While the big news (and the big crowds) were down at Federation Square for Ride To Work Day, the event has triggered some great inititiatives. Here are just the few that I've heard about, I'm sure there were more.
Ride To Work Day, weekly edition
The Bega District News reports that a "bike bus" of about 20 riders pedalled from Tahtra to Bega on RTWD. It was so successful that the Sapphire Coast BUG are planning to make it a weekly event.
Let's hope that idea really takes off.
Cycling School Bus
Melbourne Indymedia noted that a quieter breakfast was held in Coburg for RTWD, with schoolkids commuting with Moreland's cycling school "bus" in attendance.
Have you noticed the terrible traffic jams that occur outside primary schools at the start and end of each work day? Yes, its mum or occasionally dad or the grandparents dropping off the kids at school in the family car. Meanwhile, the health of many children is suffering from obesity and lack of exercise.
What a bloody marvellous idea!
Cardinia's Bike Strategy
And Cr Bill Ronald, mayor of Cardinia Shire, took the opportunity to announce that a somewhat neglected bike strategy will be pulled out of "the bottom drawer":
The mayor said the council should be doing more to encourage people to leave cars at home and get out on their bikes more often.
Cr Ronald vowed to take a lead in delivering initiatives outlined in a bike strategy prepared by council some years ago…
This is not going to just be another talkfest,he said.
Weíve already got the strategy, I want to get the local experts together to help identify which aspects of the strategy are more important than others.
Sounds good. But did he really make the announcement from the seat of a pennyfarthing?!? Not really a practical commuter vehicle, that.
Comments
The cycling school bus is a wonderful idea I agree.
I think I saw one on RTWD going along the Yarra trail. I think it would be good to address parents fears about kids riding to school.
No such fears were held for one kid I saw riding without a helmet hands free on the Nepean highway at 3:45 yesterday afternoon!