April Newsletter 2005
· Gipps Street Steps Campaign
· YarraBUG Forum
· YarraBUG Meeting
· For some, it’s just a bicycle race…
· Yarra Bicycle Advisory Committee
· Yarra Council News
· Next Yarra BAC Meeting
· Bouquets & Brickbats
· Bicycle Victoria News
· Clarendon Street Campaign
· Cycling Promotion Fund News
· Reflective equipment for cyclists
· Australian Bicycle Council News
· Bicycle Maintenance Courses
· Have bicycle, how about riding to here?
· Social Rides
Gipps Street Steps Campaign
SICK OF THE STEPS? Our banner asked, and that was certainly the feedback we got.
It was 20 March and Bicycle Victoria was running their Bike Path Discovery Day.
Hundreds of cyclists on the Yarra trail had to drag themselves and their bikes
up 3 steep flights of steps.
“What do you think of the steps?” we enquired sweetly, as they reached the top.
“Would you like a letter to send to the local MP?” We had a selection of
pre-written letters – there was a polite, reasonable one, a long boring one and
a rude, nasty effort. Those arriving early in the cool of the morning mostly
went for the polite version, but as the day warmed up, the rude one became
popular. By day’s end only a few of the boring ones were left.
We adjusted bike helmets, handed out publicity material about the BUG to
hundreds of cyclists, supplied jellybeans and a helping hand up the steps and
even restored a lost cat to its owner! All-in all, a pretty successful day. –
Carol Skinner
Join the Campaign and contact local Richmond MHR Richard Wynne to fix the steps:
Electorate Office address, 196 Church Street, Richmond, Ph: 9429 1813, Fax:
9428 0050
richard.wynne@...
YarraBUG Forum
Thanks to Ian Quick, YarraBUG now has an online forum at yarra.net, go to
http://tinyurl.com/6pnoh
Please feel free to register and chat here about cycling and related issues in
Yarra.
YarraBUG Meeting - Tuesday April 19
At the March YarraBUG meeting we changed the meeting date, yet again! Many
people found either the first or second Tuesday of the month clashed with other
priorities. So, it's been changed to the THIRD Tuesday of the month. Time:
7.30pm. Location: Suede Bar 284 Smith Collingwood. Incidentally, our next
meeting on April 19 is on "Bicycle Day"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_day
(And we WILL NOT be doing a reenactment pre/post the meeting either!) For your
convenience, here's the YarraBUG meeting dates for 2005:
Tuesday April 19, Tuesday May 17, Tuesday June 21, Tuesday July 19, Tuesday
August 16, Tuesday September 20, Tuesday October 18, Tuesday November 15,
Tuesday December 20
“For some, it’s just a bicycle race. For others, it’s Hell On Wheels…”
Opening May 19th exclusively at the Nova Cinemas: a documentary shot throughout
the superb 2003 edition of Le Tour de France titled “Hell On Wheels”.
Director Pepe Danquart spent the 2003 race on the road with the T-Mobile team,
and focused specially on Erik Zabel and Rolf Aldag. The results are completely
fascinating for cycling fans – we get inside the heads of the riders – the
highs, the lows, we even hear how Erik feels about the finishes with Robbie
McEwan! Along the way, there is awesome race footage, stunning views of the
race, and portraits of the riders, and the staff. And lots of historical stuff
interspersed throughout. It’s a must-see for all cycling fans – opens May 19th,
previewing weekend of May 14th/15th May. – Nova cinemas.
Trailer:
http://www.hoellentour-derfilm.de/d...ler%20gross.mov
Pix:
http://outnow.ch/Media/Img/2004/Hoellentour/
Aztec International has two double passes to give away for a 11th May screening
of Hell on Wheels. Be quick, get on your bike and email YarraBUG at
yarrabug@...
The winners will be picked at random and the judge’s decision is final!
Yarra Council News
Cyclists have reported excessive broken glass on Brunswick Street, especially on
the way to the city in the mornings. Yarra Councils Contracts Services area is
trying to find out where this glass is coming from so they can stop it being
left on the road. If anyone rides this route regularly and is able to provide
info about particular locations or times where they encounter broken glass
please email Rob Baird on
bairdr@...
Please provide the property number or name if it's near a cafe or other business
nearby where you encounter the glass.
