YarraBUG

On this weeks program, Chris speaks to Alice Prior from Parent's Voice about their recent poll that found 94 per cent of Australian parents support greater government investment in infrastructure so parents and children can safely walk, cycle and scoot to school. We chat about the things anyone can do to improve moving about their suburb and future changes needed for happier, healthy communities.Cycling-themed news: Victoria deals with the heartbreak and complexities of Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions until mid September, while in better news, Boris Johnsons UK government recently launched a £2 billion package for cycling and walking, which includes 150 miles of protected cycle track, bicycles to be prescribed on the NHS and more.

Faith and Val are recording from home again duirng Melbourne's Lockdown 2.0. In this episode of the Yarra BUG Radio Show we share our bike moments before heading back in time to inner city Sydney of the 1970s. Our guest this week is Warren Salomon, publisher of Freewheeling Magazine. Freewheeling Magazine was published between 1977 and 1989 and Warren describes how not only did the magazine doument the bike politics and bike tours of the day but how most of those involved with the magazine were actively engaged in  trying to change the world! We talk about the Geelong Bike Plans, Alan Parker, touring routes across Australia, the representation of women in the magazine and the transition from a 'lefty' passion project to a commercial publication. Check out digitised Freewheeling Magazine issues here and the Freewheeling archive on instagram.

Due to Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions we are returning to recording remote (under cat supervision) but still broadcasting on 3CR! This week Chris bails up Steve to discuss his latest tubeless wheelset acquisition and an introduction to if tubeless tyres are a feasible option for commuters & off road riding. Local news includes the global increase in cycling due to COVID-19 with The Humble Bicycle on Rear Vision (Radio National), make your feedback to Your Say Yarra (Making Space in Yarra) for a new bike lane for Park Street, Fitzroy North and Possible temporary closure of Trenerry Crescent, Clifton Hill.This weeks interview is with David Blom from Metro East Bicycle User Group with a catch up about the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail project, including AECOM consultants report and Metro East BUGs feedback to the process to improve existing and new connections including Ringwood to Croydon and the Main Yarra Trail. David mentions that shared paths in south east Melbourne being heavily used during Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions including Box Hill to Ringwood and Eastlink trails. David also discusses the Anniversary Trail, Djerring Trail, new sections of the Yarra Rail Trail and improved walking and cycling infrastructure with the Level Crossing Removal Project.

Val and Faith are back producing the program remotely from two different suburbs. This week's program is a patchwork of cycling and we kick off as usual with a reading from Val and our bike moments. Val is enjoying bike moments in his local park while Faith's rides through the Wombat forest have been marred by news of mining exploration there. If you enjoy the serenity then consider this petition to stop the mining. We take a quick look at local news including the Covid19 response from Moreland Council last week approving $2.4 million of pedestrian and cycling projects. This week Faith managed to catch up with Anthony Aisenberg of CrowdSpot about the BikeSpot 2020 project. Now that the 2020 data collection project has finished Anthony takes us through some of the key findings and why data on perceptions of safety amongst cyclists is so useful. You can take a look at the final project report here or check out the interactive map here. We finish up with a literary interlude from Val.

Since April 2020 YarraBUG Radio has done a series of interviews on supporting safe movement for active travel and public health initiatives due to the COVID19 epidemic including Cr Rohan Leppert (City of Melbourne), Cr Jackie Fristacky (Yarra City Council), Dan Kneipp, CEO (Amy Gillett Foundation), Sam Hibbins MP (Victorian Greens Transport spokeperson), Megan Sharkey and Dr Ben Beck about #SpaceForHealth and Philip Mallis offer to assist riders plan their journeys. On todays program, Chris and Steve conduct a critique on Yarra City Councils meeting on 23 June 2020 about their COVID-19 Response Trials for a proposed fast rollout of trial vehicle diversions, bike lane extensions and walking circuits. Please feel free to provide additional feedback and make a useful nuisance of yourself at Making Space in Yarra.At their July meeting, Moreland Council are considering additional infrastructure due to COVID19 concerns. Read minutes here regarding items for Safe Movement of Pedestrians and Cyclists - COVID-19 Response and Removal of car parking spaces to support cycling infrastructure. Do you walk or ride the Capital City Trail/Linear Reserve in North Fitzroy/Carlton and would like to see improved lighting in the area? If so please email Mark at Open Space ASAP in support.

