2008/6/13 David <dpawley@...>:
> Hi Adrian,
>
> Yes a very interesting report, I've sent it on to folks in MUARC they
> as they might be interested, if they haven't seen it already.

Some people might not like to admit that they've seen it, but I'd love
to see an equivalent MUARC report on "bicycle facilities" in
Melbourne.

> If I've read this right, then:

Much the same conclusions I came to...

> - Seperate "paths" increase feelings of security but markedly
> increase accident rates.

Yes, both between cyclists and between cyclists and motorists

> - Cycle lanes, increase accidents between cyclists.

> - Overall benefits (health, fitness etc.) of both out weigh increased
> accidents.

The overall benefit is to "society".  So for any one individual who
already rides a bike, they don't get much increased benefit but they
do get an increased risk of collision and injury.

> I may need to ponder that.
>
> Regards the cycle path, still trying to find out any information, if
> I do I'll let you know. My best guess is however that it is "little
> green men" who have the answer.

Not surprised there.  I've noticed that there are now pedestrian
stripes to go with the ped. crossing signs across the left feeder lane
of Dandenong rd into Wellington and the access road parallel.  Watched
two students (on foot) leap backward off same crossing to avoid being
flattened by a bus on Wednesday.

Nobody has been able or willing to answer if these are part of the
"bike path" or whether the "bike path" finishes at the North
rd/Dandenong rd side of the intersection and that this is now a "foot
path" across the intersection.

I suspect that the same design geniuses put the pedestrian crossing on
Clayton rd between Bayview av and Stewart rd -- the part of the
"signed and preferred cycling route" that is almost impossible to use
in peak periods due to Clayton rd traffic -- its almost as though they
are deliberately trying to entrap cyclists by putting a
pedestrian-only crossing just off to the side so when you get fed up
with waiting to turn right from either Bayview or Stewart you are
enticed to (illegally) ride up the footpath and then (illegally) ride
across the pedestrian crossing.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=-37.9063,145.123322&spn=0.005875,0.007585&z=1\
7

> Regards
> David
   Adrian

Fascinating reading, a safety report from Copenhagen, home of Bicycle
(paths) Victoria's all-wonderful "Copenhagen lanes", those bike paths
that BV are obsessed with, when they're not obsessed with other
bicycle paths:  "Road Safety and perceived risk of cycle tracks and
lanes in Copenhagen.pdf"

http://www.trafitec.dk/pub/Road%20safety%20and%20percieved%20risk%20of%20cycle%2\
0tracks%20and%20lanes%20in%20Copenhagen.pdf

   Adrian

ps: Does anyone know when, or even if, VicRoads/Monash council/little
green men from mars are going to complete the bike path along the
median of North road, or have they abandoned it now that they realise
that few, if any, people use it and that it increases the chances of
collision and injury to cyclists?

Dear All,

I'm one of the coordinators of the Ride to Work Day 2008 for Monash
uni this year. You may have met me during the video conferencing on
12 May 2008. First of all, let me take this chance to thank you guys
for your enthusiasm in promoting cycling at the uni.

As regards to the Ride to Work Day 2008, I've already registered
¡§Monash Uni Clayton campus¡¨ on the official Ride to Work Day 2008
website, and the Team Code is 211871. You can join the group here:

https://ride2work.bv.com.au/event

From now on we can ask everybody interested to take part in the event
at Clayton to register with this code so that we don¡¦t make
duplicate teams. I¡¦ll send out information from there in due course.
I haven¡¦t done registrations for other campuses yet but I¡¦ll sort
that out with my colleagues very soon.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Folks

A very interesting report, well worth reading the executive summary
at the least if your pressed for time.

I'll also post the PDF on the McBUG site in the files section.

Regards
David

===================================================================


The Cycling: Getting Australia Moving report was launched in Canberra
today, in conjunction with the presentation of the National Bicycling
Achievement Awards, read below for additional details. Please feel
free contact the Cycling Promotion Fund office if you would like to
obtain copies of Cycling: Getting Australia Moving report or the 2007
Australian Bicycling Awards Achievement booklet.

Launch of Cycling: Getting Australia Moving

http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/content/view/329/9/

A new report launched today by Professor of Global Health at the
University of Melbourne's Nossal Institute, Dr Rob Moodie, found
cycling currently saves an estimated $227.2m per year in health costs
alone. The report Cycling: Getting Australia Moving has, for the
first time, placed a dollar value on cycling participation. Dr Moodie
said "this report demonstrates the considerable benefit offered to
individuals and governments by cycling. Addressing the barriers
preventing more Australians from cycling  will deliver substantial
savings to both government and the community".