International Expert Walks Yarra
International walking expert Rodney Tolley says that if a city wants to be
liveable, it must be walkable. Rodney Tolley has been walking Yarra as part of
his work to assist the City of Yarra’s develop its ‘Encouraging and Increasing
Walking Strategy’
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/publications/news/walker/asp
Next Yarra BAC Meeting
The next Yarra Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting is this Wed 20 April 2005 in
Richmond Town Hall at 6.30pm. The meeting will be in the Councillors Lounge
(very close to meeting room 1) because the walking strategy public sessions (see
above) are on in the Town Hall. Yarra Council has organised for the consultants
who are doing the Linear Park Masterplan to come along and listen to us next
week about what we would like to improve the park for cyclists. They've already
received a copy of the presentation done by YarraBUG and they want to ensure
that everyone on the Bicycle Advisory Committee has a chance to comment.
Contact Richard Smithers, Yarra Transport Coordinator
SmitherR@...
For Yarra Network Progress Reports, check Agenda items here, waiting for 05
update to page.
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/council/vision/bac04.asp
Bouquets and Brickbats
Many cyclists would of seen recent work carried out on those troublesome tree
roots in Gipps Street, Abbotsford. What to do you think, is it an improvement?
Seen any other cycling related work done in Yarra you would like to comment on?
Well, phone 9205 5555 or email Yarra Council at
info@...
And remember to cc a copy of your email to YarraBUG at
yarrabug-owner@yahoogroups.com
Bicycle Victoria News
No more new bike paths unless you write now! Get your missing bike path built!
The State Government needs to allocate $5 million a year to build the arterial
path network in Melbourne. Yet this year there will be less than $1m for
building shared bike paths in Melbourne. You need to write to Minister Thwaites
now so that adequate funding can be made available in the State's budget to be
handed down in May 2005. For more details:
http://tinyurl.com/4u5m2
Clarendon Street Campaign
From the website: Recent road changes in Clarendon St are dangerous to
pedestrians, drivers and cyclist. The tram and traffic changes to Clarendon
Street threaten the future of this iconic Melbourne shopping strip.
The trial undertaken by VicRoads, Yarra Trams and the City of Port Phillip to
introduce super tram stops and hook turns has severely reduced on-street
parking, threatened the viability of affected shops and created traffic chaos
and confusion on a major arterial route.
http://www.clarendonstcampaign.org/
Cycling Promotion Fund News
Autumn is such a great time for bike riding. The Cycling Promotion Fund is
running a campaign to encourage bicycle riders to get lights for their bicycles
to enable them to take advantage of the wonderful autumn days
without putting themselves at risk by having no lights when it gets dark early.
We also want to inform bicycle riders that the technology in lights has been
advancing enormously over the last few years and the lights available today are
reliable, effective, practical and affordable.
http://www.cyclingpromotion.com/lights.doc
http://www.cyclingpromotion.com/lights.pdf
Reflective arm/ankle bands preorder
Hi all, email if you would like to preorder reflective arm/ankle bands, using #1
grade reflective material as Liz showed to the Port Phillip BUG meeting last
June. Contact, Steve at
stevep3182@...
Ron's Reflectos
Ron's Reflectos are leg bands for cyclists. The reflective stripes increase your
visibility to motorists at night whilst your trousers are kept out of the chain.
Because the designs are a bit quirky, you, the rider remains stylish!
http://www.rondswan.com/
Australian Bicycle Council News
Update on the new National Cycling Strategy. The Australian Bicycle Council,
together with GHD Pty Ltd, has been working over the past few months on renewing
the national cycling strategy. Following a number of national consultation
activities the new Strategy has been released for public consultation. The new
Strategy can be viewed at:
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/index.htm
A survey, which provides an avenue for you to comment on the Strategy, can be
accessed from this website. Please provide comments by 5pm Monday 16 May 2005.
For information about the ABC and the renewal process please see
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/Australian_Bicycle_Council.htm
What’s new on the ABC website?
A resource paper that summarises and promotes the results of relevant research
supportive of cycling is now available on the website. Titled Benefits of
Cycling, it can be viewed at
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/benefits_of_cycling.htm
The ABC met on 3 & 4 March in Canberra:
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/Communique_index.htm
Good News Stories from around the Nation:
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/news.htm
The draft Australian NCS is now on the web - open for comments until 16 May
http://www.abc.dotars.gov.au/index.htm
Bicycle Maintenance Courses
At Brunswick Street Cycles: Workshop Lessons are now being held first Tuesday of
every month at 6pm in Brunswick Street and 5:30pm in Greensborough. Cost is $20.
