Hi all,

If you came in late, read the background to the ABC
774's Great Race on YarraBUG's website. Also I've
added a link to a audio mp3: http://www.yarrabug.org/

cheers,

Chris

***

Melbourne's bicycle trails on track
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s1512778.htm
Reporter: Florenz Ronn: photo of City cyclist

The City of Melbourne has taken the first step by
installing new bike lanes on William and Latrobe
Streets. Although most only operate during clearway
times, it is an important first step in getting
facilities for cyclists in the CBD. Bourke and
Elizabeth Streets have had 'shoulders' installed to
provide a channel for cyclists to use between the
parked cars and the travel lane.

Pic: The West Gate Punt making its way across the
river under the
Westgate Bridge.

To help get the recent 774 ABC Melbourne's special
'Traffic Blitz' broadcast on the way, mapping the
traffic and public transport problems across
Melbourne, our Breakfast presenter, Red Symons, fired
a starting gun and two races between two pairs of
people to get to the city, had begun.

Jeremy Lee used his car and Chris Starr rode her
bicycle to get to the 774 studio from Northcote. Chris
arrived at the ABC Southbank building about eleven
minutes before Jeremy. In the meantime, Gaby Hills
caught the bus from Balwyn, leaving the bus stop at
exactly the same time as Jason (aka Flying Dutch), who
was riding his bike. Once again, the cyclist beat the
bus commuter to their final destination, this time by
15 minutes. Both results illustrate what cyclists have
known for a long time. It is often quicker to commute
on a bicycle than using
motorised road transport during peak hour. (See our
story 'Melbourne's most disgruntled commuter' here)
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s1509061.htm

Although bike paths through Melbourne parkland, along
the river and creeks and major arterial roads, are
relatively safe, inner city riding is still fraught
with danger, preventing more cyclists using these
routes.

Now, Melbourne City Councillor Peter Clarke has
proposed to make
Melbourne a bit more European. The City of Melbourne
has taken the first step by installing new bike lanes
on William and Latrobe Streets. Although most only
operate during clearway times, it is an important
first step in getting facilities for cyclists in the
CBD. Bourke and Elizabeth Streets have had 'shoulders'
installed to provide a channel for cyclists to use
between the parked cars and the travel lane.

Harry Barber, the general manager of Bicycle Victoria,
told Red
Symons: "One of the exciting things is that the bike
lanes have been going in and basically all the counts
show that the numbers on the bike lanes are going up -
but in Europe, they don't just paint a lane,they
actually put the parked cars between the bike riders
and the moving traffic, making it much safer for
riders."

And there has been more good news for cyclists, as the
West Gate Punt trial has now been extended until
November 30, 2005, making riding to work swifter,
cheaper and more scenic for people commuting between
Melbourne's inner west and the city. (See our 'Take a
punt to ride' story and photos here)

Another major bike track connection was recently made
with the opening of the Bayside Council and Parks
'Brighton Beach Shared Path', the Brighton Beach
section of the Bay Trail now completing an off-road
shared path stretching from Altona to Beaumaris. The
completion of this $1.5 million project is something
Melbournians have been talking about for many years,
as it was a "missing link" in the Bay Trail.

In Melbourne's east, Shared Use Trails across
Maroondah are being
developed by Maroondah City Council, as part of the
Metropolitan Trail Network, designed for use by
pedestrians, cyclists and people who use mobility
aids. Discover Maroondah by Bike has a detailed map
highlighting primarily bike trails and facilities that
can be found along the way and is available from the
Maroondah City Council. A few trails are also
designated suitable for horse riding such as the
Dorset Recreation Reserve and Candlebark Walk Reserve.
Built by Knox City Council, a new bridge over the
Dandenong Creek at Bungalook Road East has improved
access from the Tarralla Creek Trail.

The community is also invited to comment on the
possibility of a
multi-purpose trail along the O'Shannassy Pipe Track
in Croydon. The O'Shannassy Pipe Track is the section
of reserve carrying the
Melbourne Water pipeline from Bayswater Road through
to Glen Dhu Road in Croydon. This feasibility study is
the beginning of a long-term project to determine
community support and level of interest in a shared
trail along the O'Shannassy Trail.

To make a comment, participate in our Message Board by
adding your comment.
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=10&m=158&ps=20&dm=2

Yarra Bicycle Users Group
http://www.yarrabug.org
------------------------------------------------------
Abbotsford, Alphington, Burnley, Carlton North,
Clifton Hill, Cremorne, Collingwood, Fairfield,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond
------------------------------------------------------



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