Rosemarie Speidel: Program Director, Cycling Promotion Fund, Ph: 0407
537 760

Elliot Fishman: Spokesperson and Policy Advisor, Cycling Promotion
Fund, Ph: 0438 547 450

Launch of Cycling: Getting Australia Moving Media release (PDF, 36kb)

http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/images/stories/downloads/media_rele
ase_Health_Report_Launch.pdf

Download Cycling: Getting Australia Moving (PDF, 3.1M)

http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/images/stories/downloads/CPFHlthRpr
08V3prf1.pdf

Cycling: Getting Australia Moving - executive summary (PDF, 1.7M)

http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/images/stories/downloads/Hlth%
20RprtSummry.pdf

In case anyone is or knows someone who might be interested.

---------------------------------------
DO YOU OWN A BIKE AND HELMET?
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE RIDING?
ARE YOU 16 YEARS OF AGE OR ABOVE?

If you answered YES to these questions then register for Boroondara
Council's FREE COMMUNITY BIKE EDUCATION COURSE!

WHEN? Saturday 14, 21 and 28 June 2008 from 10am-2pm
WHERE? 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell Council office

Session 1 – Introduction
Learn how to choose the right type of bike, set up your bike
properly, do safety checks, do minor adjustments and develop basic
riding skills.

Session 2 – A gentle start
Learn how to clean and lube your bike, do basic bike maintenance,
avoid hazards for cyclists, develop bike path trail etiquette and
technique and cycle in company on a pleasant short ride off-road.

Session 3 – Getting out there
Learn how to repair punctures, brush up on road rules, deal with
common traffic situations through techniques, make connections with
cycling clubs and go on an on-road ride for coffee and cake. Please
note this course contains no tests!

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
CALL 9278 4542 - FIRST IN BEST DRESSED!

Widening the Monash Freeway – pain and gain

There are half a dozen projects planned or underway on the Gardiners
Creek trail. Note - Diversions start 2 June.

Refer to BV web site for details:
http://www.bv.com.au/change-the-world/40630/

Kingston Bike plan up for comment

Live in the area and cycle towards Monash? Kingston Council have done
a bike plan read and comment on it before 30 May.

Refer to Kingston web Site:
http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=899

Gippsland Plains Trail recovering from the flood

The Trail has now received $420,000 in flood recovery funding to
reinstate the trail which was taken out from Heyfield to the Tinamba
side of Maffra.

Refer to BV web site for details:
http://www.bv.com.au/change-the-world/11230/

The Eastlink Cycling Challenge - For Cancer Council

Are you dreaming of the day when they will build the perfect cycling
road? A magnificent wide road with a beautifully smooth surface that
allows you to get the maximum benefit out of every stroke of the
pedal - with no motorised company.

Well wake up and enter the Eastlink Cycling Challenge because the
time has arrived! - ride Eastlink and raise funds for Cancer Council
Victoria.

This chance to ride along the Eastlink Motorway will provide a rare
opportunity to ride along the perfect surface with thousands of
fellow cyclists of all ages and abilities.

There are three options
- all starting and finishing at the Eastlink Monash Freeway
interchange.

Events

Family Fun Ride and it's free - Organised in conjunction with Bicycle
Victoria, this ride will allow you to bring the kids and take on the
shorter family fun ride. Five, ten or 20 kilometere options
(distances to be finalised). Start 9.00 am

Ride the full 65km loop. Test yourself against your friends or
compare your time with the elite as all riders will be timed. Or you
can cruise around at a leisurely pace and enjoy the once in a
lifetime experience.$39 including automatic event timing.
$108 Family entry including event timing.
Start 7.30 am

A competitive race for registered racing cyclists that extends the
circuit distance of the new road (entry through Cyclesport Victoria)
Start 7.30 am

** Early entry incentive - Start position in order of entry!

Free parking (They must mean on the Freeway itself)

The Eastlink Cycling Challenge will raise funds for Cancer Council
Victoria.

Every day, 66 Victorians hear the words 'you have cancer' and each
year, over 24,000 Victorians will be diagnosed. With one in three
Victorians expected to be diagnosed with cancer during their
lifetimes, every Victorian community is affected.

