[publictransport] theage.com.au: Minister lifts bicycle ban on peak-hour trains

[Russell Lang]

The Age announcing what they think will be announced
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/wheels-in-
motion/2008/02/14/1202760492789.html

Minister lifts bicycle ban on peak-hour trains

Clay Lucas
15 February 2008

PUBLIC Transport Minister Lynne Kosky will today bow to anger from cyclists 
and reverse a controversial plan to ban bikes on trains during rush hours.  

Bicycles will once again be allowed on all Connex and V/Line trains at all times - 
but only in the final carriage of Connex services, and only in set storage areas 
on V/Line trains.  

The backpedal comes just six weeks after the rush-hour ban was revealed.  

The ban was not formally announced; instead, it was found in the fine print of 
the Government's annual Fares and Ticketing Manual.  

Ms Kosky, who was on holiday when the ban was revealed, distanced herself 
from the decision to ban bikes, and immediately ordered a review of the decision 
upon returning to work last month.  

The move to ban bikes on Connex and V/Line services sparked heated debate, 
with many questioning the Government's commitment to more Victorians using 
sustainable forms of transport.  

The ban was also bad news for cycle lobby group Bicycle Victoria, which was 
forced to issue a public apology to its members for not fighting the Government 
over the issue.  

Bicycle Victoria's general manager, Harry Barber, said last night that he was 
relieved the ban had been reversed. "All the people who use a train-and-bike 
combination to get to work will be vastly relieved by this," Mr Barber said. "We 
can now get on with hooking the bicycle network up with the train network."  

Ms Kosky will today meet bicycle and transport groups to advise them that she 
will reverse the policy.  

In a sop to bike riders, Ms Kosky will also implement a new policy allowing 
folding bikes - little used in Australia but popular in European and American 
cities - on all trams and buses. Bikes will need to be folded before getting on to 
a service.  

Chris Star, who helped form lobby group Bin the Bike Ban last month, said she 
was relieved the ban had been dropped.  

"It created a lot of anger because we saw it as a denial of service. And it was 
done at such short notice and without consultation," she said.  


Russell Lang                   gsview at ghostgum.com.au
Ghostgum Software Pty Ltd      http://www.ghostgum.com.au/

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