On this weeks program Chris chats to Alex Dyer, co-chair of Cycle Wellington, Aotearoa. Alex provides an overview of local cycling advocacy, dealing with Wellington City Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, attitudes to cycling, Urban Repair Crews guerilla bike lane, Wellington City Council approving 147km citywide cycling network, the need to lower transport emissions, COVID19 response, Liberate the Lane with Bike Auckland, plans to build a dedicated active transport connection, Wellington City Councils Parklets program, shifting house by cargo bike and Cycle Wellingtons activities during the last 12 months.News & events includes AustRoads Webinar: Cycling for Sustainable Cities, 12 - 1.30pm. Tuesday, 19 October 2021 with Ralph Buehler and John Pucher, newly completed separated cycling lanes at Whiteman Street, Southbank (scroll down) and works commencing on Footscray Pop-up Links (scroll down) as third stage of the projected 100km of VicRoads pop-up bike lanes.

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Talking to Alex Dyer from Cycle Wellington

Val and Faith are joined in another Zoom session by Brunswick rider Alice Verrall. We take a look at the mobility bicycles can offer people living with disabilities and the ways in which cycling infrastructure can work to exclude these riders. Cycling can offer a mobility option to many people excluded from driving or unable to walk, but only if we re-asses our assumptions about who is riding a bicycle. Check out Wheels for Wellbeing in theUK for more about making cycling an accessible transport and recreational option for more people. 

Making transport more inclusive - Disability and cycling with Alice Verrall

On this weeks show Chris and Steve chat about an unpleasantly exciting week in Melbourne including increased use of shared bike paths during lockdown 6, creative Nirvana-inspired Strava art in Adelaide and what the UK petrol shortage can tell about short term politics, short term improvements for cycling, changing logistics and reliance upon fossil fuels.Local cycling themed news includes making your feedback / completing surveys for Metro Tunnel Project Development Plans including Parkville Precinct and Domain Precinct draft Development Plan amendments, City of Melbournes Gateway to GMH online survey, the Arden Structure Plan and draft Amendment that includes four strategic cycling corridors and Melbourne's Future Planning Framework which is opportunity to comment upon supporting a integrated transport plan for Victoria, strategic cycling corridors, principal bicycle network and 20 minute neighbourhoods

Melbourne lockdown 6.0, Strava art, UK petrol shortages & Metro Tunnel Project cycling infrastructure

Val and Faith are joined in the zoom studio for another lockdown broadcast, by Matt de Neef, who some listeners may know as the Climbing Cyclist. Matt has written a book about the Everesting phenomenon; what it is, who is doing it, and why. Tune in to hear how this multi-faceted challenge developed, what drives people to take it on and how Matt tackled his own personal everesting.Everesting by Matt de Neef is published by Hardie Grant at the end of September. 

Climb every mountain - Matt de Neef the "climbing cyclist" on the Everesting phenomenon

On this weeks program Chris talks to Lucy Maloney who's originally from Melbourne on her cycling advocacy journey, interest with urban planning, separated cycling infrastructure, riding with children, e-bikes, Vancouvers School Streets program, comparisons with VicRoads roll out of 100km of pop-up bicycle lanes, Yarra Councils previous Making Space projects, Stanley Park temporary bike lane, Comox-Helmcken Greenway, Beach Avenue bike lane and more. Local news includes Australian Walking & Cycling Conference is Global Lessons, Local Opportunities. The online conference will run from the 30 September - 1 October 2021

Lucy Maloney talks about Vancouver cycling advocacy, riding for kids, car culture & more

Somewhere in the world it's National Book Day today so Val and Faith took a look at a handful of books. Some they've read, and some they are planning to. Chris has some local news items including: Expressions of interest for the Yarra Active Tarnsport Committee, Gipps St Bridge moves to planning permit stage and the e-scooter trial approved. If you're interested in finding out more about the books Val or Faith mentioned here they are:Need for the Bike by Paul FournelThe Art of Cycling by James HibbardCurbing Traffic by Melissa Bruntlett & Chris BruntlettCycles and cycling HH Griffin with a Chapter for Ladies by H Davidson

