[YarraBUG-list] Yesterdays Ride + The Age articles

[Yarra Bicycle Users Group]

Hi all,

Yesterdays ride was a lovely cruise along the Yarra with six of us 
riding to the Collingwood Childrens Farm, Dights Falls, Yarra Bend to 
the Fairfield BoatHouse, Pipe Bridge, the Boulie and then return to the 
Studley Park Boathouse. 

Just after the Pipe Bridge, Steve took a couple of riders for a bit of 
singletrack fun along the river bank and also encountered the huge fruit 
bat colony living along there! We all met up again at the Studley Park 
Boathouse for a refreshing drink, coffee and delicious muffins. In all 
the ride took just under 2 hours and we missed most of the heat.

Many thanks to Madeleine for taking the time to lead and organise the 
ride. Hopefully after Easter there will be more rides organised and BUG 
ride leader protocols and a calendar developed.

On April 7th the registrations open for Around the Bay in a Day, so if 
you're already thinking of training rides, please let us know so local 
rides for people in Yarra are can be organised.

Also if you're interested in other rides, like beginners rides, MTB or 
overnight tours please let us know so they can be discussed and planned 
in any future calendar.

***

In todays news there is two articles that relate to City of Yarra 
councillors, first up is Cr Jackie Fristacky discussing transport 
options and state government responsibilities:

The Age: Policies leave the city choking on traffic fumes (17/3/08)
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/policies-leave-the-city-choking-on-traffic-fumes/2008/03/16/1205602190303.html

Quote: "Cycling in the City of Yarra accounts for nearly 10% of trips to 
work, and walking is even higher at 12%. And, according to Bicycle 
Victoria, in the two years since the 2006 census, cycling has increased 
by a massive 42%. Meanwhile, the use of buses for trips to work fell 
from 1.8% in 2001 to 1.4% in 2006 and tram use declined from 13.8% to 
12.7%."

Secondly, Cr Paul D'Agostino discusses a "plan to close the street to 
motor vehicles would allow entry to trams, bicycles, pedestrians and 
delivery vehicles only" for Brunswick Street, maybe he's been inspired 
by Moreland Councils Cyclovia next month?

The Age: Move to ban cars in busy cafe strip (17/3/08)
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/03/16/1205602195488.html

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to watch how this idea progresses. 
Anyone going along to the City of Yarra Council meeting tomorrow night?

cheers,

Chris


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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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