BISA’s mission: To promote cycling for transport and to represent all cyclists at the local, state, and national levels by working collaboratively with other interest groups and governments.
The Tour Down Under in the streets of Adelaide. Racing may not be our scene, but what better way to bring cycling to people’s attention? Pic by Cormac McCarthy
Terry Leach asks an interesting question in his piece below, a question many of us have been thinking about for some time. It now has added interest as Bicycle SA prepares to join the BFA. There is no simple answer, and lots of discussion is needed. The pages of Pedal Update are ready for your letters. We may even mana ge a prize for the ‘Letter of the Month’.
Where could we start? Could we combine Pedal Update and REcycle, as was suggested a year ago at VelOzity? I edit both, and there is sometimes common content. What do you think?
Lots of other interesting reading in this issue.
Mark 27 April in your diary: it’s the AGM. Arrangements for the speaker are being finalised, but it’s sure to be an interesting meeting. There’s a nomination form on page 11...[of the print edition]
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While discussing provision of Australian Cyclist to Bicycle SA as a membership add-on, there were suggestions that a simpler solution would be amalgamation of the two organisations. I will be moving a motion at the BISA AGM that we approach Bicycle SA to discuss a possible amalgamation. Naturally, any amalgamation proposal that may be developed would need to be approved by the members of both organisations, in accordance with their constitutions.
While the organisations have different foci, there is much overlap in membership services. We both offer local newsletters, Australian Cyclist subscriptions, third party insurance and discounts at bicycle shops. We also have members in common, who are paying twice for the same services.
There is a limited amount of energy that the BISA committee can put into our activities. Running the organisation and providing services to members takes up a lot of our available time. By reducing the duplication of effort between the two organisations, more effort could be put into promotion of cycling, for transport and leisure.
There are many issues to be resolved before a workable amalgamation proposal can be developed. Many BISA members would need to be assured that a strong focus would remain on advocacy of cycling as transport, and that the proposal would strengthen the BFA. It may be that no satisfactory proposal can be developed, and the issue is shelved. However, some states have managed to combine the advocacy, recreation and education roles within the one organisation.
At the time of writing, BISA needs people to come forward to take on four important roles within BISA, namely President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Ride To Work Day Co-ordinator.
I have no wish to be President of BISA, as I would prefer to devote my energies directly to adovcacy. Also, I don’t enjoy being diplomatic and patient, necessary traits in a President. However, in the absence of any other nomination, and if my motion is supported, I would be willing to lead BISA for the next year, while this important issue is explored.
Members comments on this issue are invited for inclusion in the next Pedal Update, which will be delivered prior to the AGM. Even if you can’t attend the AGM, then here is your opportunity to put your point of view. BISA is a democratic organisation, and the membership will determine our future.
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Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister, Iain Evans announced that a flexible legislative framework has been drafted to clearly define the rights and obligations of trail users, landowners, local and State Governments.
Mr Evans said that the Recreational Greenways Bill will give more certainty to all stakeholders and will also provide the opportunity for recreational trails to become environmental corridors ‘For example if a conservation group wanted to establish a walking trail adjacent to a wetland with a host of bird species they could go to the farmer who owns the land and discuss taking on certain management obligations in exchange for public access to the area,’ says Mr Evans. ‘The Government might then become a party to the agreement and declare the trail a recreational Greenway’. Uncertainty over issues such as access, certainty of tenure, safety, camp sites or the use of vehicles have been stumbling blocks to trail development in the past.
The Recreational Greenways Bill is an Australian first which provides for the establishment and maintenance of recreational trails for pursuits such as walking, cycling, horse riding and skating over private and public land. A draft Bill has been released for public consultation and it is intended to be introduced into State Parliament in the Autumn session.
‘Recreational Greenways are popular in the United States and Canada,’ says Mr Evans. ‘The word really is a combination of ‘greenbelt’ and ‘parkway’—they are recreation and environmental corridors linking open spaces which help an increasingly urbanised population experience the outdoors.’
The Minister says Recreational Greenways may be as elaborate as an environmentally based walking-cycling route, but they can also be as simple, natural and ecologically important as a stretch of stream bank left wild.