Books and Bikes - reading on National Book Day

On this weeks program Chris chats to Canberra resident Paris Lord about his introduction to cycling, listening to Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio, riding for transport, riding in Canberra and getting involved with electric cargo bikes. Paris discusses a recent screening of Motherload movie in Canberra (Liz Canning was previous YarraBUG Radio guest back in October 2019) with a online Q&A, electric cargo bike price comparisons, basic cargo bike starter tips and the Canberra Electric Bike Library operated by SEE-Change, Switched on Cycles and supported by the ACT Government

Talking electric cargo bikes with Paris Lord, Motherload movie & Canberra Electric Bike Library

On this weeks program Chris talks to Stephen Nurse about the second edition of his book Cycle Zoo: Bikes for the 21st Century about the vast array of designs and configurations that the bicycle can be designed for, starting with cycling principles, describing types of human powered transport other than the safety bike frame, stories from Melbournes cycling community and tools to get people started. Copies can be ordered at modularbikes.com.auIn cycling-related news: Lauren O'Keefe, Masters student at RMIT’s School of Communication and Media is researching women who cycle in Melbourne with her survey: Wheel Women: the rise and rise of women’s cycling in Melbourne

Cycle Zoo: Bikes for the 21st century with Stephen Nurse

On this weeks program Chris and Steve discuss upcoming Victoria Road & Station Street pop-up bike lanes in Thornbury, Northcote and Fairfield, Logan Martin taking Olympic gold in the BMX freestyle, another Magpie swooping season, riding in windy weather, crowd sourced riding distance choices via social media, UK Highway Code developing new hierarchy of priority, BBC: Walking and biking prioritised in new Highway Code, Hastily abandoned low-traffic schemes could cost councils funding in the UK, Letter: Division in Dulwich published in Forbes and check out the new Napier Street Cycling Improvements in North Fitzroy

New pop-up bike lanes, Magpies & new UK hierarchy of priority for road users

Faith and Val chat about their respective bike moments, womens road cycling at the Olympics, media 'backlash' over bicycle lanes in the Melbourne CBD countered by research, including Berlin study finds only a third as many shoppers came by car than retailers assumed and the historical significance of wattle in Melbourne.

Bike moments, Womens Olympics road cycling, Bike lanes vs. parking perception

On this weeks program Chris talks to Alice Clarke, freelance journalist, producer and presenter, about her new found appreciation for cycling, what attracted her to consider riding during lockdown life, too many bakery goods at home, how pop-up bike lanes are a game changer, how crap Chapel Street is to ride a bike, changing her previously negative attitude to bicycle riders to a positive one, her mums decision to take up cycling, how planning decisions impact upon how we use the roads and simply making it easier for people to move around.You can read Alices articles at The Age/SMH, including Riding a bike is sweet freedom, even if it might kill me, How riding on Melbourne’s roads made me one of ‘those’ cyclists and also follow her on twitter.  

Talking to Alice Clarke about learning to love cycling

After a minor glitch, Val and Faith start the show with poetry, flowering wattles, bike moments, a call out for listeners to contribute their bike moments, Tour de France news with Eddy Merckx, Giro d'Italia Donne, TAC collaboration with Deakin University, See.Sense and the iMOVE CRC about a smart bicycle light trial and nuanced criticism of some forms of bike lighting and its impacts. News includes changes to bicycle component supply chains and bicycle manufacturing in Portugal, bike events include Melburn Roobaix rescheduled for 29 August 2021 and Port Philip BUG Yalukut William Bike Ride

