Bike-to-Work Day in Melbourne

There was a "Bike-to-Work Day" in Melbourne today. It is Melbourne's 13th Ride-to-Work day. It was the first "Nationa;" Ride-to-Work day in Australia. It is normal for Melbourne to lead the rest of Australia in new worthwhile trends. [Most new trends coming from Sydney are not worthwehile.]


Follow the links to learn more.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/lycra-brigade-descends-on-city/2007/10/17/1192300809630.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pedal-power-pays-as-bike-account-interest-rises/2007/10/16/1192300771163.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/a-ride-to-work-still-too-risky/2007/10/16/1192300771166.html

http://media.theage.com.au/?rid=32477

http://media.theage.com.au/?rid=32475&category=National%20News

From The Age [www.theage.com.au], Melbourne better morning newspaper.


Lycra brigade descends on city
         Jane Holroyd


October 17, 2007 - 10:04AM
       

       
More than 6000 people took advantage of a free breakfast atFederation Square this morning to fill their stomachs after thisyear's Ride to Work Day.

Lycra was an obvious fashion choice, but others donnedpin-stripe suits, shorts or tracksuits for the commute - one manwas spotted wearing a tutu.

Those who arrived at Federation Square between 6.30am and 9amcould also queue for other goods and services, including massagesand hair styling. The student hairdressers were doubling as thehelmet-hair repair crew.
Bicycle Victoria CEO Harry Barber said an estimated 90,000people around Australia had participated in this year's event, with70 community breakfasts dotted around the country.

He said this morning's crowd at Federation Square was thebiggest he had seen since the Ride to Work campaign began about 13years ago.

"About one-third of the people involved in this event are ridingin [to work] for the first time," said Mr Barber.
He said the event was all about encouraging more people to leavetheir cars at home.

"This is like breaking the ice for many people," he said. "Theythen realise [riding] is easier than they thought, that it'squicker and that they actually feel better."

Mr Barber said Bicycle Victoria had surveyed novice Ride to Workparticipants in previous years and found that five months later athird had made cycling to work a habit.

Caren, who rode into the city from Brunswick today, said thecommute was quicker than catching the train. "I might try and do it about two days a week," she said. "It'sOK riding in to work, but a bit more difficult going home."

THE number of cyclists entering central Melbourne has doubled in the past year, according to the first comprehensive study of cycling in the City of Melbourne.

Melbourne City Council's inaugural Bicycle Account summarises cycling trends, behaviour and safety in the CBD and inner suburbs.

A copy of the account obtained by The Age shows:

■ Cyclists account for 8 per cent of all trips in the morning peak, up from 4 per cent last year.

■ On-road cycling increased by 10 per cent and off-road by 20 per cent.

■ Cyclists make up 22 per cent of traffic on St Kilda Road.

The number of cycling accidents is also decreasing. In 2005, there were 155 crashes, dropping to 146 in 2006. In the year so far, only 46 road crashes have been recorded.

Crash figures could be much higher as many incidents go unreported or police are unable to prosecute because cyclists have been thrown from their bikes and cannot identify other vehicles involved.

But only 46 per cent of cyclists surveyed in the data said they felt safe riding in the City of Melbourne and 41 per cent said cyclists observed road rules.

Lord Mayor John So said cycling had become a preferred mode of traffic in the CBD.

"More than half of cyclists surveyed for this initiative described Melbourne as a cycle-friendly city. We want to ensure that even more cyclists share that view in the future," he said.

The study found the number of cyclists using Swanston Street had more than doubled since 1999 and the removal of tourist bus stops on the route is expected to boost growth.

Trails along the Yarra River are still the most favoured commuter routes, with 1600 riders using them in the morning peak — an increase of 33 per cent.

Riders from the west are also on their bikes, with traffic rising by 37 per cent.

Today the popular West Gate punt will reopen to celebrate Ride to Work day.

Yesterday the State Government announced a $1.2 million package to extend seven bike trails in the middle and outer suburbs.

An extra 10 kilometres of riding trails will be created in areas such as Kororoit Creek, Mullum Mullum Creek and the Hallam Valley trail.

Premier John Brumby said with 25,000 riding to work today, the new trails would help create a healthier and cleaner Victoria.

Bicycle Victoria general manager Harry Barber said each path was closely linked to the community and was a practical step to deal with global warming.

Cr So said the Bike Account would be an annual study to assess cyclists' needs.

AS THOUSANDS of new cyclists get on their bike for today's Ride to Work Day, bicycle lobby groups say there are still too many riders being seriously injured or killed on Melbourne's roads.

"It's getting safer, but it's still not good enough," Bicycle Victoria's Harry Barber said.

He cited figures from the 1980s of 30 deaths per year, compared with the current average of seven deaths per year since 2001.

Last year, 12 cyclists were killed on our roads.

The worst site for serious bicycle crashes (that is, those resulting in treatment in hospital) is on Swanston Street, in front of Flinders Street Station.

Since 2000, an average of 12.5 cyclists a year have gone to hospital with serious injuries sustained there.

The mantra from cycling groups in recent years has been to separate riders from cars. To this end, Bicycle Victoria has just received a study by engineers Sinclair Knight Merz recommending the widespread installation across Melbourne of small, raised dividers — similar to those on some roads dividing trams from car lanes.

"The job is to build bike routes that will perform better than what we have at the moment," Mr Barber said.

It's a great idea to ride to work......