--- In melbournebug@yahoogroups.com, Peter Cook
<mrpc@i...> wrote:
> At 08:34 PM 3/12/2003, us wrote:
> >just wondering if any more Parking Meter Parties or related
MBUG
> >events are being planned over the summer months?
> >Seriously, think of a similar event to the one held back in
August
> >on a lovely summery evening....but not like the one Melbourne
> >endured last night :0)
>
> Well, several in the Greens have latched onto the idea of a
large scale car
> free day in Fitzroy/Collingwood some time between now and
the elections,
> and depending on how the traders feel, they may decide to give
them the
> option to rent car spaces for their own purposes too, should
they decide
> there's more value in 5 more tables than in one car space out
the front of
> their business..

<snip>


I reckon there's great scope for Parking Meter Parties over
summer. Whether they are official MBUG events or not (last one
wasn't, but many MBUG folk were involved), I think that the
success of the August party shows that a positive impact can be
made on the streetside environment without copping flak from
motorists. We should make it happen.

It was very interesting to see the article in TMT this week (and
thanks for the plug of the PMP, Pete!)... it made me cast my mind
back to a year or so ago when I attended a Yarra bicycle advisory
committee meeting. The council staff member who was chairing
the meeting suggested that a good traffic-calming measure
would be if restaurants/cafes expanded into car parking
spaces... just get a few tables in the parking space and feed the
meter, the staffer said! And now look what the Mayor & co. are
suggesting?! Life imitating art? We should be thankful that Yarra
is progressive like that, though... at least they're not like my home
council of Stonnington, which is only now beginning to draft a
bike plan :)

But honestly I think summer will be ripe for Parking Meter
Parties, bike workshops, BUG rides and more... watch this
space because MBUG is back. Lots of inner-city bike goodness
for everyone!

cheers
Justin