For over 70 years, the Cancer Council Victoria has been working to
reduce the impact of cancer in our community.
*We conduct and support research *We deliver statewide public health
education programs *We provide support to reduce the physical and
emotional burden of cancer.

Organiser:        Cycling Events Downunder P/L
Registration For: Eastlink Challenge
Location:         Eastlink Tollway
Date:             15 June 2008
Registration
Closing Date:     13 June 2008 18:59 AEST

Enter via: https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?ID=1125

I had this drawn to my attention recently and thought it might be of
interest:

A post from Sydney Morning Herald in response to
"Should cycling bunches be allowed on the road in peak hour?"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

When I hear questions like this one I really begin to wonder how
smart we really are?

"Should cycling bunches be allowed on the road in peak hour?"
Should motorist be allowed to drive in bunches?, should pedestrians
be allowed to walk in bunches?, should our school children be allowed
to be at school together? Should the grapes we buy at the fruit shop
be allowed to be in bunches?

This is an absolutely ridiculous question.

The reason cyclist ride in bunches is because it's safer than riding
on you're own....and that's because of the total lack of respect most
car drives show towards cyclists in general.

If the motorist only realised that the world does not revolve around
them as individuals and the we are all on this earth to do what we
do.....things might start to improve.

Cyclists are permitted to ride 2 abreast
Cyclists are permitted to be 2.4 metres out from the kerb
Cyclists are permitted to take up the left most rideable lane of
traffic
Cyclists are allowed to be on the road, whether you agree or not.

These are the rules pertaining to cyclists and road use.....The
majority of cyclist do abide by the general road rules and those who
don't are very much put in their place by the rest of us bike
riders.......

Like people who drive cars, trucks, buses, there are some bad apples
who do the wrong thing......however do not judge the rest of us by
their actions.........Many of the cyclist out on our roads are
competitive cyclists training to achieve their goals.......Some of
these cyclist are young teenagers like my 15 year old son, striving
to achieve and ride for his country, however every time he and many
others go training they wonder if they are going to be run over by a
2 tonne car in pursuit of their dream.

Grow up everyone; the world does not revolve around you and you
alone. If you arrive 30 seconds late to your destination.....it's not
the end of the world, however if you kill a cyclist on your journey
it may be the end of someone else's

Ross Harding
Editor
VELO SportZ Media
• Posted by: Ross Harding on May 9, 2008 11:21 AM

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,
The meeting was very well attended and productive. It is early days and
there is a great deal to do but the first steps are being made.
I will be going on holiday as of today for four weeks. This means that
the draft Beims (in minutes) will be sent out by Stefan Siebel.
Also, if I have left out anyone (and I know I have) please pass this
email on to them (could you email me so I can add you to the list).
Many thanks for all your input yesterday.
See you in 4 weeks!
James

--

Please consider the environment before printing this message and any
attachments.
Use double sided printing or two to a page if you must print

***************************************************
Mr. James Gormley
Transport Coordinator
Office of Environmental Sustainability
Wellington Road
Clayton  Vic  3800  AUSTRALIA

Tel:   +61 3 990 59321
Email:    james.gormley@...
Website    http://monash.edu.au/green

***************************************************

2008/5/2 vector_180 <myforums@...>:
> Its only fair to put the good in as well as the not so good ;) It
> rounds off my first week and if anyone follows my footsteps maybe of
> some use.
>
> Some excerpts from my blog at
> http://mec-symonds.eng.monash.edu.au/twiki/bin/view/SymLife/MyCycleDiary
>
> Day 2 Return
..snip..

> Day 3 towork
> Spent some time at Huntingdale and found the cycle trail. somehow
> missed the signs before hand. I was turning left after the up ramp not
> right. The signs maybe camouflaged with graffiti ill check next time.

Further towards Oakleigh the signs were painted over, then ripped out
of the ground, then put back, then ripped out of the ground, then put
back, then ripped out of the ground again.  After the third go, Monash
City Council took the signs away in the dump truck.

> The other end,Monash end, of the cycle path is a bit lame. It ends at
> Clayton rd I returned to the dark side and went up the bus lane, there
> is no other way?

