YarraBUG

On this weeks program Chris catches up with Cate Hall from Safer Walking and Riding for Murray Road (SWARM) about their campaigns recent activities, including extensive media coverage (Herald Sun: The busy Melbourne road students fear, The Age: It’s one of the most notorious roads in Melbourne. Fixing it is a ‘matter of life and death’, residents say, ABC Victoria: Speed review among recommendations to make Victorian roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists) in the light of the tabling of the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee: Inquiry into the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road usersTopics include the inquiries 61 findings and 56 recommendations, Drivers need to change to protect most vulnerable, Victorian Cycling Strategy 2019-2028 having no action plan (!), increasing infrastructure in London and Paris boosting cycling participation and micromobility. Local news includes Jetnikoff Bicycle Co. Garage Sale, Yarra 30kmh speed zones, Brunswick Tool Library looking for a volunteer bike repairers, and Streets Alive Darebin meet up.Program musicTrue Love Always, Bicycle RiderBonobo, Flashlightfilous feat. Klei. Bicycle

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Andrew Talati of Bunchrides and we all share our bike moments before briefly looking. at City of Melbourne news on bike lanes. Andrew, whose Bunchrides platform ran Neighbourly Rides in the past, explains how it can now be used to help communities around schools run bike busses. We talk about what a bike bus is, examples elsewhere like the bicibus in Barcelona and Canberra's Bike Bus, and the issues that need to be addressed to give families and volunteers the confidence to run or use a bike bus to their local school or other community detsination. With two local Council's interested Andrew is looking forward to facilitating bike busses across Melbourne. If your school or your local Council might be interetesed in finding out more you can get in touch with Andrew at andrew@bunchrides.com

On this weeks program Chris chats to Rik Isaksen about his journey around the cycling universe and his Battery Acid Sound System project. We chat about grassroots events, Bike Rave Melbourne, bike sound systems, audio tech, bike trailers, Dom Whiting, Carry Shit Olympics and getting started either carrying stuff and cargobikes (facebook: Melbourne Cargobikes, Cargobikes Australia)Local news includes Australia's biggest city has a car problem. What should Melbourne do to fix it? that overlooks active transport provision and potential, Future Melbourne (City of Melbourne) meeting, that includes Cycling and Micromobility Infrastructure Program (Item 6.3) on the agenda, where you can make a written submission or register to attend. Please do so by Tuesday 10am 23 April 2024 at the previous link.And not forgetting Critical Mass CBD ride this Friday 26 April 2024, meet 5.30pm for 6pm start, highlighting the good (seperated bike lanes) and bad (still to be built seperated bike lanes) cycling infrastructureProgram musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funAutechre, Bike

Faith and Val are joined in the studio today by Nick Richardson, from Banksia Gardens Community Services to tell us all about Broady Bikes. First we all share our bike moments. and Val's leads us nicely into our first item of news about the very succesful E-bike Expo held by Bicycle Network last week.We also mention the three consultations in Merri-bek at the moment, of interest to anyone who lives, works or plays and rides through there; Harding St Bridge, O'Hea St Bike Lane Extension and Victoria Streets For People Brunswick. Make sure you take a look!Coming up this weekend is a day for focussing on active transport in Moonee Valley Walk.Ride.Moonee Valley hosted by Moonee BUG and Moonee Valley Sustainability.Featuring:+ Towards Better Streets - panel and Q&A+ Info on infrastructure for cycling and walking+ Bike repairs advice+ Explore e-bikes and cargo bikes+ Join Moonee BUG for a group rideMeet your neighbours and people from Better Streets campaign, Streets Alive, your local Bicycle Users Group (MooneeBUG), local businesses and MVS’s Active Transport Collective.Nick tells us all about the Broady Bikes initiative at Banksia Gardens, set up to give disadvantaged youth an opportunity to practice the sorts of skills that enable holding down a job while learning how to work on and fix bicycles. Providing broader as well as mechanical skills the program also provides engagement with education services and the wider community. Repaired bicycles are sold or provided to people in the local community that can use them. If you have a good quality bicycle to donate then please contact Nick on 0418436269 or at nick@banksiagardens.org.au. Unoftunately, many cheaper bicycles from stores such as KMART etc cannot be repaired and are not suitable for donation.