Flowering wattles, Tour de France & TAC Smart Bike Light Trial

On this weeks sleep-deprived program Chris catches up with Ruth Jolley about cycling issues in northern Melbourne and particularly, City of Darebin, Ben O'Connor being fabulous at the Tour de France, City of Yarra Budget meeting with 9.1 Notice of Motion No. 4 of 2021 - Support for Additional Cycling Infrastructure including Heildeberg Road pop-up trial, the installation of the southbound separated bicycle lane on Brunswick Street towards Victoria Parade, Marianne Vos dedicating her Giro Donne win to Jolien Verschueren, Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio making our 3CR 2021 radiothon target and finally ... $5.2m funding allocated for the long awaiting Gipps Street steps replacement!Ruth discusses concerns in regards to public consultation and transparency with City of Darebin appearing to stonewall questions about current projects at council meetings with 2021 budget figures for cycling and footpaths spending being apparently reduced by 75%. With more people choosing cycling, Ruth is concerned about her council not showing leadership to improve accessibility, active transport infrastructure and commitment to the future of Darebins Streets for People projects, including funding allocation for Cramer Street in Preston.

Whats the future for Darebin Streets for People projects, Gipps Street funding, Brunswick St pop-up lane & more

Val commences the show with cycling prose, then Val & Faith share their respective bike moments, thanks to Boroondara BUG and everyone who donated to YarraBUG Radio contribution to the 3CR Radiothon appeal - and we not only met but surpassed our $1200 target! Local cycling news includes the new separated pop-up bike lanes citybound on Brunswick Street to Victoria Parade, Yarra Council voted to amend their 2021-22 budget with an extra $280K allocated to cycling infrastructure, 1970s Tour de France history and news on community opposition to a new Bunnings on Glenlyon Street. 

Making our 3CR radiothon target, new Yarra cycling infrastructure & 1970s Tour de France history

On this weeks winter solstice show, Chris interviews Cr James Conlan, Moreland Council and Cr Rohan Leppert, City of Melbourne. Bicycle-themed news includes the impact of last fortnights horrific wind storms (Parks Victoria: Changed conditions and closures and Cycling Tips: Melbournes cycling paradise devastated by storm damage), Le Tour commencing this weekend, another attempt for a Womens Tour de France in 2022 and Yarra Councils long running Bicycle Advisory Committee changing its title and focus to either Sustainable Transport and/or Active Transport Advisory Committee.Cr James Conlan discusses Moreland Councils commitment to active transport, including future changes to De Carle Street, Coburg, making the area safer near a school, Albion Street lane work, pop up bike lanes on Dawson Street between the Upfield bike path and Brunswick Shimmy with Moreland councillors unanimously supporting these projects. Cr Conlan mentions that Moreland wants to have a proactive relationship with Department of Transport similar to that with City of Melbourne. Go to Conversations Moreland: Making walking and cycling safer in Moreland for more details and to make feedback supporting these initiatives.Cr Rohan Leppert discusses a independent review to be commissioned into researching data on changing transport patterns as in the last 12 months, as Melbourne has built protected bicycle lanes in line with Melbourne's Transport Strategy 2030, alongside a rapid mode shift in the CBD.  Rohan talks about micromobility, massive changes to food delivery, riding for transport, a reactionary backlash against bicycle infrastructure, Alice Clarkes excellent article 'Riding a bike is sweet freedom, even if it might kill me', four years of capital works included in the next budget meeting on 29 June 2021 and City of Melbournes offer to delivery the long awaited St Kilda separated bicycle lanes.Another reminder - it's 3CR Radiothon time: celebrate everything you love about riding your bike by making a donation to keep 3CR Community Radio and the Yarra BUG Radio Show on the air for another year and all donations over $2 are tax-deductible! 

Getting it done: Cycling infrastructure in Moreland and Melbourne

Yarra Bicycle Users Group promotes urban cycling. Providing support to campaigns to improve cycling conditions and awareness; demystifies cycling technology and helps to reveal the diversity of cyclists, from children to commuters to lobbyists.

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