Toowoomba Bicycle Users Group (TBUG) politely disagrees with Main Roads District director, Mr. Murray Peacock, and his appraisal that the upgrade of the southern end of Ruthven Street has been well designed for cyclists, as implied in the story in Saturday's Toowoomba Chronicle (17 October).
Read the story here:
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2009/10/17/road-upgrade-puts-seal-improvements-all-use/
TBUG coordinator, Mr. David Allworth, said “For increased safety, we need to see the provision of ‘hook turn’ markings at Nelson Street, to allow cyclists to safely make right-hand turns across this major multi-lane road.”
“Further, there needs to be transition marking treatments completed near the entrance to Burstow’s, and removal of reflectors from inside the bike-lane, which decreases the useable width from the promised 1500mm,” Mr. Allworth said.
“The cycle lane work to-date on Ruthven Street represents an 'opportunity lost' to create best practice cycling facilities,” Mr Allworth said.
"TBUG happily recognises that there have been some significant improvements around Nelson St, which was a very dangerous area for cycling,” Mr Allworth said.
“We are pleased to see the new traffic lights installed at the Nelson-Ruthven Street intersection and a defined bike-lane, although it needs some significant adjustments.”
But overall, TBUG believes MRD has failed to meet Government policy aims for the provision of bicycle lanes, signage and road markings here in the Toowoomba region.
"We were assured in writing, by MRD, that bicycle lanes were to be installed from James to Perth-Long Streets. All that appeared were sub-standard Bicycle Advisory Zone (BAZ) signs, pushed up into the gutter, instead of the well-defined and legally recognised bike-lanes", Mr. Allworth said.
“The left-turn lane at the Settlers Inn, which has BAZ signs advising cyclists to position themselves in the kerb-side section, is at odds with the road rules which would prohibit cyclists from going straight ahead, down Ruthven Street, into the city, and represents a significant threat to cyclists and a source of annoyance and confusion to motorists”, Mr. Allworth said.
"The bicycle lanes around Ruthven-Alderley Street are down to 900mm, well below the policy standard for the 60kmh speed limit in force in this area.
"The bicycle lanes in Nelson Street are of different widths, with the lane going east from Ruthven Street far too narrow and practically unusable, and there is no 'hook turn' road marking, as was suggested by a MRD cycle advisor,” Mr. Allworth said.
"TBUG believes the 70 kph speed limit from Burstow’s funeral parlour to Nelson Street is too fast for this part of Toowoomba, and will encourage drivers to ignore the red light at Nelson Street as they accelerate towards the traffic lights,” Mr Allworth said.
"TBUG believes this section of road should be marked at 60 kph, until after the Nelson-Ruthven Street junction, if the Department is the least bit serious in its attachment to the well regarded 'Slow down, stupid' anti-speeding campaign", Mr Allworth said.
"TBUG has raised all these issues with MRD, and the Department is well aware that TBUG regards the provision of cycling facilities on this new work as being sub-optimal, and barely in-line with the well written and progressive cycling policies the Department has, and should be capable of applying, without having user groups constantly policing their work", Mr. Allworth said.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Toowoomba Ride To Work Day Breakfast 2009
TBUG has a Flickr picture site with shots of the Wednesday 14 breakfast here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42560880@N08/sets/72157622601449304/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42560880@N08/sets/72157622601449304/
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Bicycle Queensland membership
Bicycle Queensland helped TBUG with the recent Ride to Work Day Breakfast by allowing TBUG access to the BQ Public Liability insurance policy, without which we could not have been given the use of the Art Gallery Gardens.
BQ also organised the recent nine day Cycle Queensland event that left Toowoomba for a spin around the Downs, before returning to Toowoomba for the finish.
The 1000 riders and BQ camp workers and volunteers pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Downs economy during this time.
Last weekend, BQ organised the Brisbane to Gold Coast charity ride, with 10,000 riders taking part. Many Toowoomba riders enjoyed the experience of riding with so many other like-minded cyclists in promoting cycling, and helping to improve vital health research through their charity donations.
If you are not already a member of Bicycle Queensland, please consider joining-up:
What about joining Bicycle Queensland?
If you aren’t already a member, have you considered joining Bicycle Queensland? Can you afford not to be?
