

Background: On Sunday 16 September, the Yarra Bicycle Users Group (Yarra 
BUG) held a public forum at the Fitzroy Town Hall attended by Cr 
Fristacky and I.

Participants raised issues such as:
- The need for more bicycle parking;
- The need to support activities which get people riding regularly, 
including for people who haven’t ridden on the streets before (or recently);
- The need to change car driver (and politician) attitudes that see the 
roads as the territory of cars only (and not bikes);
- The need for better bike riding infrastructure, including better 
connectivity, more end-of-ride facilities, improvement to the 
Pigdon/Canning St intersection.

7. Creating a Sustainable Future for Yarra - Yarra Environment Strategy 
– Community Consultation
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Consultation/index.asp
The City of Yarra is currently developing a new environment strategy. 
Council hosted a series community workshops throughout June and July to 
gain ideas for improving our environment and planning our future. You 
can also provide input into the project by viewing and responding to the 
fact sheets at Creating a Sustainable Future for Yarra - tell us what 
you think. The next stage of the project is to consolidate the 
information obtained through community consultation. This will be 
undertaken in September and October. For more information on the 
project, please contact Silvana Predebon on 9205 5753 or 
predebos at yarracity.vic.gov.au

BICYCLE NEWS

8. Want to Cycle to Work?
Message from Harry, a local cyclist who can get you started riding to work.
I can:
- Choose safe, easy routes to your workplace
- Select an appropriate bike and/or accessories
- Show you how to arrive clean and dry
- Ride with you to work so you can gain confidence -
- Answer your "what ifs"
I have 20 years bicycle commuting experience. Fees: First 1/2 hour 
consultation free, then $30/h
Call Harry 0417 427 797 - I'm here to help!

9. Want to get ready for Ride to Work Day?
Not sure if your bike is ready for Ride to Work Day? Then get along to 
Human Powered Cycles, the workshop located at rear of 38 Harrison St, 
Brunswick East. Workshop Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9,00am-6.00pm, 
Saturday 9.00am-3.00pm. Ph: 9029 6504
More at: http://www.humanpowered.com.au

10. Family Rides for Mums, Partners and Kids
Riding with your kids has never been more fun. Bring your kids, in tow, 
on bike seats or on their own bikes, for a fun and social experience. No 
one is too slow, and we're happy to stop for a play, rest, breastfeed, 
nappy change, or just wait for a tantrum to be over. Local mum and 
cycling guru Kathy Brunning brings together local families for monthly 
Wednesday trips to CERES Environment Park in East Brunswick, where 
there's something for everyone: cafe, playground, market, musicians, 
animals, nursery.

All rides are Darebin BUG rides and meet at Jika Jika Community Centre, 
corner Plant and Union Streets, Northcote (near Westgarth train 
station). Kathy also leads monthly Sunday trips using the train ($2.50 
Sundaysaver) to kid friendly destinations across Melbourne – the 
Botanical Gardens, the beach and Bundoora Park. For more information and 
dates for these great family spring activities contact Kathy: 0410 667 
634, kbrunningATbigpond.com

11. Adult Beginner's Bike Course
An Adult Beginner's Bike Course is being run by volunteers from Darebin 
Bicycle User Group for people who can ride a bit but want to build 
riding skills and confidence. Saturdays 27 October to 1 December (5 
sessions) from 1 to 3.30 pm. Cost $50. Meet friendly people to ride 
with, go on practice rides, get tips on buying a bike and accessories, 
learn to fix a puncture and more. Contact Louise 9484 3860 More at 
DarebinBUG: www.darebinbug.org.au

12. Bike Love-In and Picnic - October 14
Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle (CANC3) is riding 4500km from 
Rockhampton Queensland to Adelaide, SA this year. They're arriving in 
Melbourne on Sunday 14th to have some retro fun before they head
toward Adelaide. You are invited to a day of bike ridin' and nuclear 
free fun. Join them as they ride into Melbourne roward a retro picnic 
and bike love-in (fix ya bike). Ride from Frankston to Carlton. 
Frankston 10am: meet at Beauty Park, Frankston 10am. Ride along the 
coast toward Melbourne. St Kilda 2pm: meet at the pier near the foreshore.

The 62 km ride will be a great practise session for the Melbourne Big 
Ride. Dress you and your bike 1970s nuclear free. Push Bikes not 
Uranium. Retro theme: dress 1970s, dated, like nuclear technology 3pm: 
Carlton Gardens, Corner Canning and Carlton Streets. We're crashing the 
"Bike Fix" party to have some bike lovin' nuclear. BYO Bike and picnic. 
More: Beck: 0405 105 101, James: 0404 260 401email: contact at canc.org.au 
More at: www.canc.org.au

13. Solutions to Climate Change Community Festival - 8 December
Friends of the Earth Melbourne, in collaboration with the City of Yarra, 
will present the annual Solutions to Climate Change community festival 
in early December. Learn and share practical knowledge about low impact 
lifestyles, renewable energy, and simple D.I.Y solutions to climate 
change. The afternoon will involve talks by climate change specialists, 
amazing workshops (for big and small), stalls, FoE's foodie delights, 
and some fine rhythms!

Inspiration to Change is the festival theme, and the event is therefore 
focused on inspiring people to implement solutions to climate change and 
improve the health of the planet. The festival is taking place in 
Darling Gardens, Clifton Hill, on the 8th of December from 1-5pm. Stay 
tuned to the Friends of the Earth Melbourne website for more information 
closer to the date or contact Jodie to get involved (stalls, workshops, 
etc): jodie.fraserATfoe.org.au More at: www.melbourne.foe.org.au

-- 

Yarra Bicycle Users Group
PO Box 253
Clifton Hill VIC 3068
http://www.yarrabug.org
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Abbotsford, Alphington, Burnley, Carlton North,
Clifton Hill, Cremorne, Collingwood, Fairfield,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond
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