YarraBUG

Val and Faith are back in the studio after the summer break and kick things off sharing their bicycle moments. We move on to news, including Denali's local commute, the MACSA's discouraging 'safety' messages addressing cyclists and the Queen's Parade detour. Val shares an update on helmet techologies that can reduce the injuries to cyclists wearing helmets that are becoming more accessible, before we move on to some upcoming events. Commuter Cycles are hosting a Summer Solstice Camp Out, the 2019 Bike Rave date has been anounced and Bike West are hosting their AGM in February. 

Val and Faith celebrate the end of 2018 with some of their favourite bits about bikes discovered in books over the past year. Val has a diverse selection of readings while Faith focuses on bikepacking tips from the 1890s. 

On this weeks program: Chris talks to Cory Boardman from the new Brompton Junction Melbourne in Carlton North and all things Brompton, including the Brompton Hotlap at Shimano Super Crit and the flexible multi-modal uses of folding bikes. Cory also talks about an recent Coroners report about illegal hi-powered and over-powered e-bikes.Local news includes a recap about City of Greater Dandenong decision to demolish Maurice Kirby Velodrome in Noble Park and a call out to Melbourne's cycling community to ride the facility before any further work is done, including joining the new formed Noble Park Dandenong Cycling Club.Steve talks to Kaydee Raths and Pepper Cook at the Hunt 1000 afterparty at Commuter Cycles back in November about blizzards, sandles, snow and their bikepacking adventures through Australias alpine country.

The show is off to a much more prosaic start this morning than usual as a last minute hitch means that we are forced to carry on without Val and his dulcet tones are sorely missed! Faith is joined in the studio by guest Charlie Farren and we each share a bicycle moment. We also take a quick look at this year's Hunt 1000 which has been an adventure packed ride, even before the Grand Depart, with snowfalls and blizzards. You can follow the riders progress here. Talk turns to the Farren Collection and Charlie explains the history and development of this world-renowned bicycle collection, the late Paul Farren's passion and commitment in developing the collection, and the era of the bicycle that is the focus of the collection. While the collection, housed in Melbourne in a private museum, encompasses over 200 bicycles a new home has been found for forty of those bicycles at the Shepparton Motor Museum (Soon to be MOVE), making these amazing machines and the history embodied within them accessible to many

Val and Faith are joined in the studio this week by Melissa and Chris Buntlett of Canadian agency Modacity. We share our bike moments before taking a brief look at some local news including; last chance to have your say on the shape of the Shrine to Sea boulevard for pedestrians and cyclists and Skyrail for Upfield and the chance to make sure this ensures a badly needed upgrade for the Upfield bike path. Melissa and Chris describe how they first came to give up the use of their car ten years ago in Vancouver and the journey they've been on since then, with their two children, sharing stories about urban mobility and the ways in which multi-modal transport which embraces the bicycle can create more open and welcoming environments for everyone. Their book Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality is being launched in Melbourne Tuesday November 20th at Bicycle Network 

On this weeks program, it's been a painful couple of days in Melbourne, including the deaths of cycling advocate Cameron Frewer (Drive Safe, Pass Wide) and professional rider Jonathan Cantwell.A donation page has been set up to help Cameron Frewer’s familyDonate to the Jonathan Cantwell Family FundWhere to seek help for mental illnessLast Tuesday saw Cup Day k's at Maurice Kirby Velodrome in Noble Park, refer to previous program: Saving Melbourne's cycling history: talking about Maurice Kirby Velodrome (27 August 2018) Despite torrential rain over 40-50 people visited over the day to ride, walk and enjoy this beautiful little gem that is under threat of demolition by Greater Dandenong Council.Miranda, Tony, David, Marcel, Gisella, Gaye, Abbey, John, Skippy, Robert, Kim, Jeff and Shamsher spoke about their appreciation for the velodrome and reasons why it should be saved, refreshed and retained as part of a reinvigorated Parkfield Reserve Masterplan.Find out more about the Save Noble Park Velodr