At Clayton/North roads the "bike path" ends in the centre of the
traffic island, then you have to cross north at pedestrian lights,
then east at pedestrian lights, then continue up the footpath to
Dandenong road.  This footpath, past the primary school's gates, has
for 40years been illegal to ride along like all other footpaths in
Victoria, it has now been relabeled as a bike path and is now safe and
legal to ride along (according to Vic Roads.).  Just beware of the
kids going in to the school, mums coming out of the school, people of
mixed nationalities walking on mixed sides of the footpath with mixed
behaviors and reactions when they see a bicycle, and people driving
out of the seven or eight driveways before you get to Dandenong road.
Or you could just ride up North road.

Note that the particular set of "pedestrian lights" at North
rd/Clayton rd are legally *pedestrian* lights and I've been advised by
police that cyclists are required to *walk* if they wish to use them
as if is no "cyclist" crossing light.

> This time the bus came past much closer, cant blame
> him tho. I guess we wait for the cycle path to be finished.

Can't blame him?  Not sure which part of Victorian law allows road
users to take vigilante action, you might have to find that section
for me.  Doesn't matter if you are illegally riding in the bus lane or
legally riding in it for the 50m before/after an intersection where
you've turned or are turning, the onus is still on the overtaking
vehicle to do so safely and to avoid a collision.

> My route map
>
http://mec-symonds.eng.monash.edu.au/twiki/pub/SymLife/CycleToWork/Huntingdale-m\
onash-cycleroute_sm.jpg
>
> * The path is not as bad as I first thought, I wish that all the
> crossing buttons were on the left and they had a bar for me to hang
> off. Putting the button on the right, as some are, puts you and your
> bike on the wrong side of the path.. if there were others coming the
> other way.
> * The little giveway crossings do break up your momentum but to be
> honest you get used to it. Its purely a bump thing, maybe its a way to
> slow you down but in fact its worse, you have to stand on your pedals
> to absorb the shock and keep your eye on traffic from the road ie
> looking over your shoulder as you hit a bump, whilst pedalling uphill,
> not pleasant/easy.
>
> So after only a few days I have ironed out or gotten used to most bugs.

Adrian

Hi all,

A great deal has been happening in the area of cycling at Monash and
work has already begun on organising this years Ride to Work Day (Oct
15th) to build on all the great work that was done last year. The
university is moving on this in a way that has never occurred before and
now is a great time to get involved to help shape how well Monash
switches from 4 wheels to 2.
You are invited to attend a cross campus video conferencing hook up on
Monday the 12th of May from 2-3pm.
Clayton - 75 (Monash S.T.R.I.P)* Room:* G.21 (Ground Floor)
Berwick - 901 (Main Building)* Room:* 203 (Boadroom)
Caulfield - *Building:* H * Room:* 782
Gippsland - *Building:*  2W * Room:* 263 (1st Floor)
Peninsula - *Building:*  A * Room:* 234 (1st Floor)
Parkville - Please contact Chris Barnes ext 39640

The draft agenda is attached. Please RSVP to myself if you can come.

I look forward to seeing you.

Regards,

James

--

Please consider the environment before printing this message and any
attachments.
Use double sided printing or two to a page if you must print

***************************************************
Mr. James Gormley
Transport Coordinator
Office of Environmental Sustainability
Wellington Road
Clayton  Vic  3800  AUSTRALIA

Tel:   +61 3 990 59321
Email:    james.gormley@...
Website    http://monash.edu.au/green

***************************************************

Its only fair to put the good in as well as the not so good ;) It
rounds off my first week and if anyone follows my footsteps maybe of
some use.

Some excerpts from my blog at
http://mec-symonds.eng.monash.edu.au/twiki/bin/view/SymLife/MyCycleDiary

  Day 2 Return
     * What a difference the day makes, or in this case the type of
train. It must have been of the newer sort, the carriages were not
segregated, from the inside you could see and walk down the entire
length of the train or at least half of it. This makes a big
difference, as no matter what door you board thru you can make your
way to an empty spot. The upshot for cyclists is that the train is
more evenly seated because people tend to drift to spots with space.
Thus the rear carriage, which is set up for handicapped access, is
clearer. Thats my theory anyway. The doors, which are a push button
are much easier to open and get thru too. The fold down seats are
groovy and allow for more bike space when not used for seating.
     * Well done Metlink...now if we only had bike slots in the end
carriage.... ;(

Day 3 towork
Spent some time at Huntingdale and found the cycle trail. somehow
missed the signs before hand. I was turning left after the up ramp not
right. The signs maybe camouflaged with graffiti ill check next time.

