YarraBUG

On this weeks program Chris chats to Ruth, a Darebin resident about safer local walking and cycling and how you can support Darebin Councils Streets for People Preston Activity Link that involves Cramer and Gower Street, other projects such as Streets for People Croxton West Place-Making Project, Streets for People (Northcote, Croxton and Thornbury) and improving integration with state government projects like the recently announced better bike links included in four level crossing removals in Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street, and Murray Road, Preston and VicRoads Strategic Cycling CorridorsAlso refer to Change.org petition: Safe pedestrian crossing for Elizabeth Street (between Bell street and Murray road)Ruth suggests that anyone living in near Cramer Street, Preston who supports safer walking and cycling, to attend the next Darebin Council meeting on Monday 26 April 2021 (Agenda of Council Meeting, refer to Item 9.1 Cramer Street (West) on page 982), appear in person, submit a question (Public Questions can be made online by noon on the day of the meeting) and contact Darebin councillors.You can join the Darebin Bicycle Users Group facebook group to stay in touch.Local cycling-themed news includes Yarra Council voting to proceed with southbound seperated bicycle lanes from Brunswick Street to Victoria Parade as a partnership with Department of Transport (Item 8.4 in CoY 20 April 2021 minutes), Victoria finally falling into line with other Australian states and territories with Mandatory minimum passing distances for bicycles and vehicles, Amy Gillett Foundation: A Metre Matters Everywhere, additional updates on Victoria State Government pop-up bike lanes project, news about Darebin-Yarra connectors, St Georges Road Link and a e-scooter trial in three local council areas later in 2021.

Val and Faith are joined in the studio by Michael Hands to chat about the Handmade Bicycle Show coming up May 7-9. Like so many other things, the Handmade Bicycle Show was on hold during 2020 but is now back, in a beautiful new venue, celebrating the craft and passion that goes into building beautiful bicycles. We were planning to also chat about the Dirty Pig and Whistle but were so caught up with the HBS that we ran out of time. Follow the link above and check it out when you have a moment.

On this weeks program Chris chats to Jurgen Heikamp from Dutch Cargo bike about the E Cargo Bike Demo Day at Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy, 10am - 2pm, Sunday 18th April 2021. We also discuss e-cargobikes can do, last kilometre logistics, increased use for local freight, basic technical details, capacity, gearing, distance, charging requirements and what payment options are available as e-bikes can be more expensive than a bike although running costs are equal out when compared to a car,Cycling-themed news includes change of seasons impact upon your riding, France offering financial incentives to change from older cars to e-bikes, quick overview of "Low traffic neighbourhoods: Making fairer, safer, cities" by Rachel Aldred, an example of pedal-powered mobility options from NZ, 30kmph speed limits in Hotham Street with reference to the previous Thanks for 30 campaign (13 August 2018) and the attempt to reinvent a train tunnel in Las Vegas.

On this weeks program Chris chats to Tom Flood from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada about his creative cut through messaging about riding to school with kids, car culture, cycling advocacy, The All-Powerful Bicycle Lobby, aggressive vehicle design and more.Local bicycle-themed news includes a *possible early announcement* about Victoria's long overdue minimum passing distance legislation, Wheel Women on the lookout for more Ride Leaders and Noble Park Dandenong Cycling Club becoming dual state track champions in Team Sprint & Team Pursuit, only two years after the demolition of Maurice Kirby velodrome

Faith and Val chat about the beginning of the European road cycling calendar, bike moments, autumn, Capital City Trail improvements, Southbank and police fining riders, City of Melbourne acclerating cycling infrastructure work, Moreland Council shared zone trials, the huge advertising spent for safety bikes in 1890s and its social impacts, local government support for active transport and Streets Alive Yarra.

On this weeks program, Chris talks to Lena Huda about 30 Please, a campaign to reduce speed limits on Australian streets. Many cities overseas have implemented 30km speed limits to improve resident liveability, access and travel options, Lena discusses why Australia hasn't moved to make our streets friendly and steps you can take to improve our neighbourhoods.Local news includes March4Justice in Melbourne, Brunswick East Primary School drop off & pick up trial and Style over speed ride on Sunday 18 April organised by Bicycle Belle.

Back in the 3CR studio, Chris talks to Liz Kim, General Manager, Mobility at RACV, about Lets Ride Melbourne, a joint project between RACV, GoodCycles, City of Melbourne, City of Yarra, and City of Port Phillip, that has an emphasis upon new, intending riders and includes the arevo app, cycling routes, bike skills workshops, free summer bike assist offer and more.Local news includes yet another Southbank cycling fine blitz from Victoria police where the issue isn't end users, it's the lack of progress improving existing infrastructure due to changed usage, as the area is part of the Capital City Trail. Moreland Bicycle Users Group have their Wonder Women - International Women's Day Ride on Sunday 7th March, starting 2pm at 1 Champ Street, Coburg, event is free but it's essential to register Second interview: Chris talks to Bronwen Kamasz from Environmental Performance Authority about their project Hidden in Plain Sight, exploring how Yarra residents responded to their local area during COVID lockdowns and requesting Yarra cyclists to contribute their observations about living through 250 days of lockdown for upcoming site-specific performances on 27 and 28 March 2021, email: epaperformance[AT]gmail.com

Val and Faith kick off the show with a live crossover to Treasury Gardens where a protest is underway over the State government's continued felling of native trees against scientific advice. We return to the studio to share our bike moments and a coupleof new found pieces of bike literature from Val. Making plans for the autumn we take a look at some gravel events you might want to put in your diary:The Outer Wombat Gravel GrindGravel GiroGrom Pre II de WalchaThe Dirty Pig and Whistle Gravel RideFrostbite Gravel XLas well as an awesome Entry Level Bikepacking weekend run by Melburn Durt.

On this weeks program: after being knocked for six by Fridays COVID19 Stage 4 lockdown, Chris and Steve do a quick workaround in the 'home studio annex' and chat about Heidelberg Road Pop-up lanes in the media, (also refer to Save the Heidelberg Road bike lanes petition and last fortnights program: Talking about Heidelberg Road pop up lanes) bicycle mechanic training in Victoria, alongside ABS 'Miscellaneous Labourers' classification of occupations and history of Canning and Richardson Street intersection works in Carlton North.Local news & events includes Back2Bikes in Port Melbourne have  a Sunday Workshop Manager role available, please contact them directly by 1 March 2021.Yarra Council: Yarra Trail between Burnley and Dight falls, tree pruning is scheduled from 9-3pm on Tues 9 Feb for approximately 10 days. Yarra Valley Water: Sewer main works along Darebin Creek Trail near Sheehan Rd, Heidelberg West from 10-20 February. Works carried out 8am-5pm daily, including night works 17-20 Feb. The trail will remain open at all times.Social rides with RMIT Cycling: Join other RMIT students and get active with social rides with the RMIT Cycling Club fortnightly on Sunday mornings (Beginner) and Tuesday afternoon (Intermediate) exploring some of Melbourne's great cycling paths and routes

Faith and Val are joined in the studio today by Jeremy Lawrence of Streets Alive Yarra. We chat about what Streets Alive do and Infrastructure Victoria's Draft 30 Year Stratgey, out for consultation now.