[YarraBUG-list] YarraBUG Newsletter: August 2011

Tue Aug 2 23:11:33 AEST 2011

  YarraBUG Newsletter: August 2011

We've missed out on a couple of newsletters over winter, most likely due 
to not enough time, working too hard elsewhere, three weeks of late 
night television watching a bicycle race in France & the usual 
procrastination.

    * *Yarra Council News*
    * *Update on 3CR Radiothon - Donate to People Powered Radio*
    * *News from Velo Voice Melbourne*
    * *Gipps Street Steps - again*
    * *News & Events*
    * *Cycling in the news*

*
**1. Yarra Council News - City of Yarra Bicycle Advisory Committee 
Minutes - 29 June 2011*
Agenda Items included:
Item 1 - Progress report on City of Yarra Bicycle Strategy
Item 2 - On-road facilities report - 2.1 Gertrude Street, East-West Link 
update*
Item 3 - Behaviour change projects report
Item 4 - Advocacy report
Item 5 - Open Space/Off-Road report
Item 6 - Swan Street Masterplan report

More at: 
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/DownloadDocument.ashx?DocumentID=4015 
(PDF file)

*Steve Barnetts report on Gertrude Street site visit on 30th June 2011 
with Yarra Council & VicRoad representatiives:
Updated plans were supplied by Kevin from VicRoads & reviewed on site by 
those present. There was multiple concerns regarding the plans, mostly 
contraflow lane for cyclists, the design of the contraflow lane which 
had a lack of buffer between the cycle lane & other vehicles. There were 
also concerns over entry/exit points through the Smith St/Langridge 
intersection. Positive: there were numerous suggestions raised during 
the visit, including resurfacing the street & making the area an more 
intergrated zone/lower speed approach for all road users. Kevin was to 
take these suggestions back to VicRoads for review.

For your information, Heidi Marfurt is acting Sustainable Transport 
Officer while Kate Simnett is on maternity leave (with her new little 
one!) No doubt many of you would know Heidi as a founding member of 
Darebin BUG. Her contact details are: Ph: (03) 9205 5734  M 0438 616 097 
fax: (03) 8417 6666, email: heidi.marfurt[AT]yarracity.vic.gov.au

Next Yarra City Council Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting - 10 August 
2011, Fitzroy Town Hall, Mayor's Room
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Consultative-Committees/Bicycle-Advisory-Committee/
*

2. Update on 3CR Radiothon - Donate to People Powered Radio

According to 3CR admin, we're at 73% of our Radiothon total for YarraBUG 
Radio. Can you help us attain 100% or even more, by our 150th program on 
Monday 8th August 2011? Contact 3CR on the details listed below & ensure 
your pledge is made to YarraBUG Radio.

Listen to our latest podcasts - *YarraBUG Radio Show#149 -- Monday 1st 
August 2011
Val and Steve chat to Nik Dow from Melbourne BUG on Victoria's Cycle 
Tourism Action Plan 2011-2015 & Melbourne being named as a "bike city" 
by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Plus news and events. More 
at: http://www.yarrabug.org/radio/?p=848

YarraBUG Radio Show#148 -- Monday 25th July 2011: This week we excitedly 
chat about Cadel Evans historical win in the 2011 Tour de France (on not 
much sleep) & this events implications for cycling in Australia. Other 
topics: Val's bike tip + round up of bicycle-themed events for State of 
Design. Local events include Yarra Easy Riders -- Leisure Cycling 
Network, Amy Gillett Foundation new campaign for safer cycling 
conditions. More at: http://www.yarrabug.org/radio/?p=846

YarraBUG Radio Show#147 -- Monday 18th July 2011:This week's program: 
the Tour de France, can bikes be faster than planes -- the recent Los 
Angeles Carmageddon challenge, a round up of bicycle-themed events for 
State of Design + news and events. More at: 
http://www.yarrabug.org/radio/?p=844
*
*News from 3CR: Help us with the last push to reach our 2011 Radiothon 
target. 3CR is short $20,000 and we need your help. Or if you've already 
given - find a friend! We really appreciate your support. You can make a 
donation online now or come in to the station at 21 Smith Street Fitzroy 
during business hours and pay by cash, cheque or eftpos. 3CR People 
Powered Radio! Post your cheque/money order made out to 3CR to PO Box 
1277, Collingwood, VIC 3066. By phone: Call 039419 8377 during business 
hours (Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm) to pay by credit card. Set up 
a recurring donation: Choose how much you would like to donate and how 
frequently - weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Its easy! Phone 3CR on 9419 
8377 or email us [admin at 3cr.org.au] to get a direct debit brochure sent 
to you.
http://www.3cr.org.au/support,
http://www.givenow.com.au/cause442