The other end,Monash end, of the cycle path is a bit lame. It ends at
Clayton rd I returned to the dark side and went up the bus lane, there
is no other way? This time the bus came past much closer, cant blame
him tho. I guess we wait for the cycle path to be finished.
My route map
http://mec-symonds.eng.monash.edu.au/twiki/pub/SymLife/CycleToWork/Huntingdale-m\
onash-cycleroute_sm.jpg

     * The path is not as bad as I first thought, I wish that all the
crossing buttons were on the left and they had a bar for me to hang
off. Putting the button on the right, as some are, puts you and your
bike on the wrong side of the path.. if there were others coming the
other way.
     * The little giveway crossings do break up your momentum but to be
honest you get used to it. Its purely a bump thing, maybe its a way to
slow you down but in fact its worse, you have to stand on your pedals
to absorb the shock and keep your eye on traffic from the road ie
looking over your shoulder as you hit a bump, whilst pedalling uphill,
not pleasant/easy.

So after only a few days I have ironed out or gotten used to most bugs.

Its all well n good Metlink telling us cyclists to use the last
carriage but what about telling the other travellers that too.
Its only a small gripe but..
Getting to work is fine however the trip home is trickier. I watched
four trains go by b4 catching the one I needed and none of them would
have had space in the last carriage. Yet there were plenty of spaces
mid train or even at the front on one of them. But you dont have time
to wonder up and down finding the clear one and with a bike its not as
easy to manoeuvre once your inside.

So its not as if the train is full its just not sorted.


BTW did the bus lane again this morning. Had two buses come round me ,
no agro and plenty of space:) all good

Well I made it to work today. Cycle, Train then cycle again. One could
say I got to work free too as I was able to take advantage of the
Early bird train tickets. All up it took an hour which is a little
longer than expected but Im sure I can shave some time off here and there.

The North road cycle path lasted about two intersections b4 I became
fed up with waiting for the lights and those giveway/bump ramp
crossings.I turned to the dark side and saw red, the red of the nice
wide bus lane. Didnt meet any metal monster people movers so I guess
Ill getaway with it at these times.

Must do something about my burning ears. I was toasty elsewhere but
just my ears. A full beanie or scarf would be too hot me thinks. Its
an old problem. I even get it when running. Must be friction burns :lol

Unfortunately, the gears kept slipping, the cycle computer died and
the GPS could not acquire satellites. So I have some bugs to iron out.

2008/4/28 David <dpawley@...>:
> G'Day,
>
>  There was an article on cyclists given prominence in The Age newspaper
>  yesterday Sunday 27th April
>
>  (view http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-breed-of-rider-in-same-
>  old-risk-cycle/2008/04/26/1208743326662.html)
>
>  I'd be interested to know what other cyclists think or thought about it.

Pretty much gave up in disgust about half way through, shortly after
my wife threw the paper across the table with a loud "WHO WRITES THIS
CRAP".  The same reworded articles seem to come out over and over
again.  The part I got through could probably be summarised as "More
people are riding and thus more people get involved in collisions."
Nothing about whether the collision *rate* is increasing or
decreasing.

Lovely human-interest horror story of a guy who got hit by a motorist
turning right across in front of him, great catalogue of injuries to
convince the public just how "dangerous cycling is", the next
paragraph seems to say this shows we MUST HAVE MORE COPENHAGEN LANES.
Never quite gets to explain how the hell a separated lane, that would
allow cars to cross to turn right anyway, would be of any bloody use
at all in this case.

>  Cheers
>  David
   Adrian

Hi all,
Recently spoke with my supervisor about getting some sort of locker or
cupboard to put in near the shower cubicle down our way. There seems
to be room there and possibly 3 people who may use it if it was available.

So I need to fill in the request details.
What sort of locker?
How big etc.

Im thinking worse case I get to work soaked.
Things I need near the shower would be;
Shower gear, like soap, shampoo etc
A complete change of clothes.
Somewhere to hang the towel cycle gear to dry even.

I figure the long 1.8m length type locker would be better suited than
the typical square school locker but of course takes up more space/
less people can use.


