chain mail Bike orth inc No. 41 July 2005 http://www.bikenorth.org.au/ Chain Mail [email protected] Contents Money Gone! What is the Cost(a)? YYouou tthoughthought iitt waswas ttough,ough, llivingiving tthehe cyclingcycling llifeife iinn ccarar ddominatedominated SSydney.ydney. BBadad Money Gone! What is the Cost(a)? 1 nnewsews - iitsts ggoingoing ttoo ggetet a wwholehole llotot wworseorse uunlessnless YYOU,OU, EEVERYONE,VERYONE, ttakesakes aactionction NNOW.OW. Bike North Wins Grant 2 WHAT HAPPENED? Winter riding 3 The NSW State Budget slashed the funding for cycling over 50% for 2005/6, with the major impact felt in implementing BikePlan 2010. There will be no construction work on the regional Events 3 cycleway network this fi nancial year and totally inadequate funding for design work, putting future years construction at threat. There is also the distinct possibility that this cut will continue into Bike North AGM & Picnic 3 future years. The General Manager, Bicycles and Pedestrian position at the RTA has been abolished, derogating 4th BN Century Challenge Review 4 our voice and infl uence, within the RTA. Making Cycling Better 5 WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? Ministerial direction. We have been fortunate for over six years to have a champion for cycling Bike Maintenance & Repair 7 in State Government, Minister Scully. While his priority was the Western Suburbs, he did achieve kilometres of recreational cycleway which we enjoy on our social rides. Just as the focus of Bike North Members Survey 8 BikePlan 2010 is moving to our northern areas and routes more useful for everyday cycling, we are now under the direction of Minister Costa who appears to have an antipathy to cycling, or Bike Even Norther – The at least to spending money on cycling facilities. Newcastle Weekend 8 HOW DOES THIS AFFECT US? With no money, regional routes that were scheduled for design and construction cannot move Book Review – Zinn’s Cycling Primer 9 forward. At best, this signifi cantly delays, or more likely, puts in great doubt the critical northern routes. The RTA had already developed concepts for high quality designs the following routes How to Deal With Bad Dogs 10 from BikePlan 2010 : • Sydney Harbour Bridge to Chatswood (2004) Rides Calendar 11 • Macquarie Uni Connections (connecting to Epping Road Cycleway) (2004) • Eastwood to Concord Rail Trail (2004) • Chatswood to Gladesville (2005) The Editor PO Box 719 In addition proposed unfunded improvements to the Lane Cove Tunnel, cycleway such as a high Gladesville NSW 1675 level cycleway over Flat Rock Gully, Naremburn have no chance to go ahead . Editor: John R Lee We can expect the Gore Hill and Epping Road Cycleways to proceed since this is part of an approved project, under contract to be funded and built by private enterprise. BUT it will simply Design: Keith Griffi n end at Merremburn Ave, Naremburn, in the middle of the freeway with no place to go. Similarly, in North Ryde cyclists will be dumped at Wicks Rd, with no continuing access to Macquarie The views expressed in Chain Mail Park and the University. This is despite written assurances from Minister Scully that the original articles are those of the authors only deadline for the Sydney Harbour Bridges routes was being postponed from 2004 to come on line together with the these Lane Cove Tunnel cycle works. and do not necessarily represent either the common views shared by We can also expect little support from Minister Costa when Hills Motorway decides to take out a majority of Bike North members the bike lane on the M2. Minister Scully was on record as saying he was “reluctant to allow the or Bike North policy as formulated motorway to be widened” and that he was “committed to protecting those (bicycle) facilities”. by the Bike North Executive How likely is it that Minister Costa will stand by that support? Committee. Chain Mail SO, WHAT CAN I DO? Member for Ryde you ideas for writing letters. Look out for WRITE!! The Hon. John Watkins, MP upgrades in email-news. For those not on Ground Floor, 123 Blaxland Road, internet – try to buddy up with someone Write letters to Minister Costa, Premier Ryde NSW 2112 who is and fi nd out what’s available. Carr, your local Member of Parliament, daily Email: [email protected] newspapers and your local media. Write to IS THERE ANY GOOD NEWS? Member for Willoughby anyone you think could help. Over the next few years, it may not appear Ms Gladys Berejiklian, MP so grim, with several high quality cycleways WHERE DO I START? 