1

No. 204 September-November 2011 ISSN 13211870 www.bisa.asn.au

PEDAL UPDATE

A bicycle, tweed and a picnic at the botanic gardens, what could be better!

Photo: GEMMA PANNELL

In this edition

The ‘no excuses’ zone Bicycles make economic sense Tweed ride

Bicycle infrastructure 2011-2012 Spring ride Farming on bikes

2

from the chair JEREMY MILLER

After what has been two months off the bicycle I was finally able to ride into the city this Friday. The collarbone is one bone I would not recommend breaking! It is not just the loss of flexibility and pain that obviously comes with such a break, but it is the inability to ride a bicycle because of the vibration through the handlebars, what is for an injured bone, quite unsettling. Suffice to say that for the past two months I have become much better acquainted with the public transport system of Adelaide - and the use of my legs for walking! Being a car free family still works fine in these situations – my daughter, who is at primary school, is now taking her first steps to becoming an independent public transport user, something that I really want to encourage, and something that more young people should be allowed to do.

Have you ever wondered how much more pleasant a bicycle commute is during school holidays, all those vehicles doing the ‘school run’ off the road? Ever wondered how many vehicle trips (in addition to the normal ‘back-ground trips’) these actually represent? Recently I was given a figure of 8% more trips occurring during school term at peak school commuting times. I do wonder how many of these trips could be substituted with bicycle, public transport and other active transport modes (especially since many parents drive their kids to school despite only living a

few blocks away). This is a problem. It breeds a generation of kids who are not at all self reliant, have little ‘un-structured’ exercise, and rely on their parents for all their transport needs. I wonder at how resilient these kids will be when they hit their late teens and early 20s and start down the path of car ownership, being something drummed into them as perfectly normal and indeed necessary for all ones transport needs.

My Friday ride into the city was to attend the penultimate in a series of workshops run by the Adelaide City Council as part of the community engagement for the Integrated Movement Strategy. These have been going for a few weeks covering discussions about the form, function and direction in which the City of Adelaide will need to head in order to create a people friendly city that is no longer dominated by automobile traffic, and instead is a place that people want to live, work, linger and destination to.

3

magazine matters

Unfortunately due to a contractual agreement members will not be receiving the new magazine Treadlie this month but instead the latest edition of Australian Cyclist.

Expect a new look Bicycle Institute in December, with not only a new magazine, but a new logo, all ready to start off an exciting and productive new year!

Some city traders would have us believe that the city will be a dead zone without an abundance of cheap and accessible car parks – indicating that the city needs to compete with suburban shopping malls for the consumer dollar - but perhaps, just perhaps, people want to go to a city centre for more than a mere shopping experience. Perhaps it is something about the city, that jumble of people, architecture, spaces -planned and not, public art, interest and intensification that makes for compelling and vibrant space. Think everything a suburban mall, surrounded by car parking, is not.

These Friday discussions kept coming back to the car, and the ubiquitous infrastructure that supports its presence. When we allow the car to dominate the city, we allow this infrastructure to shape the form and function of the space. By rethinking this, we can re-think the purpose of roads and circulation space, the speed that we allow cars to travel through places, the need for so much space devoted to the car, space that takes away from other uses as it HAS to be allocated at all times to a system that depends on the car space for its continual existence.

Two weeks from writing this The Bicycle Institute will again be involved in Parking Day, one day of the year where groups like ours, think about the function of city space, and get to reclaim a small section of land from the car. We will legally occupy a car parking space (we will after all be purchasing the space by feeding a parking meter), and in this space will be running a community bicycle workshop. This is bound to be a fun and engaging day, hope to see some of you there.

If not then, at the Bicycle Institute’s Spring Ride (see page 15 ) which will be happening in the not too distant future. Come and join us for a fun and leisurely ride through the city and an afternoon’s picnic, because as cyclists we always have something to celebrate – we are after all transporting ourselves with the noblest of inventions!

Happy Spring

Jeremy Miller

PARKING DAY: Friday 19th of September

SPRING RIDE: Sunday 31st of October

4

Dear Editor

I really enjoyed the new format of Pedal Update. Congratulations.

