tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24429558566439930502024-03-14T04:11:45.094+11:00Better By BicycleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-55079030030085829802020-08-01T12:21:00.016+10:002021-12-18T10:09:47.870+11:00Melbourne Bike Grid Map<b>Summary</b>: Google Maps bicycling layer is a useful cycling infrastructure tool but it's hard to find complete routes and its directions are always sub-optimal. Actual cycling experience is needed to identify the preferred complete routes, links and cycling-specific destinations. Hence, I've created a <a href="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zkrlETnnrMC4.k01hIhWwUzFQ">Melbourne Bike Grid Map</a> to collate these insights. I continually update the key routes, destinations and info of most relevance to Melbourne cyclists. This post will explain how to use the custom map and provide answers to common queries.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhKPlpSP-lZnwSNXF9hFluKz29IWNFwFY8LXG2YjvJEkZnVl8TGr-TGb0NgkdBVNbvqZXHTmZg1ddn0aScX3DXHaoGXqVsF_QuhCfnJoLJ_NbC1B-RdK8xMlIe4EgQP0CSV_inweo8xI/s1757/melbourne_bike_grid_map01a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1757" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhKPlpSP-lZnwSNXF9hFluKz29IWNFwFY8LXG2YjvJEkZnVl8TGr-TGb0NgkdBVNbvqZXHTmZg1ddn0aScX3DXHaoGXqVsF_QuhCfnJoLJ_NbC1B-RdK8xMlIe4EgQP0CSV_inweo8xI/w640-h309/melbourne_bike_grid_map01a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b><u>Related Posts:</u></b></div><div>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/09/melbourne-map-of-key-cycling-transport.html">Melbourne map of key cycling transport routes, infrastructure and destinations</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>How do I find and easily access the map?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The link is: <a href="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zkrlETnnrMC4.k01hIhWwUzFQ">Melbourne Bike Grid Map</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Google Search: Search for "Melbourne Bike Grid Map"</div><div><br /></div><div>Save to your Google Maps App: Click the Star icon (right side of map description) to save it in your own Google Maps account. Then access in the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps">Google Maps app</a> (e.g. on your phone) from the Saved tab and scroll to the far right to view saved maps.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8O4mkHXuW6yHxmSRnYPOMkRa5NneFyobxfGJVybnqAMluyegq2f6t_u6iBgVBpl6xf005cuR01Zu4z4MmlEOg1rlikei1731ohnqJbuTkcvJ-J_t9degErO2RrIInpqr3HfI8nbNq2c/s407/melbourne_bike_grid_map06.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="407" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8O4mkHXuW6yHxmSRnYPOMkRa5NneFyobxfGJVybnqAMluyegq2f6t_u6iBgVBpl6xf005cuR01Zu4z4MmlEOg1rlikei1731ohnqJbuTkcvJ-J_t9degErO2RrIInpqr3HfI8nbNq2c/w200-h69/melbourne_bike_grid_map06.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>How do I contact you and what can I contact you about?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Contact Adrian Lobo at loboadrian AT gmail.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Please do not contact me with any commercial queries or projects. Please do contact me if able to help make the cycling network map more extensive, accurate or useful in the local areas you know well. Gpx/Kml files for long routes not on Google Maps are highly desired. (PhoeRideWithGPS,</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What type of infrastructure are the Off-road Trails/Paths in Melbourne and Victoria?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>They are almost all <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/pedestrian-safety/using-shared-paths">Shared Paths</a>: generally paved paths for use by cyclists and pedestrians - with pedestrians defined as including wheelchairs, mobility scooters and all wheeled recreational devices (skateboards, rollerblades, push scooters.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Please give way to, and take care around, pedestrians and more vulnerable users (using bell or voice when passing). These shared paths are not intended for going as fast as you can (especially over 30km/hr) when there are other users travelling much slower.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Can this map be used for walking?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, the Off-road network is useful as these are shared paths typically following waterways, railway lines or through parks or green space.</div><div><br /></div><div>Walkers, especially dog or bush walkers, will find Google Maps Bicycling layer useful for finding additional Trails adjacent to the major trails mapped here (particularly the unpaved trails with dashed green or brown lines). In Australia, virtually all Trails in the "Bicycling" layer are also for walkers.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Points of Interest layer I list selected walking markers of tracks that are either legally for walking only (e.g. Gresswell Hill tracks) or are principally used that way (e.g. Andrews Reserve Walking Trail).</div><div><br /></div><div>More comprehensive websites specifically listing walking routes are:</div><div><br /></div><div>> <a href="https://walkingmaps.com.au/">Walking Maps</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>How does this map compare to Google Maps Bicycling Layer and Cycling Directions?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Google Maps Bicycling Layer aims to include every "bike lane" (whether in a door zone, shared with parked cars, very narrow, alongside fast traffic), every street marked "Bicycle Friendly" in a bureaucrat's imagination, and every shared path no matter how short or circuitous. Meanwhile it has various gaps and errors and does not minimise redundancy or optimise usefulness.</div><div><br /></div><div>As there is no human selection of preferred routes, Google Maps' Cycling Directions very rarely show the optimal route.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example, below is the Google Maps Bicycling Layer for Melbourne - a dense mash of hard-to-differentiate green lines with the best routes always requiring manual investigation.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUwnykUNRCxNZAcp8wRBe5lEhfozBvDsTTeopPiDKpTTrmbANVOCDKjGW8-yYyqwy_hKkZMjHIK8qHK_R8iyoVDXaqdzNdVeyjhBLLAsSXXldVWsnNuqdOJYRLJ15-As3wdkGC2SoGpc/s1353/melbourne_bike_grid_map02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUwnykUNRCxNZAcp8wRBe5lEhfozBvDsTTeopPiDKpTTrmbANVOCDKjGW8-yYyqwy_hKkZMjHIK8qHK_R8iyoVDXaqdzNdVeyjhBLLAsSXXldVWsnNuqdOJYRLJ15-As3wdkGC2SoGpc/s640/melbourne_bike_grid_map02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.7896757,144.9021028,12z/data=!5m1!1e3">Google Maps Bicycling Layer - Melbourne network</a></div><div><br /></div><div>By comparison, below are the Off-road routes from the Melbourne Bike Grid Map - it's much easier to find useful routes, and, if you know the name of the route you are trying to follow, you can just select it from the A-Z menu.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC6ZDtftZ0AHt39I-KxsSxzB2HE3nk5QeFfU_oC1b_pKafPn2sKpjsZvC-qhX_bD7_6DfQppM8w-tcu2g81hJ_DLeG38_bVVfRs7rF14sVF-UfO0xTeQqAKC3BLmGb1xZxVjwPZEIuy8/s1703/melbourne_bike_grid_map03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC6ZDtftZ0AHt39I-KxsSxzB2HE3nk5QeFfU_oC1b_pKafPn2sKpjsZvC-qhX_bD7_6DfQppM8w-tcu2g81hJ_DLeG38_bVVfRs7rF14sVF-UfO0xTeQqAKC3BLmGb1xZxVjwPZEIuy8/s640/melbourne_bike_grid_map03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Melbourne Bike Grid Map - Off-road routes only</div><div><br /></div><div>And below is the On-road network from the Melbourne Bike Grid Map. The redundancy is stripped out, and only the most preferred, connected and useful streets are included as well as links with the Off-road network.</div><div><br /></div><div>The On-road network is only 25% complete as it takes a lot of local experience and time to make these selections properly.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZFlzDcnydafKqS45oLxQJMUy1dBrzz_QONRVeBdsuVFwGBGd9NWkEMZQdh4Gmv8yb4xXTtXYVFy9AMd6zuLRssgcnQRrs21OegSTzooepryERVRYU5WMrEHHAHKrnBNJiy3JpZPYV3s/s1503/melbourne_bike_grid_map04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1503" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZFlzDcnydafKqS45oLxQJMUy1dBrzz_QONRVeBdsuVFwGBGd9NWkEMZQdh4Gmv8yb4xXTtXYVFy9AMd6zuLRssgcnQRrs21OegSTzooepryERVRYU5WMrEHHAHKrnBNJiy3JpZPYV3s/s640/melbourne_bike_grid_map04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div>Melbourne Bike Grid Map - On-road routes only</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What do the different coloured lines represent?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The On-road network uses:</div><div>- Aqua blue lines to show preferred routes</div><div>- Brown lines to show some necessary but not preferred routes</div></div><div><br /></div><div>"Preferred" is relative to the area. So in the inner-north of Melbourne there are many streets not included in the map that are perfectly suitable for cycling. But in outer suburban areas most arterial or useful roads may be bike-unfriendly so "preferred" just means the best available to traverse an area.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Off-road network uses a variety of colours:</div><div>- Various colours (excluding Aqua and Brown) are currently used to differentiate distinct routes</div><div>- <a href="https://www.htmlcsscolor.com/hex/1267FF">Dodger Blue</a> is the default colour used by Google Maps when creating routes. I use it for short off-road paths and connectors; typically they have no formal path/trail name.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What is included in the Points of Interest?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In the Points of Interest layer I list:</div><div><br /></div><div>- Velodromes, Pump Tracks, MTB Trailheads or Parks using the bike symbol</div><div><br /></div><div>- A few Cafes and Restaurants near bike routes using the coffee cup symbol</div><div><br /></div><div>- Parks, wetlands and nature reserves using the tree symbol</div><div><br /></div><div>- <a href="https://www.parkrun.com.au/">Parkrun</a> starting points (free, organised 5km runs/walks) using the running symbol</div><div><br /></div><div>- Free outdoor gyms, exercise equipment and bouldering walls using the weightlifter symbol</div><div><br /></div><div>- Free exercise classes such as Live Life Get Active</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JQFhYxS7dEnV4VVHsL1nsOTgffrV_b3FBPbX88Ae9Rhi3YzMI8a6aJztLLPnbr4Sr_7e1Kf04sjrpNMMNhfi_Yb_PXQNghccBckpXyT3hm3AZuacrdYxVY2Gjvy5Nisk_oY9gaDw5yk/s1500/melbourne_bike_grid_map05.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1500" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JQFhYxS7dEnV4VVHsL1nsOTgffrV_b3FBPbX88Ae9Rhi3YzMI8a6aJztLLPnbr4Sr_7e1Kf04sjrpNMMNhfi_Yb_PXQNghccBckpXyT3hm3AZuacrdYxVY2Gjvy5Nisk_oY9gaDw5yk/w640-h356/melbourne_bike_grid_map05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Why can't individual Mountain Bike tracks be added?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm prepared to add popular or very useful unpaved routes that can be traversed without a mountain bike, such as on a bike with wide tyres and decent grip. For example, a main route leading to an MTB Park or Trailhead. Or an unpaved route that is the only way for cyclists to traverse an area.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I won't be adding individual MTB tracks as there are much better websites for MTB use:</div><div><br /></div><div>> <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/region/victoria-3457/">TrailForks - Victoria</a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabCKLHLbZkw0mdOd-GqRTOa_ucbpSPUp-gO66EidBhqiCo_AvQRNthGjKD-xLJc3FH2uFhk2e0CnLZlIYxdRLNHZ9BQO9-TNaF0T44vU_Bn1MQCYFLxRPFTHv0IhV6dxKoUfZ7EgQozk/s1161/melbourne_bike_grid_map07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1161" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabCKLHLbZkw0mdOd-GqRTOa_ucbpSPUp-gO66EidBhqiCo_AvQRNthGjKD-xLJc3FH2uFhk2e0CnLZlIYxdRLNHZ9BQO9-TNaF0T44vU_Bn1MQCYFLxRPFTHv0IhV6dxKoUfZ7EgQozk/w640-h428/melbourne_bike_grid_map07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TrailForks - Melbourne region<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I am interested in adding MTB Trailheads I can link to the TrailForks website that are within 30km of Melbourne CBD and have little conflict with walkers or other trail users. Feel free to email me suggestions.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Will all Rail Trails in Victoria be added?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is primarily a Melbourne-focused bike map and I only selectively add routes or points of interest outside Melbourne. I will be adding the starting point of most of the 40 rail trails and a link to the full rail trail route and info. I also plan to include the routes of all rail trails within 30km of the Melbourne CBD when the correct route data is available.</div><div><br /></div><div>Full details on all rail trails can be found on:</div><div><br /></div><div>> <a href="https://www.railtrails.org.au/trail-descriptions/victoria?view=category&id=1">Rail Trails Australia - Victoria</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>When to use this map with Google Maps Bicycling layer?