Sydney Critical Mass

Pedal power way to beat bottleneck

WILL everyone please stop whingeing about the Spit Bridge and the ferries? I'm sorry J. Gibson and Councillor Aird (Viewpoint, Feb 5 and 10), but the really effective solution to the Spit Bridge bottleneck is for commuters to get off their backsides and pedal to work or school. Manly to the CBD is only 15km by road, so any able-bodied adult has no excuse for adding to the congestion and air pollution by sitting passively in a car or bus.

For the less fit or those travelling further, simply cycle to the ferry and ride to your destination at the other end. Enjoy some fresh air and read the paper.

More cyclists means fewer cars jamming up the roads for those who travel really long distances or need to move around as part of their job. Cycling to work not only eases congestion and improves air quality, it also reduces the pressure on our health services from sedentary lifestyle diseases and improves people's mental outlook.

Referring his alter ego Roy Slaven, John Doyle once said that it is easier to talk about the things that one knows nothing about. For all that Michael Lawler (Heckler 26 June) cares, I do not have near death experiences every time I cycle to work. The air outside a car is generally less toxic than the air inside it and because I cycle every day, I am never exhausted. Sure I might be perspiring (I do not sweat, I perspire) so I have a shower at work instead of having one at home. I am rarely flustered either; I am almost always in high spirits because I have been able complete my morning commute in a fraction of the time it would take by car or by public transport. I am also pretty pleased with the financial cost as well.

In these times of increasing petrol prices and traffic congestion, I look at my bicycles and say "I love you", to them every day.

Chris Virtue

Your Heckler Mitchell Lawler (26 June), pinned much of his anti-cycling argument on the canard that people in Denmark and Holland cycle only because it is flat there.

I haven't been to Denmark but I know that Amsterdam, freezing in winter and riddled with canals, can easily match Sydney's hills for cycling difficulty.

The fact is, after two weeks in the saddle getting into shape, Sydney's hills are no more difficult – and a lot cheaper – than using a machine in a gym. If people in Sydney could cycle safely, many more would.

Michael Gormly

In Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal's opinion, a congestion charge for Sydney is not a "common sense" solution to our traffic problems (ABC Radio News, 21/6). Well Eric, what is? Clearly building more roads hasn't worked here while a congestion charge has worked in London. I have my own solution, however. I'll continue to ride my bicycle past all those stationary cars masquerading traffic.

Keep up the good work, Eric. I enjoy a good laugh before I get out of bed on a Saturday morning.

Chris Virtue

For some strange reason drivers of polluting motor vehicles feel they have more of a right to drive on any road than a cyclist because they pay registration fees for their vehicle. A quick check of the RTA's website to look up the 2007 Financial Statement reveals the followings FACTS that these people should bear in mind the next time they get the urge to yell abuse at a cyclist using their road:

Page 3 of 33 of the Financial Statements, Total Expenses Excluding Losses - (Consolidated), shows: $2,262,575,000.00 Revenue from Sale of Goods and Services shows = $296,292,000.00

A difference of $1,966,283,000.00

Seems to me that it is the drivers of motor vehicles who are being subsidised by all the taxpayers of NSW. If these selfish, narrow-minded, single-occupancy vehicle drivers believe they have a god given right to the road, then perhaps they'd care to pay their fair share and relieve the tax burden on the people who choose not to drive. I can imagine how they'd scream and wail at the thought of the registration fees going up a whopping one thousand per cent, judging by their recent bleatings.

I have a car, it's registered, insured and in good working order. I also have the option of catching a bus to work or cycling. Many days I choose to cycle. Why? For the simple reason that I get exercise to and from work, I don't have to wait fifteen minutes to get on an overcrowded, stinking bus with people farting, belching, scratching and yelling into their mobiles over the top of their neighbour's blaring mp3 player.

Cycling to work reduces greenhouse gases and health expenses as I am fitter and less stressed.

The people who say cyclists increase their travel time should stop and think how much more their travel time would increase if the cyclist you just squeezed past or ran off the road in your single occupancy, six-cylinder gas guzzler was in another six-cylinder gas guzzler and was in front of you! You can't squeeze past them as you've run all the cyclists off the road and into gas guzzlers, and now the roads are practically grid-locked. Who are the Luddites going to blame now for all the traffic. The last traffic jam I saw was caused by too many motor vehicles. Cyclists don't cause traffic jams as yes, quite rightly, they go onto a footpath to get around it. So would you if you weren't so lazy, got out of your tin can, got some exercise and lived a more active and happy life rather than fuming at the wheel.

