Do you work for somewhere that could benefit from a few work bikes, a bike fleet even?
This slim document is well worth a read, and if you think it might benefit your workplace, pass it on to the owner/boss:
http://www.travelsmart.gov.au/toolkits/bikefleets/pubs/bikefleets.pdf
Saturday, 13 June 2009
What do Main Roads think about bikes?
It is hard to understand how hard it can be to implement a government policy when it is all written down for managers to follow, isn't it?
But maybe that is our fault too, for not bothering to check to see what our taxes are paying for when it comes to policy formation.
Here are a couple of MRD urls below that are worth reading, and then comparing with what happens on-the-ground in the Toowoomba District.
The first paragraph is well worth reading... "Main Roads considers all road users in the design and maintenance of our state-controlled road network. This includes motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists."
So, if MRD considered cyclists to be 'road users', just the same as car drivers and truck drivers, there would be some evidence of this, say at Highfields, where millions of tax dollars were spent on upgrading the highway?
Sadly not, there is no provision made there at all for cyclists, and the highway speed, at 70 kph, seems to be an open invitation for some drivers to go even faster!
By the way, when the Nelson Street-Ruthven Street works are completed, there may, or may not, be bike lanes. TBUG has asked for 'the plans' but these are being kept hidden from us at the moment, even though Mr. Alan Tesch, the Assistant MRD DG, has assured us in writing that bike lanes WILL be going in, from James Street south.
We do know, however, that MRD are currently refusing to make this section of road 60 kph, as it should be, and have told us that they need to consider the truck drivers trip times first, so from Burstows to past Nelson Street the speed limit will be 70 kph, just like at Highfields, which the local MRD boys regard as a great success, so they have told us anyway.
Maybe we need to look closer to home, to the new works between James Street and Nelson Street?
Sadly not. The $40million plus of our tax monies is being spent only on motorists, again.
Of course, there is a modest section of bike-laning at Alderley and Ruthven, but this partial work assumes no cyclist ever wants to turn right at the traffic lights, going north or south, with no bike lanes marked for turning cyclists and no 'green boxes' anywhere to be seen.
And further back down the road, at James Street, the MRD are putting in those tiny yellow BAZ (Bicycle Awareness Zone)signs that motorists ignore, those signs that tell cyclists to get-in-the-gutter-where-you-belong.
It's a bit odd that these BAZ signs are going in because both MRD and QT officials have assured the TBUG that neither department will support them on work they fund.
So, how can this be happening here?
TBUG has raised this issue with the local MRD Director, Mr Murray Peacock, and were not the least bit satisfied with his response.
Do read his own newsletter, where readers are told all about the new work, and how bike lanes are going to be provided:
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/AttachStore.nsf/allobjects/In%20and%20around%20Toowoomba:%20November%202008/$file/in-and-around-toowoomba-november-2008.pdf
This is what the newsletter says about fitting bike lanes.... and it never mentions BAZ signs once!
New England Highway (Ruthven Street) Nov. 2008
This is a series of six projects to upgrade sections of the New England Highway (Ruthven Street) through Toowoomba including seven intersections.
Two are completed, one is currently under construction, another is out for open tender and two are in design.
The projects are being funded jointly by Main Roads and Toowoomba Regional Council and will consist of intersection improvements, route lighting, signal upgrades, four-laning of short sections and bicycle lanes.
The total cost of the projects is $41.065 million.
We have now written to the Director General, asking him if he expects MRD policy to be implemented in this District, or not.
Why did we do this? Because, perhaps foolishly, we read the following and though it also applied to Toowoomba:
Main Roads will encourage and facilitate cycling. Cyclists are legitimate users of the Queensland road network and as such the planning for, and design,construction, maintenance and operation of state-controlled roads should be undertaken on the basis that cyclists will use the network. Main Roads will allow for cycling as part of the planning and protection of new road corridors.
Seems not... MRD policy only applies to Brisbane, apparently, where voters obviously count for more.
Have a look here for the general statement on what our public servants promise to deliver for us, with our taxes:
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/publicCR.nsf/DOCINDEX/Cyclists
For those cyclists who want to know more, read the policy here:
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/AttachStore.nsf/allobjects/Cycling%20on%20State%20Controlled%20Roads/$file/MR_Cycling_on_StateRoads_Policy.pdf
But maybe that is our fault too, for not bothering to check to see what our taxes are paying for when it comes to policy formation.