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Once using this map, there are two main reasons to use Google Maps Bicycling layer:</div><div><br /></div><div>(1) To view the comprehensive set of off-road shared paths in the specific area you are in. The Melbourne Bike Grid has the main routes but deliberately doesn't include everything as this makes it too cluttered.</div><div><br /></div><div>(2) To view on-road options in areas where the Melbourne Bike Grid is not detailed enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example, around Yarra Bend Park there are plenty of circuitous shared paths that are only relevant if you are exploring the area. And many such paths in Google Maps Bicycling layer are only useful if looking for walking trails.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Melbourne Bike Grid clearly shows the arterial off-road routes and also the connecting on-road network. If and when you need the detail in your specific area you can use Google Maps Bicycling layer.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LEaG0kXgAawRx9-t1dROdxcXT4ARJ4j3b77hM6b1LRvup3eUdCY4UOO3fkaZeNsyDwCnVvpeUulVU9R71NHwQHEcakrJ2v8U8RnA4uNNU5Dy8j8S15MXkjesyWS5_ZoFcf-l0nvYbzc/s1485/melbourne_bike_grid_map09c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1485" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LEaG0kXgAawRx9-t1dROdxcXT4ARJ4j3b77hM6b1LRvup3eUdCY4UOO3fkaZeNsyDwCnVvpeUulVU9R71NHwQHEcakrJ2v8U8RnA4uNNU5Dy8j8S15MXkjesyWS5_ZoFcf-l0nvYbzc/w640-h326/melbourne_bike_grid_map09c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Why are the Off-road Trails in the Melbourne Bike Grid sometimes different to other maps?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>My map is made for usefulness not to keep archivists happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example, every other map of Melbourne's Off-road network charts the Main Yarra Trail all the way to Southbank - confusingly duplicating 14km of the Capital City Trail. Pointless duplication also exists for many other overlapping trails (e.g. Merri Creek, Moonee Ponds, etc)</div><div><br /></div><div>Likewise, other maps end their Trails where the official end is. I keep going till the furthest useful off-road point which is often kilometres more of exploring or connections.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>How are temporary Trail closures and detours managed?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>If the detour is temporary and for less than 6 months usually I don't add it and rely and on-route detour signage to suffice and for affected cyclists to check the information resources.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some Trail closures and detours last much longer and on-route signage is insufficient but it is often hard to get accurate information as to the new route and for how long it is in place. Please feel free to submit accurate route updates for these.</div><div><br /></div><div>Long-term bike route changes:</div><div><br /></div><div>> <a href="https://westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/construction/cycling-detours#">West Gate Tunnel</a></div><div>> <a href="https://roadprojects.vic.gov.au/">Victorian Major Road Projects</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What other websites have useful Melbourne bike trails and routes?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Kelvin Elridge</div><div>- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkkUTUYL3W55r47A0r5D-ICU_MuEt21ah">Bike trail videos</a></div><div>- <a href="https://www.onlineconnections.com.au/biketrails/?biketrail=210219A">Bike trail route maps</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bloke On Bike</div><div>- <a href="http://blokeonbike.com/bloke1/category/trails/">Trails in Victoria</a></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-66505566014769199742017-07-22T12:00:00.002+10:002018-05-06T14:33:35.457+10:00The best value commuter and utility bicycles available in Australia<b>Summary</b>: The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/buying%20a%20bike%20and%20gear">buying a bike and gear</a> category on this blog contains several posts with guidance on choosing the most useful, reliable, low-maintenance and value-for-money bike and accessories to suit your circumstances.<br />
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However, I often just get asked to recommend some worthwhile bikes for commuting or getting around that are currently available in Australia, especially Melbourne - as that's where I live.<br />
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In this post, I will collate a list of the best value-for-money bikes available in Australia that I would consider for commuting or utility cycling. I include all of the bikes I own (Fuji Declaration single speed; Cell Otway 2.0 road bike, XDS Adult Street 5 speed internal gear hub bike), as well as ones I would consider buying if I had to replace one of my current bikes.<br />
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Some higher-end bikes become value-for-money when temporarily able to be had at steep discounts which is why I suggest starting with a search on <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Bikeexchange.come.au - Bikes - New - Between $190-$700</a>. Higher-end bikes more purpose-built for utility cycling (e.g. Specialized Globe Work models) can occasionally be had for up to 50% less than their normal price, thus making them worthwhile.<br />
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As of July 2017, the best value-for-money bikes available most of the time are: Pedal Messenger ($199 on sale), SE Bikes Tripel ($350 on sale for a 3 speed), XDS Adult Street 5 speed (~$400 on sale), 2nd hand Cell Messenger or Fuji Declaration (~$180), Breezer Uptown (~$400 on sale), Polygon Path 1 ($399), Fuji Absolute (~$350), Progear FB-100 ($249), Progear RD-140 ($269), Polygon Strattos (~$580) or 2nd hand Cell Otway (~$300).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonC_jAbbzo1MKd8NZhL391CDsfK-kdcgQTzG4vBy8f1NBddeq4KyAI7QFUxhFc7jhOjLhPH_48kqY8T4AVG4NEh_LsxHq3MtS8dv3XDlw343sf34WqZ1Pmu9IAOBnlHI6NLKv1Wkwflo/s1600/thebestvaluecommuter16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1091" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonC_jAbbzo1MKd8NZhL391CDsfK-kdcgQTzG4vBy8f1NBddeq4KyAI7QFUxhFc7jhOjLhPH_48kqY8T4AVG4NEh_LsxHq3MtS8dv3XDlw343sf34WqZ1Pmu9IAOBnlHI6NLKv1Wkwflo/s400/thebestvaluecommuter16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/buying%20a%20bike%20and%20gear">buying a bike and gear</a> category on this blog.<br />
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<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
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<b>1. First determine your key bike features given your circumstances and which ones are essential and which can be compromised on</b><br />
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See this post for full details on choosing the most practical bicycle to suit your circumstances: > <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/designing-better-utility-bike-in.html">Designing a better utility bike in developing cycling cities</a><br />
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Key priorities should include some of these:<br />
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- Frame clearance to allow at least 28mm tyres and ideally up to 40mm (~32mm is a good starting point).<br />
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- Sufficient frame clearance and mounts to allow full fenders or at least detachable mudguards. A Zefal Swan rear guard can always be fitted but prioritise a suitable fender/guard for the bottom rear of the front wheel as this sprays the lower legs and shoes.<br />
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- Puncture-resistant tyres. I always switch out the stock tyres and fit the most suitable puncture-proof Schwalbe tyres but some utility bikes now come with puncture-resistant tyres so if not replacing them yourself then this should be a priority.<br />
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- Theft protection (no quick release levers or at least ability to fit front wheel lock or carry 2 locks). I use a U lock through the rear wheel. And if the front wheel needs securing I use a padlock or chain.<br />
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- Can choose handlebar style (e.g. flat, bullhorn, swept back) and adjust height/tilt/reach sufficiently.<br />
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- Handlebars not too wide (facilitates traffic filtering) and bike has steady, responsive steering.<br />
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- Rim brakes unless stopping power of disc brakes is essential due to circumstances (hub brakes like coaster back pedal can be annoying too due to accidentally braking when just coasting).<br />
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- Single speed, 3-8 internal gears, or if external gears then 1-2 chainrings at front (not 3).<br />
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- Allows most suitable gearing to be obtained by switching rear sprocket size (single speed, IGH).<br />
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- Robust, rust-proof ChroMo steel or Aluminium frame. Not carbon. Bike not too heavy to carry when necessary (stairs, onto transit) which usually means steel only for fixies.<br />
<br />
- Frame mounts for racks and attachments. There are value-for-money ways of getting the exact type of rear rack you need. However, if you want a certain type of front rack, consider bikes that have one included as they can be sturdier with in-built mounts.<br />
<br />
- A suitable frame style (e.g. step-through if more convenient).<br />
<br />
- Can fit a kickstand if desired. Check kickstands meet your sturdiness needs (e.g. if carrying kids). Centre-mounted is best and double foot are the most stable.<br />
<br />
- If carrying kids, that the frame, seatpost, headset or axle is suited for child bike seat or trailer attachment.<br />
<br />
- I recommend USB-rechargeable detachable lights. The front ones easily attach to any handlebar. To be best viewed the rear one may need to be on your saddle bag or rear rack so check it has a flexible attachment fitting.<br />
<br />
- Avoid cheap suspension in seat posts or forks (often found on hybrid bikes). If you really need front suspension then get something of decent quality. Cheap suspension wears out quickly and then creates a worse and inefficient riding experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the sections below, I provide examples of commonly-available bicycles in Australia, suitable for utility cycling, and that can be had for value-for-money prices.<br />
<br />
However, to review what's available at any time I recommend using bikeexchange.com.au with the filters "bikes", "new" and "$190-$700" and sorting by price.<br />
<br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Bikes - New - Between $190-$700</a><br />
- Then select either Mens or Womens plus Unisex<br />
- Set Availability and Location if you wish to buy from a local store and exclude online<br />
- Enter any essential keywords (e.g. "Nexus" or "Sturmey Archer" and "internal" are useful for finding bikes with internal gear hubs; "step through" is useful for finding bikes easy to step over.<br />
- Finally, choose the relevant bike category filters in turn. I suggest these ones: Urban, Flat Bar Road, Hybrid, Fixie Bikes, Track Bikes, Folding Bikes, Road Bikes, Touring Bikes,Vintage Bikes. (Use the browser back button instead of clearing the category filter to avoid having to re-select filters each time)<br />
<br />
In the detailed sections in this post, I focus only on Single Speed/Fixie/Track, Internal Gear Hub Bikes, Hybrid/Flatbar Road/Urban, and Road Bikes. To be comprehensive, I've provided direct links for the suitable bikeexchange categories here:<br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/urban-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Urban Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/flat-bar-road-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Flat Bar Road Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/hybrid-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Hybrid Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/fixie-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Fixie Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/track-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Track Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/folding-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Folding Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/road-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Road Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/touring-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Touring Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/vintage-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Vintage Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/cyclocross-bikes?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">Cyclocross</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>2. Single Speed or Fixie (Fixed Gear) Bikes (often classified as "urban")</u></b><br />
