Yarra Bicycle Users Group: advocacy & awareness in Melb’s inner northern suburbs

Hi all,
The next informal social ride will be next Wednesday, 7th December, meeting at 6.30pm, Gipps Street ‘cul de sac’ near Collins Bridge, Abbotsford (Melways 44 F6) After the ride, we will meet up at 7.30pm, at Ha Long Bay Restaurant, 82 Victoria St Richmond for a scrumptious early Xmas feast. If people wish, we can split the ride into two:

- Easy ride, over Collins Bridge, turn right onto Main Yarra Trail, onto Walmer Street Bridge, along the Yarra path and then back along Victoria Street.

- Medium Ride, over Collins Bridge, turn left onto Yarra Boulevard, up to the loop (over Studley Park Road), then reverse back along that route down to Walmer Street Bridge, onto Victoria Street. (or any variation similar to that)

As with the previous social ride, please ensure you have a helmet, adequate lighting for night riding, and clothing to suit the conditions. Also could you RSVP to Chris on 0407 825 467 or at yarrabug-owner@yahoogroups.com, by next Wednesday morning so we have a idea for numbers to book at Ha Long Bay. Hope to see you there next Wednesday!

Further background to the Great Commuter Race

Melbourne’s bicycle trails on track
To help get the recent 774 ABC Melbourne’s special ‘Traffic Blitz’ broadcast on the way, mapping the traffic and public transport problems across Melbourne, our Breakfast presenter, Red Symons, fired a starting gun and two races between two pairs of people to get to the city, had begun.

Jeremy Lee used his car and Chris Star rode her bicycle to get to the 774 studio from Northcote. Chris arrived at the ABC Southbank building about eleven minutes before Jeremy. In the meantime, Gaby Hills caught the bus from Balwyn, leaving the bus stop at exactly the same time as Jason (aka Flying Dutch), who was riding his bike. Once again, the cyclist beat the bus commuter to their final destination, this time by 15 minutes. Both results illustrate what cyclists have known for a long time. It is often quicker to commute on a bicycle than using motorised road transport during peak hour. (See our story ‘Melbourne’s most disgruntled commuter)’

… further details in article …

Hi all,
On Thursday morning (17/11), as we previously disclosed, as part of ABC 774 Melbourne’s Transport Blitz on Jon Faine’s program, you surely would of heard the Great Commuter Race between bicycle, car and bus.

And the winners were, of course, bicycles! There should be a podcast avaliable on ABC soon.

First Commuter Challenge: Steve & I vs. ABC staffer Jeremy (in Subaru Forester) left Northcote Town Hall at approximately 7.45am on Red Symon’s show. I should of taken Red’s pre-race advice & gone for a coffee on Brunswick St! After a superb ride in through Collingwood and East Melbourne, we arrived at Southbank: 8.09am.

Jeremy arrived at approximately twenty past eight, as we were casually relaxing upstairs with Ted Vincent (VicRoads) and Janet Rice (Melbourne Transport Forum & City of Maribrynong Councillor ) in the guest lounge waiting to be interviewed by Jon Faine.

Second Commuter Challenge: Jason, also cycling, left Doncaster Rd, North Balwyn at 8:40am. SBS staffer Gabby caught a bus at the same location and time as Jason departed.

Jason duly arrived at Federation Square at 9:15am, but Gabby arrived at Federation Square via a combination of bus and tram at 9:40am!!! Proving yet again cycling is a great alternative to the car or even public transport. There is more discussion & idle chatter on aus.bicycle

Our salute to sustainable transport was also noted in Mx’s Thursdays edition, in an article with “Cyclists come out trumps”. Courtesy of MitH, I now have a mp3 of the entire shenanigans - Faine & Symons chatting away prior to 7.30am, the 7.45am start with Jeremy & I, the interviews with the *now legendary* Jason & Chris. It’s a whopping 3539K, so email YarraBUG for a copy.

UPDATE: Listen to the mp3 audio file here.

‘Twas a Grand Day for cycling!

cheers, Chris

In this weeks packed edition we have…..

YarraBUG Meeting

Wednesday Wind down Rides

City of Yarra News

Congratulations to Jason

Critical Mass 10

Cycling and loving it

Stonnington Council Issues

How fast are you really going?

***Extra Special Announcement*** Listen into ABC 774 next Thursday 17th November for the Bike vs. Car Commuter Race starting on Red Symons show, with interviews with Jon Faine! Might be someone you know!

Our next YarraBUG Meeting
Tuesday 15th November, 7.30pm at Suede Bar, 284 Smith Street, Collingwood. All very welcome!

Next Wednesday Wind Down Ride + Social Rides
Planned for early December, how about 7 December with a early evening ride out along the Yarra Boulevard? For more local social rides check either the MBTC & DarebinBUG sites for more rides in the Melbourne area.