The potential for them is virtually unlimited and we are starting from a strong base with an extensive trails network already throughout the State,’ Mr Evans said.
For more information, including a copy of the proposed bill, see either www.recsport.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au.
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The Minister for Transport and Urban Planning, the Hon. Diana Laidlaw, recently approved the Willunga to Marino Recreation Trail Concept Plan and Implementation Report. The report makes recommendations and costing for the provision of this trail.
During a recent conversation with a BikeSouth member the following good news was received. An off road trail from Willunga to Darlington is expected to be in place when the Southern Expressway (Stage 2) is opened. The work is scheduled to be completed just prior to Christmas 2000. The route incorporates the existing veloway from Darlington to Reynella, with a new shared use path beside Stage 2 of the Southern Expressway to the Onkaparinga River. Other work includes a connection to and refurbishment of the old railway bridge over the Onkaparinga River, a connection to the newly completed dual use path through Seaford Rise, and provision of a new dual use path from South Road to McLaren Vale along the route of the old Willunga railway linking to an existing trail from McLaren Vale to Willunga. This work is part of the development of the Willunga to Marino Trail.
Work is expected to commence shortly on the section between South Road and McLaren Vale and should be complete before winter. An old railway bridge crossing Pedlar Creek along this section has already been refurbished with decking and hand rails.
Other developments that are in the planning concept stages are the upgrading of the Sturt River Linear Park from Darlington to the Reece Jennings Bikeway on Tapleys Hill Road. Once this section has been completed it will be possible to ride off road from the Torrens Gorge or Tea Tree Plaza to Willunga on paths.
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Late last year Malcolm Healey wrote to Federal Minister Hon John Anderson pointing out that he was ‘very disappointed that the safety of cyclists has been virtually ignored’ in the draft National Road Safety Strategy presented at the VelOzity Conference.
The Minister’s Adviser has now replied...
Stephen Oxley, Principal Adviser
Dear Mr Healey
Thank you for your e-mail of 21 November 1999 to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon John Anderson MP, making a number of interesting points on the draft National Road Safety Strategy. Mr Anderson has asked me to respond on his behalf, and I regret the delay in replying. The draft Strategy has drawn a number of responses from cycling groups and individuals concerned that it does not address the safety of cyclists. This concern is surprising, however it may result from the draft being structured according to action areas rather than user groups.
The draft actually contains many of the measures proposed in submissions by cycling groups and individuals. The lowering of urban speed limits, a measure proposed in many such submissions, is included at the top of the list of priorities in the draft. The draft also includes measures to keep intoxicated drivers off the road, measures to improve the training of drivers and measures to design cars so that they cause less harm to unprotected road users in the event of a crash. All of these will have direct safety benefits for cyclists. In terms of the road environment, the draft calls for the treatment of roads with poor safety records, and specifically, ‘improving traffic engineering measures to create a safer urban environment for pedestrians and cyclists’.
Mr Anderson has demonstrated the Government’s support of cycling through his launch of The National Strategy, Australia Cycling, 1999–2004 at the VelOZity conference this year. I am advised that the draft Strategy will refer to Australia Cycling and will contain its target of achieving a continual reduction in cyclist casualties.
Thank you for taking the trouble to bring your concerns to the Mr Anderson’s attention.
Yours sincerely...
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‘Our love affair with the car means that congestion on the roads is here to stay. But traffic modellers are getting better at predicting and preventing the worst snarlups, as Philip Ball reports’ in ‘Jams tomorrow’ in New Scientist, 15 January, pp 34–38. A look at mathematical models of traffic flow, and what they tell us about environmental effects.
‘...And it turns out to be a very bad rule. For Australia allows its motorists to drive 20km faster around town than they’re permitted to do in, for example, most of Europe.’ Phillip Adams in ‘Lethal charm of extra speed’ in The Weekend Australian Review, 22–23 January, p 32. Speed and its effects on the road toll.
A sight for sore travellers: a place to assemble or pack bicycles at Auckland Airport, NZ, with workstand, and with shower facilities nearby. Pic by Cormac McCarthy.