<br />
For suitability and tips please read:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/when-is-single-speed-bike-most-suitable.html">When is a Single Speed bike most suitable and how to make the most of one</a><br />
- Most critically, change the rear sprocket size to a larger ideally even-numbered size (e.g. from 16 teeth to 18 or 20 teeth)<br />
<br />
Note: Most bikes sold in Australia as fixies or single speeds actually have "flip flop hubs" with a freewheel side (if riding this way it's known as "single speed") and a fixed side (if riding this way it's known as a "fixie"). I recommend using them as single speeds for most people but you can just flip the wheel and ride fixed if preferred. I use "fixie" below for conciseness but am referring to single speeds too.<br />
<br />
Australian Listings:<br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/fixie-bikes?condition-ids=1&sort-by=cheapest">bikeexchange.com.au - Fixie bikes</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://nixeycles.com.au/Site/">Nixeycles</a> is a seller of value-for-money budget bikes and makes the <a href="https://nixeycles.com.au/Site/product/factorysix/">FactorySIX</a> fixie. It usually retails for ~$350 but can be had on special for ~$260 on <a href="https://nixeycles.com.au/Site/product/factorysix/">its website</a> or <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/shop/revesby/nsw/nixeycles/24864/fixie-bikes">bikeexchange</a>.<br />
- One plus of the FactorySIX is the stock gearing is 44 teeth for the front chainring and 18 teeth for the rear sprocket which should suit most utility cyclists thus avoiding having to upsize the rear sprocket. Stock tyres are 23mm (too narrow) so check clearance as using 28mm tyres would be best.<br />
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Nixeycles FactorySIX Fixie<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/">99bikes.com.au</a> sells a budget fixie called the <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/bikes?cat=109&dir=asc&order=price">Pedal Messenger</a>. There is often one version on sale for just $199. You need to be a 99bikes.com.au member to get the discounted prices but membership is only $5 in-store at any time. Stock tyre width is 28mm which is better than the narrow sizes.<br />
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Pedal Messenger<br />
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<a href="https://www.progearbikes.com.au/">Progear</a> makes budget bikes but with good quality components at their price point. Progear bikes on special are always excellent value-for-money.<br />
<br />
- The Progear fixie usually retails for $350-400 but can often be had on special for $199 directly through the <a href="https://www.progearbikes.com.au/collections/fixie">Progear website</a> or via one of its retailers which you can find on <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/-/progear?query=fixie">Bikeexchange</a><br />
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Progear Fixie<br />
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Fuji makes some quality <a href="http://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/city/urban">urban bikes</a> but in the fixie range I consider only the Fuji Declaration to be value-for-money for commuters (very rarely you can also get a Fuji Track at a steep discount). The <a href="http://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/city/urban/declaration/declaration">Fuji Declaration</a> used to be distributed within Australia by <a href="http://www.ocbicycles.com.au/Category/browse-by-product-type/bikes/urban---ss~-fixed?PageProduct=1&PageSizeProduct=24">Oceania Bicycles</a> but they currently only distribute the Fuji Feather.<br />
<br />
I bought my Fuji Declaration on special for $380. Even though not sold new anymore, you can occasionally buy Fuji Declarations second hand on Gumtree or eBay for ~$120-$250 depending on age/condition and they would be very worthwhile.<br />
<br />
My Fuji Declaration 2012 has done around 12,000km and will last 20 years with minimal maintenance. It is my bulletproof, park-anywhere workhorse I use for getting around.<br />
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My Fuji Declaration 2012<br />
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<a href="http://www.sebikes.com/">SE Bikes</a> is an American company founded by a creator of BMX racing but it now makes some good value <a href="http://www.sebikes.com/bikes/cat/urban-series">urban bikes</a>: the Lager, Draft, Draft Lite, Tripel and Tripel Step-through. Oceania Bicycles is the Australian distributor so to find a retailer use its website's <a href="http://www.ocbicycles.com.au/store-locator">Dealer Locator</a> after selecting "SE Bikes". You can also search for the particular model on a second hand website. Because there are several models the best option is <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/fixie-bikes/se-bikes?sort-by=cheapest">bikeexchange.com.au - SE Bikes - Fixie</a><br />
<br />
These bikes are almost always on special somewhere and can be had for around $150-200 less than their full retail price. These bikes have also been around awhile and can turn up even cheaper on second hand websites. Note the Tripel is actually a 3 speed and is covered in detail below under IGH bikes.<br />
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SE Bike Single Speed Range<br />
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<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/">Cell Bikes</a> is one of Australia's biggest online retailers with a physical store in Sydney and an authorised dealer in Melbourne. It has quality bikes at the budget end and the components on its fixies are no exception. It has two options worth considering:<br />
<br />
- It's <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bikes/BEST_Fixies_UNDER_500">custom fixies</a> where you can choose your handlebar style and colours of most components.<br />
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Cell Custom Fixie<br />
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- It used to sell a non-customisable Cell Messenger for around $250 to $300. You can find these second hand for around $150 to $200. Second hand custom Cell fixies should only be slightly more expensive.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.reidcycles.com.au/">Reid Cycles</a> probably sells more bikes than almost any comparable retailer. At like-for-like specs, the price is often hard to beat. However, their assembly of bikes and fitting of new components is sometimes unreliable. So if you know what you're doing and can check or fix-up then it can be a decent option. However, in the fixie category I think the options covered above are preferable. Reid Cycles has a <a href="https://www.reidcycles.com.au/bikes/fixie-bikes-singlespeed.html?dir=asc&order=price">few fixie models</a>: Griffon, Harrier, Harrier 3 speed, Downtown and SSCX singlespeed.<br />
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Reid Single Speed Bikes<br />
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<a href="http://www.samsoncycles.com.au/">Samson Cycles</a> sells a lot of budget bikes and has a <a href="http://www.samsoncycles.com.au/Fixie-Bikes/Single-speed-fixie">$250 single speed bike</a> always available (no special needed at this price). I don't know this bike well and the specifications aren't listed, but I've included it as the owner is apparently a top bloke.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>3. Internal Gear Hub (IGH) bikes</u></b><br />
<br />
For suitability and tips please read:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2016/11/are-internal-gear-hub-bikes-secret-to.html">Are internal gear hub bikes the secret to low maintenance commuting?</a><br />
<br />
On bikeexchange.com.au after selecting a Bike Category=Urban you can then use the Gearing Type filter to choose "Internal Gearing":<br />
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(Note: Not all IGH bikes are listed under Urban so you also need to use the keyword "internal gear hub" to find other models)<br />
<br />
In the blog post above I list several value-for-money IGH bikes I recommend considering, so I won't duplicate the information here. The common style choice is a Dutch/vintage bike, city/commuter bike, or fixie-style.<br />
<br />
Some of the fixie bikes in section #2 above have an IGH option - usually a 3 speed Nexus, sometimes a 7 speed Nexus.<br />
<br />
Note that the SE Bikes Tripel also has a step-through version which would suit many women better than a horizontal bar. <a href="https://www.urbanvelocity.com.au/bikes/3-speed.html">Urban Velocity</a> is one retailer that often has SE Bikes including this on special. XDS also has a step-through version of the 5 speed Adult Street.<br />
<br />
Other bike models worth considering but not listed in the IGH post above include:<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.xdsbicycles.com.au/XDS-Products/COM-8">XDS COM 8</a> (no longer sold but available 2nd hand)<br />
- <a href="https://www.reidcycles.com.au/reid-blacktop.html">Reid Blacktop</a><br />
- <a href="https://chappelli.com/au/shop/bicycles/three-speed-internal-hub/">Chappelli 3 Speed and Internal Gear Hub Range</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.birichinobicycles.com.au/mybicycle/">Birichino Jasper or Gigi</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=avanti%20discovery&sort-by=cheapest">Avanti Discovery (Nexus 3 speed version)</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=avanti+ubo&sort-by=cheapest">Avanti Ubo</a> ($500 on sale)<br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=%22breezer%20uptown%22&sort-by=cheapest">Breezer Uptown range</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.specialized.com/us/en/work-3/p/49895">Specialized Globe Work 3</a> ($600 on sale)<br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=Kona%20Paddy%20Wagon%203">Kona Paddy Wagon 3</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/">Polygon models that are IGH</a><br />
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Breezer Uptown 7<br />
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<b><u>4. Flat bar road, hybrid or "city" bikes (7 to 21 speed)</u></b><br />
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Suitability: If you go into most bike shops and ask about commuter bikes, this is the category you'll be pointed toward. While appropriate for many novice cyclists who just need a practical bike purely for their commute, people who turn into experienced cyclists or eventually wish to cycle for more reasons (recreation, fitness, etc) often move away from in-between styles and end up with multiple specialist bikes.<br />
<br />
"City" bikes are given various names like the above but the common design is based on a road bike but with flat handlebars, aluminium frame, a more upright geometry, and commuter-friendly options like fenders and racks/baskets.<br />
<br />
A subset of this range also rationalise the gears to either a single or double chainring at the front. This usually makes them either a 7 speed or a 16-22 speed.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of bicycle brands and models in this category so below I have only listed some of the better examples: those which have been made most practical and low-maintenance for commuting and/or offer exceptional value-for-money. I tend to particularly recommend bikes with only 1 or 2 chainrings at the front - this filters out a lot of the stock models which pointlessly stick to triple chainrings.<br />
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<a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/">99bikes.com.au</a> sells a 7 speed version of its Pedal Messenger fixie for $349. These can be found under its <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/bikes?cat=100&dir=asc&order=price">Commuter & Recreation</a> bike category. E.g. The <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/pedal-messenger-7-tokyo-black-red">Pedal Messenger Tokyo 7-speed</a><br />
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Pedal Messenger Tokyo 7-speed<br />
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Under its <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/bikes?cat=100&dir=asc&order=price">Commuter & Recreation</a> bike category, <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/">99bikes.com.au</a> also sells a <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/bike16-schwinn-traveller-navyy">Schwinn Traveller</a> for ~ $580. This is a practical and comfortable commuting bike which includes fenders, rack, chainguard, swept-back handlebars, cushy saddle and 38mm wide tyres. It is 7 speeds in a wide 14-34 teeth rear cassette range.<br />
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Schwinn Traveller<br />
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The <a href="https://www.momentum-biking.com/us/bikes-ineed-street">Momentum iNeed Street</a> comes in two similar options: the <a href="https://www.momentum-biking.com/us/ineed-street-dd">DD</a> and Mid Step. It is a 7 speed bike, with an upright riding position and a lot of practical extras: fenders, chainguard, kickstand, integrated rack with straps and removable pannier bars, frame mounted U lock carrier and even a cup holder.<br />