On this weeks program Chris and Steve have a wide ranging chat with topics including Jeremy Vine's extraordinarily obvious April Fools day joke, the ridiculous over the top reaction, combined with differences between UK and France about active transport provision, (Guardian: Why has the ‘15-minute city’ taken off in Paris but become a controversial idea in the UK?) that being hostile 'culture wars' vs. a reasonable level of discussion, City Nerd: Cities Where People Travel the "Wrong Way" to Work, 15 minute cities, 20 minute neighbourhoods, what's happened in post Covid19 civil society and what this means for advocates and anyone else wanting safer streets. Local news includes E-scooter trial extended across Victoria, Walk Ride Moonee Valley meeting on 20 April, Protected bike lanes for Johnston Street petition hitting 2000 signatures and Critical Mass CBD ride coming up on Friday 26 April Program musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funBonobo, Linked

On this week show Chris chats with Ruth Jelley and Paul Baker about making things better by getting involved with local advocacy.First interview (3.04 mark) Ruth discusses South Crescent issues after a Streets Alive Darebin ride held on Saturday 23 March 2024.Second interview: (6.40 mark) Paul Baker chats about his pathway from starting off riding BMX as a kid, commuting, workplace bicycle user groups, the June 2022 'halt' of the roll out of protected cycling lanes in Melbourne, organising #comerailtrailwithme bike trail rides and getting elected to the Bicycle Network board. Follow Paul and his adventures on Melbourne Bike Paths, instagram and stravaLocal news includes Critical Mass March ride supporting Port Phillip BUG, Inkerman Street consultation, the Border Run and Bicycle Network discussion session on Wednesday 3 April for people interested in local council elections (Council elections an opportunity for better bike municipalities)Program musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funGunnar Olsen, Pedal onJohn Butler Trio, Oceanfilous feat. Klei. Bicycle

Faith and Val are joined in the studio on a warm autumn morning by Liz Fowler and Edmund West from Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club. We all share our bike moments before taking a look at some upcoming events including Critical Mass on Friday March 22nd (heading Southside with Port Phillip BUG) and a Bicycle Network event for those interested in what they can to support active transport during the upcoming Council elections. The Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club has been celebfrated its fiftieth year and Liz and Ed talk about the community that the club has built over the decades, the rides they've shared and the future of the club. We talk about the joys of bike touring, how a club like MBTC helps to make it accessible to more people and the diversity of people, and bikes, that enjoy their tours and day trips. You can find out more about the MBTC and their rides from their website. Rides are advertised and shared on Meet Up.

On this weeks program Chris talks to Cr Sophie Wade from Yarra City Council and Julian O'Shea. Cr Sophie Wade talks about recent improvements in Yarra including 30km/h speed zones, Transport Action Plan 2023-2033, and Notice of Motion No. 5 of 2024 - Dangers of oversized vehicles (see page 61 of council meeting agenda) taking a cue from parking changes in Paris, which is the first of its kind in Australia. (The Age: Council could slug ‘truckzillas’, utes and SUVs with higher parking fees, 9 March 2024)Julian O'Shea talks about his upcoming Comedy Festival show, M is for Melbourne at DoubleTree by Hilton and his interesting honesty-based ticket prices around how you arrive at the show (ranging from $28.63 to $155.01), his Guinness World Record Attempt, transport design issues, BikeSpot project, City of Melbourne Future Streets Framework and a cheeky discount code for riders listening to this podcast.Program music:Shonen Knife, Cycling is funBonobo, Linked

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Nick Tyrell of Revitalise Sydney Road. We take a look at the complex situation on Sydney Road, the many roles it plays and the ways in which those roles have changed over the years. Addressing those changes is critical to ensuring Sydney Road remains a vibrant local shopping strip and Nick discusses some of the research and data about how people actually use Sydney Road and some of the options available to mitigate the impacts of prioirtizing its role as an arterial over others. You can follow Revitalise Sydney Road on Facebook here.