I also see more cars going through red lights, which has more serious consequences than if a cyclist goes through a red light.

Yours sincerely,
Bryan Freeman
Maroubra

Finally, our new government is moving in the right direction (Tax on luxury cars fair: Swan, SMH Web, Sunday 11 May). What a pity they aren't taxing all imported cars and doubling that tax for any car larger than four cylinders. Let's be quite clear: motor vehicles are a burden on our society and our planet.

Cars kill people, they pollute the air and contribute to climate change. Imported oil and vehicles contribute to the national current account deficit. Drivers demand expensive motorways and tunnels yet complain about the price of petrol. Motor vehicles are a burden on our health system, encouraging sedentary lifestyles as well as creating road trauma. Every new car adds to the congestion on our roads.

The sooner we get over our addiction to private motor vehicles the better off we'll all be as a society.

Michael McGrath

Dear Editor,

Of course the NRMA will claim that any money spent on cycling facilities is a waste. The NRMA's prime role is to ensure that the tax payer continues to subsidise car-based transport. While they might whine about the low use of the Epping Road cycleway, it must be pointed out that it is new, and therefore deserves a chance.

Does the NRMA ever consider that the design of cycling facilities might have something to do with the slow uptake? What do roads and cycle paths have in common? Both are designed by motorists.

And while we're on the subject of the low use of facilities: remember that the low driver uptake of the Cross City Tunnel drove it into bankruptcy. Regardless of the level of use, the Epping Road cycleway is unlikely to have the same fiscal effect.

Chris Virtue
(contact dets removed in case Steve Price or some other goose is lurking)

The Hon Kristina Keneally, Premier of NSW
The Hon David Borger, Minister for Roads

Dear Premier and Minister,

I have had the unfortunate experience of listening to the 2GB radio interview of Tuesday 3 August, between Minister Borger and Alan Jones.

http://tinyurl.com/JonesandRoads (opens: http://www.2gb.com/index2.php?option=com_podcasting&task=playaudio&id=2&f=6&Itemid=41)

Listening to Alan Jones in full flight is always a painful experience, but to hear the NSW Minister for Roads grovelling to this thug is positively frightening and explains a lot about the way power and influence operate in our state.

One-man bands like Jones and his personal crusade have a detrimental effect on the safety of cyclists and restricts their potential to have a positive impact on road congestion, air pollution, public health and foreign debt.

Massively increased use of bicycles as regular transport, particularly for commuting, is the safest, cleanest and easiest-to-implement strategy for improving the quality of life for everyone in our society.

We don't need to throw away our cars. We need to use them more selectively and intelligently.

What we need to "move forward" is courageous leadership and vision, not ceding more power to narrow-minded bully boys who speak for selfish vested interests.

I look forward to hearing the NSW Government¹s repudiation of Alan Jones and his fossil-fuelled frothing at the mouth.

kind regards
Michael

Ms Kristina Keneally
Premier
Level 39,
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000

August 5, 2010

Dear Ms Keneally,

After listening to Alan Jones interview your roads minister on the radio, may I suggest a cabinet reshuffle? Mr Borger should be made Minister for Appeasing Shock Jocks.

He stated that he had sought legal advice regarding the City of Sydney’s cycleway program, presumably with an aim to shutting it down. Is this true? Is he working under your instruction? Will you be making this advice public?

He also said (proudly) that your cycleway program does not remove any car parking; that it runs along rivers, freeways and railway lines. I find this disturbing for two reasons.

Firstly, he uses the present tense. Might I be so bold to point out to you that you are yet to build anything. Secondly, it confirms what I have always suspected: your cycleways will be there (if they ever eventuate) to enable us to have a jolly good scenic saunter with the kids and not to provide an alternative to the private motor cars that continue to choke our city.

Following is the text of a speech I gave at rally in support of the cycleways on Tuesday night. I think it pretty much sums up the view of the people at the rally towards the Lord Mayor, the cycleways and your government’s inability to take any effective leadership in making our city a better place to live. Enjoy!

