YarraBUG October-November 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?
Get ready for Ride to Work Day & ATB
Family Rides for Mums, Partners and Kids
Lysterfield MTB Working Bee
Adult Beginner’s Bike Course
Bike Love-In and Picnic
Ride Like The Wind 07
Solutions to Climate Change Community Festival

YarraBUG News

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.

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!

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: enquiriesATyarrabug.org

Yarra Council News

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

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’.

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. More at: YarraBAC Meetings

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 initiatives.

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: enquiriesATyarrabug.org. More at: City of Yarra 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.

Creating a Sustainable Future for Yarra – Yarra Environment Strategy – Community Consultation
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 predebosATyarracity.vic.gov.au. More at: Yarra Environment Strategy.

Bicycle News

Want to Cycle to Work?
Message from Harry, a local cyclist who can get you started riding to work.
He 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”

He has 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!

Get ready for Ride to Work Day and ATB
Also don’t forget if you’re getting ready for Ride to Work Day or the ATB, please make sure your bike is ready too. YarraBUG sponsors, Abbotsford Cycles at Richmond Station provide excellent servicing & repair for road bikes and the Bike Fix crew at Carlton Gardens on Sundays can help you with basic repairs and servicing.

Also Human Powered Cycles in Brunswick can assist in getting your bike ready. 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: Abbotsford Cycles :: Bike Fix :: Human Powered

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

Lysterfield MTB Trail Working Bee – Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th
YarraBUG member Steve, with his Lysterfield MTB group helmet on, is organising a MTB Trail Working Bee this weekend in conjunction with Parks Victoria rangers.

If you’re interested in assisting with trail maintenance at Lysterfield Park and meeting other MTB riders ( + free lunch and limited numbers for a lift from the inner burbs), please contact him by Friday 5/10: frm125_steveATyahoo.com.au.

Meet at Hallam North Rd. Bring the usual gear, boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, water etc. The PV-MTBA tool trailer should be available but you can bring your favourite shovel if you have one. BBQ lunch provided. Please RSVP for work planning & catering, i.e. if vegetarian etc. More at: Lysterfield MTB Group.

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.

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 260 401 email: contactATcanc.org.au More at: www.canc.org.au

Ride Like The Wind 07
Craig Durkee and Ross Donnan are planning a three day ride from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. With the riders planning to cycle 950km over 72 hours, it does sound a bit like an Australian-style Paris-Brest-Paris, but for a great cause! Their aim is to raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Any donations would be appreciated. All money will go towards the foundation. More at: www.ridelikethewind07.com

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.