For the May/June edition the story of my friend Margaret Day’s hand made Sierra sports tourer was a highlight. I am disappointed that she discarded an old friend for a younger model. I thought that this was only something that men did.

I have been faithful to my own handmade sports tourer, made by Bondens of Kingsbury Middlesex, for about 60 years and still used almost every day. As required then it has fancy hand cut lugs but the bike highlight at that time were the “Original Maes” handlebars engraved with pre WWII Tour winners. From birth the bike has had fixed wheel, Osgear 3 speed, Simplex 4 speed and now Shimano 21 speed. It has taken me all over England , Ireland, a lot of Europe, Tasmania and Western Australia.

What a bargain for a lifetime of enjoyment. In this age of discarded consumer products it is a gem.

Alan Marriage

Dear Editor

I enjoyed the last, smaller size and very colourful pedal update.

In a previous issue, the report from Michael Dwyer about the semi-recumbent tandem, was particularly useful, in that it inspired me to get out my old semi-recumbent tandem, which doesn't get exercised very often these days. I had the tandem built for me by Wayne Kotzur of Canberra, in 1994, so that I could take my young daughter, Alys, touring with me all over the place. The telescopic boom could be extended to accommodate my leg length, and the seat post extended to take a taller 'captain', so that I could ride in either position, or take a break while someone else took the controls. This tandem was ridden many thousands of kilometres, in SA, NSW, Tasmania and ACT, mostly with Alys on the front. The front seat rider can free-wheel, whilst the captain pedals, which is particularly helpful when riding with a child. The tandem was a great friend-maker, as everyone wanted to stop and chat about the rather 'funny-looking' bike.

When I read Michael Dwyer's article about semi-recumbent tandem tour, I had just hurt a hand in an auger, and I could not hold handlebars or work brakes etc. So my tandem was taken out of my house and taken to the farm, at Sherlock, where I could enjoy a hands' free ride.

letters to the editor

The hand cut lugs on Alan’s beloved bike

5

There is a lovely, almost vehicle-free bitumen road from Sherlock to Karoonda, which we enjoy going for rides on.

We use bikes around the farm where possible, and I will often see Mike's old mountain bike being carried on various machines, or the truck bull-bar, so that he can cycle back to the sheds whilst the machinery stays in the paddock, until the job is finished.

Keep up the good work, best regards,

Kath

Kath Cooper and Mike Elleway on their Kotzur semi-recumbent tandem

Read more about Kath and Mike in a story written by Kath on page 8

The Public Officer is the Bicycle Institute’s liaison with the Office of Consumer & Public Affairs, the duties are minor and very occasional, but it is a legal requirement that we have a Public Officer.

Responsibilities include: ·

Lodging OCBA forms relating to changes to the Bicycle Institute’s rules/constitution or name.·

Lodging OCBA forms relating to amalgamation of the Bicycle Institute with another organisation·

May receive the odd letter from OCBA.·

The Bicycle Institute’s Treasurer annually prepares a business tax return for the Bicycle Institute this has to be signed off by the Public Officer.

Full details of the Public Officers duties can be found on the OCBA site at www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/files/03_po_responsibilities.pdf

Please contact Jeremy if you are interested in nominating to become our Public

Officer –email chair@bisa.asn.au

the bicycle institute needs a new public officer

6

During a bike conference in Adelaide a couple of years ago there was a

presentation on a “no excuses” zone. This is an area within 30 minutes ride from an

office where it is generally considered quicker to ride a bicycle than drive a car

when in peak hour traffic. Hence the phrase “no excuses” zone, as a person is

unable to use the excuse that it takes too long to ride to work if they live inside the

zone.

A group of Tonkin BUG members (of varying degrees of fitness and ability)

conducted an exercise where they started off at the main Tonkin Consulting office

in Kent Town and went in various directions to see how far they got in 30 minutes.

People were also asked to see where they had got to after just 15 minutes to

develop the “really no excuses” zone. The results show that within 30 minutes you

can get to the Airport to the west, Grand Junction Road to the north, the foothills

to the east, and Daws Road to the south!