Yours sincerely

Chris Virtue
Cyclist, non car owner and voter in a marginal electorate

Ms Kristina Keneally
Premier
Level 39,
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000

August 30, 2010

Dear Ms Keneally,

Thank you for the letter from the director general of your department advising me that my letter had been forwarded to Mr Borger.

Mr Swain has obviously not understood my letter and why it was addressed to you. The reason I wrote to you and not the minister is because I wanted to express my concern at his poor performance and lack of suitability. My understanding is that under our system of government, you - as premier - are responsible for the allocation of portfolios, so it stands to reason that you should respond - not the minister in question.

Let me put it plainly in words that you can understand. I want this incompetent poltroon sacked. That, Ms Premier, is your job. What were you expecting? Mr Borger reads my letter (subject to it getting past the ring of minders who protect him from the great unwashed voting public); throws his hands up in the air, says "That's it. Chris Virtue's had a gutful of me. I'd better go."; clears his desk and rides off into the sunset. According www.nsw.gov.au, it is yet to happen.

You do realise that this episode raises questions about the suitability of your Mr Swain? Do you think that the head of your department can do his job properly if he has such a low level of comprehension? I would have thought the meaning in my letter was pretty clear. I have included a copy. I would appreciate your feedback.

There is, of course, an alternative explanation for Mr Swain's action, that being that you and he have a total disregard for the electorate. If that is the case, then one would suspect that besides incompetence, the only quality that your government has in abundance is hubris.

Yours sincerely

Chris Virtue
Cyclist, non car owner and voter in a marginal electorate

The Hon. David Borger MP
Minister for Roads
Governor Macquarie Tower
Level 37, 1 Farrer Place,
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Minister,

I wanted to express my displeasure at the approach and attitude you took when talking to Alan Jones on Tuesday 3rd August. Even though Jones wields considerable influence with his audience, the government should remain under an obligation to state their current policy clearly, and make that policy under the best advice they can obtain. The impression given from the interview was that government policy was, to a certain extent, being driven by Jones.

During the Alan Jones interview, you stated that you were taking legal advice on whether the state government had the power to prevent cycleway construction. Can you please confirm whether you are seeking this advice, and if you intend to use any such power to prevent or reverse cycleway construction? Since the state government would obviously have the legislative power to do so, what is the purpose of seeking this advice?

Sydney has been waiting decades for a comprehensive cycle plan to be constructed. The Bike Plan 2010 has come and gone with little significant action taken. Sydney still remains a city with small, disconnected islands of cycle facilities. The City of Sydney is trying implement a cycleway plan akin to what the state government has in the past promised - an integrated network - giving Sydney residents an alternative to cycle safely should they wish to. It will have imperfections and impacts, like any construction project, but the potential benefits to the city will hopefully prove to be worth it.

If the NSW Labor government doesn't support the cycleway construction in Sydney, they should be clear with their policy. I can then make my decision accordingly at the ballot box. If they do support them, they should be able to state that - even to the face of Alan Jones.

Hi Clover

I am not from your electorate. I live in the outer suburbs of Campbelltown. I am a 43 year old mother of 3 who cycles every day. For leisure, fitness and commute to work. I have been following your achievements closely and think you are a wonderful women. I also believe in your animal activist work.

Anyway to get to the point. i listened with so much anger how alan jones bullied you on his radio program last week. I was proud of you for holding strong. I just wanted to let you know that he is not speaking for everyone. There are many of us out here who are loving what your doing.

Keep up the good work. I wish I lived in your area, but thats not going to happen, but I will definately be visiting on my bike :-)

Thanks again

Linda

The Honourable Lord Mayor, Clover Moore,

I wish to offer my deep apologies for the actions and words of Alan Jones. Although I have no connection to the man and am not in his audience, his behaviour is an affront to all decent people.

Please do not be intimidated or confused by his peculiar brand of bias.

There is sure be a financial motive for everything he does. As in all things related to this kind of thuggery, follow the money.

Sooner or later the vested interest that wants to stamp out cycling and all other life-sustaining, empowering activities, will come to light.

I salute your courage and vision, even though I am not a resident of the Sydney LGA and do not benefit from your cycling initiatives. I am sure, however, that your shining example will eventually spread to the Northern Beaches and areas where I do cycle and commute.

Keep up the great work and Thankyou.

