Hi Freestyler,
Before we get on to the serious business below, there is a ride you might be interested in via Meetup on Sunday, July 14, 2019 starting at Federation Square to Brighton via Port Melbourne, hosted by “Dutch Style Cycling – Upright and Elegant”
At the last State election, two of the big topics were St Kilda Rd and Sydney Rd. Freestyle Cyclists organised meetings of cycling advocacy groups before the election.
We initially focussed on St Kilda Rd and there is reason to believe that the current project to build safe bike lanes there is a direct result, with our message being carried to the local member by Port Phillip BUG and an announcement coming 2 weeks later. That election promise has now turned into a $27M allocation in the budget, so the project should go ahead sooner rather than later.
Then our focus turned to supporting Catherine Deveny in the seat of Brunswick, standing for the Reason Party. Our friends in Revitalise Sydney Road Inc took Catherine for a ride along Sydney Rd, which she already knows very well. We explained the proposals of Revitalise Sydney Rd Inc http://sydneyroad.org
and she carried our message to the sitting upper member Fiona Patten, who was re-elected. Recall that prior to the last election, Vicroads was ready to go to public consultation on Sydney Rd but the government put it on hold. Now it’s back on the agenda, and Vicroads is running a survey on the options for Sydney Rd. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to transform Sydney Rd with wider footpaths and protected bike lanes.
Jointly with Bicycle Network, Revitalise Sydney Rd Inc is organising phone banking to call BN members and inform them about the survey. Most BN members have not yet done the survey, and all are agreeing to do so when called and they hear how important it is. But more people need to come and help make the calls. It’s an easy call to make, BN members are receptive and keen to help.
Every extra person is a multiple of survey responses.
http://sydneyroad.org/rsvp is the link where you can see the dates and let the organisers know you are coming. Pizza or similar is ordered in.
Upcoming: this Thursday 6pm to 8:30pm (or earlier finish if you can’t stay later)
Next week Tuesday and Thursday 6pm to 8:30pm
This Saturday and next Saturday 11:00a.m. outside Barkly Square in Sydney Rd, street stall and letterboxing or doorknocking.