While a 'proper trial' position is correct Callum,

I have been saying to the 'Punters' for those same years, that until the on-road cycling infrastructure and links in the off-road cycling infrastructure are in place to get cyclists to the 'Punt', the economic viability of the 'Punt' will remain in doubt.  Hence the pull-out of the major stakeholders after the last trial and the rejection late last year by the Minister for Roads and Ports of the weekday operation of the 'Punt'.

 

With regard to cyclist needs at this location.  It is of interest to me that the state government is proposing to build both an on-ramp and off-ramp to the Westgate Bridge from Hyde St. South of Francis St., that threatens to adversely effect the positioning of the Federation Trail and the use by on-road cyclists of this section of Hyde St. which is a collector for road cyclists as far as out as Werribee. 

The solution to this dilemma is, someone in BV wants to narrow the roadway in Hyde St. where I had dotted on-road Bike Lanes installed some years ago!  Is this really getting 'More people cycling more often' by excluding some of the cycling fraternity? 

I can't stop in the length of by bicycle from a commuter speed of 30km/h in order to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. (Note the cyclist speed limit on South Bank)

Riding my road bicycle on a footpath is too dangerous and is not an option for me.

 

My response to the question of Hyde St. and other issues, are currently being reviewed by The Minister for Roads.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Noel C. Dyson

Convenor    HBBUG

 

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: callum_cheyne

To: vicbugchat@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:11 PM

Subject: [vicbugchat] Re: Westgate Punt Commuter Service

Au contraire.

Far from this being good news, it is disturbing that this important
service has not had a proper trial for several years.

The punt operators are to be commended for doing what they can and
putting on the week long trial.

However, we need to give the best chance to establishing that an
ongoing weekday service is justified. This cannot be done by a low
publicity, week long trial. Many potential users will not know of the
trial or care to pull out their bikes at this stage of summer, for
such a short period.

A properly publicised, month long trial, funded by appropriate
partners such as State and Local governments, would be a proper
demonstration of the benefits of this service.

Callum.

--- In vicbugchat@yahoogroups.com, "Noel C. Dyson" <ndyson@...> wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Hobsons Bay BUG
> To: Miriam Fathalla
> Cc: vicbugchat@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 12:00 PM
> Subject: Re: Westgate Punt Commuter Service
>
>
> Dear Miriam,
>
> The news of the weekday running of the 'Punt' is good for cycling
and for the city of Hobsons Bay through reduced dependency upon
polluting modes of transportation.
>
> Thank you for this update. I have passed it on to other
cyclists/groups.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Noel C. Dyson
>
> Convenor Hobsons Bay Bicycle User Group (HBBUG)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Miriam Fathalla
> Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 9:26 AM
> Subject: Westgate Punt Commuter Service
>
>
> Hello -
>
> Just passing on some info regarding a service that may be of
interest to you.
>
> Thanks,
> Miriam Fathalla
> Customer Service Officer - Environment
> Hobsons Bay City Council
> 115 Civic Parade, Altona VIC 3018
> T: 9932 1260 E: mfathalla@...
>
>
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Press Release
>
>
>
> The Westgate Punt will be running a commuter service from Monday 9
February to Friday 13 February, to guage the possibility of bringing
the commuter service back on a regular basis.
>
>
>
> While the weekend and public holiday service has run for many
years - and continues to run - the commuter service has been spasmodic
since the commuter trial was concluded in June 2006. The commuter
service then ran as a special service on Ride To Work Day in October
of 2006, 2007 and 2008, attracting very high levels of patronage .
>
>
>
> Over the past few weeks the punt skipper has endeavoured to run
the commuter service on Fridays and Mondays, on either side of the
weekend service.
>
>
>
> For further details, contact Alex, the Westgate Punt skipper on
0419 999 458.
>
>
>
> For background reading visit www.westgatepunt.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.16/1925 - Release Date:
1/30/2009 7:37 AM
>

---

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