Here are a couple of MRD urls below that are worth reading, and then comparing with what happens on-the-ground in the Toowoomba District.
The first paragraph is well worth reading... "Main Roads considers all road users in the design and maintenance of our state-controlled road network. This includes motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists."
So, if MRD considered cyclists to be 'road users', just the same as car drivers and truck drivers, there would be some evidence of this, say at Highfields, where millions of tax dollars were spent on upgrading the highway?
Sadly not, there is no provision made there at all for cyclists, and the highway speed, at 70 kph, seems to be an open invitation for some drivers to go even faster!
By the way, when the Nelson Street-Ruthven Street works are completed, there may, or may not, be bike lanes. TBUG has asked for 'the plans' but these are being kept hidden from us at the moment, even though Mr. Alan Tesch, the Assistant MRD DG, has assured us in writing that bike lanes WILL be going in, from James Street south.
We do know, however, that MRD are currently refusing to make this section of road 60 kph, as it should be, and have told us that they need to consider the truck drivers trip times first, so from Burstows to past Nelson Street the speed limit will be 70 kph, just like at Highfields, which the local MRD boys regard as a great success, so they have told us anyway.
Maybe we need to look closer to home, to the new works between James Street and Nelson Street?
Sadly not. The $40million plus of our tax monies is being spent only on motorists, again.
Of course, there is a modest section of bike-laning at Alderley and Ruthven, but this partial work assumes no cyclist ever wants to turn right at the traffic lights, going north or south, with no bike lanes marked for turning cyclists and no 'green boxes' anywhere to be seen.
And further back down the road, at James Street, the MRD are putting in those tiny yellow BAZ (Bicycle Awareness Zone)signs that motorists ignore, those signs that tell cyclists to get-in-the-gutter-where-you-belong.
It's a bit odd that these BAZ signs are going in because both MRD and QT officials have assured the TBUG that neither department will support them on work they fund.
So, how can this be happening here?
TBUG has raised this issue with the local MRD Director, Mr Murray Peacock, and were not the least bit satisfied with his response.
Do read his own newsletter, where readers are told all about the new work, and how bike lanes are going to be provided:
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/AttachStore.nsf/allobjects/In%20and%20around%20Toowoomba:%20November%202008/$file/in-and-around-toowoomba-november-2008.pdf
This is what the newsletter says about fitting bike lanes.... and it never mentions BAZ signs once!
New England Highway (Ruthven Street) Nov. 2008
This is a series of six projects to upgrade sections of the New England Highway (Ruthven Street) through Toowoomba including seven intersections.
Two are completed, one is currently under construction, another is out for open tender and two are in design.
The projects are being funded jointly by Main Roads and Toowoomba Regional Council and will consist of intersection improvements, route lighting, signal upgrades, four-laning of short sections and bicycle lanes.
The total cost of the projects is $41.065 million.
We have now written to the Director General, asking him if he expects MRD policy to be implemented in this District, or not.
Why did we do this? Because, perhaps foolishly, we read the following and though it also applied to Toowoomba:
Main Roads will encourage and facilitate cycling. Cyclists are legitimate users of the Queensland road network and as such the planning for, and design,construction, maintenance and operation of state-controlled roads should be undertaken on the basis that cyclists will use the network. Main Roads will allow for cycling as part of the planning and protection of new road corridors.
Seems not... MRD policy only applies to Brisbane, apparently, where voters obviously count for more.
Have a look here for the general statement on what our public servants promise to deliver for us, with our taxes:
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/publicCR.nsf/DOCINDEX/Cyclists
For those cyclists who want to know more, read the policy here:
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/AttachStore.nsf/allobjects/Cycling%20on%20State%20Controlled%20Roads/$file/MR_Cycling_on_StateRoads_Policy.pdf
End of journey facilities
Just how hard can it be for end-of-journey facilities to be retro-fitted into large employers buildings, hospitals, universities, town council carparks and so on?
The boffins at QUT have put their minds to this problem and come up with a wizard solution.
Have a look at the Utube video, and then email our Mayor and/or your employer and ask them 'what are we doing about creating some end-of-journey facilities?'
Just goes to show, universities are not just ivory towers, they do real life research and design.
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn1t2TTl8dQ
The boffins at QUT have put their minds to this problem and come up with a wizard solution.