*3. News from Velo Voice Melbourne - *News received via email 27 July 
2011 - see background at: http://www.fixed.org.au/forums/t17769/

Dear Member,
With the sad, death recently of yet another cyclist on Melbourne's 
roads, it's time for cyclists to call on the government to finally take 
some steps to better protect us on Melbourne's roads and a Minimum One 
Metre Passing Law would go some way towards that.  Many countries 
overseas are way ahead of Australia with their laws protecting cyclists 
and it's time for Australia to catch up.  Cadel Evans' recent victory in 
the Tour De France will see many Melburnians taking up cycling and the 
numbers of cyclists on our roads will see a surge in numbers over the 
next few months.

Melbourne Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle recently called Melbourne "a true 
cycling city", however those of us that ride on the streets around 
Melbourne know that this is far from the truth.  While Melbourne may 
have a great cycling culture, the roads are as dangerous as they have 
ever been with accidents involving cyclists at an all time high.  Way 
back in 2005, a One-Metre Law was recommended by the State Parliament's 
2005 Inquiry into Violence Associated with Motor Vehicle Use.  If you 
believe that it's time cyclists were offered better protection on the 
roads, then forward the email below to our Premier, Mr Baillieu and his 
Minister for Roads, Mr Mulder.

Just cut and paste these into your email address line: 
ted.baillieu at parliament.vic.gov.au; terence.mulder at parliament.vic.gov.au

and Subject line: Call for a One Metre Minimum passing law

Dear Mr Baillieu and Mr Mulder,

I call for your government to introduce a One Metre Minimum passing law 
for drivers when passing cyclists.  Currently, VicRoads advises 
motorists to ''give cyclists a clearance of at least one metre when 
passing'', but the law does not require it. The introduction of such a 
rule would better protect cyclists on our roads and bring Melbourne in 
line with many overseas cities known for their cycling culture.

Consideration should also be given to the creation of a mechanism by 
which cyclists can report offending drivers to police, that the 
introduction of such a law be supplemented with a comprehensive driver 
education campaign to enable drivers to become accustomed to the 
changes. It's important for the safety of all cyclists in Melbourne that 
the current laws be changed, as there have been too many avoidable 
deaths on our roads.

Yours sincerely,

PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT PHONE NUMBER FOR AUTHENTICATION

Thanks for your ongoing support of cyclists, and cycling, in Melbourne.

Regards,

Velo Voice Melbourne
velovoicemelbourne at gmail.com

*4. Gipps Street Steps - again*
See below for The Age article from 27 July,  at long last there may 
*finally* be a positive result on the Gipps Street Steps, see previous 
history on campaigns page: http://www.yarrabug.org/campaigns/
But wait, there's another catch:

" ... But until last night, the Baillieu government had not confirmed if 
the project would proceed. Now it has been pushed back until next 
financial year and is set to cost $200,000 more ..."

Concerned about yet another delay or inaction?

Contact: Hon. Ted Baillieu, Premier. Leader of the Liberal Party, Level 
1, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, VIC. Phone (03) 9651 5000, Fax (03) 9651 
5054, Email: ted.baillieu at parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Hugh Delahunty, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Level 22, 50 
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC. Phone (03) 9096 8830, Fax (03) 9096 
3611,Email: hugh.delahunty at parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Terry Mulder, Minister for Public Transport. Minister for Roads, 
Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC, Phone (03) 9095 4330, 
Fax (03) 9095 4483, Email: terence.mulder at parliament.vic.gov.au

Yarra trail rides high on Evans win - July 27, 2011
Cyclists forced to push their bikes up stairs to be able to continue on 
the bike path in Abbotsford. Photo: Wayne Taylor. THE final piece of 
Melbourne's most popular bike trail is set to be completed in the wake 
of Cadel Evans's historic Tour de France win. The Baillieu government 
last night announced it would proceed with a $4.3 million project to 
build a bridge over the Yarra River in Abbotsford after inquiries from 
The Age. More at: 
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/yarra-trail-rides-high-on-evans-win-20110726-1hylp.html

*NEWS & EVENTS

*
*1. Yarra Easy Riders - Leisure Cycling Network Meeting - 6th August 2011*
For residents of Yarra estates and surrounding areas. Join leisurely 
rides to explore local bike paths and visit parks and café's. The rides 
will suit families and people with basic riding skills. Training can be 
provided. Experienced riders who would like to support less confident 
riders are also invited to participate. Bikes to win! Bike maintenace 
tips!  Free Bike hire service!*To find out more; Come to the Community 
meeting When? Saturday Aug 6th, Time?: 1.30 p. Where? Community Meeting 
Room, Atherton Gardens Estate, 125 Napier St. Fitzroy.
*Bike hire program for residents of Yarra Estates.  Please RSVP yout 
attendance by contacting City of Yarra Access 3121 Project Officer, Dory 
Russell on 0408 577 403. email: dory.russell at yarracity.vic.gov.au