Chris catches up with David Blom from Melbourne Metro East Bicycle Users Group and Lachlan Cook from Collingwood Childrens Farm.Local news includes The Greens announcement of a 17km multi-lane, separated bike route from Elsternwick Station to Bell Street, Coburg, then a quick recap of last Saturdays Community Action: We need More Trains on the Upfield Line and Extend the Upfield Bike Path, Duplicate the Upfield Line, with over one hundred people attending the first rally.Lachlan talks about Ride to the Farm Day on Saturday 10 November, a fun and healthy day-out by cycling or walking, instead of driving the car, to the Farmers Market at Collingwood Children’s Farm. Melbourne Poly Tech in Fairfield is the muster point between 7.30am to 3pm for a 3km ride to the farm, with free Market and Farm entry until 1pm with wristband.David chats about progress and updates for cycling infrastructure for south-east Melbourne, including Box Hill - Ringwood Rail Trail, Sydnal - Heatherton Trail, Dandenong Creek

Val and Faith are joined in the studio today by Aroha Yates and we all share our bike moments to kick things off. We then take a look at cycling news including where you'll find Melbourne's most active commuters, St Kilda bike lanes a vote winner, the Walking and Cycling Conference underway in Bendigo and a cost benefit analysis of bicycle helmets in Germany. We also run through some upcoming events including; Extend the Upfield Bike Path, DDCX Cox Plate, Will Climb for Views, a campaign to save space for bicycles on regional trains and Cup Day Ks to save the Maurice Kirby velodrome in Noble Park. Talk turns to New Zealand's Old Ghost Road and Ari's recent bikepacking trip there with friends. New Zealand has the tourism infrastructure to support bike tourists getting to and from their amazing cycle trails and the Old Ghost Road is no exception. A spectacular MTB trail with an amazing history and huts you can book for each night along the way that proves to be accesible to many riders. 

On this weeks program: Chris talks to Australian endurance cyclist Tim Taylor about his inspirational journey in the previous decade, from unhealthy non-rider to cycling over 100,000km, starting with an anecdote about his unexpected reception at the William Creek Hotel on the Oodnadatta Track, then chatting about Audax Australia rides, first Alpine Classic, bikepacking, and combining Race to the Rock and Indian Pacific Wheelrace routes with a fundraising ride.Local news includes yet another St Kilda Road bicycle lanes announcement in time for the 24 November state election, a recap on last fortnights interview with Jenica Brooke from Melbourne Commuter, Bike Palooza, Australian Walking & Cycling Conference in Bendigo, crunch time for saving Noble Park velodrome in Dunblane Road and weekly Jetnikoff shop rides in Northcote.For more Melbourne bicycle news and events, follow Yarra Bicycle Users Group on twitter, facebook and our 

Val and Faith take to the studio and kick things off sharing their respective bike moments, in which Val catches a lift up a hill and Faith finds it's the little things that matter. We take a look at both local news and some from further afield with Val's update on the never-ending IOC and Russia saga, the opening of the Djerring Trail in south-eastern Melbourne and the study documenting drivers being distracted 45% of the time. Moving on to our reading lists we take a look at several new books for those interested in different aspects of cycling history. We start with a brief recap on a book we mentioned a few week's ago, Revolution: How the Bicycle Reinvented Modern Britain by William Manners. Next up is Rupert Guiness' Power to the Pedal. The Story of Australian Cycling, a promising-looking history despite the claim on many sites selling the book (not by the author) to cover 200 years of cycling in Australia. Also just released is Women on the Move: The Forgotten Era of Women's Bicycle Racing by

