It has been quite a year. The BUG has grown to close to 80 members, and for a fairly loose and fledgling group we have managed to achieve quite a bit. Breakfasts, morning tea, lunchtime picnic rides, road safety lobbying, Ride2Work day and our good friends at the PRC have successfully lobbied for more bicycle parking (well done Tim and Liz!). On the agenda for next year is a secure bicycle parking in the Cornish building undercroft (we have verbal support), continue the pressure on Waite/Cross Rd, a bigger better Ride2Work day, group entry to BikeSA events and anything else our members, want. I will be contributing part of my CLW environmental award to continue to grow the BUG, and have some groovy pro-cycling designs that I want to get onto t-shirts.
In the mean time, The Tour Down Under and associated events are coming to town (16th to 21st Jan). Check out www.tourdownunder.com.au for all the latest. For those wanting to participate on two wheels, the Challenge Tour (128 or 84km) is on Friday the 19th and the Fun tour (20km) on Sunday the 21st of Jan. Check out the website for details. Hope to see you at some of the events.
For now, happy and safe holidays to you all, and see you in the new year.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
What's your story?
It's official. Having thought about it and spoken about it for years, I've finally sold my car. We're a car free household!
It's been an interesting journey. In the last few years it has been very rare indeed that I ever drove alone, and on those occasions that I did use my car it was for trips into the country for mountain biking, bushwalking, rogaining and the odd interstate trip, and usually with others in the car too. Trips around town were essentially by bike, even the grocery shopping at the central markets, and the times that it was inconvenient to pedal I car pooled.
JP and I have set ourselves up marvelously for a car free lifestyle. We live at Linden Park, across the road from the shops, library and cinema. It's an easy bike ride to work, even easier to town. The swimming pool is up the road, and the Adelaide hills easily accessible for walks and runs in Chambers and Waterfall Gully. We don't even have a tv, but there is never a boring moment. Life is too busy to watch telly anyway!
And so I would pay registration and comprehensive insurance for my 1991 VN Lexcen to basically take up space in our garage. 15 years old, and less than 140000km on the clock. I'd done less than 10000km over the last two years, and that included a trip to Melbourne via Sydney and Canberra, and numerous highway jaunts for my recreational pursuits. There are a lot of fond memories in that car, and so I was a little emotional to let it go. Funny, coming from someone who lives and breathes bicycles and so openly encourages others to ditch the car and bike instead.
I'm not sure how many times I exclaimed "I've sold my car. I've sold my car" during those first two days after letting it go. I took my driving test in that car 10 years ago, almost to the date. Living in western Sydney back then you 'needed' a car. I would commute 3 hours each day, a trip that included the train and a bus, but to get to the train I had to drive. With those long days as a science undergrad at UNSW it was impossible catch the bus between home and the train station, especially since they stopped running at 6pm and were notorious for not turning up at all. It was almost worth moving out of home, except I would have to spend all those saved hours working to pay for exorbitant Sydney rent.
And so I was presented with a panacea on arriving in Adelaide. Cheap rent. Great food. A compact, flat city and relatively uncongested roads. Wow. It was actually conceivable to ride my bike to uni. How novel. And I fell in love with it. I've gotten to the point that I start to feel sick sitting in a car around town. And I feel like a wreck if I don't get that daily pedal, even though it's only 15 minutes each way. And so it was a surprise when I found myself confused, uncertain, and very insecure when I watched the new owners drive away in MY car.
I've settled down now. And am starting to like the idea of all that extra space in the garage. My lifestyle hasn't actually changed all that much since I was so unreliant on the car in the first place. No doubt I will start to appreciate not having to fork out for insurance and rego soon too. I must confess that I do have a backup. My partner has a car and it seems that most places I ever go that I couldn't really pedal, she's going there too, so it is a bit easier for me than it should be. Nonetheless, it was a big step, and one which I will not regret - even though that Lexcen has been very good to me over the years.
What's your story?
It's very refreshing and encouraging to hear what people are doing to reduce their reliance on cars. As the BUG co-ordinator I get to hear a lot of these stories. It's a real boost, highly motivating and I think we should be sharing them. Just yesterday morning a BUG member told me that not only did he ride to work, but his wife and three kids rode too! And a new cyclist from our first car-free breakfast is turning into a repeat offender - fantastic news!