*2. Bicycles For Humanity - St Kilda - 6th August 2011*
News from Bicycles for Humanity: As Bicycles for Humanity continues to 
chug along, we are again looking for helpers to prepare bikes for 
packing into container number 5! If you are willing and able to lend a 
hand THIS SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST in Yarraville please let us know. Also 
HUGE thanks to our most recent saviour, Ben Bud from WESTBURY Packaging 
in Dingley, who has kindly agreed to store our bikes and container when 
we leave Yarraville. Contact  Bicycles For Humanity for more details, 
like the location: email: info at bicyclesforhumanity.com or 
ylva_carosone at hotmail.com

*3. FYXO - Bicycle Swap Meet / Saturday 13th August 2011*
Buy, swap, sell, haggle and tyre kick! When: Saturday 13 August, 2011. 
9am - 12pm. Where: Coffee Supreme, 28 Grosvenor St, Abottsford. Map: 
http://bit.ly/nYfwPD
What: Anything two wheeled. New, old, used and abused. $5 to sell / Free 
to haggle. More at FYXO: http://www.fyxomatosis.com/

*4. Darebin BUG invites you to:  Do bicycle lanes "work"? How do we know?*
Thursday 15  September 2011 7.00 for a 7:30 start. Food and drink 
available, Fairfield Alphington RSL, 7 Railway Place, Fairfield.
Cameron Munro from SKM consultants will talk about evaluating cycling 
projects. Cameron will show before and after examples from cycling 
projects including the Sydney Road bicycle lanes, Royal Park green 
surfaces and rumble strips as well as "bicycle awareness zones" from 
Queensland. Fairfield Alphington RSL is across the road from the 
Fairfield railway station (south side). There are bike hoops at the 
station, and two outside Bean  (cnr Gillies St and Railway Place). Bikes 
are also welcome in the RSL forecourt. See a map with the location at 
http://tiny.cc/k3fyr
Please forward to your networks. We look forward to seeing you on the 
15th September

*5. Chocolate Cafe Ride - 27th August 2011, Noon - 5pm*
Bikes, friends, a sampling of the Chocolate cafes of Melbourne. You know 
its a winning combination. Meet at the Rotunda in Edinburgh Gardens 
(Mel. 44 B1 - Nearest Train Station: Rushall) at Midday. We ride to 
Chocolate Cafes in Fitzroy, Carlton, the CBD and North Melbourne. Ride 
finishes in North Melbourne (Short ride to North Melbourne Railway 
Station, or City stations.We will visit around 4 cafes (with option to 
do more if time allows), so budget around $50.00 to cover coffees and 
chocolaty treats.Riding will be slow and relaxed. Distances traveled 
will be very short. (Walking between cafes is an option)
More at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226809920687918

*6. Op shop ride and treasure hunt - 10th September 2011*
Time: 11:00am -  4:00pm, Location: Start Brotherhood St Laurence Op Shop 
Brunswick. More info: A ride and rummage through the Op shops of 
Brunswick. After the ride we'll compare our finds at a Coburg cafe.
Treasure Hunt bragging rights for:
- Best find for under $5.00
- Coolest thing you can hold in the palm of your hand.
- Best bad taste / Kitch item.
- Craziest costume.
- Most stylish 'DIY' Diva award.
- "Project Inspiration" Award (Tell us what you are going to make with 
your op-shop find) Start Point - Brotherhood St Laurence Op Shop 
Brunswick (109 Brunswick Rd Brunswick) Nearest railway station Jewell or 
Rushall. End Point - Coburg Railway Station
More at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246228262066111

*7. Amy Gillett Foundation*
Help Phil, Cadel and the Amy Gillett Foundation to keep bike riders 
safe. Each year, nearly 40 bike riders die on our roads. Over 9,000 more 
are hospitalised. It's critical we change drivers' attitudes towards 
bike riders. Delivering this message needs a major national advertising 
campaign. The Amy Gillett Foundation wants all bike riders to join 
forces and make it happen. One of Australia's finest communications 
agencies Publicis Mojo has helped the Amy Gillett Foundation create a 
compelling concept for a bike safety campaign. Now we need the funds to 
bring it to life. Ask your friends to donate too. This campaign could 
save your life, or the life of a bike rider you know.
More at: www.bikemovement.org.au