On todays program we take a audio journey, riding out west on Friday 23 February 2024, with Critical Mass, Bike West, Kidical Mass Melbourne, Joseph Road Precinct Action Group, Snuff Puppets, Extinction Rebellion and over two hundred of their best friends to demand safer pedestrian and cycling environment in Melbournes western suburbs after decades of neglect, under funding and industrial areas now becoming residental, demanding the Franco Cozzo Link be built and good news with in principal support from Maribyrnong Council and VicRoads to lower the speed limit on Hopkins Road, Footscray.Thank you to Freya Clough Good for recording the audio (and excellent vibes), interviews include numerous Critical Mass participants pre and post ride, Pierre Vairo, Joseph Road Precinct Action Group, Kim from XR Victoria, David Ettershank, Dr Tim Read and Cr Bernadette Thomas.Program musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funTycho, Montana

Val and Nic Dow [Melbourne BUG] talk to the changes to the wards and voting system that will come into force at the council elections coming up in October this year.

On this weeks program Chris chats to Davis Clayton from the Gig Workers Hub currently based at Micro-labs, 227-229 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Davis talks about being a food delivery worker, how the Gig Workers Hub was created, outreach, facilities avaliable for delivery workers, the recent rise of the gig economy, how apps, literally running on autopilot, control how people work and pitfalls like hours of unpaid downtime, examples like Milkrun for living wage, recent developments like Closing Loopholes Act included in FairWork, Transport Workers Union delivery workers campaigns, despite being opposed to City of Melbourne protected cycle lanes. Please support their current GoFundMe fundraiser: Keep gig workers employed at the Gig Workers' Hub to help the hub move to a new location.Local news includes the first Critical Mass for 2024, travelling to Footscray Road on Friday 23 February, organised by BikeWest, Kidical Mass Melbourne and Joseph Road Precinct Action Group, meeting 5.30pm at the State Library on Swanston"Cyclists of the west have put up with a lot of unsafe crap over the past year due to the construction of the West Gate “Tunnel”. We are gonna take out some of our frustration by massing up and heading down Footscray or Dynon Road"

Val chats to Jed Soutar from Freedom Solutions about transforming lives through customising bikes, wheelchairs and trikes to solve mobility needs.https://freedomwheels.org.au/

On this weeks program Chris interviews Cezary Carmichael and Leo Norman from Fitzroy, naarm Melbourne, who are Two Birders Two Bikes One School, about their planned year long journey riding 20,000km around Australia, fundraising a school in Timor-Leste and documenting the unique cultural and ecological importance of birds in Australia and hopefully spotting at least 700 species.While taking a short break on Mt Glorious near meanjin Brisbane, Cezary and Leo discuss how their got started, taking up birding during covid-19 lockdowns as a way of reconnecting, seeing rare birds and their goals for the trip.Local news includes Glen Eira Council Queens Avenue cycling corridor, last days to make your mark on BikeSpot, Bite Sized Rides, Streets Alive Darebin on whats happening in South Crescent, Northcote, CargoBikes: A Game Changer (Sat 3 Feb 2024) plus a screening of Motherload and Co-Designing Our Streets (Sun 18 Feb 2024) as part of the 2024 National Sustainability Festival.Program musicCycling Is Fun – Shonen KnifeAmerica, A horse with no namefilous, Bicycle feat. klei