Please email the BUG or me directly with your story, and I will post it. Or else click on 'comment' below, use the anonymous option and type to your heart's content.
Cheers
Ryan
It's been an interesting journey. In the last few years it has been very rare indeed that I ever drove alone, and on those occasions that I did use my car it was for trips into the country for mountain biking, bushwalking, rogaining and the odd interstate trip, and usually with others in the car too. Trips around town were essentially by bike, even the grocery shopping at the central markets, and the times that it was inconvenient to pedal I car pooled.
JP and I have set ourselves up marvelously for a car free lifestyle. We live at Linden Park, across the road from the shops, library and cinema. It's an easy bike ride to work, even easier to town. The swimming pool is up the road, and the Adelaide hills easily accessible for walks and runs in Chambers and Waterfall Gully. We don't even have a tv, but there is never a boring moment. Life is too busy to watch telly anyway!
And so I would pay registration and comprehensive insurance for my 1991 VN Lexcen to basically take up space in our garage. 15 years old, and less than 140000km on the clock. I'd done less than 10000km over the last two years, and that included a trip to Melbourne via Sydney and Canberra, and numerous highway jaunts for my recreational pursuits. There are a lot of fond memories in that car, and so I was a little emotional to let it go. Funny, coming from someone who lives and breathes bicycles and so openly encourages others to ditch the car and bike instead.
I'm not sure how many times I exclaimed "I've sold my car. I've sold my car" during those first two days after letting it go. I took my driving test in that car 10 years ago, almost to the date. Living in western Sydney back then you 'needed' a car. I would commute 3 hours each day, a trip that included the train and a bus, but to get to the train I had to drive. With those long days as a science undergrad at UNSW it was impossible catch the bus between home and the train station, especially since they stopped running at 6pm and were notorious for not turning up at all. It was almost worth moving out of home, except I would have to spend all those saved hours working to pay for exorbitant Sydney rent.
And so I was presented with a panacea on arriving in Adelaide. Cheap rent. Great food. A compact, flat city and relatively uncongested roads. Wow. It was actually conceivable to ride my bike to uni. How novel. And I fell in love with it. I've gotten to the point that I start to feel sick sitting in a car around town. And I feel like a wreck if I don't get that daily pedal, even though it's only 15 minutes each way. And so it was a surprise when I found myself confused, uncertain, and very insecure when I watched the new owners drive away in MY car.
I've settled down now. And am starting to like the idea of all that extra space in the garage. My lifestyle hasn't actually changed all that much since I was so unreliant on the car in the first place. No doubt I will start to appreciate not having to fork out for insurance and rego soon too. I must confess that I do have a backup. My partner has a car and it seems that most places I ever go that I couldn't really pedal, she's going there too, so it is a bit easier for me than it should be. Nonetheless, it was a big step, and one which I will not regret - even though that Lexcen has been very good to me over the years.
What's your story?
It's very refreshing and encouraging to hear what people are doing to reduce their reliance on cars. As the BUG co-ordinator I get to hear a lot of these stories. It's a real boost, highly motivating and I think we should be sharing them. Just yesterday morning a BUG member told me that not only did he ride to work, but his wife and three kids rode too! And a new cyclist from our first car-free breakfast is turning into a repeat offender - fantastic news!
Please email the BUG or me directly with your story, and I will post it. Or else click on 'comment' below, use the anonymous option and type to your heart's content.
Cheers
Ryan
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
October BikeFriday
Just a few drops of moisture and a very pleasant ride along Brownhill Creek Rd. 6 of us found a lovely spot down off the road next to the creek for a very pleasant lunch.
We'll do the same next month, weather permitting, so put it in your diaries.
We'll do the same next month, weather permitting, so put it in your diaries.
Friday, October 13, 2006
10% off accessories at Bicycle Express
In support of Ride2Work day, the Bicycle Express city store gave us a heap of key rings giving a 10% discount on accessories.
Send an email to waitebug@gmail.com to organise your key ring. First in best dressed.
Send an email to waitebug@gmail.com to organise your key ring. First in best dressed.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Cycle Parking
A rudimentary calculation of a 5% p.a. return on investment on the Urbrae real estate taken up by a parking space is around $300-$600 per year. Using basic bicycle parking (a metal rack) you can easily park 6 bicycles (up to 12 using hanging facilities) in the same area - so we are looking at $50 - $100 per year.