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Momentum iNeed Street DD<br />
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These utilitarian bicycles aren't yet popular in Australia and, like the Trek District above, older stock is often cleared out at well below sale prices. Occasionally, below cost. As of July 2017, you could get the Momentum iNeed Street for as little as $225 which is a steal!<br />
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<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=momentum%20ineed%20street&sort-by=cheapest">bikeexchange.com.au - Momentum iNeed Street</a><br />
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Nixeycles sells a 7 speed derailleur version of the FactorySIX called the <a href="https://nixeycles.com.au/Site/product/factory-7/">Factory7</a>. It can be had on sale for <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=nixeycles%20factory7">$295</a>.<br />
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Nixeycles Factory7<br />
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<a href="http://www.polygonbikes.com/ww">Polygon Bikes</a> makes a range of <a href="http://www.polygonbikes.com/ww/bikes/urban-bikes">urban bikes</a>. Within the urban category, the <a href="http://www.polygonbikes.com/ww/bikes/urban-bikes/speed-utility">Speed Utility</a> (Path) and <a href="http://www.polygonbikes.com/ww/bikes/urban-bikes/city-bike">City</a> bikes (Zenith Active, Sierra) are suitable. Polygon bikes are usually available on sale <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/polygon?condition-ids=1&max-price=700&min-price=190&sort-by=cheapest">on bikeexchange.com.au</a> at good prices. E.g. Polygon Path 1 2017 <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/urban-bikes/polygon/path-1/103042114">for $399</a>.<br />
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Polygon Path 1<br />
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The <a href="http://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/city/fitness/absolute">Fuji Absolute</a> is a value-for-money utility range from Fuji. In part because the range is extensive and new versions of each model come out each year, these bikes can often be had at significant discounts - from <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22fuji+absolute%22&sort-by=cheapest">as little as $309</a>. The bikes come with either 2 or 3 chainrings at front (I recommend 2) and usually have wide tyres (~35mm).<br />
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Fuji Absolute 2.3<br />
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The <a href="http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/commuterseries.html">Jamis Commuter range</a> are practical city bikes. They all feature lightweight aluminum frames, fenders, rear carriers, and single-chainring drivetrains. Not all models are sold in Australia, but the Commuter 1 can be had on sale for <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?condition-ids=1&query=%22jamis+commuter%22&sort-by=cheapest">as little as $300</a>.<br />
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Jamis Commuter 1 Femme<br />
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<a href="https://www.progearbikes.com.au/collections/road?view=ALL&sort_by=price-ascending">Progear Road & Commuters Bikes</a> are always value-for-money options. The FB-100 Flatbar can be had for as little as <a href="https://www.progearbikes.com.au/collections/road/products/fb-100-anodised-blue">$249</a>.<br />
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Progear FB-100<br />
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The <a href="http://www.marinbikes.com/au/bikes/all">Marin</a> Fairfax "speed commute" series is designed for commuting. The <a href="http://www.marinbikes.com/au/bikes/description/2017-fairfax-sc1">Fairfax SC1</a> can fit fenders plus 32mm wide tyres, and is 24 speed. It can be had on sale for <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22marin+fairfax%22&sort-by=cheapest">as little as $479</a>.<br />
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Marin Fairfax<br />
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The Trek District is a 9 speed bike with full fenders, a front basket, 32mm tyres, and mechanical disc brakes (rim brakes would be simpler and cost less to maintain). It can occasionally be had on <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/urban-bikes/trek/vic/box-hill/district/102737154">special for $500</a>.<br />
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Trek District<br />
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Some other worthwhile city/urban bikes in this category (including some that are no longer sold new but are occasionally available second hand) are:<br />
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- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=reid+osprey&sort-by=cheapest">Reid Osprey Flat Bar</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22shogun+mach+100%22&sort-by=cheapest">Shogun Mach 100</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22breezer+liberty%22&sort-by=cheapest">Breezer Liberty range</a> (only because of especially large sale price discounts)<br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22polygon+path%22&sort-by=cheapest">Polygon Path</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22giant+roam%22&sort-by=cheapest">Giant Roam models</a> (hybrid bike often on sale for as little as $420)<br />
- <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat-bar-road-bikes/felt/nsw/glebe/felt-qx-70-eq/102715666">Felt Qx 70 Eq</a> ($599 on special at a single store but rarely available at this price)<br />
- Cell Urban Chill (second hand)<br />
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<b><u>5. Road bikes (ideally with only 2 front chainrings so typically 20 speed)</u></b><br />
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Suitability: If you haven't ridden one before, the drop handlebars and horizontal riding position of road bikes can be hard to adjust to. They are unsuited to those doing short, casual or stop-start trips where being upright is essential and comfort is a priority. Also, the default brake levers are best reached from the drop position so a second set of brake levers may be needed if commuting upright using the flat part of the handlebar. However, if your regular trip length is over 8km, or facing significant resistance - from hills, wind or loads - then a road bike can be the difference between enjoying riding daily and giving up because it's too hard.<br />
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For value-for-money, robust commuter bikes, I recommend aluminium not carbon frames, having enough fork and brake clearance for 28mm wide tyres, ability to fit a rack if desired, frame bolts and style (e.g. non-tapered) that makes it easier to carry things like U Locks or other attachments.<br />
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I own a Cell Otway 2.0 road bike that was $550. It or the Cell Otway 1.0 would make great value-for-money commuter bikes with their aluminium frames, 2 chainrings and 10 rear sprockets (20 speed), and an all Shimano drivetrain and shifter that is at the extreme value-for-money end of the quality spectrum. If you can get them second hand they are highly recommended.<br />
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Cell Otway 2.0 Specifications:<br />
- 16 speed Shimano Claris: compact 34x50T front with 8 gears at back (11-30)<br />
- Shimano STI shifters integrated with brakes that are easy to use<br />
- Strong Mavic CXP22 rims<br />
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Cell Otway 2.0<br />
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<a href="https://www.progearbikes.com.au/collections/road?view=ALL&sort_by=price-ascending">Progear Road & Commuters Bikes</a> are always value-for-money options. The RD-140 can be had on special for <a href="https://www.progearbikes.com.au/collections/road/products/rd-140-red">$269</a><br />
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.Progear RD-140<br />
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Fuji makes quality bikes and occasionally they can be had at steep discounts. The <a href="http://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/road/endurance/sportif">Fuji Sportif</a> 2.5 can be had for as little as <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road-bikes/fuji/nsw/concord-west/fuji-sportif-2-5/103038346">$399</a> on special but at least ~$500 (<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=fuji+sportif&sort-by=cheapest">search bikeexchange</a>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRqupQS_Ua8LbHSdRNiZ744knddq4nlEB5xjqa5Dct36L4FH6GvoibC1AJ59fukqnwusFr1aySbyVdLVcFwiCDnVw1pL6wMwnyUL8jXf9IhdI3WXKZl3BJ8kiX-keBFNdxEOpenxOIko/s1600/thebestvaluecommuter24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1470" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRqupQS_Ua8LbHSdRNiZ744knddq4nlEB5xjqa5Dct36L4FH6GvoibC1AJ59fukqnwusFr1aySbyVdLVcFwiCDnVw1pL6wMwnyUL8jXf9IhdI3WXKZl3BJ8kiX-keBFNdxEOpenxOIko/s640/thebestvaluecommuter24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Fuji Sportif 2.5<br />
<br />
Scott Contessa Speedster is an entry-level quality bike which usually retails for around $900 but can be had on sale for as little as <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road-bikes/scott/vic/preston/contessa-speedster-45/102952772">$499</a> (<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=Scott+Contessa+Speedster&sort-by=cheapest">search bikeexchange</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADsZ52iaz6n-zJyM4SYyBQ3TXMA78HIa-KTA0SvfnkfVR55J6tt81J4VWnZfKH88RFgP8So6cOWM-TiLC51mr1MxuR14W_B-OpRszyQ-BslqrjDt7NPc6b1lxiJzoaxwKp2ZVpb8hSQ/s1600/thebestvaluecommuter23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="887" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADsZ52iaz6n-zJyM4SYyBQ3TXMA78HIa-KTA0SvfnkfVR55J6tt81J4VWnZfKH88RFgP8So6cOWM-TiLC51mr1MxuR14W_B-OpRszyQ-BslqrjDt7NPc6b1lxiJzoaxwKp2ZVpb8hSQ/s640/thebestvaluecommuter23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Scott Contessa Speedster 45<br />
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<a href="http://www.polygonbikes.com/ww">Polygon Bikes</a> makes a range of <a href="http://www.polygonbikes.com/ww/bikes/road-bikes">road bikes</a>. The Strattos (<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=polygon+strattos&sort-by=cheapest">search bikeexchange</a>) and Bend (<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes?query=%22polygon+bend%22&sort-by=cheapest">search bikeexchange</a>) models are the suitable ones to look for on sale. The Strattos S2 can be had for as little as <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road-bikes/polygon/polygon-strattos-s2-shimano-claris-road-bike/103042188">$579</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi01k300Cf9jFALXkoK_-t1dg3KCdG5w_EEVRyl1ybgm6txIjgHbdXYhq4BA1NyM6fcAOCOgTp6qdQZXtQchd_XmRpLBfM2Ibb35zGsh-0XYFiamz8jtYPLhWOEetXgvxfgPxJUyZ9F4/s1600/thebestvaluecommuter25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1489" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi01k300Cf9jFALXkoK_-t1dg3KCdG5w_EEVRyl1ybgm6txIjgHbdXYhq4BA1NyM6fcAOCOgTp6qdQZXtQchd_XmRpLBfM2Ibb35zGsh-0XYFiamz8jtYPLhWOEetXgvxfgPxJUyZ9F4/s640/thebestvaluecommuter25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Polygon Strattos S2<br />
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Other recommended value-for-money options include:<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.xdsbicycles.com.au/XDS-Products/RX280">XDS RX280</a> (On special for around $430)<br />
- <a href="https://www.reidcycles.com.au/bikes/road-bikes.html?dir=asc&order=price">Reid Road Bikes</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/boa-road-bike-shimano-claris">Bicycles Online Australia - BOA Shimano Claris</a> ($449)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<br />
bikeexchange.com.au<br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/xds?condition-ids=1&sort-by=cheapest">XDS Bikes</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=momentum%20ineed%20street&sort-by=cheapest">Chappelli</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=momentum%20ineed%20street&sort-by=cheapest">Fuji</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/lekker?condition-ids=1&sort-by=cheapest">Lekker</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/nixeycles?condition-ids=1&sort-by=cheapest">Nixeycles</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/progear?condition-ids=1&sort-by=cheapest">Progear</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/">Bicycle Blue Book</a><br />
<br />
Reddit<br />
> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/5oxfio/best_complete_bike_between_200_and_600/">Best (Complete) Fixie Bike Between $200 and $600</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-72514627257640095002017-06-21T19:31:00.000+10:002018-07-28T20:27:07.043+10:00How to get the most out of dockless bike share networks in Australia<b>Summary</b>: Dock-based ("Kiosk") bike share has had very low usage rates so far in Australia, with Melbourne Bike Share having too few stations, too small a coverage area, and only minimum public funding to keep it in operation. There's been no exemption from mandatory helmet laws, though helmets are now often available with bikes. And, within the city centre, the retrograde introduction of <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/free-city-travel-puts-the-brakes-on-melbournes-cycling-ambitions/news-story/5dc348fa9fcd95c92d37700d656e9e64">free tram travel</a> has become another obstacle.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/mar/22/bike-wars-dockless-china-millions-bicycles-hangzhou">China has seen an explosion</a> of privately-funded <b>dockless</b> bike share networks which have become extremely popular as the cheapest and quickest way to make short trips around cities.<br />
<br />
Given the constraint of Australia's mandatory helmet laws, it's likely the only bike share networks that will be able to offer the low-cost coverage and convenience necessary to be even moderately successful, will be of the dockless variety. As of June 2017, the first of these private networks - <a href="https://www.o.bike/au/index.html">oBike</a> - has launched in Melbourne.<br />
<br />
In this post, I'll collate feedback, tips and suggestions on how to make dockless bike share successful in cities like Melbourne - for users, companies and cities (e.g. as a complement to transit).<br />
<br />
It's vital to be aware that Australian cities, and interested users within them, can't rely on the same drivers of success as China: Most Australians who would consider getting around by bike will buy one and have efficient access to it; Australia does not have a longstanding transport cycling culture, and its cities typically have less safe cycling conditions for occasional cyclists, including less safety in numbers. Those who want it to work in Australia long-term, will need to find and unlock the specific niches that are most useful here while not overinvesting. They'll also need to be creative about unlocking <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ywang/2017/06/20/worth-1-billion-but-whats-really-driving-chinas-bike-sharing-boom/#6c0224b6427e">other revenue sources</a>.<br />
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Note: This blog post is a work-in-progress which will be updated with further analysis and recommendations as I review the experience in Melbourne over time.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><div>
<b>Related Posts:</b></div>
<div>
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/03/melbourne-bike-share-is-useful-for.html">Melbourne bike share is useful for tourists but not yet for most residents</a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Updated Warning July 2018: Don't use oBike or other operators which look like they may quit or go out of business</b></span><br />
<br />
- oBike has quit Melbourne due to its bikes being dumped in or blocking public spaces and new $3,000 fines if they aren't collected within hours. oBike has also quit Singapore. It will likely end up quitting Australia and other countries overseas where its bikes are unsuitable and become useless clutter rather than useful transport.<br />
<br />
- oBike has so far refused to return virtually all users $69 deposits and generally fails to respond to queries about when they will be returned.<br />
<br />
- On 28 July 2018 I emailed council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to warn them that oBike will ultimately steal Sydney members deposits as it has done in Melbourne and that it should act to protect Sydney residents now. I expect I'll be ignored but will update this post if there is any response.<br />
<br />
> <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/obike-users-sweat-on-deposit-refunds-as-company-hits-the-skids-20180627-p4zo1z.html">SMH - oBike users sweat on deposit refunds as company hits the skids</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. How to use oBike's dockless bike share in Australia</b><br />
<br />
a. Go to <a href="https://www.o.bike/au/download.html">oBike - Download app</a> and get the iPhone or Android smartphone app<br />
<br />
b. Sign up for an oBike account. This is easiest with your Facebook account<br />
<br />
c. Pay the refundable A$69 deposit with a credit/debit card; this includes $3 wallet credit. The deposit is only likely to be taken if the bike goes missing during your rental (before you relock).<br />
- Note the <a href="https://www.o.bike/au/about.html">oBike video</a> says $49 which is wrong for Australia.<br />
<br />
d. Top up your wallet with sufficient money for planned trips. After any free ride period at launch (~1 week) the standard rate is $2 per 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
e. Find a nearby bike using the oBike app and when less than 10 minutes walk time from it, reserve it. A reservation only lasts 10 minutes, but you can reserve again if need be.<br />
- On the app, the blue pin stays in the centre of the map and only shows bikes within 10min walk time. So you often need to move the pin in a exploratory way to reveal if bikes are nearby. This is something oBike should modify so that the user can select to view all bikes within a larger walk time radius.<br />
- Note that when you reserve a bike it is the only one shown on the app, along with directions to it from your location. To see all bikes again cancel your reservation.<br />
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f. Give the bike a quick check and adjust the seat height<br />
- You can't check everything before it's unlocked but it should look undamaged and rideable. Adjust the seat to an approximate suitable height.<br />
<br />
g. Unlock the bike using the app<br />
- Bluetooth should be turned on to unlock and lock the bike.<br />
- If at the bike in person in sufficient light, the easy way is to press the Unlock button in the app and scan the QR code on the bike's handlebars<br />
- If lighting is insufficient or unlocking a bike for someone else who is physically present, you need to enter the Bike ID which can be found on the app's bike marker or on the bike sticker with the QR code<br />
<br />
h. Once the bike is unlocked the rental starts; the app shows how long the rental has been in progress.<br />
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i. To end a rental you need to park it in an appropriate place and then manually push the rear wheel lock lever. Your smartphone app will then confirm the rental is ended. oBike recommends parking in a "designated public bike parking area or bike parking coil."<br />
- In Australia, there are no bike parking areas specifically for dockless bike share. There are only various types of bike racks or bike parking-enabled street fixtures like street signs. As dockless bikes are locked to themselves it is generally not appropriate to take up a formal bike parking spot unless in a low utilisation area.<br />
- However, if not obstructing pedestrians or general access you can sometimes park alongside these areas. The bikes have a kickstand allowing them to stand upright on their own.<br />
- Alternatively, there are often informal bike parking spots that can be used for dockless bike share. E.g. Near the hoops on residential streets that protect vegetation (see the photo at the start of this post).<br />
- In any busy area, do not park these bikes on footpaths or pedestrian thoroughfares at all. There are already enough obstructions and this will just lead to regulations that ban parking these bikes anywhere other than designated areas.<br />
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This is the rear wheel lock you need to manually slide shut to end the rental<br />
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<br />
<b>2. About oBike's dockless bikes and system</b><br />
<br />
2a. Best suited to people 140cm to 170cm in height<br />
- The oBike's launched in Melbourne are of a single frame size which is closer to small than medium. The seat post adjusts in height to cover people from around 140cm to 170cm in height. Those up to 20cm shorter or taller can probably still ride these bikes but the ride is not comfortable outside of the 140-170cm range.<br />
- Ideally, oBike should have bikes of medium frame size for Australia (or at least a mix of small and medium). At minimum, the seat post extension range should be significantly larger. And handlebars should be of the swept back style which accommodates a larger range of heights more comfortably.<br />
<br />
2b. Best suited for easy riding conditions: no hills, strong headwinds or heavy loads<br />
- The oBike's only have a single gear which can climb small gradients and spins out at around 25km/hr.<br />
- Ideally, oBike should use a 3 speed internal gear hub as even many short city trips involve steep hills such as in the Melbourne CBD on Collins St or <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.8150371,144.971975,3a,75y,192.04h,82.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNRy0qQKRJclviz3RYlhZug!2e0!7i13312!8i6656">Exhibition St</a>.<br />
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2c. Best suited for short trips at casual speed<br />
- oBike's single gear spins out at 25km/hr. Also the bike uses a dynamo on the front wheel for the front headlight which adds some drag. And it uses airless tyres which are a bit slower. Overall, oBikes take significantly more effort especially with any resistance like hills or wind.<br />
<br />
2d. Reliability and comfort<br />
- oBike uses airless tyres so punctures and low tyre pressure should not be an issue. However, airless tyres are a bit slower. Comfort is good due to the width of the tyres which have plenty of give.<br />
- Durability seems ok at first glance.<br />
- There aren't too many quick ways to damage these bikes and make them unusable.<br />
<br />
2e. Practicality<br />
- The front basket is useful and can carry loads up to 10kg.<br />
- The bikes have a kickstand allowing them to stand up on their own.<br />
<br />
2f. Safety<br />
- There are front and rear caliper brakes but stopping distance is slightly below average so check the brakes at the start of each trip and ride accordingly.<br />
- The rear light is a very cheap and low power Mwave model that is partly obscured by the seat and anything that hangs over it. If riding at night you may wish to bring your own rear light to attach to the rear of the helmet.<br />
- The front light is always on due to a dynamo. It is sufficient to be seen by others but typically not to use to see where you're going.<br />
- The bell is a twisting type on the handlebar that is sufficiently loud for pedestrians.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3. Main tips for oBike and other potential dockless bike share network providers</b><br />
<br />
- oBike should have bikes of medium (not small) frame size for Australia (or at least a mix of small and medium). At minimum, the seat post extension range should be significantly larger. And handlebars should be of the swept back style to suit a greater range of heights.<br />
<br />
- oBike should use a 3 speed internal gear hub as even many short city trips involve steep hills, headwinds or carrying significant weight.<br />
<br />
- The rear light should be placed in a more visible location. Ideally, at the end of a rear bike rack, but if not then at the end of the saddle.<br />
<br />
- The front and rear mudguards should be lengthened to better protect the rider from spray.<br />
<br />
- The app should have an option to show all bikes within a larger radius than 10min walk time. Currently, you need to move the map pin around too much to see if bikes pop up.<br />
<br />
- The route calculation should default to your current GPS location not the map pin. The map pin is virtually never where you are or will be and it is often impossible to centre the map pin where you actually are and still see the closest available bike as well.<br />
<br />
- The Google Maps layer used should be the Bicycling layer - which shows bike trails/lanes - not the motor traffic layer.<br />
<br />
- oBike should have monthly and annual plans to encourage residents to be regular users at a lower cost. (Melbourne Bike Share has an <a href="http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/pricing">annual $60 plan</a> for unlimited 45min trips.) And, for regular users, there should be a daily cap of around $6 in order to be competitive with the $8 cap for public transport.<br />
<br />
- oBike availability won't be abundant in most areas so one disincentive to use it or to park it in the most accessible place is the fear that you'll be stranded with no oBike for your return journey. There should be a way for users to indicate a spot on a map where they would have used oBike had one been available. This data can then be used for oBike distribution including rider credit incentives for moving oBikes to certain areas. In low access areas, a sliding-scale credit for having the oBike you just used rented again would also be very worthwhile. E.g. $4 if re-rented within 2 hours. $2 if re-rented within 6 hours. $1 if re-rented within 12 hours.<br />
<br />