Members get insurance cover, including personal accident and third-party insurance in case you're ever involved in an accident while riding your bike. Members also receive Queensland Cyclist newsletter and Australian Cyclist magazine (both six issues per year) and get discounts on BQ's fantastic events.
Our growing membership means a stronger voice for cycling in our dealings with government. Join 10,000 fellow cyclists and help make Queensland a better place to ride.
Just $70 for 12 months or $90 for a household (conditions apply).
See www.bq.org.au/membership for more details.
BQ also organised the recent nine day Cycle Queensland event that left Toowoomba for a spin around the Downs, before returning to Toowoomba for the finish.
The 1000 riders and BQ camp workers and volunteers pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Downs economy during this time.
Last weekend, BQ organised the Brisbane to Gold Coast charity ride, with 10,000 riders taking part. Many Toowoomba riders enjoyed the experience of riding with so many other like-minded cyclists in promoting cycling, and helping to improve vital health research through their charity donations.
If you are not already a member of Bicycle Queensland, please consider joining-up:
What about joining Bicycle Queensland?
If you aren’t already a member, have you considered joining Bicycle Queensland? Can you afford not to be?
Members get insurance cover, including personal accident and third-party insurance in case you're ever involved in an accident while riding your bike. Members also receive Queensland Cyclist newsletter and Australian Cyclist magazine (both six issues per year) and get discounts on BQ's fantastic events.
Our growing membership means a stronger voice for cycling in our dealings with government. Join 10,000 fellow cyclists and help make Queensland a better place to ride.
Just $70 for 12 months or $90 for a household (conditions apply).
See www.bq.org.au/membership for more details.
Ride to Work Day Breakfast 2009
Wednesday 14 October 2009, Toowoomba's second Ride to Work Day Community Breakfast, was certainly bigger than last year, and arguably better too.
Toowoomba BUG is fortunate to be supported by so many willing sponsors, who ensure there are prizes to reward effort, and food to eat while applauding the winners.
Last year, Pacific Seeds won the 'Workplace Challenge Wheel' but decided to give others a go in 2009.
The winners came from DEEDI DERM TEAM (the old DPI&F that people may be more familiar with). Well done DEEDI.
It is said that the DEEDI people had been seen drawing disc ploughs through their experimental fields, behind their bikes, as they trained hard to be as fit as possible, just for this event, while saving the taxpayer money on tractors and diesel. Such devotion deserves reward.
The 2009 Wheel was presented by Sergeant Col O'Shea from Toowoomba Traffic Branch. Col is well known to Toowoomba cyclists, and more than a few motorists too. Many thanks to Col, and his colleagues, for their work as police officers, making Toowoomba roads safer for all road users, particularly for Col coming in on his time off to support us all.
Congratulations also go to Glen Fox, winner of the ‘male best effort’, by riding the longest distance from Murphy’s Creek Road. Glen also won ‘best commuter story’ and was awarded the ABC Local Radio’s TREK bike prize. Well done, Glen.
Margaret Stewart, well known to TBUG riders, won the 'female best effort' with her morning jaunt in from Hermitage Road. Well done, Margaret.
The Downs Christian College won the School's Prize, donated by Bruce of Toowoomba Rabobank. Thanks to the school and students for participating and for Bruce for supplying the School Prize, as well as top-up bottles and caps for the winners of the Wheel.
ABC Local Radio set up a live broadcast at the Breakfast site, with David interviewing riders and winners. Feedback from ABC listeners not at the Breakfast, and who do not cycle, suggest that the show was well received by locals as they drove their cars to work. Thanks go to the ABC.
Michael, from Oxygen Cafe, brewed and served coffee with alacrity. Barbara, and her staff from Bakers Delight, donated and served delicious breakfast rolls, Woolworths and manager Brad donated cereals and milk, Arthur from Boost Juice donated juice and Elizabeth from Healthy Habits gave the bananas.
Queensland Government were generous with Michelle from Travel Smart donating a prize pack and Sonya from Transport paying for various items, including an impressive Ride to Work banner.
Toowoomba Regional Council gave a lot of support, including a banner, supplying the gallery site, all of the furniture on the day, advertising the event and much more, more than ably coordinated by Candice.