Have a look at the Utube video, and then email our Mayor and/or your employer and ask them 'what are we doing about creating some end-of-journey facilities?'
Just goes to show, universities are not just ivory towers, they do real life research and design.
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn1t2TTl8dQ
6 reasons to get more women on bikes
Most bike commuters find that the negative assumptions they had about bike commuting are mostly false. This goes double for women, who might find that riding in high heels is easier than walking in them; a special wardrobe is not necessarily required (though fun); and that biking boosts a sense of freedom in ways a car no longer can. Benefits to women are multiple, and the benefits to society are just as big. Read on for how we all get dividends when women take to their bikes.
http://www.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au/news_item.php?item=465
http://www.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au/news_item.php?item=465
a resource centre to add to Favourites
Here is a great resource on cycling to add to your Favourites list:
http://www.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au
http://www.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au
Bike trailers
This web site is probably not the best place to go to to buy a bike trailer but it is 'the best' web site we have found to see what bike trailers are available.
Once you've found the trailer that suits your needs, search 'the Googles' for a local Australian dealer.
Where to go?
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/bike-cargo-trailers-c-44.html
Once you've found the trailer that suits your needs, search 'the Googles' for a local Australian dealer.
Where to go?
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catalog/bike-cargo-trailers-c-44.html
Winter time light-up
Now Winter is upon us it is probably past time to make sure you have a good set of lights, front and rear, on your bike.
Without getting a really expensive set of rechargeable lights, there are more than a few perfectly reasonable battery sets on sale these days.
Bicycle Queensland members can buy front and rear lights at a reduced price from the BQ offices in Brisbane:
http://www.bq.org.au/bq-shop/gear.shtml
Failing that, have a look at the Bike Victoria web site report on bike lights and make your way down to one of the local shops.
Bike Victoria: http://www.bv.com.au/bikes-and-riding/42353/
See also what Choice magazine for consumers has to say below:
What to look for
* Most bike lights use LEDs rather than globes. Lights with multiple LEDS are usually brightest, but a single LED can still be very bright if the light has a good reflector.
* Ask the bike shop if you can test the lights before buying. Try the different flash rates – if the flash is too slow or fast, a driver could have trouble judging your exact location.
* Check the light is clearly visible when side-on or at an angle.
* Light mounting brackets will fit most bikes but check they'll fit yours.
* Ideally the light should use easily obtainable batteries such as AAs or AAAs.
Stay visible
Too many cyclists ride at night with weak bike lights or none at all. Check your lights periodically to make sure they are still putting out a good, bright light; if they’re looking dim, put in new batteries.
If you’re a regular night rider, it’s worth investing a little more to ensure you stay visible to other road users. Bike lights can sometimes fail, especially in the rain, so it may be worth having an extra light or two on your bike or backpack. Wear light-coloured or reflective clothing, or a reflective strip or vest.
Read more from Choice here:
http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticleAsOnePage.aspx?id=106310
Without getting a really expensive set of rechargeable lights, there are more than a few perfectly reasonable battery sets on sale these days.
Bicycle Queensland members can buy front and rear lights at a reduced price from the BQ offices in Brisbane:
http://www.bq.org.au/bq-shop/gear.shtml
Failing that, have a look at the Bike Victoria web site report on bike lights and make your way down to one of the local shops.
Bike Victoria: http://www.bv.com.au/bikes-and-riding/42353/
See also what Choice magazine for consumers has to say below:
What to look for
* Most bike lights use LEDs rather than globes. Lights with multiple LEDS are usually brightest, but a single LED can still be very bright if the light has a good reflector.
* Ask the bike shop if you can test the lights before buying. Try the different flash rates – if the flash is too slow or fast, a driver could have trouble judging your exact location.
* Check the light is clearly visible when side-on or at an angle.
* Light mounting brackets will fit most bikes but check they'll fit yours.
* Ideally the light should use easily obtainable batteries such as AAs or AAAs.
Stay visible
Too many cyclists ride at night with weak bike lights or none at all. Check your lights periodically to make sure they are still putting out a good, bright light; if they’re looking dim, put in new batteries.
If you’re a regular night rider, it’s worth investing a little more to ensure you stay visible to other road users. Bike lights can sometimes fail, especially in the rain, so it may be worth having an extra light or two on your bike or backpack. Wear light-coloured or reflective clothing, or a reflective strip or vest.
Read more from Choice here:
http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticleAsOnePage.aspx?id=106310
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