VicHPV Ride this weekend
‘Be Spon’-Darebin Creek Pathway Ride Sunday, 13 November, 2005. 40km return. Hello All HPV’s, (`upright’ riders welcome) BE SPONTANEOUS and join us for a ride. We start at 10.30am from Wingrove Street, north side of Alphington railway station (Melway 31-C10) and ride through Darebin Parklands all the way to Bandoora Park (Melway 19-E3) for lunch and cappuccino. We climb Mt Cooper, the highest point in the Metropolitan area, to appreciate sweeping views of Melbourne, before returning to Alphington. The path is easy to ride and is suitable for all bikes. Please confirm with: Robert: 03 9578 1539, Mobile: 0415 944 428

City of Yarra
A vision for a more sustainable transport future in Yarra
YarraBUG has previously commented upon council plans, such as the Draft Linear Park Master Plan & C71 Bicycle Parking Amendments. We should also comment upon the Draft Strategic Transport Statement (below), if you’re interested please contact us at: yarrabug-owner@yahoogroups.com

Too many cars? Too many bicycles? What about walking? Let us know your priorities for transport planning in Yarra. The draft Strategic Transport Statement presents a vision for the future of our vibrant and diverse city where residents, businesses, visitors and commuters are provided with a range of transport options. These options contribute towards maximising your ability to get around in Yarra without necessarily using a car. To comment on the draft Strategic Transport Statement please make a written submission by Friday 2 December 2005

Congratulations to Jason Den Hollander!
BoroondaraBUG member Jason was recently elected to the Bicycle Victoria Council. Doubtless many of us would of seen results of his amazing ‘chalking’ election campaign. Good work Jason!

Critical Mass 10: Melbourne turns TEN this November

Cycling and loving it - The way to go for women
We would like to invite you to an exciting launch of a dedicated women’s cycling website on: Saturday 26. November 2005, 9am to 10.30am at the Riva, St. Kilda Marine, Marine Pd. Elwood. Conveniently located on the Bay Trail near Beach Road so no excuse not to cycle there, bike parking will be provided. Come and join some wonderful women for breakfast and be inspired by stories from: Sara Carrigan Olympic Cyclist, Dr. Jan Garrard, Deakin University, Felicity Dales, Body Torque, Catherine James, Darebin BUG and 100 other wonderful women who share your love of cycling.

http://www.womenscycling.com.au going live 26 November 2005. The women’s cycling website has something to encourage every woman to experience the buzz of riding more often. Don’t forget registrations are required by phone, email or fax by 22 November 2005. There are limited places, so register today so you don’t miss out. If you require the original pdf attachment, download it from here: http://www.cyclingpromotion.com/newsandevents.htm

Stonnington Council Issues
Wednesday 16 Nov 7.30pm Prahran Town Hall. Stonnington North Ward Mtg. Councillors Sarah Davies, Tas Athanasopoulos and John Chandler plus staff will be on hand to discuss and answer questions on a list of projects. Included in the list of major projects:
- parking and traffic management plan for Commonwealth Games Cycling road race
- Yarra Bike Path maintenance

Looks like a good opportunity to turn out in force to ask heaps of questions. Anyone able to go? I have a previous function to attend but will try and get there albeit late. Charlie

How fast are you really going?
Dr Paul Tranter, UNSW, ADFA. Take a different look at travel time, total cost and effective speed in urban transport. 10am Tuesday November 15th. Department of Infrastructure Theatrette Level 29, 80 Collins St. Please RSVP Damon.Rao@doi.vic.gov.au or Ph 9655 6627

Could “speed” be stealing our time and our money? We can help answer this question by considering the concept of “effective speed”, where speed is calculated on the basis of the total amount of time consumed by a particular mode of transport. Applying the concept of “effective speed” provides some surprising results in the comparison of cars, bicycles and public transport. This presentation introduces the concept of effective speed using Australian examples. It explores the potential for the concept to be used as a stimulus for travel behaviour change. It also examines the value of walking school buses from the perspective of effective speed.

I’ll admit we didn’t take this photo, but it really was that nice down there on Wednesday evening!

Hi everyone,

last night 8 people between the ages of 14 and slightly more than 14 took advantage of great conditions for a dusk ride along the river from Clifton Hill to Victoria St Richmond. It was a bit overcast but very warm so with a light breeze coming off the river it made for a pleasant ride. Riders stopped at Dights falls and spied live and not so live carp in the water and wondered what we would be served up at our culinary feast!

We then continued on the bike path to Gipps St where we jumped onto the back roads behind the brewery stopping again at the river and taking in the peaceful environment. We then wandered up to Victoria St where everyone enjoyed a well earned feast at the Thanh Thanh restaurant.

Everyone had a great night and plans are afoot to enjoy another night in the next few weeks so if someone has a great idea of where to go please get in touch.

Karen