On this weeks program Chris returns to the 3CR studio after a looooong time away recording in the front room under the supervision of several cats. News includes Yarra City Councils COVID19 Response Trials location and concept plans, Leisure and Walking Circuits, Carlton North LAPM Scheme Draft Recommendations and the speedy delivery of temporary seperated bicycle lanes on Elizabeth Street, Richmond.Moreland Bicycle Users Group are asking for public support on a failed promise to construct seperated infrastructure on Cumberland Street (scroll down for newsletter), Pascoe Vale and more Yarra City Council news with upgrade works for Gipps St /Collins Bridge that could be a mess if not correctly sign posted as earthworks are occuring at Walmer Street Bridge just around the corner.This weeks guest is Cr Rohan Leppert, we discuss City of Melbourne plans to fast-track the delivery of 40 kilometres of bike lanes to help people travel safely and support city businesses to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.Melbourne City Greens: Climate Coronavirus and congestion: a transport revolution: The climate emergency hasn’t stepped aside for the pandemic. This unprecedented expenditure on active transport is only a start, but it’s the start we need if we are serious about planning a sustainable city of the future. Let’s do this.It's 3CR June Station Appeal time: we know many of you are doing it tough. So this call-out for donations is for those of you who can afford it. If you can, please dig deep to ensure that 3CR stays alive and thrives. You'll also keep Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio on 3CR on-air as there's not many (if any?) dedicated cycling radio programs like us in Australia!

Read here History Ride      The Man with Rubber Pedals makes a return as do the tactics of the NYPD in regards to the bicycle. One as a target of confiscation, the other an armour-plated battering ram.   I have uploaded a copy of a CM ride from 2003. Melbourne's Hidden History. Many thanks to Justin Mansfield for a copy, not much has changed.    Photo  Tawntime in Lightfootlaund  Don Ash   #dogsofburnleypark.

On this weeks program Chris talks to Cr Jackie Fristacky (Yarra City Council) and Dan Kneipp, CEO (Amy Gillett Foundation).Jackie Fristacky discusses what actions Yarra Council are doing to support active transport and local businesses during COVID19 including pop-ups for businesses and potential changed use of Park Street in Carlton North to ease pressure on the Capital City Trail/Linear Park. Watch the upcoming Yarra Council meeting on 23 June 2020 for a officers report update.As the new AGF CEO, Dan Kneipp speaks about #TempBikeLanes campaign, supporting cycling initiatives during and beyond COVID19 ("No Lycra in sight: Why more women aren't cycling or walking"), AGFs recent youGov survey results ("Almost nine-in-10 Australians support pop up bike lane plan"), his observations on Australian cycling advocacy and responding to criticism of the foundation.  It's 3CR June Station Appeal time: we know many of you are doing it tough. So this call-out for donations is for those of you who can afford it. If you can, please dig deep to ensure that 3CR stays alive and thrives. You'll also keep Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio on 3CR on-air as there's not many (if any?) dedicated cycling radio programs like us in Australia!

On this weeks show Chris talks to Sam Hibbins, member for Prahran and Victorian Greens Transport spokeperson, about immediate need for new cycling infrastructure, funding and building a safe bike network that creates jobs and supports physical distancing during the COVID19 pandemic as part of the Green New Deal.  As cities across the world quickly  implement cycling infrastructure, the Victorian state government continues to do nothing, despite a massive boom with cycling across Australia.News includes VicRoads Sydney Road report that illustrates that users support parking removal for protected bicycle lanes, the report was made public after a Freedom of Information request by The Age, The Conversation: Coronavirus is a ‘sliding doors’ moment. What we do now could change Earth’s trajectory and Sensible Transport Institute "Keeping public transport safe under COVID-19 restrictions" as the threat of COVID-19 has caused the largest shift in travel behaviour in living memory.

On this weeks show Chris talks to Sam Hibbins, member for Prahran and Victorian Greens Transport spokeperson, about immediate need for new cycling infrastructure, funding and building a safe bike network that creates jobs and supports physical distancing during the COVID19 pandemic as part of the Green New Deal.  As cities across the world quickly  implement cycling infrastructure, the Victorian state government continues to do nothing, despite a massive boom with cycling across Australia.News includes VicRoads Sydney Road report that illustrates that users support parking removal for protected bicycle lanes, the report was made public after a Freedom of Information request by The Age, The Conversation: Coronavirus is a ‘sliding doors’ moment. What we do now could change Earth’s trajectory and Sensible Transport Institute "Keeping public transport safe under COVID-19 restrictions" as the threat of COVID-19 has caused the largest shift in travel behaviour in living memory.