On this weeks program, Chris catches up with Jenica Brooke (Melbourne Commuter) for a free-ranging discussion about four years of missed opportunities for active transport in Victoria since 2014. First up we discuss the Buckley Street LXRA project in Essendon, which has resulted in a poor outcome for pedestrians and cyclists, with ongoing works in the area, inappropriate detours, changing plans and incomplete details. Watch: Youtube Buckley Street Trench (3 October 2018)We touch upon Transport Integration Act (2010), Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018-28, VicRoads Bicycle Infrastructure Design and Cycling Aspects of Austroads Guides that reference active transport guidelines, with more missed opportunities for Extend the Upfield Bike Path to Upfield and the Swan Street/ Hoddle Street intersection in Richmond (eg: Streamlining Hoddle Street and Major Road Projects Authority video). We also discuss perception as reality putting off intending riders, political

Val and Faith are surprised by a visit from a random listener, Allan, so we invite him to join us on the show. We all share our bike moments before kicking off the program with some news. The 30kph trial has started in the City of Yarra while in the Netherlands, Dutch cyclists are facing a mobile phone ban. The Mullum Mullum trail extension has opened and Australia scores a silver at the World Championships. The TAC reinstates cover for cyclists who are involved in accidents with stationary vehicles. We take a look at Jenica Brooke's excellent analysis of the Buckley Street Level Crossing Removal and the dire consequences for cyclists, read the whole thing here.  Discussion turns to the Mike Hall inquest held this past week in Canberra over three days. While we wait for the Coroner's findings in January we touched upon the police investigation and the gracious response of Patricia Hall, Mike's mother. We also take a look at reports from an inquiry into the Australian National Road Safety Strate

On this weeks show, Chris and Steve catch up with Nick Skarajew and Adam Lana about their Race to the Rock reflections at Post #RaceToTheRock Shed Beers, about riding from Cockle Creek, Tasmania to Uluru, or in Adam's case, almost to Uluru.Local news catch up: previous guest Kim Nguyen and local riders (Save Noble Park Velodrome) paying homage to Russell Mockridge 60 years on, by riding to the intersection of Dandenong and Clayton Road, Oakleigh, and another previous guest, Carlton Reid winning Transport Journalist of the Year at Press Gazette British Journalism Awards for Specialist Media, how you can give feedback to Yarra Councils's Thank for 30 trial in Collingwood and Fitzroy and Rory's law now passed by Victorian government.

Val and Faith kick off the show with their bicycle moments before some news including Sarah Hammond's incredible win of the third Race to the Rock. Check here for the progress of the remaining riders. We also mention the inaugraul Terra Australia ride which has just started. We take a look at Revolution How the Bicycle Reinvented Modern Britain by William Manners, a fascinating book about the bicycle and its impact on society and culture in Victorian Britain. You can check out the author's blog here. We also take a look at some of the events coming up locally including; a Hunt 1000 information night at Commuter Cycles on September 19th, a Transport Forum in the City of Moreland, Preston Market's Free Bike Breakfast, and Rishi Fox's Will Climb for Views. 

Faith and Val take to the studio on a Monday morning and kick off the show sharing their bike (or bikeless) moments. While waiting for our guest we talk about the end of an era with the retirement of Peter Moore at Abbotsford Cycles, a Melbourne institution. We also touch on the start of the Race to the Rock over the weekend and the progress of riders as the first to complete the Tasmanian section make it to Melbournewith listeners sending through photos of Sarah Hammond at Melbourne Town Hall. Our guest this morning, Martin Curtis, arrives just in time to share his passion for the legendary Australian cyclist Russell Mockridge. Martin's book Russell Mockridge The Man In Front  explores not only Mockridge's cycling achievements but the personality and character of the man and his sudden and tragic death. Mockridge's achievements will be remembered on the weekend of September 15th and 16th with a memorial ride and a forum discussion with authors who have contributed to the Mockridge story includ