Ill probably end up with a cardboard box ;) but if you have any
thoughts let me know so when I ask, Im asking for the right thing.

cheers.
Mark

G'Day,

There was an article on cyclists given prominence in The Age newspaper
yesterday Sunday 27th April

(view http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-breed-of-rider-in-same-
old-risk-cycle/2008/04/26/1208743326662.html)

I'd be interested to know what other cyclists think or thought about it.

Cheers
David

Hi Folks,

In case you are interested in this one:

MELBOURNE City Council's plan for new separated bicycle lanes on a
major East Melbourne road must be overturned, the Master Builders
Association says.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/city-bike-lane-
fight/2008/04/22/1208742941514.html

2008/4/23 vector_180 <myforums@...>:
> Adrian. I too have had run ins and wrote/phoned Grenada about this
>  driver or drivers, with similar results and I was driving the car.
>  Most of my incidents happened near the merge after the Wellington rd
>  on Ramp. Hasn't happened for a while tho but sounds like he/they are
>  still at large :(

The on-ramps are a spectacular piece of design, at Huntindale and
North roads VicRoads have made the bike lane cross the on-ramp lane
diagonally, it ends at the kerb in a metal drainage grating, and
they've removed the Give-Way signs from the on-ramp so that anyone
coming up from Huntingdale road to North road will be accelerating to
join North road and probably looking back over their shoulder at
traffic coming over the bridge, not slower moving traffic nearer in
the bike lane.   If you thought it bad before the bus-lane was built,
just try it now!

Hoo-f'ing-ray for VicRoads.

A member mentioned that Bicycle Vic had an article a while back about
cycle gear and doing things on the cheap.

  Anyone have a direct link to that article?.

  I had a quick search, found a few relations but nothing specific.
cheers
Mark

Hi All
I looked at cycling a few years ago and thought the process all too
hard. But my thinking is once again leaning to riding to work.
My route currently goes along the lines of:
Ill be taking the train from cranbourne to Westall or Clayton station
and riding in from there.
I had a number of questions, like; How happy they are for bikes to be
on the train. Ill be heading in around 7pm and home around 4:30 not
quite peak but Im unsure of how many will be on the train to trip over
the bike.

Also interested in the various routes from Westall and or Clayton to
Monash. I found the current MSA bike map. I have a few choices.
Something about a nasty hill on Browns road :) I had thought there was
a bike track on the new Westall road but I cant seem to find mention
of it anywhere. I may need to car it and have a look see.

Im also thinking, "crazy time of year to start riding a bike" I can
recall the freezing numbness of cycling home from school.. even now. I
guess there is better gear around nowadays?

My intention is to ride a few times and alternate with drive so I can
get into the groove with out going cold turkey on the car.

Im assuming the 10x2 hour tickets is the best way to go. Id loose out
if I got a weekly and took a day off and take the car. At least with
the 10x2 I can use at will? Is there a date limit on those 10x2? ie
can I purchase the card use it once then not for two weeks then once
again? Worse case scenario.

Thanks I need input

Mark

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
monashunibug group:

Is the Bicycle Victoria cross promotion with Subarou dealerships (see
http://www.bv.com.au/join-in/41211/) a sensible activity for a cycling advocay
group to be involved in?

   o Yes
   o No
   o Neutral
   o No Opinion


To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monashunibug/surveys?id=2361801

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

There must be something about their "professional training", I really
can't think of anything else to explain it.

Every day I ride up North road, usually with no problems

Every day I am passed by several hundred cars, usually with no problems.

Every day I am passed by one or two buses from other bus lines,
usually with no problems.

About once a month some maniac in a Grendas bus seems to want to kill me.

January, run off the road, then told to G* F*d by Grendas management
when I wrote to them.

February, abuse screamed at me by a Grenda driver for being in the
adjacent lane 3m from the bus wanting to do a hook turn!

Today, 6115-A0 passed at I guess 70-80km/hr with about 10cm clearance,
blew my bag off my back and helmet half off my head.  Any chance of
pulling out a bit into the (vacant) adjacent lane next time?  At the
Clayton rd/north rd set of lights I pulled up alongside the bus in the
middle lane, 'cos I thought he would be pulling into the bus stop
after the lights, but instead WHILE CHATTING ON THE PHONE, he swerved
out half a metre into my lane while pulling away from the lights then
tore off up North road and through the Dandenong road lights as they
went orange to red.

Jaywalkers 1, cyclist nil.

