The other day I saw a brand-new, Bicycle Victoria-approved train station bike cage:
While they are not something I'm likely to use (I'd only be at the train station because I can't ride at all for some reason), they are an initiative that might help get people into utility cycling.
The cage does look pretty sturdy, and I'd probably be comfortable leaving a knock-about clunker in there—which is the point, I guess. This one has six Flat Top parking rails and seven Ned Kelly rails, which by my reckoning is parking for 19 bikes—a modest improvement over the half-dozen bike lockers previously (and still) on the site.
Just one reservation though—I sincerely hope security gets beefed-up before this cage is opened for use!
| Mini-padlock: | $1 at Clint's Crazy Bargains |
| Lightweight chain: | $2.50 per metre at Bunnings |
| Security WTF: | priceless… |
(Yes, yes—I do know that it's temporary and the cage will have an access card reader installed before it goes into operation.)
Comments
These are a great innovation. Patronage varies from site to site but there is no doubt there is a great need in some places. For example, the one at Hoppers Crossing is continually packed out. Swipe card convenience and if you lose your card, a 24 hr number to call to get the door opened, gives good security. Just their presence advertises cycling and East Malvern Station is a major cycling hub and a zone 1 station, so it's a well chosen location. It's also worth noting you can leave a bike there all the time, so you can have a bike available when you arrive at your destination, for those that work near the station.
The Boroondara Bicycle Users Group (BBUG) backed a Local Area Access Program - see link - (LAAP) funding application made by Stonnington Council for this immediate area but nothing has come of it so far. We are still trying to have SCC agree to a path along the M1 on the golf course - the "Golfers Choice", see link - which would provide further bike access to this same station. We encourage local readers to come to the East Malvern Station footbridge opening (mid-late August) to show Government that we need more of this sort of infrastructure. It's suggested a minister may make some sort of announcement, so we hope for more breadcrumbs.