Should motorists be paying the difference? If not, should cyclists, public transport users and pedestrians get a $250-$500 bonus in their pay packets each year?
Fat chance. But we should at least have appropriate facilities to store our bikes. It is evident that the Holmes bike racks are near capacity, and the number of bikes in offices and chained to posts and fences around the place is increasing.
It is no coincidence that 3 people have independently suggested that the Cornish Undercroft carpark be converted to a secure lock up for bicycles (thanks to Marc and Kerryn!). This is a brilliant idea. All it would require is 3 sides of fencing, some racks, and a gate with swipe card access. Throw in a few hooks for wet weather gear on a rainy day and we have solved some of the biggest obstacles to bicycle commuting at this site.
What are your thoughts?
Should motorists be paying the difference? If not, should cyclists, public transport users and pedestrians get a $250-$500 bonus in their pay packets each year?
Fat chance. But we should at least have appropriate facilities to store our bikes. It is evident that the Holmes bike racks are near capacity, and the number of bikes in offices and chained to posts and fences around the place is increasing.
It is no coincidence that 3 people have independently suggested that the Cornish Undercroft carpark be converted to a secure lock up for bicycles (thanks to Marc and Kerryn!). This is a brilliant idea. All it would require is 3 sides of fencing, some racks, and a gate with swipe card access. Throw in a few hooks for wet weather gear on a rainy day and we have solved some of the biggest obstacles to bicycle commuting at this site.
What are your thoughts?
Ride2Work success
We had around 40 people join us for breakfast. It was great to see some non-regular cyclists giving it a go, despite the hot weather. All particpants recieved a key ring giving them 10% off accessories at Bicycle Express.
We raised $160 for Camp Quality, courtesy of a raffle for two vouchers from Bicycle Express. A great effort.
A big thanks to JP for once again cooking some choice French Toast. Kerryn McEwan and her 'girls' provided home-grown organic eggs. Thanks also to Marc Praulins and the health promotion committee for supporting this event.
I suspect next year will be bigger and better, with the local cycling associations playing a bigger role in promoting Ride2Work day.
Until then, keep up the good work and push those pedals as much as you possibly can.
Happy cycling!
We raised $160 for Camp Quality, courtesy of a raffle for two vouchers from Bicycle Express. A great effort.
A big thanks to JP for once again cooking some choice French Toast. Kerryn McEwan and her 'girls' provided home-grown organic eggs. Thanks also to Marc Praulins and the health promotion committee for supporting this event.
I suspect next year will be bigger and better, with the local cycling associations playing a bigger role in promoting Ride2Work day.
Until then, keep up the good work and push those pedals as much as you possibly can.
Happy cycling!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
September Bike Friday Picnic
In the lead up to 'car-free week' we are having a picnic for Bike Friday lunch instead of the usual cafe breakfast.
This will be a good opportunity for potential cyclists to get some advice, get their bikes set up, and go for a short and pleasant spin on the road.
New cyclists can meet at the entrance to Taylor building at 12:20 for advice on setting up your bike and cycling skills.
At 12:30, Maarten Ryder will demonstrate an easier way to get around on his new electric assisted bike.
12:40 we'll enjoy a pleasant ride to Brownhill Creek for lunch.
Bring some lunch and a drink. I'd be happy to carry it for you in my cavernous panniers. All welcome.
This will be a good opportunity for potential cyclists to get some advice, get their bikes set up, and go for a short and pleasant spin on the road.
New cyclists can meet at the entrance to Taylor building at 12:20 for advice on setting up your bike and cycling skills.
At 12:30, Maarten Ryder will demonstrate an easier way to get around on his new electric assisted bike.
12:40 we'll enjoy a pleasant ride to Brownhill Creek for lunch.
Bring some lunch and a drink. I'd be happy to carry it for you in my cavernous panniers. All welcome.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Bike Buddy
Leading up to ride2work day, we would like to encourage more people to cycle instead of drive. Cycling is a wonderful way to get around, particularly in Adelaide (granted were it not for the cars!) . However it can be quite daunting for new cyclists. Having a bike buddy can help new cyclists learn the ropes, find the best routes, foster friendships and the kindred spirit that we cyclists have.