Michael McGrath

Dear Ms Moore,

I am writing to express my support for your cycleways program and my disgust at the treatment you received during that "interview" with Alan Jones the other day. Who does he think he is; thumping on the desk and trying to intimidate you? Jones is a vile little man and should never be allowed anywhere near a microphone.

Take heart from this: all he did was attack. He did not offer any solutions to Sydney's traffic problems and was obviously politically motivated. Please do not take him too seriously. Remember that Paul Keating described his show as "middle-of-the-road fascism".

As someone who cycles to work in the CBD, the cycleway program has my support. The state government does not seem to be able to get past the planning stage, let alone get anywhere near implementation. The best they have been able to do is to produce three bike plans in 15 years.

Many of us in the community think that you are best, if not the only thing going for Sydney. Keep up the good work and do not worry about reprobates like Alan Jones.

Yours faithfully

Chris Virtue

Verity,

On the subject of attitudes and while I think of it, you could begin by dispelling the belief amongst motorists that cyclists don't pay for the roads. They do - because the taxes and charges raised to supposedly pay for the road network do not meet the costs and there is a shortfall that is made up by dipping into consolidated revenue. That might help deal with the attitude problem and it might help to prevent law-abiding motorists from yelling at me to get off the road and to "pay (my) taxes" (something I find interesting given that I run a small business and pay company and personal taxes not to forget the GST). All it takes is some well-placed public announcements - no infrastructure required.

I saw that the cost of the initiatives in the attached press release totals $428,000. We both know that the roads budget gets into the billions.

Here's a dilemma that you can perhaps do something about. Why is it illegal to vilify and discriminate against someone because of their sexual and religious choices but it is perfectly legal and acceptable community practice to hurl abuse at cyclists?

You're the ones with your hands on the legislative levers and all you can do is throw us another plan.

Ciao

Hi Verity,

I don't apologise for the tone. I'm out in this stuff every day and nothing gets better. If anyone should be apologising, it should be the government. You've been in power for 12 years and the results of your efforts to wean Sydneysiders away from their cars even occasionally is pitiful.

It's becoming increasingly difficult to take the government seriously as you have removed the previous two bike plans before virtually anything was implemented. The cycling community fully expects the same to happen to this one, too. As far we're concerned, this new "plan" is just another announcement. There is no process for submissions, no deadline. We also note that the two ministers behind the announcement have moved on. Of very serious concern to us is that Roozendaal is now the treasurer and he is a known anti-cyclist. Remember, this is the guy who said that cyclists should not be on the road during peak hour. As Roozendaal is going to be paying the bills from now on, we don't expect much.

We also note that the new Roads Minister, Michael Daly is a former NRMA employee. Enough said on that.

At least we agree one one thing: "that cycling facilities and community attitudes have a long way to go". So, what's wrong with Della Bosca's attitude? He cycles from his mother's place in Leichhardt to Parliament House. Why can't he be up front about it? A recent Herald story on him said that it "is understood Mr Della Bosca spent much of his time while he was suspended from cabinet swimming and cycling to lose weight." It is "understood" because he won't come out and say so. Is it that he is ashamed of being a cyclist or (I suspect that this is the real reason) he does not want to offend his petrol head constituents? If we had government members proudly saying that they are cyclists and they ride to work it would go along way towards fixing community attitudes.

You can read the Herald article here. http://tinyurl.com/5zj5mc

I'm sure that when the new plan is finalised, it'll have lots of proposals for new infrastructure. The problem that many of us see with an infrastructure-led approach is that it gives you an excuse to not do anything when money is tight. It doesn't cost much to work on attitudes. Also, if history is a guide, I fail to see how painting bicycle symbols under parked cars helps us. I would rather restrict car access than build bicycle infrastructure. However, Eric Roozendaal, that well known traffic engineer, doesn't see that as a "common-sense" solution. God help us that this guy is now treasurer.

Some of us don't have short memories. I'm still smarting at the removal of the breakdown lane from the airport tunnel because cars are soooooooooooooooo much more important. I still recall how the bicycle community was consulted about the design of the bicycle path on the (now) Anzac Bridge. Their input was ignored and so we have the dangerous situation where the ramp on the city side hits the street outside a large block of flats. There is often a taxi parked across that ramp in the morning. Also, we're still waiting for the contra lane in Wilson Street to be finished.