The map shows the extent of the two zones after joining the dots between the

destination points of the cyclists (the outer circle shows the 30 minutes zone while

the inner circle shows the 15 minute zone). Therefore employees who live within

the zone have “no excuses” but to ride to work! Not only will they save time,

they’ll become fitter, save money and do something good for the environment.

Perhaps the “no excuses” zone has helped with cycling participation rates as Tonkin

Consulting has won our division for the highest participation rate for Ride to Work

Day for the last two years.

The extents of the zone could easily be moved across to the Adelaide CBD by

shifting the shape a few kilometres or you could get a group of cyclists together at

your workplace and create your own zone.

Sydney has undertaken a similar project

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/documents/EDAW-Ride-to-Work-

flyer.pdf

the ‘no excuses’ zone TIM KIRBY

7

The

map

sh

ow

ing

the

re a

re f

ew

re

aso

ns

no

t to

rid

e!

8

Our favourite cycling pastimes: general travelling for me, and racing for Mike, have been somewhat curbed since we became full-time farmers together in recent years, after our salaried University research positions were terminated. Being self-employed grain farmers at Sherlock, in the South Australian mallee region, means we are faced with never ending farm-work, to keep the farm running well and avoid too much debt.

Mountain bikes, preferably with suspension, are essential vehicles on our farm property, which is comprised of sand and limestone rocks. We try to use our bikes whenever possible, to fetch and carry small items such as a hoe, brushes, electrical cables, tools etc. I am not as capable as Mike, who has been seen to carry a 3m (x2) extendable ladder, across his handlebars, or a 10L jerry can of diesel, held on the carrier with one hand, while the other hand controls the handlebars, for example.

We are grain farmers, which necessitates several items of machinery being used in a paddock at one time: seeder, cultivator, tractor, stoneroller, seed unit and truck, at seeding, and truck and harvester at harvest-time. Mike regularly hangs his bike off a piece of equipment, as it is driven to the paddock, then cycles back to fetch the next item. At lunchtime, you just ride the bike back, with no need to use the farm ute or another tractor. In this way, you can save on the need for a farm motorbike, which could cost thousands of dollars, and save on fuel use. Not to mention the pleasure of cycling.

farming with bikes KATH COOPER

9

So much of farming time is spent in proximity to noisy machinery, that cycling around the farm is enjoyed as quiet time close to native plants and wildlife, notably birds and lizards. There have been some interesting experiences with snakes, and the kangaroos seem more at ease with a tractor than a bicycle or person on foot. Bicycles are a good way to muster sheep without spooking them.

Although a relatively small farm, we may have up to a 3km ride between paddock and sheds, so you can rack up a fair distance whilst working, e.g. 30km in one of Mike’s haymaking instances. Mike values his cycling on farm, as he may not have any other chance of riding a bicycle between weekend races with SA veteran cycle racing clubs. Another tip for remaining competitive at racing is to have a diet based on triticale, the grain (wheat x rye cross) which I developed as a plant breeder at the University of Adelaide. Many cyclists may recall being fed a constant supply of various cake and bread recipes, whilst I worked in this capacity. Now we grow triticale for grain and seed, as well as rye and high protein wheat. I have kept up triticale breeding

in a small way, and regularly cycle out to my hobby breeding patch. Cycling is a good way to inspect crops, and be made aware of problems, such as cereal diseases, mice and locusts, and find various tools and parts which have bounced off machinery. Yes, Mike’s bike has bounced off on occasion, and has needed a few new parts, particularly a supply of new saddles. Luckily Mike has still got a few parts around from his days as a bike shop owner at Cleve (Speedy Cycles), in the 1990s.

Farmer Mike is a bush mechanic, keeping farm machinery and bicycles going, in interesting ways. On occasion he has robbed some bolts off his bike to keep a machine going, and a brake cable made a good temporary repair to the seeder. Tyres get a hard time, with prickly plants and sharp bits galore. Mike does his best to proof our bike tyres with ‘Tyre Shield’, a motorbike product, and has made up gaiters from slick tyres, to get as many km as possible out of our tyres.