Val and Faith are back in the studio for 2024 and kick things off with a catch up on some of the local news over the summer break.We start by sharing our bike moments and for both of us they seem to resolve around red traffic lights and those magic moments when they turn green! Over the weekend a solidarity ride for the Gaza Sunbirds was organised by An Other Collective in Melbourne and Sydney as part of a world wide show of support. You can find out more about the Gaza Sunbirds at their website and donate to support their actions in Gaza providing aid.Darebin Council is holding a special meeting on Monday to consider a recision motion on some safety improvements for Soth Crescent and Newcastle Streets in Darebin. Take a look at the Streets Alive Darebin page for all the background on this and updated information on the original motion and the recision motion. Southside, in Glen Eira, the LXRP are planning to remove 100+ mature trees to build a protected bike lane. On a wide street with plenty os space for pedestrians, parking, moving vehicles, and protected bike lanes it seems incredible that these trees can't be saved. Especially when they are so important to those using active transport modes. You can read more on Glen Eira BUG's Facebook page. And who. could have missed it, but just in case you did, the Walmer Street bridge has re-opened! It has been a sage and much of that saga well documented by Yarra BUG Radio but the bridge is finally done! For now. In bad news, the Footscray Road shared path is now indefinietly closed due to the state government's inability to safely manage truck traffic. What do they do in the rest of the world we wonder? It's a mystery. And from the United States, the War on Cars dive into the horrendous increase in pedestrian fatalities and the uptake of SUVs. Two dates to put in your diary for 2024 have already been anounced: Feburary 25th will see a welcome summer edition of the World Naked Bike Ride in Melbourne and Sunday June 30th is set for the next Melburn Roobaix.

This weeks program is the third of three Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio summer specials that recorded the E-bike Q & A by Darebin Loves Bikes held on 3 December 2023 at Preston Library.The E-bike Q & A by Darebin Loves Bikes summer special over the next three weeks on 3CR is for anyone tempted to delve into e-bikes but unsure where to begin. Expert panellists and local e-bike riders answer questions, you can gain insights into the affordability of e-bikes, listen to various options for carrying kids, shopping, and pets, and even learn about the possibility of converting your existing bike. Find out how to charge an e-bike effectively and discover just how far you can go on a single charge and more. PanellistsThijs van der Heijden, Sparque, Technical advisor, best e-bike for you, e-bike models, leases, test riding, road rules, charging, security,Nell Sudano, Consultant, Technical advisor, e-bike conversions, affordable e-bikes, getting into riding, everyday bike skills, charging , road rules, security,Jack Comte, 99 Bikes Preston, Technical advisor, best e-bike for you, e-bike models, charging, security,Mike McEvoy and Deanne Jones, Reservoir riders and climate activists, riding with families, commuter riding, personal climate action Questions & Answers + time points:3:55, E-bike maintenance, hub drive, mid drive, how can you prevent theft?9:50, Is it cheating? Will I lose fitness if I’m currently using a manual bike?15:45, Questions about purchasing or renting a e-bike, what should people know, e-bike and general bike law questions23:00, Public questions, heat, weather impact on batteries, closing commentsThank you to Heidi Marfurt, Katy Daily, Kira Whitaker, Cr Susan Rennie, Christine Banks, Ian Singleton, Ed Smart, Sam Black, Darebin Libraries and Darebin Council Program musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funTycho, Dive

This weeks program is the second of three Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio summer specials that recorded the E-bike Q & A by Darebin Loves Bikes held on 3 December 2023 at Preston Library.The E-bike Q & A by Darebin Loves Bikes summer special over the next three weeks on 3CR is for anyone tempted to delve into e-bikes but unsure where to begin. Expert panellists and local e-bike riders answer questions, you can gain insights into the affordability of e-bikes, listen to various options for carrying kids, shopping, and pets, and even learn about the possibility of converting your existing bike. Find out how to charge an e-bike effectively and discover just how far you can go on a single charge and more. PanellistsThijs van der Heijden, Sparque, Technical advisor, best e-bike for you, e-bike models, leases, test riding, road rules, charging, security,Nell Sudano, Consultant, Technical advisor, e-bike conversions, affordable e-bikes, getting into riding, everyday bike skills, charging , road rules, security,Jack Comte, 99 Bikes Preston, Technical advisor, best e-bike for you, e-bike models, charging, security,Mike McEvoy and Deanne Jones, Reservoir riders and climate activists, riding with families, commuter riding, personal climate action Questions & Answers + time points:2:56, Lots of questions about batteries, charging, percentage, tips, battery life state9:56, Battery discharge when bike not in use, multiple batteries, different modes, battery modes, battery health, charge cycles17:20, Battery performance, lifespan, battery replacement23:20, Cargobikes, e-cargo bikes, types of ebikes, carrying shopping, kids, shopping and more Thank you to Heidi Marfurt, Katy Daily, Kira Whitaker, Cr Susan Rennie, Christine Banks, Ian Singleton, Ed Smart, Sam Black, Darebin Libraries and Darebin Council Program musicSleepy Dreamers, Bike SongTycho, Alright