If you would like a bike buddy, or like to be a bike buddy, post a comment on this post - name, where you ride - and we'll try to match you up
If you would like a bike buddy, or like to be a bike buddy, post a comment on this post - name, where you ride - and we'll try to match you up
Saturday, August 26, 2006
August BUG update
Bike Friday morning tea was well attended and constructive, with plans for October's Ride2Work day starting to roll, and some great suggestions for the BUG. It was great to see some new faces, and share morning tea with vibrant fellow cyclists.
-I have added links to the Ride2Work website, where you can register and access all sorts of information. It is Victoria centric, and I hope SA gets into the act next year. Do register for the chance to win a bike.
-Our initial plans for Ride2Work day on the 4th will be a free breakfast. We already have some volunteers from the BUG, but many hands make light work so please let me know if you are going to be around and would like to help out. We intend to theme the whole week as 'car-free' and should be able to organize a BBQ lunch for the Friday, which falls on national Walk to Work day. We also would like to support David Ellis who is cycling from Adelaide to Darwin to raise money for kids with cancer. A voluntary parking fee and contributions for the breakfast and BBQ would be great ways to raise money.
-I have added a link to the Bikedirect maps. These are fantastic maps showing bicycle routes and grading roads in terms of their 'cyclability'. The maps are regularly updated but no longer available in hard copy. I have the old version in hard copy in my office if anyone would like to have a look.
-It is wonderful to see so many organisations working hard to promote cycling. There is plenty of information out there, and I have provided some links for your perusal.
Happy cycling!
-I have added links to the Ride2Work website, where you can register and access all sorts of information. It is Victoria centric, and I hope SA gets into the act next year. Do register for the chance to win a bike.
-Our initial plans for Ride2Work day on the 4th will be a free breakfast. We already have some volunteers from the BUG, but many hands make light work so please let me know if you are going to be around and would like to help out. We intend to theme the whole week as 'car-free' and should be able to organize a BBQ lunch for the Friday, which falls on national Walk to Work day. We also would like to support David Ellis who is cycling from Adelaide to Darwin to raise money for kids with cancer. A voluntary parking fee and contributions for the breakfast and BBQ would be great ways to raise money.
-I have added a link to the Bikedirect maps. These are fantastic maps showing bicycle routes and grading roads in terms of their 'cyclability'. The maps are regularly updated but no longer available in hard copy. I have the old version in hard copy in my office if anyone would like to have a look.
-It is wonderful to see so many organisations working hard to promote cycling. There is plenty of information out there, and I have provided some links for your perusal.
Happy cycling!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Welcome to the Waite BUG
Greetings BUGers,
The Waite Bicycle User's Group has one single aim: to encourage cycling. We promote cycling as a legitimate form of transport, with multiple benefits to the cyclist, the community and the environment. We are a workplace BUG, but welcome all sympathisers to the cause.
We are based at the Waite Institute in the south east corner of Adelaide, home to world class research by the University of Adelaide, SARDI, CSIRO, AWRI and other organisations, and continue to grow. We are a vibrant workplace in a wonderful setting, steeped in history and full of intelligent, fit, healthy, environmentally aware staff and students.
Our current activities include regular 'bike Friday' breakfasts on the last Friday of each month, and a special car-free day in October. We provide a link to South Australia's cycling bodies. We share local cycling news, hints and tips, can co-ordinate group entry to cycling events, and provide advocacy. In reality, who we are and what we do is defined by every individual in our group. Our most important strength is a sense of camaraderie that all responsible cyclists share. We believe that the best way to encourage others to cycle is to actually cycle ourselves, hence our motto, "On your bikes, BUGers!"
So welcome to you all. Remember that you get out what you put in, so ideas and contributions are always invited. This is not a place for your current BUG co-ordinator to self indulge. We should all feel equally able to contribute and should all take ownership of this BUG.
Current BUGers are already on our email list.
Should anyone else wish to join, send an email to waitebug@gmail.com with "membership" in the subject field, or post a comment on this blog.
This blog will be a repository for BUGstuff emails and other information for all to refer to in your own time. Your current BUG co-ordinator is not particularly internet savvy, but if any BUGers out there would like to maintain a website, let us know.
Happy cycling,
Ryan
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