Furthermore, as long as the RTA continues its policy of only funding shared facilities (i.e. not bicycle-only paths) as well as continuing to place road work signs on bike paths, nothing is going to change.

I know I'm sounding quite negative, but when you get to my age you'll start to see things in a different light. The recent history of cycling in Sydney is littered with broken promises and poor government attitudes. I don't expect it to be any different this time around. I know I'm sounding like a grumpy old man, but I'm sick of being classed as an eccentric because my preferred mode of transport does not pollute and requires very little in the way of infrastructure; nor does it require us to go war to sure-up fuel for it.

Perhaps you should come to a BikeSydney meeting and meet some real-life commuter cyclists. Our next meeting is 6:00 tonight, which is probably a bit too short notice for you. Our usual venue is unavailable, so we're meeting at the Sydney Park Hotel in King St Newtown and the corner of Lord St and you're most welcome. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month if you're interested.

At least you got back to me so I know that you know and I'm appreciative of that. Roozendaal must be too busy to respond to emails from cyclists.

Kind regards.

Chris Virtue

Dear Mr Roozendaal,

I'd just like to thank you and your government for considering us mere mortals on bicycles in yet another "new" plan.

Please, don't be offended if I don't believe you or your government are going to implement some bold new initiative because we've all seen what has happened to all those other "plans". Shelved, mostly. No doubt you're aware of the plan that has "disappeared" for 2010.

It is true though, us cyclists don't much like riding along bike paths that are made out of paving stones/bricks, like part of the one that runs alongside the Grand Parade from Brighton-Le-Sands to the south. It's kinda bumpy, not to mention it's also got quite a lot of sand across parts of it which, when your front wheel hits it, you're lucky not to go A over T! If you catch my (sand)drift. We much prefer riding along all those cycle lanes that have been "created" by painting bike logos where cars park, then getting abused by the car drivers who park there and open their doors only to find one of us crashing into them. That's why I cycle on the so called back streets around that area. It runs parallel to the Grand Parade and it is also a rat run for motorists who think it's quicker than the car logged Grand Parade. Pity that on some mornings there's the lycra clad bunch doing their training run along it! I did find that rather amusing last week when they all passed me and all these cars were itching to get past them but the cars got stopped at the next red light anyway. Which is what happens most of the time in our fair city. Cars, or rather, the drivers of cars get uppity about a cyclist being in front of them, then they roar past, missing the unprotected cyclist (unprotected by a metal cage that is) by a few centimetres, only for the cyclist to catch up to them at the next set of lights. Then the cycle (no pun intended) repeats itself ad infinitum until the driver loses all self control and floors it through the next red light. In reality, as opposed to what goes on in the driver's mind, the other cars in front of them are holding them up, not the cyclist. The cyclist just becomes the focal point of their anger once they see the cyclist. Once they are past the cyclist, they think they are magically free of the turmoil that is Sydney peak hours. But as you being an avid cyclist would know, that certainly isn't the case.

However, notwithstanding the above, I will tell you which part of my commute by bike from Miranda to the City and return that I really do like, that's a 50km return trip by the way. It's the part along Qantas Drive near the airport. The ped/cycle path is rather wide there, wide enough to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians SAFELY. Not to mention it is quite fun zipping past all those cars fuming on the road in yet another traffic jam the car drivers have made for themselves. If every bike path was like that bit of 2k's or so along Qantas Drive then I'd be one happy clappy cyclist, as would many others. Although, not clapping while riding as that's just far too dangerous, even for a crazy person like me who likes to ride in peak hour. Well, actually, I don't like to ride in peak hour but having a job that requires I commute in peak hour then it's a forgone conclusion that I shall cycle in peak hour, or should that be peak hours. Sometimes though, I must admit, I do travel to work by train but I don't much like that, it's not as healthy as cycling or as fun!

That brings me to my next point. I noticed a big hoo-har (sp?) about those cycle storage boxes and the RTA attempting to inform drivers of them etc etc a while ago. Well, to date, since that announcement, I haven't seen one single, or collective for that matter, storage box? Have they been put in storage along with the other plans too?

Sooooo, the upshot of all this is, if you (meaning your government) do get around to implementing a plan about a plan, then please follow it through as we, the public, don't believe you.

