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YarraBUG

Cycling

Yarra Bicycle Users Group promotes urban cycling. Providing support to campaigns to improve cycling conditions and awareness; demystifies cycling technology and helps to reveal the diversity of cyclists, from children to commuters to lobbyists.

Location:

Melbourne, VIC

Description:

Yarra Bicycle Users Group promotes urban cycling. Providing support to campaigns to improve cycling conditions and awareness; demystifies cycling technology and helps to reveal the diversity of cyclists, from children to commuters to lobbyists.

Twitter:

@yarrabike

Language:

English

Contact:

PO Box 1277 Collingwood Melbourne VIC AUSTRALIA 3066 +61 3 9419 8377


Episodes

Making things better: talking advocacy with Ruth Jelley and Paul Baker

3/24/2024
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

Duration:00:31:09

Celebrating fifty plus years with the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club

3/17/2024
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.

Duration:00:29:02

Talking to Cr Sophie Wade & Julian O'Shea

3/10/2024
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

Duration:00:28:09

Catching up on the Revitalise Sydney Road campaign

3/3/2024
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.

Duration:00:30:18

Critical Mass goes west + Build the Franco Cozzo Link

2/25/2024
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

Duration:00:31:16

Council Election Changes 2024

2/18/2024
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.

Duration:00:29:37

Supporting the Gig Workers Hub

2/11/2024
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"

Duration:00:30:36

Freedom Solutions Transforming Lives

2/4/2024
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/

Duration:00:29:23

Two birders, two bikes, one school, seven hundred birds

1/28/2024
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

Duration:00:29:30

Catch up on news from the summer break

1/7/2024
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.

Duration:00:28:29

E-bike Q & A, Darebin Loves Bikes 3

12/31/2023
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

Duration:00:31:54

E-bike Q & A, Darebin Loves Bikes 2

12/24/2023
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

Duration:00:29:48

E-bike Q & A, Darebin Loves Bikes 1

12/17/2023
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

Duration:00:31:02

Have your say! Current opportunities to provide feedback on active transport

12/10/2023
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!

Duration:00:28:35

Making connections for active transport in Melbourne's East

12/3/2023
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

Duration:00:32:28

Good Cycles - Ten years and counting!

11/26/2023
Faith and Val are joined by Adam Lana of Good Cycles in the studio today to talk about Good Cycles first ten years and what's to be expected in the next ten. First we all share our bike moments before taking a look at some news including: Yarra Councillors endorsing an expansion of the 30 km/hr speed limit trial to all streets in Fitzroy and Collingwood, excluding Johnston Street, subject to State Government approval and funding. And Merri-bek Council rolling out 40km/h speed limits on all local roads across the city, planned since 2010. Adam tells us how Good Cycles has changed since it's creation in 2013, the challenges in finding programs that honour the 'good' at the heart of the organisation while ensuring the NFP's ongoing success and the rewards in working to empower people, especially younger people, to find their place in the world.

Duration:00:28:22

Make your mark with BikeSpot

11/19/2023
On this weeks program Chris talks to Anthony Aisenberg about the BikeSpot project, it's origins, why it's worthwhile to map data, receiving feedback about unsafe locations, crashstats, community input, previous projects in 2016 and 2020, improving active transport infrastructure, receiving 20,000 submissions since BikeSpot opened and how to make your feedback about any location on the mapLocal news includes following up from last fortnights chat with Harrison Watt about protected kerbside lanes for Johnston Street with Critical Mass Johnston Street + CM 28th Birthday Ride, 5.30pm Friday 24 November, State Library, naarm, Melbourne, Yarra Council voting for 30km/h speed limit in Fitzroy and Collingwood, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police badly framed comments regarding Yarra's decision and E-bike Q & A - Darebin Loves Bikes, at Preston Library, 1pm - 2:30pm, Sunday 3 December 2023.Program musicCycling Is Fun – Shonen Knifefilous: Bicycle feat. klei

Duration:00:29:44

Framework Designs & a RAR Gear Library!

11/12/2023
Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Tia Evans of Framework Designs. We all share our bike moments before moving on to talk about Tia's business Framework Designs, making handcrafted cycling bags for both commuting and bikepacking. After five years growing her business Tia has just moved to a new wharehouse in Fairfield and enjoys one of the most pictureqque commutes possible in the middle of a big city. Tia is also hosting the new Radical Adevnture Riders Australia Gear Library at her wharehouse. The RAR Australia Gear Library aims to address the inaccessibility of bikepacking amongst BIPOC, women, queer, trans, and nonbinary riders. If you have bikepacking gear you can donate check the guide for whats needed, what can't be donated and how and where to drop off your donation. And while we didn't have time to mention it live on air, don't forget that the next Critical Mass is coming up on Friday November 24th and will highlight the need for protected bike lanes on Johnstone Street (as well as celebrating twenty-eight years of Critical Mass in Melbourne) . You can sign the petition for protected bike lanes on Johnstone Street here: Protected Bike Lanes for Johnstone Street.

Duration:00:28:26

Community campaign for Johnston Street protected lanes

11/5/2023
On this week program Chris talks to Harrison Watt about the community campaign to get protected kerbside lanes build on Johnson Street from Kew to Carlton, signing the change.org petition and following the campaign on instagramNews includes the perennial question of when will all levels of government deal with road violence, possible slow down in infrastructure investment and spending, benefits of active transport investment, getting involved in local politics, Critical Mass North and the new national BikeSpot project which has received 15000 submissions since it opened for feedbackProgram musicBike Song - Sleepy DreamersAlright - TychoBicycle - filous feat. klei

Duration:00:32:19

Tommy Quick & cycling to the four most extreme points of Australia

10/29/2023
Val and Faith are joined in the studio today by Tommy Quick who has just finished cycling the four most extreme points of Australia. We all share our bike moments, and as you might expect, Tommy's was a bit more epic than the rest! We take a look at some news, including a report in The Guardian over the weekend detailing how Australia's road toll has risen over the past twelve months, particulalry for those on bikes. Followed by the City of Yarra's consultation on Wellington Street, make sure you have your say!We also catch up on the Critical Mass North held on last Friday which saw over 200 people riding to raise awareness for safer infrstcructure for cyclists in Darebin and Yarra. Check out some of the highlights at this thread. Tommy tells us the inspiration behind his challenge to ride to the four most extreme points of Australia, after he suffered a stroke at twelve years old. Discovering that staying active helped him manage the challenges he faced physically and mentally, he set himself the goal of walking the Kokoda Trail before investing in a tricycle and looking for his next challenge. Cycling over 9000kms on his recumbent tricycle Tommy's challenge was made even more difficult after he was hit by a car in 2021 and needed extensive rehabilitation to carry on his journey. So far he has raised over $100,000.00 to raise awareness of young stroke for the Stroke Foundation but you still have time to make a donation yourself! As usual we run out of time far too soon! You can follow Tommy's journey at the4points.org and find all of his social media links there too. Heads up: Tommy is hosting a fundraiser in Moonee Ponds on MOvember 11th. All the details here.

Duration:00:30:06