Bicycle Queensland generously extended their Public Liability insurance to TBUG for the event, allowing us all to meet there and enjoy the event.
Bikeline set up a stall and ran a draw for a TREK bike too. TBUG will post the winner as soon as we know who the lucky person was, but Bikeline will be contacting them with the news first.
Many TBUG riders tried out their new TBUG shirts at this event.
DEEDI and USQ riders left the TBUG Breakfast to enjoy another breakfast at USQ, and a lunchtime event at DEEDI.
Planning for 2010 starts soon.
For serious bike tourers
There is nothing worse than spending good money on rubbish equipment. Robert Beckman certainly believes his bike equipment is 'the best', but he has some serious reasons to claim that too.
Anyway, he is having a sale on panniers and racks at the moment, so it might be worth taking a peep at what others say about racks and panniers here:
http://www.bicycletouring101.com/FrontAndRearRacks.htm
And visiting the Beckman site here:http://www.coinet.com/~beckman/
Here is what Robert (from the USA) sent to TBUG the other day:
ROBERT BECKMAN DESIGNS
OCTOBER SALE!
It has been rare that I have sold my products at discounted prices. But this month there will be very significant savings on many of my panniers and on my RBD touring bicycles. It's a great opportunity to purchase the best quality and performance at moderate prices. I'm going to turn back the clock nearly 25 years and I'll be offering all pairs of my Discovery Series Panniers for $200 less than their current price, which means that some will be available at their original price way back in the 1980's when they were introduced. I'll be knocking $1000.00 off of the purchase of any complete bicycle for the month of October. This is also a good time to mention my new four-point rack adapters that I have recently designed to greatly upgrade the performance of many low-priced racks (just about all racks from Blackburn and Trek up to Surly and Tubus) to greatly increase pannier stability.
Here's a look at what's on sale and a brief overview the products:
DISCOVERY SERIES PANNIERS- Still “head and shoulders above any other pannier” (Adventure Cyclist Magazine). RBD Discovery Series Panniers represent unparalleled design, detailing , quality and performance. Available to fit Gordon, Nitto, and Jandd racks using my ultra-stable dual- and single-strap, four-point mounting systems. Also available to fit my RBD racks using the unique RBD Pivotloc four-point system.
PARADIGM PANNIERS SALE PRICE $235.00
WANDERLUST PANNIERS $285.00
EXPEDITION PANNIERS $285.00
NON-MODUALR TANDEM PANNERS $350.00
HORIZON PANNIERS $425.00
NORTHERN LIGHTS PANNIERS $525.00
MODULAR 2700 PANNIERS $650.00
MODULAR 3600 TANDEM PANNIERS $675.00
EL PANNIERS- These panniers, compared with all other panniers on the market, represent absolute top-of-the-line performance and quality, with much better stability than any others. They have been rated as “the Rolls Royce of bicycle packs,” “the best on all counts” and “in a class of their own.” It is only other RBD pannier models that come close in design and detailing. EL panniers are a now available to fit almost all racks with ultra-stable four-point mounting using the RBD four-point adapter system or with the RBD dual-strap system for low-mount front racks.
EL 1600 PANNIERS SALE PRICE $225.00
EL 2100 PANNIERS $245.00
EL 2600 PANNIERS $270.00
EL 3400 TANDEM PANNIERS $325.00
EL 3400 MODULAR TANDEM PANNIERS $425.00
HUMMINGBIRD PANNIERS- In my world view, Hummingbird panniers are the pinnacle of performance in traditionally designed panniers (panniers that have rear stiffening plates and conventional mounting systems). They are ultra-lightweight panniers with design features similar to my Discovery panniers. These panniers are available only on a purely custom basis and currently I don't have any set sale prices, but I'll entertain offers. They're very lightweight without sacrificing performance.
SIGNATURE PANNIERS- These panniers represent the culmination of my 35 years as a traditional pannier designer. All of my panniers are far more highly detailed in their design than other panniers on the market, but these panniers spare no detail and are quite a bit more elaborate than even my own models of panniers. They're kind of a greatest-hits package of my pannier designs from the last three decades. I don't ever plan to discount these packs. As a custom builder, if I were charging the same hourly rate to build these models of panniers as custom TIG-welded bike frame builders are for their wares, I'd be charging several thousands of dollars per pair to make these panniers. They are very elaborate in all respects and function beautifully. These panniers are very light, long and narrow, incorporating tandem stiffening plates, but not ultra-lightweight. My favorite traditional panniers.