I am reminded of scenes out of the Life of Brian, the one with all the people falling about themselves saying "(R)welease woderick" etc. You get the picture. It's becoming a bit of a farce all this talk about plans. It also reminds me of the person who says they're going to give up smoking, but next week, as it's too stressful this week! Well, Mr Roozendaal, just when will these plans be implemented, carried through to finalisation? When will we see the end result, something that we can point to? Not something under a parked car but something concrete like the concrete ped/cycleway along Qantas Drive? When will we see these sort of cycleways from the city out to the burbs alongside major roads or railway lines?

Regards,
Bryan freeman

Hey Eric,

Congratulations! You have a plan for yet another bike plan. The problem with the last two bike plans is that they got pulled before any of the implementation work was done. My challenge to you this time is to go one better. Why don’t you pull the plan to have a bike plan before the plan to have a bike plan is implemented? That would pretty cool, huh?

One a more serious note, Mr Commonsense, how stupid do you think we are? I reckon in 2012 all trace of this as yet non-existent bike plan will be removed, just as all trace of Bike Plan 2010 has.

Chris Virtue

Hey Eric,

Sorry I didn't write yesterday. I got caught up with stuff.

You reckon you're a cyclist. Have you noticed any difference in the hostility towards cyclists lately? I reckon it's increasing. I seem to be copping more abuse lately as I ride around the place. Yesterday, I had this clown in a white Hyundai wagon (registration number WHC 002) tailgate me with his hand on the horn in Regent Street. I reported it to Constable Woods at Redfern police, but just between you and me, I'm not holding my breath.

Do you have any theories on why the rate of motorist aggro is on the rise?

My theory is that motorists just don't like cyclists because they think we're odd. We're considered to be "unaustralian" (whatever that is) because we don't drive a gas guzzler. But, as the price of go juice climbs faster than Morrie's disapproval rating, they're becoming jealous because they've wasted all this money on a car just to be stuck in "traffic" and a smarmy cyclist breezes by. It's enough to make one's blood boil.

And, as you’re a man of influence, they take encouragement from your endorsement of the public comments made by your chief policy adviser Alan Evans about how cyclists should stay off the road in peak (eight) hours. I'm really starting to have doubts about this mysterious bicycle of yours because a real cyclist would never verbally attack the cycling community like that.

Back to the congestion charge debate. Remember how you ridiculed recommendations to tax traffic as armchair advice from "ivory tower" academics? Did you know that according to this morning's Herald, 69% of those surveyed support a congestion charge? Don't you think it's time you got with the strength? What with that and your senseless attack on the cycling community are you starting to feel a tad foolish? You should.

It's time to introduce today's c-word. Cretinous. It's a synonym of foolish. Here it is used in a sentence: After lambasting well-credentialed transport engineers as "ivory tower" academics, Eric was feeling a tad cretinous.

This week, we've discussed the following c-words and used them in sentences:
* congestion
* credentials
* cretinous

Have a nice weekend. Don't forget the Twilight Ride on Tuesday week. You'd be a dead-set cretin to miss it.

Chris Virtue

Hey Eric,

Today's C-word is "credentials". It's a funny word, because although it's a noun, it's rarely (if ever) used in the singular. Reason why it's today's c-word will become apparent as we move further into this e-pistle. (E-pistle – that's pretty clever isn't it? I made it up you know and you're not allowed to use it unless you ask me first.)

Yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald had a report about a report prepared by Professor Hensher and his team at Sydney University's Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. You can read the full report here: http://tinyurl.com/46j66j

According to Professor Hensher's report, a congestion charge of 10c per km could reduce congestion by a much as 8%. He has support from a former RTA director.

Let's get on to today's c-word: "credentials".

Let's have a quick look at Professor Hensher's credentials. For a start, he is Director of the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at the University's Faculty of Economics and Business. He knows about this stuff because he was awarded the Engineers Australia Transport Medal in 2006 for his "outstanding individual contribution of the highest order in the field of Australian Transport Engineering." Wow! I'd reckon that makes him pretty well-credentialed to pontificate on congestion charges, wouldn't you agree?

Now, let's look at your credentials. You have a degree in Arts/Law. You have been an organiser for the New South Wales branch of the ALP, eventually rising to General Secretary as well as becoming a member of the National Executive of the party. You were director of the 2003 NSW election campaign and the party's chief fund-raiser. I hear that you raised about $16.3 million in your time as General Secretary. Well done! You were rewarded for you efforts by filling a vacancy in the New South Wales Legislative Council. I don't see much about transport engineering in your pre-parliament career. Seems to be all about arm bending, doesn't?