- Users should be encouraged to lock the helmet within the rear wheel lock so that it remains with the bike. Many Melbourne Bike Share helmets get stolen by resident cyclists or just taken because it's there unlocked.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4. What kind of trips would residents find dockless bike share most useful for?</b><br />
<br />
Some obvious examples:<br />
<br />
- Getting around the city centre (and other key activity centres where there are enough bikes) and to adjacent suburbs quicker than walking or transit and cheaper than taxis/Uber.<br />
<br />
- First-mile and last-mile trips to transit stops, especially when secure, weather-protected bike parking isn't available near these stops.<br />
<br />
- Cheaper commutes to workplaces where secure, weather-protected bike parking isn't available. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/03/where-to-park-if-commuting-to-melbourne.html">Where to park if commuting to Melbourne CBD</a><br />
<br />
- One-way trips when you don't wish to leave your own bike stranded or at risk of theft overnight.<br />
<br />
- As a "pub bike" for trips you wouldn't take your decent bikes on due to theft, vandalism or weather risk.<br />
<br />
- For residents who don't own bikes or whose bikes are not as easy to get on the road, such as those living in apartments or who have their bikes stored in garages.<br />
<br />
- For trips where transit isn't convenient. Australian cities run hub and spoke transit networks and so east-west trips are often much easier made by bike. Dockless bike share may be particularly worthwhile when your potential trip doesn't start and finish at home (thus your own bike isn't available).<br />
<br />
- Whenever taking your bike with you is impractical but you'd like to use a bike to get around at your destination. E.g. For regular transport cyclists who catch the train or drive to work or other common destinations where cycling is convenient.<br />
<br />
- For unplanned or opportunistic trips when you've already left home without a bike. E.g. Now that I have a kid, I am out and about without my bike more often. Potential errands and side trips occasionally arise which would be very convenient using dockless bike share.<br />
<br />
- To escape transit or driving congestion, such as when getting to or leaving a sporting event with 70,000 other people. Dockless bike share can extend the zone of useful transit stops and car parking options.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<br />
The Urbanist<br />
> <a href="https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2017/06/20/prospects-dockless-bikeshare-australia/">What are the prospects for dockless bike share in Australia?</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/mar/22/bike-wars-dockless-china-millions-bicycles-hangzhou">Uber for bikes: how 'dockless' cycles flooded China – and are heading overseas</a><br />
<br />
Zagster<br />
> <a href="https://www.zagster.com/blog/the-different-types-of-bike-sharing-programs">Bike sharing basics: Guide to bike share program types</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://betterbikeshare.org/">Better Bike Share</a><br />
<br />
RMIT Catalyst<br />
> <a href="http://rmitcatalyst.com/the-sustainable-urbanist-are-helmets-the-only-woe-to-melbourne-bike-share/">The Sustainable Urbanist: Are helmets the only woe to Melbourne Bike Share?</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-17385255914399843442017-05-10T00:01:00.003+10:002017-08-07T14:07:01.332+10:00The best value-for-money bike parts, equipment and consumables and where to buy them<b>Summary</b>: If you asked a long-time utility cyclist for tips on which bike parts and equipment to buy you'd get plenty of hard-earned insights. Performance, reliability, durability, cost and ease of DIY maintenance or replacement vary considerably. Price or the most well-known brand names are often not useful guides. Bike shop salespeople are also biased to selling what they stock, has high margins or requires bike shop servicing.<br />
<br />
In this post, I will collate my own current conclusions and decisions for reference. Note that as you gain more experience with more product types or alternatives you will continually refine your preferences, so this post will be updated indefinitely.<br />
<br />
The best equipment is typically more expensive so actually being able to obtain it at the lowest price (including delivery) turns out to be a big factor in value-for-money decisions. For example, your local bike shop might sell Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres for $80 each which might force you to accept a lower puncture-resistant brand. But if you could get them for $40 online this changes the equation. Consequently, a key part of the aim of this post is to find the cheapest places to acquire each item.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinamor/7044921495">Flickr - Nicolai Bangsgaard</a><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<br />
<b><u>1. Tyres: Use Schwalbe puncture resistant tyres (ideally from the "Plus" range like the Durano Plus or Marathon Plus)</u></b><br />
<br />
While there are likely a few other genuinely puncture-resistant tyre models from other vendors, I only have experience with Schwalbe and it is the brand used by virtually all long-distance tourers. If puncture-resistance, durability and value-for-money are your priorities then you simply don't need to consider any other tyre options. Just find the most suitable Schwalbe option (on-road or off-road, width, etc). I recommend the "Plus" range.<br />
<br />
Direct links to the Schwalbe product pages with at least medium puncture-resistance are below:<br />
<br />
Schwalbe Tour<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/unplattbar.html">Flat-less tyres</a> (general info)<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus.html">Marathon Plus</a> 25-47mm width for large 622mm BSD (inner size) rims<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus-tour.html">Marathon Plus Tour</a> 37-47mm width for large 622mm BSD (inner size) rims<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-gt.html">Marathon GT</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/delta-cruiser-plus.html">Delta Cruiser Plus</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/energizer-plus.html">Energizer Plus</a> 32-50mm width for large 622mm BSD (inner size) rims<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/big-apple-plus.html">Big Apple Plus</a> 50-55mm width<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/big-ben-plus.html">Big Ben Plus</a> 50-55mm width<br />
<br />
Schwalbe Road<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/road-reader/durano-plus.html">Durano Plus</a> 23-28mm width for large 622mm BSD (inner size) rims<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/road-reader/durano-dd.html">Durano DD</a><br />
<br />
Schwalbe Offroad<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/offroad-reader/marathon-plus-mtb.html">Marathon Plus MTB</a> 54-57mm width for small, medium or large rims<br />
> <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/offroad-reader/smart-sam-plus.html">Smart Sam Plus</a><br />
<br />
<b>Where to buy:</b><br />
<br />
I typically buy Schwalbe tyres from Chain Reaction Cycles or Ribble as they are always available at near the cheapest price. I buy Durano Plus or Marathon Plus for about $40 each.<br />
<br />
Chain Reaction Cycles<br />
> <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/tyres?f=4294954610,4294958068&sort=pricelow">Schwalbe tyres - 700C</a><br />
<br />
Ribble<br />
> <a href="https://www.ribblecycles.com/au/components/wheels-tyres/tyres/?manufacturer%5B0%5D=Schwalbe">Schwalbe Tyres</a><br />
<br />
Occasionally the Australian retailers listed below will offer Schwalbe tyres at a competitive price:<br />
<br />
Cell Bikes<br />
> <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Parts/Bicycle-Tyres/brand-facet/Schwalbe?order=onlinecustomerprice:asc">Tyres - Schwalbe</a><br />
<br />
Cycling Express<br />
> <a href="http://www.cyclingexpress.com/?lang=en&p=products&pt=444&qpb=97&orderBy=priceA">Tyres & Tubes - Schwalbe</a><br />
<br />
<b>Comments on other tyre options:</b><br />
<br />
Tubeless Tyres<br />
- These are almost never useful for utility cyclists as they are much more complicated, expensive and specialised to manage effectively. Expert enthusiasts may benefit in narrow circumstances. If curious, see the <a href="https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tubeless.html">Schwalbe Tubeless guide</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>2. Tubes: Use Schwalbe tubes</u></b><br />
<br />
As I almost never get punctures (1 nail in 5 years), it makes sense to opt for higher quality tubes that will last at least several years. As Schwalbe tubes can be had anytime for $10 each ($6 on sale) this is the option I have chosen.<br />
<br />
Remember to get the correct size to match tyre width, valve type (Presta or Schrader) and valve length (deep dish rims require a longer length).<br />
<br />
<b>Where to buy:</b><br />
<br />
Chain Reaction Cycles often sells Schwalbe tubes for as little as $6 each. Otherwise I use Cell Bikes at around $10.<br />
<br />
Chain Reaction Cycles<br />
> <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/tubes?f=4294954610&sort=pricelow">Tubes - Schwalbe</a><br />
<br />
Cell Bikes<br />
> <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Parts/Tubes/brand-facet/Schwalbe?order=onlinecustomerprice:asc">Tubes - Schwalbe</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>3. Locks - U locks, Chain locks, Frame locks and other useful types</u></b><br />
<br />
Never use cable locks. You can read detailed reasons for only using high-quality U locks and chain locks as the primary lock to secure your bike in these blog posts:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/how-to-prevent-your-bike-being-stolen.html">How to prevent your bike being stolen</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/05/what-lock-to-buy.html">What type of bike lock should I buy?</a><br />
<br />
Avoid U lock and chain lock models that use combination mechanisms and ones with known flaws.<br />
<br />
Make sure your U lock or chain lock has sufficient reach to enable locking around all common bike hoops and street fixtures. Mini U locks are often too small.<br />
<br />
Some secondary locks are also useful like frame locks (e.g. AXA Defender around the wheel) and more secure equipment for wheels, saddles and other equipment.<br />
<br />
I personally use:<br />
- <a href="http://www.kryptonitelock.com/content/kryt-us/en/products/product-information/current-key/001683.html">Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 U lock</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.onguardlock.com/bulldogulocks">OnGuard Bulldog U lock</a><br />
- I also plan to add an <a href="http://www.onguardlock.com/mastiffchains/">OnGuard Mastiff </a>8022D chain<br />
- I also plan to add an <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/ONGUARD-BULLMASTIFF-PADLOCK24">OnGuard BullMastiff padlock</a> for adding security to wheels or accessories<br />
- I sometimes use the OnGuard or Kryptoflex steel cables that come with U locks as secondary locks in Low Risk situations<br />
<br />
<b>Where to buy:</b><br />
<br />
Common, value-for-money U locks like OnGuard are best had from the cheapest Australian retailers.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Accessories/Locks/brand-facet/OnGuard?order=onlinecustomerprice:asc">Cell Bikes</a> usually sells OnGuard U locks (Bulldog, Pitbull, Brute) at the cheapest prices available anywhere.<br />
<br />
- Reid Cycles sometimes sells OnGuard Bulldog locks for $28. E.g.<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/bike-u-locks/onguard/vic/north-melbourne/onguard-bulldog-mini-dt-u-lock/102857206"> OnGuard Bulldog Mini DT U-Lock 2016 (plus cable)</a>. This may be a special in-store only price.<br />
<br />
Cycling Express often has cheap prices on Kryptonite U locks<br />
> <a href="http://www.cyclingexpress.com/accessories/bikeaccessories/lockssecurity/en_products_304.html&orderBy=priceA">Locks & Security</a><br />
<br />
<b>Ultra Cheap Options:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thebicycledepot.com.au/u-lock-130mmx205mm-with-two-keys-bulk-packed-in-po">Tonyon TY325 12mm U Lock - $6</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>4. Chains and Chain Devices</u></b><br />
<br />
KMC chains (single speed are 1/8"; geared are 3/32")<br />
> <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price&q=kmc+chain">pushys.com.au - "kmc chain"</a> reliably sells them for $4 to $8 depending on quality<br />
- I buy the Z410 or Z410RB ("rust buster")<br />
<br />
Chain Tugs (tensioners that affix between axle and dropout)<br />
> <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/dmr-chain-tugs/rp-prod216">chainreactioncycles.com -.DMR Chain Tugs</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>5. Helmets</u></b><br />
<br />
For an ultra-cheap safety-compliant helmet you can get Melbourne Bike Share helmets for $5 from vending machines or at 7-Eleven stores. Or sometimes for free on bikes in the city.<br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy quality helmets is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bicycle-and-casual-clothing/helmets-and-protection.html">pushys.com.au - helmets and protection</a><br />