This weeks program is the first of three Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio summer specials that recorded the E-bike Q & A by Darebin Loves Bikes held on 3 December 2023 at Preston Library.The E-bike Q & A by Darebin Loves Bikes summer special over the next three weeks on 3CR is for anyone tempted to delve into e-bikes but unsure where to begin. Expert panellists and local e-bike riders answer questions, you can gain insights into the affordability of e-bikes, listen to various options for carrying kids, shopping, and pets, and even learn about the possibility of converting your existing bike. Find out how to charge an e-bike effectively and discover just how far you can go on a single charge and more. PanellistsThijs van der Heijden, Sparque, Technical advisor, best e-bike for you, e-bike models, leases, test riding, road rules, charging, security,Nell Sudano, Consultant, Technical advisor, e-bike conversions, affordable e-bikes, getting into riding, everyday bike skills, charging , road rules, security,Jack Comte, 99 Bikes Preston, Technical advisor, best e-bike for you, e-bike models, charging, security,Mike McEvoy and Deanne Jones, Reservoir riders and climate activists, riding with families, commuter riding, personal climate action Questions & Answers + time points:4:15, Start4:45, Introduction and Welcome to Country7:18, Introduction to panellists15:18, I heard there are two types of e-bike: pedal assist and those that use a throttle. Can you explain the difference? 17:00, What can I expect to spend on buying, leasing or converting a bike?17:50, How easy, safe and cost-effective is it to convert your current bike?21:20, Leasing and renting options23:50, What about ongoing costs Thank you to Heidi Marfurt, Katy Daily, Kira Whitaker, Cr Susan Rennie, Christine Banks, Ian Singleton, Ed Smart, Sam Black, Darebin Libraries and Darebin Council Program musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funTycho, Dive

In this episode of the Yarra BUG Radio Show Val and Faith take a look at some of the projects currently open for conultation that provide opportunities for active transport and in particular, safer cycling. Six draft plans for railway station precincts in the eastern phase of the Suburban Rail Loop project have been released, with active transport integration and planning for networks within 1.6kms of the stations being included. You can read more about it at Bicycle Network as well as find the link for giving feedback. The stations included are Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill.Chapel Street, Stonnington consultation is ongoing with feedback sought from those who live, work or visit Chapel Street. You can have your say on ideas so far and help inform transformation projects now and into the future.The federal government is seeking views on the decarbonisation of all modes of transport , including freight and supply chains, active transport planning, and supporting infrastructure. We know bicycles and cargo bicycles can play a big part here so make sure you have your say on the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan. We also take a look at the Merri-bek Draft Transport Strategy which is out now for comnultation. Take a look and have your say before December 24th if you live, work or travel through Merri-bek. Coming up for those who like to leave the house once in a while; a Streets Alive Darebin meet up for anyone interested in thriving sociable streets that support all modes of movement will be held at the Wesley Anne Beer Garden on Thursday 14th December at 6:30pm. Merri-bek BUG will be offering FREE bike checks, and selling awesome totes together with Brunswick Tool Library at stall B28 & B29 at Coburg Night Market on Friday december 15th from 5:30pm onwards. That's it from us for 2023, Chris will be in the studio next week and we'll see you in the New year on January 8th!

On this weeks program Chris catches up with David Blom from Metro East Bicycle Users Group about what's happening out east, including Box Hill ‘ghost platform’ touted as underground cycling highway, works done on Hawthorn to Box Hill Cycle Trail as part of Level Crossing Removal project, Healesville Freeway Reserve, Syndal to Heatherdale Pipeline, fixing gaps across Melbourne's extensive off road trail network and how people can get involved.Local news includes last weekends Darebin Love E-bikes forum as a 3CR summer special and news from Port Phillip Bicycle Users Group that safe bikes lanes on Inkerman Street need your support, please make your feedback by 7 DecemberProgram musicBike Song, Sleepy DreamersSilver Machine, HawkwindThe Pogues, The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn