Slow news day in Melbourne: Bicycle registration and other Bullshit

From todays Age: My comments will be in brackets. But I will start with the observation that if the cyclist depicted put a set of panniers and or a rack pack on the rack that number plate would be completly obscured!

A growing army of cyclists want to be free to ride free. But some drivers say it’s time they paid a rego fee

• Reid Sexton
• April 12, 2009

There have been calls to charge cyclists a registration fee to help pay for the State Government’s $115 million bike strategy, and to help identify rogue cyclists. Photo: Justin McManus

 

ASK Harry Barber if he thinks cyclists should pay a registration fee to ride their bikes and he is straight to the point.

It would be ridiculous, the Bicycle Victoria chief says, to tax transport that costs less to fund than other modes and contributes virtually nothing to carbon emissions.

But recent talk suggests the boom in cycling is accompanied by a similar rise in people who think cyclists should have to pay — and be held accountable — for their time on the road.

In February, 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell called for a registration fee or tax at the point of sale to help pay for the State Government’s new $115 million bike strategy (Mitchell has not heard about second had bikes or custom building).

His call echoed that of then Federal Opposition spokesman on sports, Pat Farmer, who last year said cyclists should pay registration to fund infrastructure and safety campaigns (Neil Mitchell is a Victorian and probably is not aware that Pat Farmer made his statements as a diversion from the fact that he had moved from his electorate in Campbelltown – a working class electorate he only just held onto in the middle of a landslide election. In the end the diversion did not work with Farmer set to leave politics at the end of the parliamentary term – good ridance to bad rubbish!)

The latest Transport Accident Commission data shows that in the five years to 2007, the number of cyclists lodging successful claims after an accident with motorised transport rose significantly each year while the number of other claims plateaued or fell.

In 2003, 3.6 per cent of approved claims for taxpayer assistance for medical bills came from cyclists. By 2007, cyclists made up 5.4 per cent of approved claims.

This figure is roughly in line with the boom that led to around 22,000 people riding to work at the time of the 2006 census, a rise of around 50 per cent in five years.

All indicators suggest that number has grown steadily since then, but the issue of medical funding is not the only one that has people thinking cyclists should pay for their road use.

A survey commissioned last month by car insurer Budget Direct found 50 per cent of Melbourne motorists surveyed supported the introduction of a cyclist registration fee (with claims from cyclists against them rising I guess they had to use some sort of spin to try to attack cycling and possibly drum up new motorists for their insurance business).

Some who want cyclists registered said bike riders should pay for infrastructure costs like other road users, but most said cyclists should be registered so they could be identified if they broke road rules (Like the motorists who steal number plates so they can steal petrol no doubt!).

Budget Direct spokeswoman Richelle Ward said drivers were tired of putting up with cyclists who regularly flouted the law but could not be reported. “A lot of people feel very strongly about this,” she said.

“It’s nothing sinister but a lot of people are saying they get nervous when bicycles do silly things on the road … they feel cyclists should be held accountable (with successful claims indicating that the motorist was at fault some thing tells me that Richell should stop attacking cyclists).

“The problem isn’t (children) on the road. It’s when cyclists are ducking in and out of traffic and running red lights.”

Victoria Police defended its record of catching errant cyclists, saying it was not aware of issues regarding identification of cyclists who commit road offences.

Harry Barber concedes a minority of cyclists break the law but said better enforcement rather than better identification would solve the problem. “Enforcement is a job for police, (not motorists),” he said.

“This is not a matter of passing a lot of laws that aren’t enforced.

“The police have plenty of laws that they can enforce but they have other priorities and are pretty busy.”

Mr Barber said most cyclists were also motorists and so already funded the TAC through car registration fees.

But he said if non-drivers were asked to provide TAC funding then it would have to extend to pedestrians and public transport users, because they were also at risk of being injured by a car.

Mr Barber said cycling infrastructure provided taxpayers with value for money by moving more people for less cost than other transport modes.

He cited the recent safety upgrade of bike lanes on Rathdowne Street in Carlton — which has boosted the number of riders who use it by 100 a day — for $150,000.

This is a fraction of what it would cost to get a comparable number of people on buses or moving through Melbourne’s congested road network by car, he said. “Asking cyclists to pay is having it exactly the wrong way around,” he said.

“The saving that using a bike delivers (to taxpayers) is enormous … then there are the climate and health benefits.”

But in Brisbane, the idea of using cyclist registration fees to fund bicycle infrastructure appears to be gaining pace.

Last week, just under half of 400 cyclists surveyed said they would support a licensing scheme, with most saying their support would be withdrawn if the money was not put towards creating better bike paths.

The survey organiser said it showed that people were now prepared to pay to ride if it meant guaranteeing their safety.

Cyclist James Storer, 34, rides his bike to work most days from Carnegie to South Melbourne.

He would back a bike levy of around $200 but only if it funded education campaigns to improve the relationship between cyclists and motorists (A voluntary $200 donation the the Amy Gillett Foundaton could achieve the same thing).

His friend and fellow cyclist Nathan Gallacher said only a nominal fee would be appropriate, and even then only for identification purposes.

“If you look at the damage to roads and the environment caused by cars … a bike does zero damage in comparison.”

A VicRoads spokesman said it did not have the resources to make bicycle registration a viable option.

The Amy’s Ride Albury report (Contribution to A Grand for Charity = 124 km)

 

 

 

 

On Friday the 7^th of March, I went to Albury for the Amy’s Ride Albury. This ride was held as part of the Multisport Albury City (MAC) event held over 2 weeks. My brother in law gave me a bike rack for the car and I used it successfully to get to the Tour De Hills, so it would be interesting to see how it would work for the 553 km trip to Albury. I decided to give myself 3 weeks off work to wind down and so decided to include the Amy’s Ride Albury and the Big Canberra Bike Ride in the first week with the Mt Cootha Challenge in Qld, being a possibility for the next week.

The ride was in support of the Amy Gillett Foundation which raises money to promote safe cycling and foster and promote better relationships between drivers and cyclists. The Foundation is named after Amy Gillett, a professional cyclist who was killed while training with the Australian Women’s Cycling Team.

There was a choice of either a 124 km ride or a 40 km ride. Both of these rides took the riders over the Victorian Border. I chose to do the 124 km ride. I left Sydney at about 09:30 after collecting a baby swing my mother bought for my nephew on ebay. I drove down the Hume Highway and found to my surprise that the petrol for the drive cost less than the rail or air fares. Earlier that week I had booked myself a hotel room at the Astor Hotel Motel. When I got there I found that I had been there before when I did a road trip to Melbourne. The drive was relatively uneventful even though as with the drive to Castle Hill it took longer than advised by the whereis.com. I found the approach to Albury has changed heaps when I arrived – there is now a bypass of the town centre.

I found my way to the Astor and unpacked the car. I then walked to the town centre and got some breakfast cereal and other supplies. I found that the service in café’s etc was slow. So I wound up having a meal in my room. I watched the first quarter of the Essendon versus Collingwood game and then retired for the night. I wound up finding that the band playing in the Hotel part of the Astor and the subsequent brawling by some of the patrons kept me awake for part of the night.

In the morning I got myself up and packed the car. I got myself ready and double checked the directions I had been given to Noreuil Park. Fortunately I had been given a map of the town and checked my directions as I would have been sent on a wild goose chase and nearly wound up back on the Hume. Fortunately I found the park, unfortunately I wound up missing the start. There were two other riders with me, I went out to try and catch up with the ride. However I wound up having to return to the park, where I collected my registration and got a briefing on where the route. I fully expected to be told that I was going to wind up doing the 40 km ride. If I had I would have copped it on the chin and done the 40 km ride (it would have been a good excuse to go up to the Central Coast and do the Loop the Lake the next day!) However the organisers arranged for the car that was to be following the ride to wait for me over on the causeway over the boarder at Wodonga.

 

After getting my number pinned on I rode all out to catch up with the other riders. I found the support car and went through the back roads through Wodonga in hot pursuit of the other riders. Just outside Wodonga the support driver offered to drive me up to the rest of the riders but I turned him down. I rode on through Bandiana and the back roads towards Tallangatta when I finally caught the last two riders and passed a guy who it turned out had broken a spoke in his rear wheel.

I said hello to the two tail end riders and we discussed the reasons for our lateness. All of us had not been to Albury for a while and had no idea where Noreuil Park was. We settled in and became the back of the pack group. When we got to a community hall that was open so we could use the toilets we stopped and used the loos and introduced ourselves. My riding companions were Irene and Chris from Melbourne. Chris had been on the Great Escapade and we exchanged stories of the start at Lithgow. Irene works at a gaming venue in Melbourne. We were about to head off, when we found the kittens from a neighbouring house. It turns out there were 11 of them and Chris and Irene are cat lovers.

We finally headed off and rode as a group. I discussed cycling in Sydney with Irene as we proceeded through Kergunyah 

towards Hume Weir.The ride went through the back roads, we passed some local cyclists either commuting or touring. The attitude demonstrated by drivers in Northern Victoria was a stark contrast to the attitude of New South Wales motorists. We were given space and were passed by cars at slow speeds. We rode through the cattle country which included a sprinkling of orchards and horse studs. We rode past Latchford Barracks and onto the halfway point. Before we got to Hume Weir Chris and Irene went to a service station for food while I rode on. I rode across the weir and into New South Wales. I met the rotary volunteers and refilled my water bottles and had some of the fruit and energy bars there. It turned out that one of the volunteers lived at Sydenham and was familiar with my neighbourhood. We were joined by Chris and Irene, who claimed that the service station also doubled as a bottle shop. The usual jokes about alchol went around. We restocked on energy gels which became useful in the hills that were to come.

We headed off and followed the lake to a bridge where we crossed into Victoria again at Bethanga. I there were some small hills but these were easy compared to the gap. I finally got backed to Talgarno and went for a toilet stop. While I was there Chris and Irene caught up, we discussed the ride and were warned about the two cattle grids which we would encounter on the return route to Albury. After we freshened up we began our ride back into NSW.

We headed back across the bridge. We followed rode back to Doctors Point and then followed of the Riverina Highway to the outskirts of Albury. We turned off into residential streets which lead to a road that lead through and industrial estate and lead under the bypasses. The road followed the Murray after which we were diverted through residential streets to the Kiewa street and then onto Murray street for the entry to Noreuil Park. Collin had caught up with Chris and Irene and lead them into the park but I was too far ahead and wound up riding in to the park at the tail end of a criterium race.

I had a look around the park and watch some of the racing. I caught up with Chris and Irene and was told about their return to the park. I also got talking to the representative of the Amy Gillett Foundation. He and I discussed the possibility of a NSW ride and he claimed that NSW and Sydney especially is a difficult market. He claimed that Bicycle NSW wasn’t forth coming with support for the ride. He said Amy’s ride Brisbane and Canberra were going to be held sooner than either NSW or Sydney.

I got myself ready for the trip to Ruth’s place at Warrimoo. I put the bike rack on the car and put the bike on the rack. After a 15 minute power nap, I headed off out of Albury back up the Hume. I reached Warrimoo at 10:30 and got myself off to bed for the next days trip to Wollongong.

Talgarno. The countryside was suffering from the drought, you could see the level the water had dropped by the layers of the sand in the lake. The hills started off some gentle climbs but we became separated as the climbs got steeper. The challenging climb came when I arrived at a Gap (I forgot who’s Gap it is named after but as I am beginning to suspect anything called a gap meant to describe a steep climb). On this Gap I found myself having to use the granny gear and on two occasions had to stop and have an energy gel and some water. I saw Chris and Irene followed by Colin (the guy driving the support vehicle) and was able to complete the climb. When I reached the summit I was able to enjoy the descent into

Amy’s Ride Victoria

 “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”:  John F Kennedy

 

 

I would like to thank the people from Belly’s Bikes (a bike shop in Bathurst), Cheeky Transport & people from everyone who answered my questions of packing the bike from the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club Forum & Sydney Cyclist for their advice on packing the bike. The guys from the King Street Cyclery for the pump and Velcro strap. I would also like to thank the people from the Aberdeen Motor Inn on Aberdeen Street Geelong for looking after my pack containing personal clothing and the bike bag, while I was riding. Importantly I would also like to extend my thanks to the volunteers on Amy Gillett Ride who made the ride work, these include the Rotary club members & St John Ambulance Victoria First Aid Services volunteers who made the ride work. Finally I would like to thank a workmate Diana Vangelovska for allowing me to leave work early on Friday the 2^nd .

 

 

Getting there

 

 

 

Getting there
On Friday the 2nd of January I left for work on my Shogun Katana, with a day bag containing the 3 days of clothing and toiletries. I strapped the Look Bike Bag & sleeping bag to the straps. I felt like a sail on a yacht as I rode, but I got to work on time as usual.
I found myself in a mild panic when I found that I had left that ride number at home. Fortunately Diana allowed me to head off early. After picking up the ride number I rode to the King Street cyclery and bought a pump and got a Velcro strap to keep it on the frame. I then went to Office Works on Ross Street and bought some bubble wrap.
I got to Central station with over an hour and a half to spare and began disassembling the bike and putting it into the bike bag. This is where the only problem of the trip occurred. I found that the shifter I had brought was not suitable for removing the pedals. I had a crack at taking them off with the Allen key and was able to get the left pedal off but the right pedal was going nowhere. Fortunately the bike fitted into the bag with the pedal still on. I checked the bike in and got myself changed into some street clothes. I then went and got myself fed.
When the time came to board the train I stowed the day bag and got myself settled in. I was travelling in a first class seat and I had some leg room. When we left Central we were told that the train was a fully booked service and that there would be no spare seats on the train. When we got to the Southern Highlands the lights went out and we all tried to get to sleep. For most of us it was easily done but for one young guy it was all too much and he got kicked off at Goulburn. The rest of the trip was uneventful;
We arrived at Southern Cross station 15 minutes late which changed my plans for a V-line service to Geelong. I picked up the bike (It was the only one on the train) and bought a ticket for the V-line service to Geelong. When the train turned up I was reminded that I was not in NSW. The V-line trains are single deckers and there is a luggage storage area where people put bags and bikes. On this train there were 4 others beside myself. Curiously enough they allow bikes on the train fully assembled – contrary to the advice I was given by the customer service agent on the phone when I rang them from work and their website. Unlike City Rail, I was even able to get a ticket for the return journey the next day.
I got talking to four cyclists who were on their way to South Geelong to ride the Bellarine Rail Trail. They were interested in the ride but were not keen on doing the 120 kilometres. One thing that got me was one of them admitted he did not know how to change a tube despite having been cycling for 4 years! I asked him what he did when he copped a puncture and he told me about the RACV bike assist plan which (if the mechanic cannot fix the bike issue) gives the rider a $50 cab charge voucher (I won’t be holding my breath to wait for the NRMA to do the same).
When I got to Geelong I had a bit of a walk to find the Aberdeen Motor Inn where I had booked a room a few days before. Fortunately I found it after I spoke to some locals. After I checked in I went out for a look around town and bought some food for the ride and breakfast. I also visited a bike shop and bought a pedal wrench for the reassembly of the bike. I noticed that there was a lot of riders in town. There is quiet a lot of bike lanes on roads – most of them are quite wide. Drivers in Geelong are similar to Sydney in that they sound their horns when someone is late taking off on a green light.
When I went out for dinner that evening I was approached by people asking for directions to restaurants (Geelong has a number of Thai restaurants and Pizza parlours). I had to tell them that I wasn’t a local that I was from Sydney. They took that with good grace.
That evening after dinner I was able to reassemble the bike. I found that the plastic ring around down tube shifters were damaged during the train journey. I found that they still worked after I had reassembled the bike. I set out my gear for the ride, I decided I would wear some gear that would clearly show that I was from Sydney. I wore a pair of nicks and a Gong Ride jersey. After I had got myself as ready as I could, I went off to bed.
The Ride
When I got up I found I was not the only guest at the Aberdeen Motor Inn who was going to the Amy Gillett Ride. I found that there were several other riders getting themselves ready for the ride. Most of them had better bikes than the Katana. Once I got myself ready I took my bags to the office and arranged for them to be locked in the dining room till I came back from the ride.
I rode down Ryrie street to Eastern Park which I found was where the third stage of the Jayco Bay Classic Criterium race as well as the Amy Gillett ride. I watched as the trade teams for the ride set their tents at the start of the race. I also visited the Amy Gillett Foundation tent and the Barwon water point and filled up my biddens. I saw Amy Gillett’s parents giving an interview to a television crew. I also saw a few other television crews filming the riders assembling.
When it came for the ride briefing I went to the start area and I listened to the ride directors instructions. It turned out that there was a change in the locations of some of the water points. The riders wearing the Amy Gillett Foundation jersey and Amy Gillett Foundation kit were called to the front of the ride and they were the first to head off with Amy Gillett’s parents who wore the numbers 1 and 2. After these riders left the other riders left in waves. When it came time my time to go I found myself catching up with the riders from the previous group quite quickly.
As we headed along the Port Arlington Road I got talking to one of the riders who noticed the Gong Ride jersey. We commented on the similarities between Geelong and Wollongong and Newcastle. We particularly had an interest in the music from Newcastle – with bands like Silverchair and The Screaming Jets.
When we got to Port Arlington I noticed how similar the landscape was to parts of the Hunter Valley, with Vineyards and market gardens giving way to the coastal towns and beaches. We rode through Port Arlington and I found we had missed one of the water points. There were some people who treated the ride as a pub crawl by bike with some people going to the local early opener. Others visited the local shops.
As I rode through the costal areas I was stunned by the number of people who turned out to clap and cheer us on. I have done more than a few rides in NSW and we seldom get people turning out to watch the rides let alone cheer. At one caravan park children leaned out with their hands out to get a 5 as we passed.
When we got to the first water point I filled both my biddens and had one of my energy bars.
After we headed away from the Port Arlington the landscape changed yet again, with the coastal residential areas becoming grazing land. We could still see the sea however and it wasn’t long before we arrived at Point Lonsdale and the second water point. While I was here I got talking to some other riders about the Gong Ride. It seems that the Gong Ride jersey was the right choice for starting conversations.
While we were on the way to the next water point many riders elected to stop in Ocean Grove for lunch and it was obvious that this tourist town was going to benefit from the arrival of so many riders in addition to the usual holiday traffic. I stopped at a small shop on the outskirts of Ocean Grove and bought a chicken roll, a mars bar, a cereal bar and a iced coffee (to keep the caffeine level up. While I was there I got talking to some riders from the Bicycle Victoria Forum group (that is what they had on their jerseys), I rode with one of them Barwon Heads and on to Black Rock Road. We discussed riding in NSW and Victoria and the famous Beach Road and the Hell Ride.
While we were on our way to the water point at Barwon Heads, I rode through the beach area near Torquay, these have to be some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. It is a very popular area, it was also here that some motorists decided to let us know a little more than they intended about their knowledge of the road rules when one of them leaned out and shouted “Single File Mate” as they passed.
When we arrived at the water point at Barwon Heads we got some fruit (1 apple) and the water. I got talking to some members of St John Ambulance who were there with a large Ambulance that St John in Victoria had bought from the Victoria Ambulance. They had some work that day but were more worried about what was going to happen at the Criterium Race at the end of the ride.
When we finished at Barwon Heads, we rode through a farming area where things started to get hot. We had more than a few motorists who passed close to riders including myself. I also saw a Tiger Moth towing an advertisement for a skydiving school run from a farm nearby. It was on this stage that my concentration began to fade and I nearly went off road a couple of times.
When We got to the final water point I was able to score a energy bar from one of the Rotary Club volunteers, I cannot speak more highly of people who volunteered for the water points and these people were no exception, from this water point on I only had 20 kilometres to go to the finish at Eastern Park. On this stage the landscape changed from a rural farming are to industrial and then to residential areas. The roads were in good condition mostly and the riders were able to ride in peace. The only trouble we had was turning right at an intersection on a main road. As I approached the final turn toward Eastern Park there was a slight climb and in my state of exhaustion I had to dismount and have the last of my water before riding on.
When I got to Eastern Park I rode through the quite shaded roads and on to the finish. As I finished I took some photos for a couple who took the photos of me at the finish (I know I was a bit of a poser but what the hell!) I went to the Amy Gillett stall and picked up some brochures and saw the closing phases of the elite men’s Criterium. I then got a complimentary massage and a brochure and jersey from a stall advertising the Holden High Country Challenge (I will think about it but there is limited public transport to the ride).
After the presentation ceremony for the Jayco Bay Classic. I headed back to the Aberdeen Street Motor Inn and collected my bags.
I then headed to the railway station where I caught the train to Southern Cross Station. On the way back to Melbourne I got talking to another cyclist who came down from Melbourne to watch the racing. She had intended to participate in the ride but had felt ill the day before and just decided to come down for the racing. We exchanged stories about riding. Her sister had been waiting at traffic lights when they changed and she had not noticed. A motorist behind her decided to nudge her back wheel with the nose of his car and sent her flying into the intersection for a crash. I told her about the issues I have had on Coward St particularly with arrow turns etc.
After I got to Southern Cross Station headed up to North Melbourne to the hostel that I had booked myself into for the night. I got there in good time although I wound up walking the bike because I was too worn out to ride. The hostel willingly stowed the bike in a bike room they use for their hire bikes and I got myself washed and changed and went out for dinner.
Getting Back
When I got up the next morning I found I had to get some information on the bus to Avalon. I tried to get information from a website that would not open but got the timetable for the bus from the hostel reception. Fortunately I had enough time to get the bike and my clothes backed. I then took the tram (with the bike in the bag) to the GPO and posted off a lot of my clothes and bike tools that I did not need when I got back to Sydney. I also got a cardboard box from Office Works and used it to line the bag.
I then walked to Southern Cross Station and got my ticket to Avalon & waited for the bus. When I came I was pleasantly relieved to find that the bike would be accepted for carriage. The trip was quiet and uneventful. When I got to Avalon I was anxious about if the bike would be carried by Jetstar and was not sure if it would attract excess baggage charges. I was pleasantly relieved to find that the bike was right to go and was under the 20KG baggage allowance. I was also given a seat at the emergency exit which had more leg room than other seats. After a pleasant flight to Sydney. I reassembled the bike in the arrivals section of the domestic airport and made myself ready for the return to work. After disposing of the cardboard and bubble wrap I wished a group waiting for the arrival of a bus to the Northern Beaches a good day and then headed off. I followed the path across from the hotel opposite the domestic airport and then caught up with the cycle path alongside the Alexandria Canal.
I had a shower and a shave at work and had a pleasant half day (I had worked during our Christmas Party so I could have the morning off). After work I was able to return home with the bags and the gear I had brought.
Conclusion
The Amy Gillett Foundation are very interested in having a regular ride in NSW, they particularly would like to have one in Sydney but have been surprised by the administrative costs (police, road closures etc). They are keen to get something going in the Hunter Valley. There may be a NSW ride sometime this year but I will write again to confirm. This has to be one of the most positive experiences I have had in cycling. I highly recommend we Sydney Cyclists give all our support to the Amy Gillett Foundation in their efforts to get a NSW ride going

 

Firstly I would like to thank the following people. Firstly I would like to thank my sponsors, your support provided the motivation to get going, when the going got tough on a long ride. These people were

Adrian Emilsen, Geoff Semon, Suzanne Spiropoulos, Stuart Hickson, Leigh Gibbens, Kay Lefevre, Kim Ryan, Brenda Bailey & Adam Butler

 

 

The politics of Bicycle NSW.

The peak body for cyclists in New South Wales is bicycle NSW, it used to be The Bicycle Institute of NSW but over time like most other state based cycling organisations it adopted the brand Bicycle NSW in 1994.

In it’s role as a “member-funded and -owned, not-for-profit peak community organisation” it is supposed to provide the advocacy for cyclists that NRMA provides for motorists. This year there has been more than enough evidence that the organisation is departing from that aim. In the first instance is Bicycle NSW’s response to the Pat Farmer’s press release claiming cyclists “should pay registration fees to help legitimise their place on the roads and pay for infrastructure and safety campaigns”.

The press release seen below is best described as short on detail (despite the tons of evidence provided by the Cycling Promotion Fund and other groups). Bicycle NSW said “A form of bike registration or levy may help legitimise cycling, however Bicycle NSW does not at this time have a policy position in this area. We have a clear purpose, which is focused on getting more people riding bikes more often, because life is better on a bike”.

Instead of pointing out the screaming obvious that Pat Farmer who is a member of a party which had lost government by a thumping big landslide and had only just held on to the seat of Macarthur by 1000 votes. Instead of getting down to the task of representing the people who had just elected him, Pat Farmer had “moved more than 60 kilometres away from his western Sydney seat to live in one of the city’s most expensive suburbs.” The Mosman Farmer needed something to take this issue off the front pages of the newspapers and so decided to use cyclists to take the heat. Bicycle NSW decided to issue a poorly worded press release. I even heard that when the television media asked a spokesperson for Bicycle NSW for a response to The Mosman Farmer’s comments the spokesperson repeatedly said “life’s better on a bike” and the walked off.

The other issue is the relationship between Bicycle Users Groups and Bicycle NSW and the need for joint efforts in advocacy. I received an email from someone who commented on a post on this Blog and has provided an insight into what is happening with Bicycle NSW and BUGS council. My informant met with a member of the Bicycle NSW board and was told ”

“BNSW will not put any resources (by which I mean funds or paid staff) into supporting BUGs – Andrew Dodds, who runs the BUGs Council does so as a volunteer and if I wish to support Andrew, I would be welcome, but also as a volunteer.

1. Any improvements that BUG members would like to see must be implemented by the BUGs themselves through Andrew Dodds or amongst the volunteer BUG members themselves.
2. BNSW wishes to restrict its dealings to implementing the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, as presented at the 2007 AGM.
3. BNSW sees itself as operating at the Federal and State levels and will not put any resources into local or regional projects.
4. The only events that BNSW are interested in allocating resources to are the Spring Cycle, Gear-up Girl and as co-hosts of the Ride to work and Ride to School programs with Bike Victoria.
5. The stated policy of BNSW is to get “more people cycling more often”, which does not mean they will place resources into building the membership numbers of BNSW as people can ride bikes without being members.
6. BNSW employ a “Volunteer and Operations Coordinator” (currently Michelle Herbert), who is the contact person for allVolunteers who wish to communicate with BNSW.
7. BNSW have no intention of running a NSW Big Ride in the future, but both Alex and Jenny said if I was interested in doing so, then that would be great. However, BNSW will not provide any resources (as above – funds or paid staff). All Big Ride equipment has been sold.“

Bicycle Users Groups are local cycling organisations, they put a lot of effort into advocacy at a local level and know their local area better than anyone from Bicycle NSW. Roads in NSW are the responsibility of either the local council or the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA), the RTA is responsible for major roads (highways, arterial and subarterial roads).  Given the different levels of responsibility for roads, bicycle advocacy would be better delivered by a common approach from Bicycle NSW and BUGS (BUGS are more effective with local government than with the RTA). By abandoning BUGS, Bicycle NSW is abandoning local advocacy.

Recently Bicycle NSW has begun to cherry pick it’s campaigns. It campaigned on the Harbour Link proposal that would see a shareed path way that would cut out some of the hills near the harbour bridge and link the harbour bridge cycleway to North Sydney. They have now published a statement from the North Sydney council regarding the harbour link project on their website (http://www.bicyclensw.org.au/E-news.asp#128)  This while at the same time a major commuter route is under threat from the V8 supercar race at Homebush bay. The total silence on the Homebush Bay issue is worrying.

Yesterday my heart was broken when I heard a long time volunteer with Bicycle NSW, who is a member of DHBC expressing his disgust at what the organisation was doing for the Sydney Spring Cycle. Spring cycle has 2 new starting points this year. It includes Blacktown and Liverpool. The Liverpool riders have been charged the same rate for riding on bicycle paths (the Liverpool to Parramatta Rail Trail and the M4 path to SOP), that the riders from North Sydney who will ride over the Harbour Bridge and along partially closed roads. I have no doubt that the riders from Blacktown will be riding along similar bike paths (they may even have the chance to find the alternative path along the Prospect Creek Cycle path which was partially destroyed by road expansion by Boral!). The rip off is added to by the fact that Bicycle NSW was ignoring the work of most of the BUGs in Liverpool.

I find that there are many people disillusioned with Bicycle NSW. The disillusionment is now fueling an alternative movement. Some are joining interstate bicycle organisations, such as Bicycle QLD and Pedal Power (the ACT organisation). There are also moves to get insurance through BUGs and organise an alternative advocacy organisation for NSW.

Personally I do not want to destroy Bicycle NSW. It was and is the peak advocacy body for recreational and commuting cyclists in NSW. It has done some good work in advocacy and it has had some success, but the direction it’s board is taking it is alienating a lot of it’s membership including myself. Issues like the silence on Sydney Olympic Park are linked by many to pandering to the NSW government. The failure to criticise the government is based on the dependency on government money for financial viability. This means that advocacy is compromised seriously.

Lets face it most Motorists are hypocrits.

Lets face it most Motorists are hypocrits. After the latest report of the death of a cyclist on Swanson Street in Melbourne the local tabloid- the Herald Sun, opened a readers comments section where the public got to express an opinion on what had happened. Melbourne is one of Australia’s safer cities for cyclists. It has a good participation rate and is developing facilities faster and of a better quality than my city of Sydney. Nethertheless I was sickened by the vile & ugly sentiment expressed by some in the comments section of the Herald Sun.

It seems that there are some in the community who cannot see past their own bias when commenting on the tragedy. The Herald Sun comments give us a sterling example of this sort of logic:

“Wait… sorry… ban buses? Ban cars? Um, who exactly do you think it is that pays for the roads via rego? Push bike riders get a free ride. They have no right to be on the rd in the first place, may as well say I have the right to WALK on the rd since I live here and pay taxes. Rego your bike and contribute and maybe the rest of us will have a bit more respect for you. At the moment you don’t earn your right to the road, all you do is irritate and endanger the rest of us with your disregard for anyone else.”

Posted by: Maggie of Cranbourne 12:30pm September 18, 2008
Comment 47 of 117

“Bikes have no place in the busy streets of a city centre.”

Posted by: b of Canberra 1:50pm September 18, 2008

“TO DAVID ELLIOTT,YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING,I SEE MANY A BIKE RIDER THAT DOES NOT THINK THEY HAVE TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AND THINKS THEY HAVE MORE RIGHTS THAN ANY OTHER TRANSPORT ON THE ROAD.YES SOME PEOPLE IN CARS DON’T WATCH OUT FOR BIKES AS I HAD A MATE KILLED BY SOMEONE THAT WAS TO BUSY SENDING A TEXT INSTEAD OF WATCHING WHERE THEY WERE GOING.”

Posted by: STEVE of BAYSWATER 12:33pm September 18,

“Cyclist & Motorist of Lower Templestowe 12:22 – Not entirely correct as that I own a shabby car (to take to the station), a European car and a motorcycle (sometimes to ride to work etc.) and I pay three different registration. According to your logic, I should pay the highest of the one registration because I only drive one at a time. There is wear and tear because the public are losing roads for cycles which count only a small proportion of the public. Also there is the accountability issue as it is easier for a person to identify a cyclist with a registration imprinted on a special visible vest than the usual kaleidoscopic lycra wear. sooner or later this will happen because as cars leave the road for cycles, the government will have to have a new way of obtaining revenue.”

Posted by: Paul Chao of Box Hill 1:51pm September 18,

“Cyclists are Germs on the road, They rate up there with people who Ride scooters. They cut in front of you, ride up along side of you at red lights and then slowly ride off in front of you. This isn’t even starting on them trying to slip stream trucks and Busses and there disregard to follow any road rules. The only people who don’t think Cyclists arn’t a meanace is Cyclists themselves. Yuri lay off Maggie, Its a have your say forum Titled “Bus ban call”. It not like she is making distastful comments in a forum dedicated to the cyclist. Your talk about being a human being but feel its ok to trash talk her. You filthy hypocrite. You will probably find Truck drivers kill the most people on the roads these days and idiots who drink drive. Its an unfortunate acident , but choosing to ride a push bike, scooter or even a motor bike is making a educated choice to be less safe on the road.”

Posted by: Grugerty 1:58pm September 18,

“It’s easy to solve. Ban bikes in the city. The fact is, the more bikes you have, the more people get killed. “

Posted by: Noel Jackson 2:11pm

The ultimate sickenting comment came with

“For all Bike riders, posting here. The fact is you are making a conscious decision to put yourself in greater danger everytime you Ride on a main road. For thise who post ” I have had many near misses” why would you be crazy enough to keep riding.? Will people please stop posting about insenotive people. This is a have your say forum and is not a memorium to the cyclist. I don’t see whe its bad for people to post their thoughts”

Posted by: Gink 3:17pm September

“It is sorry to here about a death on the roads but until Cyclists start obeying the road rules and stop carry on like cowboys its hard to have an sympathy for them if they want to share the roads with other users they should have to pay registration insurance and pass a test then they would have as much right to use the roads until then stick to cycle paths away from main roads”

Posted by: Mick Hooker of Melbourne 4:46pm

“Cyclists seem to beleive that they have total use of the road and don,t give a damm about other road users and pedestrains (BAN THE CYCLISTS)”

Posted by: Jim Ryan of Albury 5:18pm September

The correlation between the anticycling sentiment and intellect is demonstrated further by

“cyclist should be ban!!”

Posted by: george 7:20pm September

“Cyclists should be banned! The roads weren’t designed for cycle use.”

Posted by: Paul Tanner 8:11am September 19, 2008

The above comment is interesting given that cyclists were the ones who had the roads treated with Tar Macadam. In addition Swanston Street was not designed for cars but the old horse and buggy era,

Comment

“Riding a bike in the CBD should be banned and should attract a fine of no less than $500 for those who ignore the ban. The number of times I have seen bike riders go through red (traffic) lights, weave their way through moving vehicles and barge their way through pedestrians who are legally crossing at the traffic lights is beyond belief. “

Posted by: Bill of Melbourne 8:17am September 19, 2008
Comment 113 of 117

“If the roads were designed for cyclists, why don’t they pay road tax? Register those bikes! $800 a year! “

Posted by: b of Canberra

There were comments that balanced the ugly garbage (there were many people writing in and the Herald Sun was obliged to publish them).

I often wonder about what would happen if the Herald Sun or the Daily Telegraph put a comments page on the an accident involving a truck crushing a car? Would there be people comming out with the same sort of ugly vicious comments about people killed in the car?

Of course there would be an outcry against anyone posting similar comments. It was heartening to here that cyclists in Melbourne rallied at the site in the evening. This is something I doubt I would see from my fellow cyclists in Sydney.

The other issue about the incident was that (from the Age September 19, 2008) the “Melbourne City Council last year considered forcing tour buses from Swanston Street to a purpose-built terminal at Federation Square.But the council buckled under pressure from tour operators – which pick up 320,000 customers a year on Swanston Street from nearby hotels.The council pledged to instead move buses to near the corner of Bourke and Exhibition streets in 2009.The Lord Mayor, questioned yesterday over cyclist safety, defended himself against accusations of inaction. “It doesn’t matter where you park the buses, accidents do occur,” he said. Later, Cr So rang back and broke down, saying he would call for buses to be parked elsewhere. The council’s chief executive, Kathy Alexander, said tour buses would, after “a reasonable notice period”, have their parking permits revoked, and be allowed to pick up and set down on St Kilda Road, opposite the Arts Centre.” In other words it took a fatality to get the council moving on the issue of the danger that busses posed to cyclists. How pathetic. In NSW we have had a coronial inquest find Gosford Council’s masterly inactivity on the issues of the old Pacific Highway lead to the death of a family who’s car went over the edge of a sink hole. Their relatives are looking at suing the Gosford city council for damages. I would urge the family of the cyclist killed on Swanson street (- a 33 year old woman. One year younger than me) to do the same.

The Green Dream (from Victoria’s Herald Sun)

It looks like News LTD has someone with a good sense of humour and a good idea when it comes to the petrol crisis. I hope we may see something like this in the coming decade. I will also write a Sydney version for this blog. I may even decide to put it on Sydney Cyclist.

The green dream

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Keith Dunstan

May 29, 2008 12:00am

IT is so easy to have nightmares. Mine have become worse particularly over the past few weeks. Take for example my dream last night. You know what dreams are like. It is hard to pick the hour and the date, but I suspect the time was 15 years from now.

Petrol was almost impossible to buy and if you could get it, the price was $299.99 a litre on the black market.

However the first thing that struck me was the peace. Melbourne was so quiet. I couldn’t hear any trucks squealing their brakes, no Suzukis, Kawasakis or overpowered Hondas creating super decibels.

Then would you believe my neighbour over the road was cutting his lawn with a lovely old hand mower.

Then as I looked out an upstairs window there was no smog and the You Yangs were etched against the sky as if they were on the other side of the road. Some things surprised.

I thought the roads would be filled with electric cars, but you know how it is, nothing ever gets better, the price of electric power soared like petrol.

According to that morning’s Herald Sun 49.8 per cent of all journeys to the city were by bicycle. One would have thought there would have been more than that, but you see, Australians are not all that keen on muscle power.

So there was an amazing return to the horse. General Motors, Toyota and Ford were quick to produce the finest vehicles.

I think I was most excited by the Commodore Landau. It was two-horse power, made of lightweight titanium and it had the most ingenious retractable hood for bad weather.

Although some preferred the four-horse Fairmont Barouche with mag wheels and spoiler on the back.

Parking in the city was much improved and the Kings Parkade deserved commendation for the splendid job they did converting their multi-storey car parks into stables.

The biggest problem was what to do with the freeways and tunnels. I mean, there was the huge tunnel linking the Eastern Freeway with the west of Melbourne and only completed in 2015. Cyclists didn’t like it and horses went into a panic as soon as they entered.

But you can’t beat Melburnian ingenuity. The horses produced more manure than you would believe and the tunnel was the ideal temperature.

So money was raised with a big float and the whole tunnel was turned into a mushroom farm and by 2020 Melbourne became the greatest exporter of mushrooms in the world.

The West Gate Bridge was trickier. The Brumby Government decided very early it had to be multi-level to carry extra traffic. By the time they were finished it cost $2.5 billion. Big mistake!

The traffic wasn’t there any more. But here there was another lovely solution. Inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the State Architect turned it into Melbourne’s most popular mall with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and child-minding centres. It features now in every postcard that goes overseas.

But those huge freeways like the Eastern were much harder to solve. How do you go about digging up those hectares after hectares of paving?

We did try covering them with mod grass, very expensive. We put in bowling greens, tennis courts, skating rinks, special areas for Government protests, which became very popular, but even by the time of my nightmare huge areas were still available.

Come the final doom of petrol stocks there were 1.2 automobiles for every

human in Australia, which made 28 million. What to do with them? Some were dumped into the centre of Port Phillip Bay to create a 100 metre high sculpture, which I assure you was amazing and everybody agreed this was the icon, the landmark that Melbourne always had been seeking.

Some kept cars in their back gardens as charming gazebos. Those with a lots of glass such as Ferraris and Maseratis when filled with water made ideal aquariums.

As for those monster four-wheel-drives, such as Patrols, Pajeros and Land Rovers, they were useful indeed, just right for turning into chook houses. But if you didn’t want to keep chooks they made perfect tool sheds.

Now what other side effects did we have? My copy of the Herald Sun reported that in the first five months of the year there were 34 deaths on Victoria’s roads, two more than the previous year, and down by 1000 from the 1960s.

Even so the police were worried they wanted to get our road deaths down to 20 a year.

Asthma in the community almost disappeared and according to new reports the hole in the ozone layer had almost gone and the climate was returning to normal.

True, the loss of jobs in the automobile industry was devastating for a while, but it was amazing how quickly we recovered. Blacksmiths and farriers thrived, the new carriage industry had been an excellent employer, horse studs were big business and all the second-hand horse show rooms along the Burwood Highway had to be seen to be believed.

Then, of course, horse-poo gathering became a major industry. Lovely for the gardens! Melbourne, once the garden city, was now the garden wonder of the world.

Keith Dunstan is a Melbourne-based writer and a former A Place In The Sun columnist

The end of the Hiatus – the return from the Great Escapade

Coming back to work after a holiday can be a good experience and it can also be a bad experience depending on what happened in your absence. Everyone got the postcards and were interested in how things went. I enjoyed telling them about it although boasting is not the reason for going on the ride. In a way I miss being on the move. It was enjoyable. The challenge now appears to be what to do next? This has come up because of the announcement by Bicycle NSW (http://www.pushon.com.au/news/news_Detail.asp?newsID=415) that because it is ” planning build on the success of this year’s Great Escapade and work in partnership with Bicycle Victoria and our other Bicycle Coalition partners on a range of events, including the March/April 2009 Great Escapade in Western Australia”, Bicycle NSW does “not expect to organise a multiday ride in NSW during 2009, but do we expect the Great Escapade to return to NSW in coming years.” My response to this is yeah right! The Great Escapade was good and those who participated in it enjoyed it. However the major issues that emerged was the refusal by the RTA to allow the ride to use the Great Western Highway. This meant that the ride could not start at it’s intended start point – Katoomba. There was also another issue that reared it’s ugly head and that was the great confusion. As I have said in my original piece on the Great Confusion between Denman and Singo, the cops decided a 1.5 km cutting was not safe for the ride to proceed through. Accordingly they decided to close the route but ended up closing the road to motor vehicles and allowing cyclists to proceed in half hourly intervals after it dawned on them that their original plan to sag bus people across the cutting would take forever and a day. This was inspire of approval from the RTA.

The axing of the Bicycle NSW Big Ride has created a heap of discusion in Sydney Cyclist and may even lead to some butt kicking when the AGM comes around. Not that I am expecting anything with as the president or someone on the board actually held 40% of the proxies and there was no provision for the member to direct their proxies. In other words there is so much politics in Bicycle NSW there is likely to be a debate and possibly some changes to the board but the long and the short is I don’t expect much to change.

The ride back to work on Tuesday was not all I had wanted it to be. The rear tyre tube which had given me no problems what so ever on The Great Escapade had a puncture on the way in. I decided I would fix it when I got to work because of the rain which was coming down heavily. I pushed the bike into the bike room and began working on it. I found I had buggered the spare tube and was not able to locate the puncture. I decided I would walk the bike to the nearest bike shop and buy a new tube. I left work at 4:30 and wound up walking to Cheeky Transport where I bought a couple of new tubes. When I went out and went to install the new tube I found that I had left my pump at work (ARRRGH!). The guys in the shop were more than willing to install the tube. After the inserted the first tube I went to put the wheel back on the bike, but the tube exploded with a loud BANG that could have been heard as far a field as Broken Hill. The guys were surprised and apologised and inserted a new tube. As I went home on Wilson Street something strange happened. The bike became harder to ride and then – BANG the tube went again leaving me with out a pump and with the shop closed I was left to curse the cycling gods as I walked home.

Fortunately as Scarlet O’Hara said “tomorrow is another day” and when that day came I walked to work and collected my pump and tools. When I got home I set about installing the one remaining spare with the determination of a man possessed. It has given me not trouble thus far. I also found the punctures in the two tubes and have fixed them. So now I have 2 spares (patched) but ready to go. Having lost my copy of Australian Cyclist I have had a bone to pick with the previously mentioned cycling gods.

 

Great Escapade Day 13 Morpeth to Stockton and the Trip Home

The Great Escapade Day 13 and the trip back to Lithgow

I got up this morning knowing it was the last day. We set off on our last stage of the tour before going home. I packed the tent and got my gear onto one of the Thrifty rent a trucks the organisers were using in place of the big red truck that had taken the bike boxes to Stockton. We went through quiet country roads that were close to Port Stephens. Someone remarked that riding on these roads were like riding on French country roads because they were so quiet. As we got closer to Raymond Terrace the motor vehicle traffic increased and we were riding on roads that were quite busy. In fact we were in peak hour.

When we got to Raymond Terrace I got off and took some photos of what I suspect is the Grahamstown Dam and got my photo taken in front of it. I also took the photographers photo with her friends in return for the favour before rolling on through Raymond Terrace and on to Williamstown.

At Williamstown I knew there was an airport and RAAF base. It is home to a FA18 Hornet squadron and Fighter world – a museum around fighter aircraft. I would have been tempted to have a look but the rain, wind and traffic deterred me from crossing the road to take a look what was in the hangers.

I along with everyone was kept keenly aware of the road because of the number of trucks. Fortunately nothing happened but it did become a battle of wits at times. With some trucks and cars coming close enough to scrape paint off the handle bars and some idiots revving their cars up to show what kind of idiots they were.

As we got to Stockton we got off the main road and onto more sedate secondary roads. Stockton is as I remember it. I had rode their in 2006 on the Hunter Bike Run. It was a pleasant ride and still is. I took some photos of the light house before we rolled onto a bike path that ran past the ferry wharf and on to the finish line. I rode across the finish line to cheers of the volunteers and the tune of We are the Champions by Queen played by the DJ for BYKE FM. I took some photos of Newcastle across the Hunter River and then one of the finish line. I could not believe the tour was over but it hit home when I picked my stuff up and sorted it out into the two panniers. I occy strapped the tent and the bed roll to the rack along with the echelon bag. I collected the photos and put them into the journal which I slipped into one of the panniers. I had some of the snacks – a lamington and a chocolate mouse provided by the organisers – probably stuff they could not get rid off. Then I pushed the bike to the ferry wharf and joined a que of cyclists waiting for the ferry.

I had heard that there were only 6 bike racks on ferries that cross the Hunter and I was wondering if I was in for a long wait. One guy who was one of the first to arrive at the wharf said that when the ferry turned up the passengers got off and the crew closed the doors took the gang plank away quickly before he could get on. It turned out that the ferry authority had decided to divide the ferry into two the rear half for ordinary passengers and the forward half for cyclists and their bikes. I got a $2.50 fare and got on with my bike and gear. I wound up looking after my bike and another guys bike while we crossed the Hunter. When we got off I went in search of an ATM for some money for the train fare. When I got it I bought a ticket to Lithgow where I am staying with Mum and Dad for a week and when the train arrived I got my bike and gear on the train. As Intercity trains have a hook for hanging bikes I put the bike on the hook after I unloaded it, locked it with my cable lock to a hand rail on the opposite side of a wall on the train and took my gear upstairs to a position where I could watch the bike.

I scored a sandwich and an iced coffee and began my journey home. I fell asleep somewhere between Newcastle and Gosford and woke up to find myself surrounded by the commuters on a train that was getting close to peak hour. I met other cyclists returning from The Great Escapade who were on that train. As we went through the Central Coast we copped some flak from some people who whinged about us putting bags on seats but otherwise things were OK.

I got talking with one guy on his way to Rooty Hill and found he was on Sydney Cyclist. He and I got off at Strathfield. He was going on a tour around Western Sydney that was organised on Sydney Cyclist. I wished him luck and we parted company. At Strathfield I was concerned about having issues with Transit Officers as I had not purchased a child fare for the bike and could have had trouble because I was now travelling in peak hour when the fare was required. I caught a train to Katoomba but had trouble locating a bike hook. The one I did find was occupied and I had to stand with the bike to Blaxland. When the train reached Blacktown. I wound up having to share the vestibule area with a woman and a toddler in a pram. This naturally created space issues. It was even more problematic when someone decided to got to the next carriage and she decided to travel between carriages while she smoked. It was no surprise her little boy wanted to join her. She eventually went inside the carriage and sat down. Eventually the owner of the bike on the bike hook came and we chatted bikes and touring while he got ready to go. Apparently he toured Tassie on a hybrid some years ago. We both agreed that city rail would be better off putting another bike hook in the area they had dedicated for large bags opposite the bike hook as it was dangerous to leave bags unattended. When he left I unloaded the Green Trek and hung it up, locked it on and took my baggage up to another seat where I was able to watch the bike.

When we got to Katoomba I got my gear together, loaded the bike and waited 20minutes for the next train to Lithgow. When I came I reversed the process and continued with my journey. When I got to Lithgow Station I loaded the bike and pushed it up the ramp and onto Main Street. I walked it to Cook plaza and then rode home. I got home and met Dad. The dogs barked at me and I had to shout at them to remind them of who I was. I took the bike in and met Mum. I unloaded the bike and was surprised to learn that they had expected me to pull out of the ride and not complete it. They of little faith! Over the past week I have been able to get the stuff into the washed catch up with friends and relatives including my sister Sarah who is expecting a baby in November and get the bike in to a mechanic for servicing.

Conclusions

The Great Escapade was a terrific tour. Despite the cold etc I got to enjoy touring quite a lot. I have picked up on some weaknesses such as lack of experience in riding with groups and group riding etiquette.

I also enjoyed doing a road trip with out driving. I enjoyed the opportunity to share an experience with other cyclists and I am looking forward already to doing another tour, possibly interstate.

I found that this style of touring is enjoyable and it has benefits for the communities it passed through, one school earned $4000 out of selling food and tea and coffee to us that it could never have got from passing motor traffic.

In short I hope there is a Bicycle NSW Big Ride next year, if there isn’t then I may attempt one of the Audax Raids such as the raid Waratah or one of the Bicycle SA rides such as the annual tour or Outback Odyssey or the BQ rides or even the Great Victorian Bike Ride 2009.

The Great Escapade Day 12 Singleton to Morpeth

The Great Escapade Day 12

We were up and packed early today. It is the penultimate day and we were ready to go. I lubed the chain and mounted up. We headed off to Morpeth along the New England Highway before riding into secondary country roads. It was still a bit wet in the early stages of the ride but it became finer as we went along.

At Elderslie we got morning tea from one of the local schools and I had a chat to a German woman who was here with her husband and child. This sort of touring is novel to them because Germans and other Europeans are more independent travellers and would not stay in tents so close to the winter. I took a photo of their triple bike earlier in the ride.

There were hills on this stage but not as bad as earlier stages. I made sure I followed every direction I got to so I got to the Lunch stop on time. While I was there I had a chat with someone who had a similar Trek bike to mine. We are both impressed with the age of the bikes and won’t be buying a replacement until something goes wrong.

I got back on the road and rolled down the road and across the bridge over the Hunter River into Morpeth.

When I got to camp I set up the tent and had a brief nap. I then got the phone charged and booked a tour of Maitland Goal. I went to the official photographer and found the photos of me taken throughout the ride and bought them. I had the photographer hold onto them until I get to Stockton tomorrow.

At 4:30 I caught the bus to Maitland Goal when we got there we met the receptionist who told us about her roll in the Home and Away episodes that were filmed there. She enjoyed them although there were times when being an extra became tedious. Maitland Goal was a prison from the early 19^th century until 1998. It was officially condemned for people to live in. It is heritage listed however and is now a tourist attraction. The tours are conducted by former inmates of the prison. Our guide Peter started the tour by telling us that we should not point fingers at him and asked us how many things we had got away with that could have landed us in goal. I have to say I agree with him on that point. Peter had been in Maitland on 2 occasions the first in 1973 for Break and Enter and the second in 1978 for assaulting a police officer who tried to arrest him when he was drunk. His time in Maitland saw the end of one regime and the beginning of another. In 1973 prisoners did not have Televisions, electrical appliances or any luxuries. In 1978 when he was sent to Maitland the second time he was stunned to be invited to have a cup of coffee with an inmate who remembered him from his last stay. The changes were attributed to riots in the early 1970s. Peter knew a lot about Maitland goal and it’s inmates. He showed us the cell used as an isolation cell with it’s double doors and purple walls all designed to depress an inmate psychologically and the cell used to house death row inmates on their last night alive which was the smallest in the prison, the reasoning was they did not want the inmate to have any room to fight the warders off. We saw the protection wing where the former police and prison officers were put along with informants and paedophiles and the shower block with open showers and a bath but a lockable cubicle for the mop and bucket (to paraphrase Peter everyone knows what a mop and bucket looks like why have they got privacy and not me?). Maitland goal’s period as a goal went through to 1998 and it housed some notorious inmates. The last of which was Ivan Milat the serial killer known and the Backpacker killer. His cell has a metal plate welded across the ventilation window because he threw urine at prison officers as they did their rounds. Peter revealed much about the goal and I got some good photos all of which are on this website. He show us the contact visits room and the gate house with it’s trap door used for public executions in the early 19^th century. One inmate who was executed there was a paedophile who was caught molesting his 13 year old daughter, according to Peter people came from as far as Sydney to watch him hang from the gates of the gatehouse. After the goal tour I spoke with one of the locals who said it was a relief that the goal had closed because of the people it brought to the town.

After the tour I went to the Pegasus shop where I bought a bike computer which I will put on the Red Hybrid when I get home. It is a different type to the one on the Katana. I would like to get the Green Trek the same type of bike computer as the one on the Katana because it will be useful in keeping count of the kilometres I ride. So this computer will be for the Red Hybrid.

We had our last dinner and watched as Alby from the Pegasus crew had his head and beard shaved along with the former owner of Pegasus who had his head shaved after we raised $1500 for MS. It was women who did the shaving and they took delight in it as well. Both men got a beaney to keep their heads warm for the winter.

The movie was shown inside the Morpeth Bowling Club. It was Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I didn’t see it when it came out and it showed a lot of Sydney that I know such as Erskineville and Newtown and parts of Broken Hill such as the large pub in the centre of town. It wasn’t a bad movie but not overly brilliant either. I had a Bundy and coke at the last night party in the Café de Canvas and discussed prisons etc with some one from the tour.

 

The Great Escapade Day 11 Singleton Rest Day

Great Escapade Day 11 Rest Day

I got up and decided to go on a walking tour of the town with the local Historical Society. It cost $10 and included admission to the local museum. It would make up for missing out on the Army museum, which I had visited the last time I was in Singleton as a young army cadet. I was miffed that I would miss out on the army museum but hoped this would fill the niche. I went to the museum after breakfast. I hung about in the park outside and saw the monuments to WWI & II and a memorial to a local who died in the Boer War.

When the museum opened we had enough people to do 2 tours. And we had a good look around. The museum was a collection of old junk basically. Agricultural and Domestic tools, only a few of which actually related to Singleton. This was limited to a few town items such as the roll of former mayors of the town of Singleton and the Patrick Plains shire presidents.

The tour was ordinary we saw some buildings and got the low down on what role they played in the history of the town and who built them. The only difference between this tour and the tour of Rylstone was that Rylstone was cheaper.

I got some photos of the Worlds Largest Sundial – one of the things Singleton holds as a tourist attraction.

After the tour I had a counter lunch at the pub near the showgrounds where we were camped. And went back to camp. I caught up with Ian and his family. We chatted about Sydney and Melbourne cycling and motorist issues.

I went to one of the WARBY’s lessons on bike maintenance, it was useful It covered chain maintenance gear adjustment, brake maintenance and some information on servicing.

The movies tonight were Little Miss Sunshine – about a dysfunctional family taking a road trip to get their daughter to a beauty pageant in the states and Look Both Ways, which was about a romance between a couple in Adelaide who have premonitions of disaster. You could have swapped titles for both films although the were good.