10 Aug 2010
Making Bikes an Election Issue.
As many of you know, we have an election happening here, and as the days count down, its’ getting interesting.
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, delivered an impressive performance, Sunday night on the ABC show, Q and A. But, as usual, nothing was said about cycling.
I think bikes should be part of this election. I’ve made a short film, called; , Tony Abbott, Not the Man. on that idea.
It’s a challenge to Tony who should “own” the cycling issue, he being so keen to be seen on a bike.
I argue, though, that he does not have the vision to see where bikes could take us. I try to help him along by inventing a line of thought for him if he was to see the light, linking him up with a much more visionary conservative when it comes to bikes, London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson.
I admit that Labor’s not much better but that if they were to win , and the Greens hold the balance in the Senate, then we might make some progress.
Is this a fruitful path folks? Abbott will be on Q and A next Monday. Would you like to see him asked a bike question?
Apropos of the debate we are having about helmets and bike share, this article in the Irish times is quite fascinating.
Note that Dublin, like Montreal, is reporting an extroadinary safety record for Dublinbike (cycling in Dublin)
One that goes against all expectations for the 400 share bikes they’ve thrown onto their streets.
More proof that the climate of cycling fear that we live in here, that we cant be safe without helmets, is a phony construct.
It might have seemed no big deal before, but as it brings down Melbourne Bike Share, as I think it will, then it becomes a very important issue
Great film, congratulations
I’d love to hear Mr Abbott’s thoughts on these issues, it’s a topic close to my heart too.
Katie Boyle
August 10th, 2010 at 8:08 ampermalink
Great film, Mike.
I have been pestering my Greens candidates to at least get a say in how federal cycling funding (the $40M that Christine Milne captured) is spent – focussing on quality, separated infrastructure – Dutch-style – not just paint…
I think the DublinBikes is the best ‘control’ group for Melbourne’s bike hire scheme – with a similar number of stations and bikes over a comparable area.
They just don’t have mandatory helmet requirements.
They have more than 37000 subscribers and have seen a whopping 828,688 journeys in the first 12 months!
Also, despite no mandatory helmet law, they have had not one serious incident involving the hire bikes…
I’m sure Melbourne Bike Share & the RACV will find a few more excuses as to why it isn’t working as well in Melbourne; but after a full year the excuses will be looking pretty weak and all that will be left will be the helmet issue…
Dr Paul Martin
August 10th, 2010 at 9:38 pmpermalink
BTW – we should all email/twitter in questions to Tony on Q&A on bicycle funding. We need to see some Federal funding and leadership on this issue, much like the Dutch have.
The Dutch spend as little as 30 Euro per person per year and just look at what they get!
They and their children, are also much happier, healthier and less dependant on oil-based transport.
The Federal Government has a say on road funding – why not on bicycle funding?
Dr Paul Martin
August 10th, 2010 at 9:44 pmpermalink
Great video!!!
James
August 10th, 2010 at 9:49 pmpermalink
Mike Rubbo for PM
Yes I would love to see Tony get asked a Bicycle 2.0 question on Q&A.
Anyone know what the candidates for the seat of Melbourne think of the bike helmet rules for the Melbourne bikeshare bikes? So far my questions haven’t made it past the moderator of the Greens website, but I only asked 24 hours ago.
Matt
August 11th, 2010 at 12:03 ampermalink
Keep trying, Matt. Mike
Mike Rubbo
August 11th, 2010 at 6:25 ampermalink
Would that be the Greens on whose Melbourne website you see a prominent drawing of a woman riding a bike helmetless?
Branko Collin
August 13th, 2010 at 1:33 pmpermalink
Tony Abbott represents the status quo in Australia. My expectations of him (or Julia) in this regard could hardly be lower.
I want to know where The Greens and the cycling organisations in Australia stand on this issue, given that they claim to want to promote cycling. They cycling organisations (BISA, Pedal Power ACT, Bicycle Victoria, …) seem to be MIA on the issue, despite the fact that their peers internationally really do view Australia’s helmet laws as a cautionary tale.
Tali
August 13th, 2010 at 4:35 pmpermalink
Well, one way to start finding out, Taliesin, will be to start asking in the election context. I sent the the film to Ian Cohen, Greens MP, asking that he send it on to Christine Milne and Bob Brown. No response. Why don’t you try?
Also, it would be very good to get a question asked of Tony Abbott on Monday night’s Q and A. Even if he’ll do nothing, it will bring the issue the open. I hope to send in a video question. I hope others, like yourself, will do the same. Tony Jones is apt to regard it a very left field issue of marginal interest I suspect, unless he gets a few along the same lines. Mike
Mike Rubbo
August 14th, 2010 at 6:03 pmpermalink
The Fedral Dept of Infrastrucutre has sat on a proposal draft by NSW RTA to up the ebike power limit from 200w to 250w, and simultaneously put on a 25kmh pedalec speed limit (EU standard, full motor cutout at 23-25kmh). My 200w Jamis ebike does 34kmh before the power fizzes away, so its a 26% reduction in speed capability being proposed. I’ve concluded that speed limiting ebikes is on a par with spending $5 mil on a bike share scheme in Melbourne, and keeping people off the bikes by mandating helmets.
Ebikes can improve fitness, reduce traffic congestion and help alleviate climate change. Don’t look to the govt for leadership – just get on with it!
Alan Page
August 27th, 2010 at 1:22 ampermalink
grand http://0ec.yq1.200i.co : knobs…
knobs…
grand
September 14th, 2010 at 7:39 pmpermalink