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

[Dylan Nicholson]

Great work, everyone.
 
Now we just need enough trains and lines to take them where people want to
go.
 
Dylan Nicholson
Mob: +61422380424
 
 

  _____  

From: publictransport-bounces at yarrabug.org
[mailto:publictransport-bounces at yarrabug.org] On Behalf Of Russell Lang
Sent: Friday, 15 February 2008 6:57 AM
To: publictransport at yarrabug.org
Subject: [publictransport] theage.com.au: Minister lifts bicycle ban
onpeak-hour trains


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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