On this weeks program Chris interviews Kim Nguyen, a resident in Melbourne's south-east about discovering a Noble Park velodrome with a big history.Kim talks about discovering a hidden cycling gem, the historic Maurice Kirby velodrome, earlier this year, only to find out literally by chance, that the entire area is slated for demolition by City of Greater Dandenong. This is the only velodrome remaining in the region and the council have no plans to resurface, rebuild or replace the historic venue. We talk about who was Maurice Kirby, his Nobel Park bicycle shop, Pedal Clubs of Victoria, his long career as a sports broadcaster on 3XY and Channel Nine, velodrome construction in 1954-1955 and it's gradual disappearance from local wayfinding.Kim discusses how people can get involved with his campaign to save the Maurice Kirby velodrome, including contacting him about any stories about learning to ride or using the velodrome to train and also sending questions to the Greater Dandenong

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Colin Bell, president of the Sunbury Cycling Club and dream builder at Essendon Fields Cyclocross. We share some news including the launch of Overlander by Rupert Guiness and the ICAN Noble Peace Ride as well as our respective bike moments. Talk turns to this weekend's Melbourne Grand Prix of Cyclocross and the community that has grown around the event both here and overseas. The coming weekend includes a Women's Forum on the Friday evening and racing over the weekend from balance bikes kids to Elite fields attracting international riders. Registrations are open until Wednesday. Cyclocross is a brilliant spectator sport so this weekend is the perfect opprtunity to come and check it out at a great venue with an awesome crowd and exciting riders in all categories. #melgpcx #cx 

On this weeks show: first up Chris discusses vulnerable road users, behaviour change and floating signifiers in the aftermath of two young women's deaths in New York and South Yarra, including the Coburg hit and run incident involving a teenage girl from last year.Thanks for 30: Yarra City Council will soon be trialling a 30km/h speed limit in a pocket of Fitzroy and Collingwood, Adam Ferrante from The Rose St. Artists’ Market talks about growing up, living and working in Fitzroy and how he supports the speed trial and changing attitudes to slower speeds.Second interview: Sam Luck, Principal of Collingwood College talks about creating a safer road environment for over 800 students and staff, who predominantly travel by foot, scooter and bicycle.News and events: last weekend saw the It's Time To Replace Walmer Street Bridge Rally in Abbotsford, with Richard Wynne committing to $200K for scoping works to commence the bridges overdue replacement.For more Melbourne bicycle news and events, fol

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by endurance cyclist Lewis Ciddor. We swap bicycle moments before taking a look at local and overseas cycling news, particularly that affecting your transport options. Moreland Council have released their Draft Integrated Transport and Parking Strategy for feedback, but hurry, consultaion closes August 17th. Partially separated bike paths form part of the latest proposal for Sydney Road and the Walmer Street Bridge campaign is promised $200,000.00 towards a scoping study. Discussion turns to the 2018 Tour Divide mtb race and Lewis's inaugral effort, winning the 4400km race in fifteen days, two hours and eight minutes from a field of aproximately 160 participants. Lewis talks about his preparation for the ride, the bike he rode, the incredible route from Banff, Canada to the US-Mexican border, the 50,000m of climbing through some of the US's most stunning scenery and the fauna and flora as well as his recovery. You can check out Lewis's website at overlandarchive.com

Two interviews on this weeks program where Chris speaks to Rob Kretschmer and Cr Jackie Fristacky from City of Yarra.First up Rob Kretschmer from Bike Bendigo  provides an update about the upcoming Australian Walking and Cycling Conference to be held in Bendigo in October 2018, with Melissa and Chris Bruntlett from Modacity announced as keynote speakers.Cr Jackie Fristacky discusses Metropolitan Transport Forum's series of town hall-style public conversations with local politicians about transport issues in a Victorian election year, with MTF Yarra Transport Forum on Thursday 2nd August at Richmond Town Hall.Local news includes Freestyle Cyclists event: Cyclists get organised for the 2018 Victorian state election and Metro East Bicycle User Groups new Ringwood to Croydon path proposal.For more Melbourne bicycle news and events, follow Yarra Bicycle Users Group on twitter, facebook and our public events calendar.