280 Willoughby Road, in the pipeline. Next year the 40km • Be polite and project a positive image . Naremburn NSW 2065 entirely grade separated Western Orbital Minister Costa thinks we’re all ratbags; Email: [email protected] Cycleway from Prestons to Baulkham Hills Show him and everyone else we Member for North Shore will offer opportunities for more extended are ordinary people who want the recreational cycling. Later the Gore Hill and option to cycle for transport and/or Mrs Jillian Skinner, MP Epping Road Cycleways will make a huge recreation. Suite 3 Bangalla House, 65 Military Road, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 difference for those who need to travel • Express your concern at the budget Email: [email protected] between North Ryde and Naremburn. But cuts and/or axing of the management without an adequate budget now, there will Member for Lane Cove position and ask that these be be nothing to come after. reversed. Mr Anthony Roberts, MP • State one positive cycling fact – that’s PO Box 524, easy. Its good for the environment, Gladesville NSW 2111 Bike North Wins our heath, our communities. Take your Email: [email protected] Government Grant pick. Member for Ku-ring-gai In March 2005, Bike North applied to the • Tell them what you want – the Minister Mr Barry O’Farrell, MP Federal Government for a grant under the to reverse his decision, increase funding, 27 Redleaf Avenue, Volunteer Small Equipment Grants scheme. the Premier and other members Wahroonga NSW 2076 Under the scheme, funding of $3 million had of parliament to advocate on your Email: barry.o’[email protected] been allocated to help Australia’s volunteers behalf. Member for Hornsby carry on with their vital work. Grants of up • Be brief – keep to one page and keep Mrs Judy Hopwood, MP to $3000 each aim to encourage and support it to the point. If you have more to say, PO Box 1687 volunteers by enabling organisations to write again. Hornsby Westfi eld NSW 1687 purchase equipment that contributes • Write often. Email: [email protected] to making volunteering activities easier, safer and/or more enjoyable. With over Member for Epping WHERE DO I SEND MY LETTERS? 10,000 applications lodged, only 2100 were Its best to send letters by snail mail, but email Mr Andrew Tink, MP successful. PO Box 33 is better than none. Bike North was one of the successful Epping NSW 1710 applicants due largely to the effort of our WRITE TO THE MINISTER Email: [email protected] Advocacy Offi cer Carolyn New who put The Hon. Michael Costa, MLC Member for Davidson together a winning submission, with some Minister for Roads Mr Andrew Humpherson, MP assistance from other members of the Level 31 Governor Macquarie Tower PO Box 209 Executive. 1 Farrer Place Sydney NSW 2000 Lindfi eld NSW 2070 Bike North received a grant for $2780 for Email: [email protected] Email: andrew.humpherson@parliament. the purchase of a notebook computer and WRITE TO THE PREMIER nsw.gov.au word processing software. The computer will support minute taking at our executive, The Hon. Robert Carr, MP For other members of parliament see committee and workgroup meetings Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/ which will be a valuable time saver. It will 1 Farrer Place Sydney NSW 2000 parlment/members.nsf/V3Home or check also be used as an advocacy tool, with Email: [email protected] out the White Pages (Parliament of NSW). presentations, documents, pictures, copies WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL MEMBER To fi nd out your electorate see http://www. of the Bike North website. seo.nsw.gov.au or ring the State Electoral All this will now be available for meetings The following members of parliament are Offi ce on 9200 5999. responsible for electorates in the North with councils, the RTA, and politicians. The laptop will also be used at the Bike North Sydney region. Look for your local member’s HOW CAN BIKE NORTH HELP YOU ? stalls at the many community events we contact details. Our web site is being progressively updated attend each year. with sample letters and references to give No. 41 July 2005 page 2 Chain Mail events Bike North Events AGM & Picnic Diary Dates Bike North Annual Genreal Meetign & Picnic: Sunday August 21, Putney Park. Sunday 21 August Bike North Executive meetings: The Bike North Annual General 5 July 2005 (Tuesday) Meeting and picnic is on again - on Sunday 21 August. 2 Aug 2005 (Tuesday) This year the event will be held at All Executive meetings are held at St Johns Church Library, Cox’s Road North Ryde, and start at Putney Park on the river at Putney. 7:30pm. All members are welcome. Roll up from 11am, ready for the Working Group Meetings: formal part of the day, which starts 12 July 2005 (Tuesday) – Ryde WG at 12 noon and the BYO picnic lunch afterwards. All Ryde Working Group meetings are held at the Eastwood Womens Rest Centre (behind the library, Hillview Road, Eastwood) and start at 7:30pm.