Here's the funny bit. Somehow, a man whose expertise is in crunching numbers and doing deals in the NSW right of ALP is an expert on "commonsense" solutions to Sydney traffic congestion. I don't get it? How come you know so much more about this stuff than recognised industry and academic experts? I need to know?

Remember when your ministerial car was caught in a bus lane a couple of years ago? That was so cool. That's been such an inspiration for so many other Sydney motorists wanting to cope with Sydney's ever increasing traffic congestion. I see the results of inspiration in Broadway every night. Well done!

I'll get out of your way now, unlike those pesty cars in King St this morning.

Chris Virtue

Hey Eric,

Guess what! Cycling to work this morning, I got stuck behind a pack of cars holding up the traffic in King St Newtown. Now, I know that they have a legitimate right to be there, but mate, I was on my way to something important. Can something be done about it to keep them off the road in peak hour? Hmmmm, I know: what about a congestion charge? Sounds like a "commonsense" solution to me. What do you reckon in light of this compelling new evidence?

I had an interesting thought while in the shower at work. (BTW, do you get your best ideas in the shower? I seem to.) How about acknowledging workplaces that provide good end of trip facilities for staff who cycle to work? What do you reckon? I'm a contractor and I move around a lot. When I get asked if I have any questions about a gig, I'm only interested in the location of the shower and where’s the best place to park my bicycle. The response varies. At the high end, the interviewer either shows me or arranges for the security people to show me. At the low end it’s astonishment that anyone would ever want such things and they don’t have any. If the public transport is crap, they’re even more astonished when I decline the gig.

Here’s the good bit. Given that your government doesn't want to do anything any more, this allows you to seemingly remain in control of the agenda while getting the private sector to do the work. Brilliant isn't it? It'll cost you naff-all, save the printing of some certificates. You could even have an awards dinner that the CEOs pay to attend. If you need any help implementing this initiative, I’m sure that my mates and I can you give a list of the good and bad places for cyclists to work. What do you reckon, Eric? I’m more than happy to be MC for the evening. Just make sure I get a meal and a couple of drinkies. Sounds like a top-notch “commonsense” solution to me.

That’s all for now. I’ll keep you posted on the traffic situation and if I have any more good ideas.

See ya

Chris Virtue

Hi Eric,

We missed you at last night's ride. It was cold, but riding Centennial Park is just wonderful under a full moon with lights off. We had a little picnic by the lake and Charlie even bought his billy. Next month we're doing the Cooks River. I'll make sure your invited.

On to more serious matters. While I was riding up George St last night to get to the meeting point, I was held up by stationary cars. I know, Eric, that they have a legal right to be on the road, but I think they should be encouraged to not be there. What do you reckon? I keep thinking congestion charge. Do you really think these bogans would drive into town if they had to pay for the privilege?

What's the story with these Bicycle Storage Boxes? When I first heard the term a couple of weeks ago, I first thought it was all about bicycle lockers, but no, that's not your style is it? Tell me, are they going to be like bike lanes? You know, those bicycle symbols that you somehow manage to get painted under parked cars. In all fairness, Eric, I reckon you're just giving Sydney motorists another place to park illegally. What do you reckon?

Perhaps a better thing would be to have Car Storage Boxes, where we put those pesty cars that are holding traffic to one side so us clever people can ride past safely? What do you reckon? (No cheating by asking Sussex Street.)

Good on ya mate. Look forward to reading your reply.

Chris Virtue

Dear Eric,

Thanks so much for making my day. I turned on the radio for the seven o'clock news and one of the lead articles had you ruling out a congestion charge. I just love it when you use the phrase "common sense". I laughed so much I nearly wet my pants, even though I wasn't wearing any.

Let's make a deal. You can continue to talk dirty by ruling out a congestion charge and I'll continue to ride past those stationary cars masquerading as traffic. Perhaps if I were to spread a little Vicks Vapour Rub on their windscreens, it might clear up the congestion. What do you think? (It's all right Eric, it's a trick question.)

BTW, you coming on the full moon ride tonight? It's the "common sense" solution to a boring Saturday night.

