Star News Group produces community newspapers for local government areas in Melbourne and Geelong, and this week they are the source of a couple of really positive bike-related stories:
Buzy Kidz ride bikez
When Graeme and Sandy Synan decided to make a career change they bought the Buzy Kidz play centre in Mill Park.
Mr Synan said the reason that attracted them to the business is the one that sets it apart from other play centres ñ a traffic education program.
"We are the only play centre in Australia to have a bike track," he said.
"The kids love it."
Mr Synan said the program taught kids from schools all around Melbourne about traffic awareness like stranger danger, seat belts and booster seats. A bike track also allows them to ride around on their bikes.
What a fantastic idea. Although they're a bit far away from my family base, I'm more than happy to plonk down a link to the Buzy Kidz web site.
Business [re]cycle
I can't believe this: a bike recycler is a victim of the business cycle – or perhaps his own enthusiasm?
Spokes and sprockets were once the source of endless joy for Albert Heaney but these days, they are getting between him and his bathroom.
The 83-year-old Newport resident has become a local identity through the second-hand bike "shop" he runs from his front yard, and many a local rider has clocked up kilometres on a bike lovingly restored by Mr Heaney.
But sales have been slow, and Mr Heaney's inventory has grown to the point that a chaotic jumble of bike frames, wheels and parts is impeding movement around his house and yard…
Mr Heaney said he was a hopeless sucker for a cycle in need of some love and attention, and had to accept some responsibility for his overcrowded home.
He told of a trip to a Salvation Army depot recently, to see if the Salvos could relieve him of a few of his beloved bikes. However, one thing led to another and he ended up buying 24 bikes, a purchase of such bulk that he needed to hire a taxi truck to get them home.
Hmm, does that sort of behaviour sound familiar to anyone?
Umm, I don't think Mr Heaney is likely to have a web page but I'm sure you can find him if you want to help clear some of his backlog…