*8. Ausbike - 20-21 August 2011*
The show will open on Saturday the 20th of August 2011 and run until the 
22nd of August 2011, with the first two days reserved as a public-only 
event and the last day trade-only.Located at Melbourne Showgrounds. 
Ausbike 2011 covers all kinds of cycling including: Road, Track, Time 
Trial, Mountain Bikes, Cross Country, BMX, Trials, Kids, Toddlers, even 
Unicycles!
Not only will bikes be showing but also an unimaginable array of 
accessories to go with your bike and your lifestyle. This show is an 
absolute must-not-miss event for anyone interested in bikes or who works 
in the bicycle industry. General entry may be purchased at the Ticket 
Booths on the day but to avoid queues but people are advised to 
pre-purchase an electronic ticket. Ausbike 2011 - ADULT $10.00, Ausbike 
2011 - CONCESSION $5.00. More at: http://www.ausbike.com.au

*CYCLING IN THE NEWS

1. The Age: Where there's a wheel there's a way to save big money*
DAMIAN Walsh is convinced of the financial windfall that cycling to work 
provides; it has helped pay for his home renovation and will pay his 
son's private school fees.
While Mr Walsh, a Collins Street lawyer, cycles to work from Brunswick, 
his wife, Junko Kobayashi, uses the family car for errands and school 
drop-offs. They have been a one-car household since 1997.
Mr Walsh said the money they have saved has helped pay for a $450,000 
energy-efficient renovation to their home. ''Car insurance alone would 
cost us $1000 a year,'' he said.
Read more: 
http://www.theage.com.au/national/where-theres-a-wheel-theres-a-way-to-save-big-money-20110731-1i6hf.html#ixzz1TmaNShhU

*2. Victoria's Cycle Tourism Action Plan 2011-2015*
"Victoria's Cycle Tourism Action Plan 2011-2015 is the first of its kind 
for Victoria. Its development comes at a time when participation in 
cycle tourism is growing domestically and internationally. Tourists are 
increasingly seeking to improve their health and wellbeing and to 
undertake environmentally sustainable tourism experiences and modes of 
transport"
Read more at: 
http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/images/stories/Victoria%20s%20Cycle%20Tourism%20Action%20Plan%202011-2015%20final.pdf

*3. The Age: Melbourne gains 'bike city' status July 22, 2011*
How Melbourne gained 'bike city' status The Union Cycliste 
Internationale says Melbourne is among the top international cities for 
bike racing, but it's a different story for non-elte riders.
Melbourne  is not only Australia's cycling capital, according to the 
Baillieu government - it's one of the top cities for riding a bicycle on 
the planet. Tourism Minister Louise Asher yesterday unveiled the state's 
four-year plan to snare a bigger share of Australia's burgeoning 
international cycling tourism market, and named Melbourne the nation's 
first ''bike city''.
Read more: 
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-gains-bike-city-status-20110721-1hqx1.html

*4. The Age: Let me take you on a wild ride around town, Mr Baillieu. 
Bojun Björkman-Chiswell. July 28, 2011*
How Melbourne gained 'bike city' status. The Union Cycliste 
Internationale says Melbourne is among the top international cities for 
bike racing, but it's a different story for non-elte riders.
The leaders who call this a 'bike city' have clearly never ridden in it. 
On Monday night while riding my bicycle home from work I was hit by a 
car, hard enough to be thrown on to the bonnet, slide off and land with 
a thud on the road, only to see the car wheel stop centimetres from my 
face. The driver made no move to get out of his car and come to my aid. 
When I approached him screeching that he'd nearly killed me, his reply 
was to shout back that I'd damaged his car. That is an example of the 
uncivilised treatment people who choose to commute by bicycle are 
subjected to daily. As I limped away from the crash scene and left the 
police to charge him with nothing more than driving without a licence, 
it occurred to me that this had happened in a city that only days before 
had been pronounced by lord mayor Robert Doyle and Premier Ted Baillieu 
as a ''bike city''.
Read more: 
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/let-me-take-you-on-a-wild-ride-around-town-mr-baillieu-20110727-1i079.html*

*--

Yarra Bicycle Users Group
PO Box 253
Clifton Hill VIC 3068
http://www.yarrabug.org

Listen to YarraBUG Radio
Every Monday morning 10-10.30am on 3CR Community Radio + DIgital
http://www.yarrabug.org/radio/
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
Abbotsford, Alphington, Burnley, Carlton North,
Clifton Hill, Cremorne, Collingwood, Fairfield,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------

<http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/images/stories/Victoria%20s%20Cycle%20Tourism%20Action%20Plan%202011-2015%20final.pdf> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://yarrabug.org/pipermail/yarrabug-list_yarrabug.org/attachments/20110802/812f01ad/attachment.html>