<br />
Quality helmets can be had on special for ~$20 including occasionally from fashionable brands like Nutcase.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>6. Lights</u></b><br />
<br />
I recommend getting USB-rechargeable ones that have robust, flexible attachments. At the rear, not just to the seatpost, but to a saddle bag or rack (whichever is extending furthest).<br />
<br />
Use recent reviews to assess best performance. Remember there is a tradeoff in brightness versus how long a single charge lasts.<br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy lights is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-accessories/bicycle-lights.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - lights</a><br />
<br />
At around the $20-30 mark there are high quality USB rechargeable lights on special that usually retail for double or more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>7. Electronics (Bike Computers, GPS, Mounts, etc)</u></b><br />
<br />
A cheap wired bike computer (~$15) will perform all essential functions (trip and overall distance, speed, etc) and can be permanently left on your bike (no-one will be bothered stealing it).<br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy bike electronics is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-accessories/electronics.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - electronics</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
- Mounts for bike computers, GPS devices or cameras are often heavily discounted for less than $5.<br />
<br />
- It can be the cheapest place to get proprietary accessories for electronics.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>8. Saddles</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy saddles is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-parts-and-components/cockpit/bike-seats-saddles.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - saddles</a><br />
<br />
There's usually a brand on special for less than $10. I've bought the Citi Bicycle Saddle for $3-5.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>9. Gloves</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy gloves is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bicycle-and-casual-clothing/mens-bicycle-clothing/gloves.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - gloves</a><br />
<br />
Quality gloves can be had on special from $5 - $25. I bought waterproof, winter gloves for $25.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>10. General Clothing and Apparel</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy clothing is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bicycle-and-casual-clothing/mens-bicycle-clothing.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - cycle clothing</a><br />
<br />
Quality jackets, jerseys, shorts, arm/leg warmers, shoe covers, caps and more can be had on special for $5 - $25.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>11. Shoes</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy shoes is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bicycle-and-casual-clothing/shoes.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - shoes</a><br />
<br />
E.g. Louis Garneau Ventilator 2 Road Shoes for $20 (normally over $100).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>12. Kick Stands</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy shoes is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-accessories/general-bike-accessories/kick-stands.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - kick stands</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>13. Bottom Brackets</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy bottom brackets is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-parts-and-components/drivetrain/bottom-brackets.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - bottom brackets</a><br />
<br />
The Shimano BB-UN26 68x110mm Bottom Bracket for my single speed was $17.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><u>14. Chainrings, Cassettes, Sprockets and Drivetrain</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy drivetrain components is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-parts-and-components/drivetrain.html">pushys.com.au - drivetrain</a><br />
<br />
E.g. Quality <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-parts-and-components/drivetrain/chainrings.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">chainrings</a> can always be found on special for less than $5<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>15. Handlebars, Grips, Bar Tape, Stems, etc</u></b><br />
<br />
The reliably cheapest place in Australia to buy handlebar and related "cockpit" components is: <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bike-parts-and-components/cockpit.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - cockpit</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>16. Fenders and Mudguards</u></b><br />
<br />
Unless buying a road bike (where this is difficult), if fenders or mudguards are a priority then ensure the bike you choose has sufficient clearance and attachment points for the type that best suits. Some cyclists will prefer permanently-attached and full-coverage fenders, others will prefer mudguards which may only provide partial coverage (e.g. protecting mostly clothing/shoes) but can be readily detached when not needed or swapped between bikes.<br />
<br />
I prefer detachable mudguards.<br />
<br />
For the rear the best I've found is the Zefal Swan. It mounts on the seat post and can tilt into the desired position.<br />
<br />
For the front my main priority is to protect the spray area between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock. If mounting a guard on the downtube, then the Zefal Croozer, SKS X-board or similar is worthwhile. Mounting the front mudguard on the wheel is better though, so consider Zefal or SKS products that mount to the fork and fit your bike.<br />
<br />
SKS X-board<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.zefal.com/en/16-mudguards">Zefal - Mudguards</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.sks-germany.com/en/productcategories/mudguards/">SKS - Mudguards</a><br />
> Zefal Swan (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/zefal-swan-road-rear-mudguard/rp-prod143864">CRC $11.50</a>)<br />
> Zefal Croozer (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/zefal-croozer-road-front-mudguard/rp-prod143865">CRC $11</a>)<br />
> Zefal Swan and Croozer Set (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/zefal-swan-r-croozer-road-mudguard-set/rp-prod128252">CRC $16</a>)<br />
> Zefal Trail Front and Rear Set (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/zefal-trail-mudguard-set/rp-prod128255">CRC $12 for both</a>)<br />
> <a href="https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sks-x-board/">SKS X-board (Ribble UK)</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/velo-42-urban-2/">SKS Velo 42</a> (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/sks-velo-42-urban-mudguard-set/rp-prod68582">CRC $22 with U stays</a>)<br />
> <a href="http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/216720-13-best-mudguards-any-type-bike-%E2%80%94-keep-dry-when-its-wet-guards-race">Road.cc - 13 of the best mudguards for any type of bike</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>17. Brake pads</u></b><br />
<br />
> Trivio Brake Pads 50mm (<a href="https://www.ribblecycles.com/au/components/brakes-and-pads/brake-pads/rim-brake-pads/?limit=96">Ribble ~$4 per pair</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>17. Waterproofing</u></b><br />
<br />
Waterproof spray for shoes and clothing.<br />
> <a href="http://www.raysoutdoors.com.au/Product/WaprooWaterproof-Spray/234605">Waproo Water-proofer spray - $8</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kiwicampdry.com/">Kiwi Camp Dry</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>18. Bicycle Touring and DIY Equipment</u></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://cycletraveller.com.au/australia/gear/emergency-duct-tape-bike-repairs">Duct Tape</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>19. Bike maintenance tools</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Best Value Toolkits</b><br />
<br />
Buying the more complete, value-for-money toolkits (aka "Advanced") on sale will provide many of the most common tools at a far cheaper price than buying them individually. Then you just need to fill the gaps for specialist tools you actually need.<br />
<br />
<b>Single Tools</b><br />
<br />
I use the Park Tools website categories and tool reference numbers as the reference. But I often buy cheaper toolkits or versions of the tool.<br />
<br />
The main websites I use to buy cheap tools on sale are:<br />
<br />
> <a href="https://www.pushys.com.au/bicycle-workshop.html?dir=asc&limit=72&order=price">pushys.com.au - workshop</a><br />
<br />
<br />
There are hundreds of bicycle tools but below I will maintain a list of only the most commonly-needed ones.<br />
<br />
*Denotes preferred or recommended option<br />
^Denotes tools I have (I often have a non-Park cheaper version)<br />
!Denotes tools I plan to get when needed or available at a decent price<br />
<br />
A good way to check common tools is by reviewing the list of 65 tools included in the Park Tools Professional tool kit: <a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/professional-tool-kit-pk-2?category=Tool%20Kits">PK-2 Professional tool kit</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/category/tools">Park Tool - Tools</a><br />
<br />
<b>Cassette & Freewheel</b><br />
<br />
<b>Cassette Removers</b><br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/cassette-lockring-tool-fr-5g">FR-5G Cassette lockring tool with 5mm guide pin</a>*^ or FR-5.2 Cassette lockring tool<br />
- One of the most common cassette removal sizes<br />
<br />
<b>Freewheel, Fixed Gear or Sprocket Removal</b><br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/freewheel-remover-fr-6?category=Cassette%20&%20Freewheel">FR-6 Freewheel remover</a>*^<br />
- This type fits the greatest number of current single speed/BMX freewheels. It is easy to find cheaper versions.<br />
- When buying freewheels if possible get ones using this remover. Avoid freewheels that have zero, shallow or only 2 notches for removal tools as these have to be dismantled to be removed or are a hassle to remove.<br />
- Some freewheel manufacturers make their own proprietary freewheel removal tool (e.g. Sturmey Archer)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/detail/tlsf2">TLSF2 Sturmey Archer Freewheel removal tool</a><br />
- Still need a cheap source for this tool<br />
- This only fits Sturmey Archer freewheels. I recommend Sturmey Archer as cheap single speed freewheels available in <a href="https://www.evanscycles.com/sturmey-archer-1-2-x-1-8-single-speed-freewheel-EV222318">all sizes from 16 to 22 teeth</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/freewheel-remover-wrench-frw-1?category=Cassette%20&%20Freewheel">FRW-1 Freewheel remover wrench</a>!<br />
- Costs $60 so makes sense to use a standard 1 inch wrench (even a 15/16 wrench will fit the 1inch nuts on the freewheel remover tools). Best to buy a standard long-handled wrench (25cm+) or one you can add extra leverage to (e.g. pipe extension). Or get the 1inch wrench with SR-1 which includes a chain whip.<br />
<br />
Rubber Mallet (not a bike specific tool)<br />
- For any removal that requires extra leverage I often use a rubber mallet. A couple of hard taps on the end of the wrench are worth a significant amount of additional leverage.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/fixed-gear-lockring-wrench-hcw-17?category=Cassette%20&%20Freewheel">HCW-17 Fixed gear lockring wrench</a>*<br />
- Lockrings can be removed using a large flat screwdriver in the groove and mallet to knock the lockring clockwise to loosen. However, if you remove fixed gear lockrings often then an inexpensive tool is useful. This can be had for $16 from Chain Reaction Cycles or Ribble<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/sprocket-remover-chain-whip-sr-1?category=Cassette%20&%20Freewheel">SR-1 3/32" Sprocket remover and chain whip</a>*^<br />
- Works on 5-10 speed cassettes with 3/32" size. Includes 1 inch boxring wrench to fit standard freewheel and lockring removal tools.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/sprocket-remover-chain-whip-sr-18?category=Cassette%20&%20Freewheel">SR-18 1/8" Sprocket remover and chain whip</a>*!<br />
- Same as SR-1 but for fixed gear/single speed sprockets that are 1/8" size. You can remove a fixed gear sprocket by keeping the chain attached and using a mallet on the pedals. But freewheels need a chainwhip that fits. A DIY alternative is to double over your actual chain and use it as a chain whip (see YouTube).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/pin-spanner-red-spa-2?category=Cassette%20&%20Freewheel">SPA-2 Pin spanner</a>!<br />
- Pin diameter is 2.3mm.Will fit many crankset and freewheel cones or retaining rings. You can use a hole punch and mallet but if doing this often a pin spanner is easiest. $13 from Ribble.<br />
<br />