Bring your bike in and we can show you basic or advanced repairs.
http://www.brunswickstreetcycles.com.au/shop
The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of
transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.
~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green
Have bicycle, how about riding to here?
Collingwood Children’s Farm, St Heliers Street, Abbotsford - Light of Lanka
Fundraising Family Day - Come along to the Light of Lanka Family Day on Sunday
17th April & enjoy food, markets, entertainment & activity stalls between 10am -
4pm. Entry prices include $15 for adults & $10 for concession & children (under
2 yrs free). To book tickets call 1300 369 882 or go to www.greentix.com.au
Yarn in the Barn - Spinning yarns, telling yarns, selling yarns! The Handweavers
& Spinners Guild will be in the barn from Friday 13th May - Sunday 15th May. Fri
13th May is Children’s Day (Entry is $6 per person for school groups), Sat 14th
May (Entry is $2 for adults & children are free up until 1pm as it’s the Farmers
Market) & Sun 15th May is a special Family Day (standard entry fees apply). Come
along to enjoy entertainment & craft activities.
Winter Solstice Bonfire - Saturday 18th June 2005. Stay posted for more details!
http://www.farm.org.au/
Gleadell Street Market
Fruits and vegetables, fish, produce grown in local back gardens and a homely
European flavour, 65 stalls.
Richmond Town Hall, corner Bridge Road and Gleadell Street, Richmond. Saturday
7am to 12.30pm
http://www.bridgerd.com.au
Rose Street Artists Market
Hours: Sat 11am to 5pm, 60 Rose Street, Fitzroy, Ph: 0410 138 686
http://www.rosestmarket.com.au/
Social Rides
At present YarraBUG cannot afford the insurance to hold our own rides. But that
doesn’t stop you from organising your own personal rides with “friends”. Just
don’t refer to any Yarra-based rides as “YarraBUG” organised just yet Take care,
and please utilise common sense when organizing any personal bike rides. We want
to hold our own rides soon, just need to develop some guidelines Check these
groups for ride details:
2005 Melbourne Autumn Day Ride
Looking for an excuse to flee the big smoke, if only for a day, and join a ride
this Sunday 17th April? Choose one of 4 delightful routes, 55km or 100km road
routes, Challenging 60km mountain bike route, fully escorted 23km
beginners/family ride
All are based around Yarra Glen and Kinglake National Park, north-east of
Melbourne.
The start and finish are at Yarra Glen Showgrounds, Yarra Glen (Melway Ref.
275/B2) strictly from 8.30am - 10am. Individuals: $30 enter on the day,
Families: $50 on the day families. All routes are fully supported with route
maps, marshalls, signs and emergency services on hand.
http://www.mbtc.org.au
Grasshopper Adventures
An adventure travel company specialising in bicycle travel in Asia. We will
take you to the places you dream of visiting as well as off the beaten path to
places that you'll never forget, right to the heart of the destination.
http://www.grasshopperadventures.com/
Darebin Bicycle Users Group
http://www.darebinbug.org.au/rides.html
Lysterfield MTB - rides in Lysterfield Park
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/lysterfieldmtb/
Audax Australia (Long distance cycling)
http://www.audax.org.au
Kona Week In- Weak Out Dirt Crits
http://www.fullgaspromotions.com.au/dirtcrits.html
Mascot Cycles Rides
http://www.mascotcycles.com.au/training%20and%20racing.htm
Mountain Bike Orienteering
http://www.vicorienteering.asn.au/events/mtbo/index.htm
Cycling Guide to the Great Ocean Road
http://www.greatoceanroad.org/cycling/index.asp
Victorian HPV
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/vichpv
OZHPV
http://www.ozhpv.org.au/events/comingevents.htm
Wilderness Bike Ride
http://www.wildernessbikeride.com.au/
Upcoming events
Know about an event you would like to see in the next YarraBUG Newsletter? Want
to write a letter or short article? Then please feel most free to contact us.
Contact Carol:
C.Skinner@..., Ph: 9419 7958 or Chris:
yarrabug@... Ph: 0407 825 467.
Anyway, cheers, happy riding and hope to see you out there soon!
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