INTEGRA ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS- To me, these systems are quite revolutionary in their design and performance. Of all of my own stuff, these systems interest me far more, functionally, than my other designs. I started building very lightweight panniers back in the mid 1980's, but these systems are light years beyond just lightweight panniers. Their unique design utilizing a tubular aluminum pannier framework allows the incorporation of very strong and rigid ultra-lightweight racks, as well, that are highly integrated with the pannier design. In the Integra Systems I created rack and pannier combinations that weigh as little as 1.5 pounds and are far more stable and advanced in their design than any other rack/pannier system available. Of all of the panniers and racks that I build, these are the most time-consuming and hand-made relative to their design, and they are in their own dimension functionally. For anyone that is looking for serious efficiency, this is the stuff to get. And like all of my other gear, it's beautifully crafted. For the sale, $300 off.
INTEGRA RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS SALE PRICE $795.00
ULTIMA ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS- After working with my Integra racks and pannier frameworks for a few years, I decided to pare them down even more and develop a three-point mounting design that's simpler and even lighter than the Integra systems. Design- and detail-rich systems at extraordinarily low weights ( 10 ounce Chrome Moly tubing racks).
ULTIMA RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS SALE PRICE $695.00
2009 RBD GUIDE TO EFFICIENT AND ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT BICYCLE TOURING- I've come to the realization in recent years that I probably approach touring in a far more thorough manner than most folks. I believe that most bicycle tourists carry way too much stuff. My Guide is a look into learning about the choices that can be made in selecting and altering gear in the pursuit of greatly reducing weight to generate a new, efficient way to travel on a bicycle. It's a 15 to 20 pound approach. There's also a half-dozen pages on my Integra and Ultima systems. 40 pages. $5.00
Anyway, he is having a sale on panniers and racks at the moment, so it might be worth taking a peep at what others say about racks and panniers here:
http://www.bicycletouring101.com/FrontAndRearRacks.htm
And visiting the Beckman site here:http://www.coinet.com/~beckman/
Here is what Robert (from the USA) sent to TBUG the other day:
ROBERT BECKMAN DESIGNS
OCTOBER SALE!
It has been rare that I have sold my products at discounted prices. But this month there will be very significant savings on many of my panniers and on my RBD touring bicycles. It's a great opportunity to purchase the best quality and performance at moderate prices. I'm going to turn back the clock nearly 25 years and I'll be offering all pairs of my Discovery Series Panniers for $200 less than their current price, which means that some will be available at their original price way back in the 1980's when they were introduced. I'll be knocking $1000.00 off of the purchase of any complete bicycle for the month of October. This is also a good time to mention my new four-point rack adapters that I have recently designed to greatly upgrade the performance of many low-priced racks (just about all racks from Blackburn and Trek up to Surly and Tubus) to greatly increase pannier stability.
Here's a look at what's on sale and a brief overview the products:
DISCOVERY SERIES PANNIERS- Still “head and shoulders above any other pannier” (Adventure Cyclist Magazine). RBD Discovery Series Panniers represent unparalleled design, detailing , quality and performance. Available to fit Gordon, Nitto, and Jandd racks using my ultra-stable dual- and single-strap, four-point mounting systems. Also available to fit my RBD racks using the unique RBD Pivotloc four-point system.
PARADIGM PANNIERS SALE PRICE $235.00
WANDERLUST PANNIERS $285.00
EXPEDITION PANNIERS $285.00
NON-MODUALR TANDEM PANNERS $350.00
HORIZON PANNIERS $425.00
NORTHERN LIGHTS PANNIERS $525.00
MODULAR 2700 PANNIERS $650.00
MODULAR 3600 TANDEM PANNIERS $675.00
EL PANNIERS- These panniers, compared with all other panniers on the market, represent absolute top-of-the-line performance and quality, with much better stability than any others. They have been rated as “the Rolls Royce of bicycle packs,” “the best on all counts” and “in a class of their own.” It is only other RBD pannier models that come close in design and detailing. EL panniers are a now available to fit almost all racks with ultra-stable four-point mounting using the RBD four-point adapter system or with the RBD dual-strap system for low-mount front racks.