See ya

Chris Virtue

Hi John,

Pity about the licence, eh. Good thing you have a bicycle. Hopefully over the next little while you'll learn to appreciate all the joys that cycling has to offer.

Unlike the motoring mob, cyclists are pretty cool and love to help. Because you're in Leichhardt, you can hang out with one of best the BUGs in the inner west - Leichhardt Bicycle User Group. Bob Moore is the leader of the pack and he's a dead-set legend when it comes to doing good works for cyclists in the area. You can check out LBUG at http://users.bigpond.net.au/LBUG/index.html

A couple things: Firstly, you need to have a look at the seat height. Judging by the support on your knee, you might have it a bit too low. There should be only be a slight bend in your knee at the bottom of the stroke. It shouldn't be completely straight, either. We don't want you doing any more damage, do we?

Secondly, clothing. Do something about those shorts! How daggy are they? Get nice pair of "shy shorts". And lose those socks. Get some cycling shoes, too. They have stiff soles and are much better than runners. Runners are for running, silly. Get on the LBUG list and I'm sure there's plenty of people who can give unbiased advice. There was an excellent discussion of wet weather gear recently.

Thirdly, now that we have a cyclist in a position of power, how about asking Maurice if you can be Minister for Cycling? Think of it as a way getting back at the Nats - they always seem to have a farmer as minister for agriculture, don’t they? Next time I'm bending Maurice’s ear, I'll put in a good word for you. Roozendaal is useless and doesn’t have a clue, so let’s take cycling off him.

Tell me, have you ever seen this mysterious 27-speed bicycle of his? I’m having my doubts because doesn’t talk like a cyclist.

Fourthly, the Ride of Silence is on Saturday week. I've attached a flyer. It would be wonderful if you could be patron. How cool would that be?

So, John, welcome aboard and you'll find that in a little while that your car will spend more time in the garage than out. You'll able to leave it up the coast and bring your bicycle down on the train. Central to Leichhardt in 15 mins. Get on the list for discussions about lights and panniers.

On last thing, does your bicycle have a name? It looks like a boy bicycle to me. Make sure you refer to it as a bicycle because some people think that bikes have engines. Sad, but true.

Happy cycling!

Chris Virtue

Hon Minister for Roads,

I was quite amazed to read your call for cyclists to avoid riding during peak hour. Do you realise what the consequences would be if all commuting cyclists were to add to our city's traffic congestion? It could easily be the final straw that creates total gridlock.

A few pertinent facts:

Cyclists rarely kill other road users.
Cyclists are saving the nation a small fortune by trying to do the right thing.
Cyclists are not polluting the air.
Cyclists don't damage the roads or demand expensive motorways and tunnels.
Cyclists are not adding to the current account deficit by buying imported oil and vehicles.
Cyclists are reducing the burden on the health system by battling obesity and staying fit.
Cyclists don't complain about the price of petrol.

Every cyclist is one less car on our congested roads.

Instead of attacking citizens who are putting their lives on the line to create a better society, perhaps your government could give them a helping hand.

regards
Michael McGrath

Organiser: Ride of Silence, Sydney

Dear NSW Government or RTA representative,

I'm writing to see if any progress reports are available on the RTA's Bicycle Masterplan 2010, specifically items 11 and 14 from the bike network map (pages 4 and 5 for the Action Plan for Bikes) report of 1999.

These are the two major off-road cycleways promised for the Northern Beaches:

11. Chatswood to Warringah Mall, to be completed in 2009
14. Harbour Bridge to Warringah Mall, to be completed in 2009

Are there any progress reports on these two projects.
Are local bicycle groups and councils being consulted?
When will work commence?
Are detailed maps or plans available?

regards
Michael McGrath
Community representative Manly Council Bicycle Committee
Secretary Manly Mosman Bicycle Users Group

Dear Mr Souris,

I write in regard to an article from 30th January in the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser, which claims you support Macarthur MP Pat Farmer's proposal for a levy on bicycles, with which to build new cycling infrastructure. Is this claim correct? As Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation, what is your position on the relative costs and charges for trucks, buses, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and pedestrians? Do you believe that pedestrians should also be charged for the use of transport infrastructure, and whether trucks should be charged relative to the damage they cause to the roads?

thanks and regards,

Matt Johnson