KATH COOPER

kathnmike@ace.net.au

10

bicycles make economic sense SAM POWRIE

The London School of Economics has found that cycling generates nearly £3bn a year for the UK economy. The figure takes into account factors such as bicycle manufacturing, retail and cycle-related employment.

More than a million people in the UK also started cycling last year, bringing the total number of cyclists to 13 million. Last year more than £1.5bn was spent on bikes and another £850m on accessories, with the LSE estimating that the cycling industry is now worth some £2.9bn a year. The report also says rising fuel costs, improved cycle networks, concern for the environment, and the pull of the Olympics are all possible factors for the increase in popularity for cycling.

And it says a 20% increase in cycling levels by 2015 could save millions of pounds in reduced congestion, pollution levels and health costs. Regular cyclists take 7.4 sick days per year, compared with 8.7 sick days for non-cyclists, saving around £128m through reduced absenteeism, with projected savings of £2bn over the next 10 years.

Here in Australia results from the National Cycling Participation Survey released at the end of August show 18% or 4 million Australians of all ages are riding their bikes each week. The survey found around 3.6 million people ride for recreation and sport and 1.2 million make a least one transport trip each week. On average, the 10% riding in any week are achieving significant levels of physical activity at an average of 30 minutes a day to meet recommended levels for good health.

The Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) believes this is great news for a healthier Australia. The results reinforce the findings of an earlier survey carried out by the CPF and the National Heart Foundation of Australia which showed similar participation figures, but importantly that up to 60% of Australians not riding would consider riding for transport if road conditions were safer.

‘This shows what a great opportunity cycling is for this country,’ said Cycling Promotion Fund spokesman, Stephen Hodge. ‘With physical inactivity costing our health budget an estimated $1.5bn a year and the economy $13bn a year, cycling appears to be one of the easiest ways to increase our physical activity and create a healthier Australia.’

18% of Australians ride in a

typical week (10% of adults)

* 63% of children aged 5‐9 ride

in a typical week

* 22% of males and 14% of

females ride in a typical week

* 4 million Australians ride in a

typical week and 8,899,000 ride

in a typical year

* 1,243,000 Australians ride for

transport in a typical week.

11

Travelling in Switzerland recently I noticed a couple of things. One is that Swiss trains have two classes - second class is comfortable, first class is luxurious. The other is that Swiss train carriages have a section that is set aside for the carriage of bicycles, including first class. Here's the photograph I took of a first class carriage with a bicycle section. You can see the number 1 indicating class, and the logo indicating bikes.

Lots of Swiss people ride bikes, including those that choose the luxury of first class train travel.

first class bikes! PAUL JEWELL

adelaide’s 2nd annual tweed ride DARREN WILSON-ROBERTS

On the 31st of July over 160 riders dressed up in their finest tweed attire for a leisurely Sunday ride. Meeting at the Adelaide Town Hall we went for a short cycle through the city for a picnic at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens , here prizes were awarded for the best dressed male and female rider. After lunch we headed along the linear park to the Wheatsheaf hotel for a few refreshing bevvies. It was there that prizes were awarded for the best moustache and what an eclectic bunch they were. In attendance were a beautifully restored Spearman, a Healing, a Hallmark, a Super-Elliot, two penny-farthings, even a mini-penny and best of all an old roadster with a BBQ attached to the front rack cooking bacon and eggs along the way! What a day! Thanks to all who attended, looking forward to next years event.

Photo: POCH AMORE

12

On Monday 29th August Transport Minister, Patrick Conlon announced a $1.3 million ‘boost’ for bicycle infrastructure funding for 2011-2012. The Minister’s statement covered State Bicycle Fund (SBF) projects as well as those supported by Bicycle Black Spot funding (a funding process in which BI’s Stephen Janes has played an active role). The Minister also announced further work on SA’s Greenway Network.