All these years and I've managed to avoid most of the idiots around
Monash in their cars, most of the idiots on their bikes and most of
the idiots on foot, today me luck ran out.

Riding up Beddoe av this morning and slowing for the roundabout, he
got me.  Straight off the footpath across the roundabout without
looking left or right, eyes glued on the ground infront of his toes,
smack into the bike.

Anyone want some second-hand bars?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajft/2338229611/

Hopefully he'll do it again but next time pick a bus or truck to step
in front of and remove himself from the gene pool.

   Adrian

When you have a couple of minutes, do this test - fascinating!

http://www.dothetest.co.uk/

Then pass it on to other suitable recipients, please.  David Pawley
knows the background to it, but I'm not posting details here as it
would spoil the exercise.

hi bikers,

show your profile at  whoisbike.com
find out your friend arround the world

whoisbike.com
'connecting people in the world who love bike'


regards,
ace

Radical plan to drive cars from key roads

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/radical-plan-to-drive-cars-
from-key-roads/2008/03/03/1204402365134.html

Traffic in Darebin's areas will be taken off major shopping strips
such as Northcote's High Street and funnelled onto "strategic
corridors".

SPEED limits will be dropped on key routes, lanes removed and traffic
lights changed to favour public transport and pedestrians under a new
strategy for Melbourne's inner north to be launched by Public
Transport Minister Lynne Kosky today.

Darebin Council's new transport plan — the first in Melbourne to
explicitly give priority to trams, pedestrians and cyclists on key
roads — could lead to the removal of clearways on some routes in a
bid to discourage drivers.

The plan places the council on a potential collision course with
VicRoads, which last night dodged questions on whether it would allow
clearways to be removed to support the strategy.

Under the council's plan, major shopping strips such as Northcote's
High Street would be targeted for clearway removal. Left-turn "slip
lanes" could also be removed to discourage cars, and parking fees
could go up.

The plan would be to funnel the overflow traffic onto already choked
"strategic corridors", including St Georges, Plenty and Grange roads.

Public transport, pedestrians and bicycles would be given priority
over cars on other major roads.

"It's about moving people rather than moving cars," said Darebin
councillor Peter Stephenson, who worked on a committee guiding the
plan that also included VicRoads director Ted Vincent and the
Government's public transport director, Jim Betts.

The strategy seeks to "decrease the attractiveness of the car through
reduced priority and other travel demand management techniques".

Ms Kosky will launch the strategy this morning. It also argues that
bicycles should be allowed on trams and buses — a contentious topic
in the wake of the State Government's abandoned attempt to ban bikes
from trains during peak hours.

The strategy would "set the wheels in motion" for future transport
initiatives, Ms Kosky said. "In planning for public transport, it is
important to ensure transport services reflect the changing travel
patterns of the community," she said.

Other councils across Melbourne, including Maroondah, Manningham and
Whitehorse, are working with VicRoads on similar transport plans.

Planning Institute president Jason Black said the local policy was a
positive — if small — step in the right direction if Melbourne wanted
to reduce its reliance on cars and move towards more sustainable
modes of transport.

"Any initiative that changes the focus from purely car-based planning
is a good thing," he said. "If we don't do this, we will never get
any closer to planning communities that are for people and not just
cars."

But Melbourne needed much bigger transport initiatives than just local
ones, he said.

Both state and federal governments needed to fund public transport
initiatives if cycling and walking were to be anything but marginal
forms of transport.

"The big answer on transport is not just local policies like this,"
he said.

"It's about matching state and federal funding with big infrastructure
plans."

Darebin's plan follows a more revolutionary scheme launched by Bendigo
Council last year that followed an overseas trend in urban design
dreamed up by Dutch urban designer Hans Monderman in the 1970s.

Bendigo's $16 million city centre makeover, to start later this year,
narrows spaces for cars in a bid to return the town's ultra-wide
streets to walkers and cyclists. All "visual signals" that streets
are for cars first — street signs and traffic lights — will be
removed and footpaths dramatically expanded in a bid to turn Bendigo
into Australia's first "walking city".

*******************

Also, here's part of Radio host Neil Mitchells response to the City
of Darebins excellent initiative:

http://www.woj.com.au/audio/3YawN_nm_darebin1.mp3

Running time: 16 minutes

It's actually rather hard going if you decide to listen to it,
although it's worth listening to the 6-8 minute mark where he gets
his comeuppance from a fellow cyclist.