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Fifty years ago a national cycle relay provided ‘a unique opportunity for Australians to declare allegiance to their nation on its 50th birthday’. Riders from all parts of the continent participated and the event culminated on the steps of Parliament House on May 8 1951. One of these riders, Jack Montgomery, believed to be the only surviving relay rider, in a letter to his local MP, suggested ‘that it would be fitting to repeat the Commonwealth Cycling Marathon Relay, which was perhaps the major event organised to mark the 50th year of Federation and responsible government in Australia’.
Pedal Power ACT brought the proposal to the Bicycle Federation of Australia, (AGM 1999) which agreed to endorse the event, by acting as the fostering body to the National Council for the Centenary of Federation.
As the official record of the 1951 Jubilee Loyalty Dispatch Ride says, ‘During the three months the Loyalty Ride lasted almost a quarter of a million Australian men, women and school children pedalled their bicycles one million miles along the country’s outback roads and busy highways. It was spectacular in presentation and nationwide in scope. As a single jubilee activity it enables a maximum number of Australians to participate.
Nothing could have been more symbolic. Each revolution of the many thousands of spoked wheels epitomised the progress of the Australian nation.’
The aim of this ride is identical to the aim of the ’51 ride. ‘The general aim of this cycling marathon was to unite primarily, the outback, and subsequently each small settlement, county village, community town and city of the Commonwealth’ using representatives of each state who commenced their ride to Canberra from that State’s capital or major city. Each of the riders eventually linked up together. Jack Montgomery represented Alice Springs, on the Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra route. Community receptions were held at both remote and regional centres where ‘messages of loyalty and township emblems were collected to be carried to and presented at Canberra.’
The 2001 ride will:
With this in mind it is proposed to badge the ride as the ‘Links in the Chain‹100 Years of Federation’ Ride.
Indicate now your interest and availability to participate. We especially need suggestions from cyclists in all States and the Territories on good arterial routes and offers of help to organise feeder rides on them. This response will determine the scope of the ride. Send your contact information and your preferred route/distance to:
Links in the Chain Federation Ride
C/- Pedal Power ACT
GPO Box 581
Canberra 2601
or
E-mail: pedal.power@sunsite.anu.edu.au
Web site: sunsite.anu.edu.au/community/pedalpower
Alternate e-mail: luke.wensing@anu.edu.au
* Some Nullaborians might remember that Kelleberrin was once proposed as a possible site for the National Capital. Maybe someone would like to ride from there to...
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BISA is proposing a poster display to illustrate: Cycling—one of the simplest and most effective ways of getting fit.
Moderate habitual exercise maintained throughout life is needed for health. Incorporating exercise into daily living patterns is essential to raise activity levels and improve community health. 99% of males and 87% of females can ride a bicycle.
Regular exercise through cycling:
Cycling
If you’re interested in this project, please contact Rosalie Day, phone and fax 8362 1318, rday@dove.net.au.
There are funds budgeted for the work: 15 hours @ $20/hour = $300
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On Sunday 19 March, thousands of Australians will be walking and cycling to help others help themselves. There will be routes especially for cyclists, taking in the scenic Torrens Linear Park.
They will be taking part in Community Aid Abroad’s Walk Against Want, Australia’s longest running outdoor fundraising event, which raises nearly a million dollars every year for overseas projects in 30 of the world’s poorest countries.
Proceeds from the Walk or Ride Against Want will go towards helping people in some of the world’s poorest communities stand on their own—by supporting Community Aid Abroad projects in the Pacific, Asia, Central America, Africa and Aboriginal Australia.
For further information on Walk Against Want or to register, call 1800 034 034.
Catherine Pledge, Community Aid Abroad 8223 3405
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Reclaim the Streets is the reclamation of a busy city street, a sport festival that aims to promote substantial use of a public space.
A location for RTS 2000 has not been decided. However, we will keep you posted. A strong pedal presence at this day–night is more than welcome.
E-mail us at freshair@microsuxx.com if you’d like to be involved/for more info/etc.
The Web site is www.gn.org/rts/.
Hope to hear from you soon.