SBF grants are generally provided to Councils on a ‘matched’ basis to build or maintain cycling facilities on local roads or pathways (money being provided each year in the State Budget) and Bicycle Black Spot funding targets remedial work on SA’s road network, aimed at reducing specific hazards for bicycle users. Just prior to the last state election the Labour Government also allocated $12 million (over 4 years) to further develop SA’s Greenway Network. We understand that priority for this $12M has been completion of the Adelaide-Merino Rocks Greenway and planning for the Adelaide-Outer Harbour/Grange routes. Programme details are listed at DTEI’s cycling web pages for both SBF and Black Spot programmes for 2011-2012.

www.sa.gov.au/upload/franchise/Transport,%20travel%20and%20motoring/Cycling/Conditions%20SBF&%20BS.PDF

There will also be further work on the State Greenways Network, specifically the opening of key sections of the Adelaide to Marino Rocks routes (along the Noarlunga train line corridor) and completion of the first section of the Amy Gillett Bikeway in the Adelaide Hills. Closer to the CBD, two newly opened pedestrian-actuated crossings on Anzac Highway and Greenhill Roads now connect the Merino Rocks Greenway route into the inner-city cycling network. Peter Watts, Manager of DTEI’s Office of Cycling and Walking, points out that bicycle users can now safely cross these two busy roads at the Anzac Highway crossing adjacent to at the netball courts (and leading to the West Terrace Path) and at a Greenhill Road crossing opposite Johnstone Terrace. Gaps in the arterial road cycling network are also finally starting to close with sections such as Cross Rd (between Duthy St and Glen Osmond Rd) being given bike lane treatment and new lanes appearing elsewhere across the city. The OC&W are examining ‘squeeze points’, including those on Portrush and Payneham Roads and green-pavement treatment requests are also starting to make an appearance on the annual Black Spot wishlist. As Adelaide’s Lord Mayor, Stephen Yarwood recently announced, the lanes around Whitmore Square will thankfully getting a splash of green as a reminder to encroaching cars

SAM POWRIE

bicycle infrastructure programme 2011-2012

13

Unfortunately the Government’s ‘selling’ of this new infrastructure still seems to be an issue. In his media release Minister Conlon stated that ‘recent investment in cycling infrastructure has provided exciting opportunities for cycle enthusiasts and those looking for a healthy activity to do with friends and family.’ Such ‘feel good’ statements always seem to undersell or perhaps undervalue the importance of new bicycle facilities. While there is no reasonable argument to be made against catering for ‘cycle enthusiasts’ and ‘healthy activity’, rarely is mention made of the more pressing cycling imperatives very familiar to ordinary cycle commuters or ‘everyday’ bicycle users - those folk unable or unwilling to use motor vehicles, people with disabilities, those seeking ‘combined’ use of public and ‘active’ transport or (most importantly) those on ‘bicycle-only’ budgets! Perhaps such ‘reasons for riding’ are a bit too removed from the voter-friendly, feel-good ‘life-style choice’ rhetoric Governments favour. However the bike offers us something of special value - something beyond ‘lifestyle’ and

‘enthusiasm’ - and it would be wonderful to see this acknowledged in Government investment decisions. A few years ago Kym Dorrestyn a well known Adelaide traffic engineer

introduced me to the concept of the bike as ‘equity vehicle’. In 2011, with Australia facing recession, peak oil, climate change, rising food costs, housing crises, social disruption and increasing inequity, it seems time for Governments everywhere to be reminded of this concept. It would be refreshing, and indeed encouraging to hear Minister Conlon and his Department acknowledge the realities faced by South Australia’s increasingly large population of ‘every day’ bicycle users - those for whom bicycle use is more often a matter of necessity than choice. It would be even more encouraging if DTEI were to actively ‘sell’ new bicycle infrastructure in terms that recognise the bike as a preferred alternative to the car!

The Bicycle Institute looks forward to feedback from members regarding these new facilities.