EL 1600 PANNIERS SALE PRICE $225.00
EL 2100 PANNIERS $245.00
EL 2600 PANNIERS $270.00
EL 3400 TANDEM PANNIERS $325.00
EL 3400 MODULAR TANDEM PANNIERS $425.00
HUMMINGBIRD PANNIERS- In my world view, Hummingbird panniers are the pinnacle of performance in traditionally designed panniers (panniers that have rear stiffening plates and conventional mounting systems). They are ultra-lightweight panniers with design features similar to my Discovery panniers. These panniers are available only on a purely custom basis and currently I don't have any set sale prices, but I'll entertain offers. They're very lightweight without sacrificing performance.
SIGNATURE PANNIERS- These panniers represent the culmination of my 35 years as a traditional pannier designer. All of my panniers are far more highly detailed in their design than other panniers on the market, but these panniers spare no detail and are quite a bit more elaborate than even my own models of panniers. They're kind of a greatest-hits package of my pannier designs from the last three decades. I don't ever plan to discount these packs. As a custom builder, if I were charging the same hourly rate to build these models of panniers as custom TIG-welded bike frame builders are for their wares, I'd be charging several thousands of dollars per pair to make these panniers. They are very elaborate in all respects and function beautifully. These panniers are very light, long and narrow, incorporating tandem stiffening plates, but not ultra-lightweight. My favorite traditional panniers.
INTEGRA ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS- To me, these systems are quite revolutionary in their design and performance. Of all of my own stuff, these systems interest me far more, functionally, than my other designs. I started building very lightweight panniers back in the mid 1980's, but these systems are light years beyond just lightweight panniers. Their unique design utilizing a tubular aluminum pannier framework allows the incorporation of very strong and rigid ultra-lightweight racks, as well, that are highly integrated with the pannier design. In the Integra Systems I created rack and pannier combinations that weigh as little as 1.5 pounds and are far more stable and advanced in their design than any other rack/pannier system available. Of all of the panniers and racks that I build, these are the most time-consuming and hand-made relative to their design, and they are in their own dimension functionally. For anyone that is looking for serious efficiency, this is the stuff to get. And like all of my other gear, it's beautifully crafted. For the sale, $300 off.
INTEGRA RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS SALE PRICE $795.00
ULTIMA ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS- After working with my Integra racks and pannier frameworks for a few years, I decided to pare them down even more and develop a three-point mounting design that's simpler and even lighter than the Integra systems. Design- and detail-rich systems at extraordinarily low weights ( 10 ounce Chrome Moly tubing racks).
ULTIMA RACK/PANNIER SYSTEMS SALE PRICE $695.00
2009 RBD GUIDE TO EFFICIENT AND ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT BICYCLE TOURING- I've come to the realization in recent years that I probably approach touring in a far more thorough manner than most folks. I believe that most bicycle tourists carry way too much stuff. My Guide is a look into learning about the choices that can be made in selecting and altering gear in the pursuit of greatly reducing weight to generate a new, efficient way to travel on a bicycle. It's a 15 to 20 pound approach. There's also a half-dozen pages on my Integra and Ultima systems. 40 pages. $5.00
Victoria is ahead of us
This is an interesting insight into what life could be like here too.
http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/
And you really must watch this gem of a video of the street '15 of November'. This is what Toowoomba city centre should be like after all the reviews we have had on 'what to do with it?' have left our city centre dominated by cars and bad driving:
http://www.pigswillfly.com.au/?p=5668&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_content=209469580&utm_campaign=20091012+_+dikhty&utm_term=InclusiveSafeWalkableNeighbourhoods
http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/
And you really must watch this gem of a video of the street '15 of November'. This is what Toowoomba city centre should be like after all the reviews we have had on 'what to do with it?' have left our city centre dominated by cars and bad driving:
http://www.pigswillfly.com.au/?p=5668&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_content=209469580&utm_campaign=20091012+_+dikhty&utm_term=InclusiveSafeWalkableNeighbourhoods
Cycle in Indonesia
Double-click on the picture to open it up. If any BUG supporter books a holiday please let us know how it went with a brief story.
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