For more details of projects www.bisa.asn.au/node/225

www.austroads.com.au/documents/Kym_Dorrestyn_-_In_Transport_the_Small_Picture_Is_ becoming_the_Big_Picture.doc

Images: Peter Watts, DTEI

14

Bonnie Dowling - membership co-ordinator

There really is something special about cycling. There's a

bike to suit every person. I think this is why a love bicycles so

much. They celebrate difference yet at the same time bring

all cyclists together. To me they represent freedom,

opportunity, community, fun and adventure. I ride every day

for transport but I do enjoy riding with others, more than

anything. Adelaide is a wonderful place to ride bikes but as

we all know well, more can be done to make our roads friendlier. This is why I

joined the Bicycle Institute. Anything to get more people cycling has to be a good

thing. Currently I work as a Bicycle Education Instructor, visiting various primary

schools, getting kids on their bikes and road savvy. And later on this year I will travel

to KI and New Zealand to get my cycle touring legs on.

Stephen Janes –Treasurer

My cycling mainly consists of the daily work commute

between Plympton and the CBD, plus small local trips, just

the type of trips that I would like to see more of with

resultant less cars buzzing around. I feel that the Bicycle

Institute is the only independent organisation in our state

that is batting for cyclists like me and I am pleased to help

the hard working committee in my role as Treasurer. My

other interests consist of square dancing, usually twice a

week. Recently Maryka and I have started small caravan

trips around the state in a little caravan we have just bought, I just need a fold up

bike for destination touring to complete the picture

Alan Sanderson –Committee Member

I joined the Bicycle Institute in 2010 after returning back to Adelaide to live. After

seeing many other overseas and some Australian cities progressing cycling as a

mainstream transport option I wanted to be involved and help the Bicycle

Institute’s push to make Adelaide a great cycling mecca

meet the rest of the committee

15

On Sunday 30th October, the Bicycle Institute is holding our second Spring Ride.

The day will be centred around Victoria Park, on the East Terrace side of the

Criterium Track. We’re inviting members of the Adelaide City Council and other

inner suburban councils to join us, along with traffic planners at both State

Government and Council level.

Late morning there will be a family-friendly trundle through some CBD streets and

lanes, and along some of the Parkland Trail also A BYO picnic lunch, and then we

have the use of the Criterium Track from 1pm to 4pm for some real car-free riding!

Instead of vroom vroom, it will be tinkle time (as in ring your bell).

timetable for the day

Cycling SA has one of the Rendition Homes Cycling Series on the Criterium Track from early in the morning through to lunch time. There will be some fast race action happening.

Our Spring Ride – gather from 10.30am in Victoria Park in from East Terrace, between the Criterium Track and the Parklands Trail. Ride sets out at 11am.

Noon is BYO picnic lunch time.

From 1pm, join the longest, slowest and most unusual peleton you’re ever likely to be a part of.

Afterwards, Adelaide’s first Cargo Bike race

And it’s just across Wakefield Rd to watch some bike polo action

Get on your bike and come for the day – or any part of it that you can make. If

you’ve got a bike not commonly seen on our streets, bring it along.

Everyone’s welcome.

come to our

spring ride BRIAN JENKINS

16

Pedal Update is a newsletter of the Bicycle Institute of South Australia Inc., and is

now published four times per year. The Bicycle Institute is incorporated in South

Australia. Material published in Pedal Update is copyright. Articles and graphics

may be copied and republished by non-profit organisations, provided the author

and Pedal Update are given credit. Opinions published in Pedal Update are not

necessarily those of the Bicycle Institute.

We are always looking for contributions, send me any stories, ideas or feedback to

editor@bisa.asn.au

Nicole Dowling - Pedal Update Editor

Road Hazards? Call DTEI: 1800 018 313

Reporting Dangerous Drivers? Call Traffic Watch: 131 444

www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/road_saftey/traffic_watch.jsp

Do you have a bike you want to sell, or

looking for something unusual?

Let me know

Email: editor@bisa.asn.au

WANTED: 1 steel 26” x 1 3/8 32 hole

rim Call: Darren on 0413 310 973 or

email darrenwilsonroberts@yahoo.com

WANTED:

BUY OR SELL

Largs Pier Hotel is bike friendly!