<b>Brakes</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/professional-cable-and-housing-cutter-cn-10?category=Brakes">CN-10 Professional cable and housing cutter</a>*^<br />
- All decent bike toolkits will have one of these.<br />
<br />
<b>Chain</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/chain-wear-indicator-cc-3-2?category=Chain">CC-3.2 Chain checker*^</a><br />
- All decent bike toolkits will have one of these.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/chain-tool-ct-3-2?category=Chain">CT-3.2 Chain tool*^</a><br />
- All decent bike toolkits will have one of these.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/master-link-pliers-mlp-1-2?category=Chain">MLP-1.2 Master link pliers</a><br />
- Used for effortless removal of master links when changing chains. However, standard pliers will do the job so a specialist tool is not necessary.<br />
<br />
<b>Cleaning</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bike-cleaning-brush-set-bcb-4-2?category=Cleaning">BCB-4.2 Bike cleaning brush set</a><br />
- All decent bike toolkits will have one of these.<br />
<br />
<b>Crank and Bottom Bracket</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-18?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">BBT-18 Bottom bracket tool</a><br />
- For Shimano Octalink and ISIS Drive bottom brackets<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-19-2?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">BBT-19.2 Bottom bracket tool</a><br />
- Used to remove and install external bearing crankset bottom brackets<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-29?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">BBT-29 Bottom bracket tool</a><br />
- Double-ended bottom bracket wrench designed to fit 16-notch bearing cups with an outside diameter of 39mm (e.g. Shimano® Dura-Ace® 9000 series and XTR® 980 series) as well as 16-notch bearing cups with an outside diameter of 48.5mm (e.g. FSA® MegaEvo®).<br />
- This is often included in Advanced bike toolkits.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-69?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">BBT-69 Bottom bracket tool</a><br />
- Installation and removal of 16-notch external bearing bottom brackets<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-9?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">BBT-9 Bottom bracket tool</a><br />
- The BBT-9 is used to remove and install external bearing crankset bottom brackets. One end of the BBT-9 securely engages the 16 notches of the bottom bracket cups. The other end of the tool engages the 8 internal splines of the crank arm adjustment cap.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/crank-puller-for-square-taper-cranks-ccp-22?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">CCP-22 Crank puller</a><br />
- Fits all cranks using 22mm x 1 threads and square, tapered bottom bracket spindles<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/crank-wrench-ccw-5?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">CCW-5 Crank bolt wrench</a><br />
- The CCW-5 features both a 14mm socket and 8mm hex wrench. Is not necessary if you have a range of hex and socket wrenches in your toolkit.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/chainring-nut-wrench-cnw-2?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">CNW-2 Chainring nut wrench</a>*^<br />
- Double-ended to fit most slotted-type nuts and hold them while the bolt is tightened or loosened.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/universal-crank-puller-for-square-taper-and-splined-cranks-cwp-7?category=Crank%20&%20Bottom%20Bracket">CWP-7 Compact universal crank puller</a>*^<br />
- Standard puller will remove both square taper and splined (ISIS Drive, Octalink) crank arms. The CWP-7 is made for the 22 x 1mm threading in the common cranks.<br />
<br />
<b>General Shop Tools</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/adjustable-wrench-paw-12">PAW-12 12 inch adjustable wrench</a><br />
- A large adjustable wrench is always useful. It doesn't have to be a pricey Park one though.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/10mm-metric-wrench-mw-10?category=General%20Shop%20Tools">MW-SET.2 Set of wrenches (box and open ends)</a><br />
- A set of wrenches from 6mm to 17mm is needed. They typically don't come with most bike toolkits but can easily be had as general workshop tools.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/needle-nose-pliers-np-6">NP-6 Needle nose pliers</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/side-cutter-pliers-sp-7">SP-7 Side cutter pliers</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/snap-ring-pliers-set-rp-set-2?category=General%20Shop%20Tools">RP-SET.2 Internal retaining ring pliers set</a><br />
- These pliers are used to remove the circlips ("snap rings") or "internal retaining rings" that hold on parts like sprockets. However, you don't need them and a small, flat screwdriver can easily be used to lever out any sized circlip.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/socket-and-bit-set-sbs-1?category=General%20Shop%20Tools">SBS-1 Socket and bit set</a><br />
- Set of 3/8inch drive bits and sockets. These are useful general workshop tools and can be had cheaply from hardware or auto retailers.<br />
<br />
Nut, bolt and component sizing references<br />
- It's useful to keep a set of the standard size nuts, bolts and other equipment handy. E.g. M4 to M15 and the common imperial sizes.<br />
<br />
Super Cheap Auto Tools<br />
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Caliper-Vernier-Plastic-150mm/284467?menuFrom=2147483620">SCA Caliper Vernier - Plastic, 150mm</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Best-Buy-Socket-Set-1-4-3-8-Drive-40-Piece/3995?menuFrom=1021417">Best Buy Socket Set - 1/4"/3/8" Drive, 40 Piece</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/ToolPro-Breaker-Bar-1-2-Drive-600mm/341998">ToolPro Breaker Bar - 1/2" Drive, 600mm</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/ToolPro-Single-Socket-1-2-Drive-1-/221211">ToolPro Single Socket - 1/2" Drive, 1"</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/ToolPro-Spanner-Combination-1-/221271?menuFrom=1021311">ToolPro Spanner - Combination, 1"</a><br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Socket-Adaptor-4-Piece/215994">SCA Socket Adaptor - 4 Piece</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/ToolPro-Tool-Kit-Metric-Imperial-35-Piece/282095?menuFrom=1021473">ToolPro Tool Kit - Metric/Imperial, 35 Piece</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Work-Gloves-Latex-Large-40-Pack/340652?menuFrom=1021311">SCA Work Gloves - Latex, Large, 40 Pack</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/ToolPro-Adjustable-Wrench-12-/341852">ToolPro Adjustable Wrench - 12"</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Valvoline-Valplex-EP-Grease-Tub-500g/20072">Valvoline Valplex EP Grease Tub - 500g</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Herschell-Copper-Anti-Seize-Grease-Tube-100g/401923">Herschell Copper Anti-Seize Grease Tube - 100g</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Export-Degreaser-400g/1196">Export Degreaser - 400g</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Duct-Tape-Black-48mm-x-30m/220498">SCA Duct Tape - Black, 48mm x 30m</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Tesa-Threadseal-Tape-12mm-x-10m/1715?menuFrom=1021436">Tesa Threadseal Tape - 12mm x 10m</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Kerosene-1-Litre/365132">SCA Kerosene - 1 Litre</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/SCA-Hack-Saw-Tubular-Frame-12-/222221?menuFrom=1021481">SCA Hack Saw - Tubular Frame, 12"</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Clingtape-Cloth-Tape-Silver-48mm-x-4-5m/349973]">Clingtape Cloth Tape - Silver, 48mm x 4.5m</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Cable Ties<br />
- Various attachment uses such as tying cables to frame or providing accessory fixing points</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Headset</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/headset-wrench-hcw-15?category=Headset">HCW-15 Headset wrench</a>*^<br />
- Standard 32mm and 36mm head wrench.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Hex & Torx Compatible Tools</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/professional-l-shaped-hex-wrench-set-hxs-1-2?category=Hex%20&%20Torx%C2%AE%20Compatible%20Tools">HXS-1.2 Professional L shaped hex wrench set</a>*^<br />
- 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 mm sizes with a ball end on the long arm (exc. 10mm) for hard to reach bolts and a straight end on the short arm for high torque applications<br />
<br />
<b>Hub & Axle</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/shop-cone-wrench-set-scw-set-3?category=Hub%20&%20Axle">SCW-SET.3 Cone wrench set</a> *^<br />
- Cone wrenches from 13mm to 28mm size.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/spoke-bearing-and-cotter-gauge-sbc-1?category=Hub%20&%20Axle">SBC-1 Spoke, bearing and cotter gauge</a><br />
- Aid is ideal for sizing spokes, ball bearings and crank cotters<br />
<br />
<b>Lubricants & Compounds</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/grease-gun-gg-1?category=General%20Shop%20Tools">GG-1 Grease gun</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/anti-seize-compound-asc-1?category=Lubricants%20&%20Compounds">ASC-1 Anti-seize compound</a><br />
- Reduces friction in threaded and press fit connections for easy assembly and disassembly. Ideal for bottom bracket and pedal threads, pressed headset cups, seat posts, quill stems<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/bio-chainbrite-cb-4?category=Lubricants%20&%20Compounds">CB-4 Bio chainbrite (degreaser)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/synthetic-blend-chain-lube-with-ptfe-cl-1?category=Lubricants%20&%20Compounds">CL-1 Synthetic blend chain lube</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/high-performance-grease-hpg-1?category=Lubricants%20&%20Compounds">HPG-1 High performance grease</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/polylube-1000-lubricant-tube-ppl-1?category=Lubricants%20&%20Compounds">PPL-1 Polylube lubricant</a><br />
<br />
<b>Multi-Tools</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/rescue-tool-mtb-7?category=Multi-Tools">MTB-7 Rescue Tool</a><br />
<br />
<b>Pedal</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/pedal-wrench-pw-3?category=Pedal">PW-3 Pedal wrench</a><br />
- All decent bike toolkits will have one of these.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Pumps</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/mini-pump-pmp-4-2?category=Pumps">PMP-4.2 Mini pump</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/home-mechanic-floor-pump-pfp-8?category=Pumps">PFP-8 Floor pump</a><br />
<br />
<b>Tube & Tire</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/tire-lever-set-tl-1-2?category=Tube%20&%20Tire">TL-1.2 Tire lever set</a><br />
- All decent bike toolkits will have one of these.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/heavy-duty-steel-tire-lever-set-tl-5?category=Tube%20&%20Tire">TL-5 Heavy duty steel tire lever set</a></div>
-Useful for tyres that are very hard to get off.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/tire-and-tube-repair-kit-tr-1?category=Tube%20&%20Tire">TR-1 Tire and tube repair kit</a><br />
<br />
<b>Wheel & Spoke</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parktool.com/product/triple-spoke-wrench-sw-7-2?category=Wheel%20&%20Spoke">SW-7.2 Triple spoke wrench</a><br />
<br />
<br />
To be continued...<br />
<br />
Axle Nuts<br />
- Front 9mm or 5/16"<br />
- Rear 10mm or 3/8"<br />
- Ideally both fitting 15mm spanner (fixie)<br />
http://www.thebicycledepot.com.au/hub-spare-parts/<br />
<br />
Pump<br />
<a href="http://www.thebicycledepot.com.au/pump-floor-hp-steel-160psi-w-guage-white-universal">Pump Floor HP Steel 160Psi W/ Guage White Universal Single Pump Head</a><br />
<br />
Rim Tape<br />
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/schwalbe-road-rim-tape/rp-prod36337<br />
<br />
Valve Adaptor<br />
http://www.thebicycledepot.com.au/valve-adaptor<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<br />
WorldTravellers.dk<br />
> <a href="http://www.worldtravellers.dk/wordpress/?page_id=18">Equipment</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.doityourself.com/">Do It Yourself</a><br />
<br />
Evans Cycles<br />
<a href="https://www.evanscycles.com/en-au/shimano-nexus-sprocket-EV174104">Shimano Nexus Sprocket</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bicyclepartswholesale.com.au/index.html">Bicycle Parts Wholesale</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Park Tool</div>
<div>
> <a href="http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/basic-thread-concepts#article-section-4">Basic Thread Concepts - Bicycle Industry Threads</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Axle Release<br />
> <a href="http://www.axlerelease.com/axle-help">Axle Size Help</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-9428686895370554602016-11-17T00:53:00.002+11:002017-03-10T12:01:00.535+11:00Are internal gear hub bikes the secret to low maintenance commuting?<b>Summary</b>: In Australia, derailleur bikes with 20-27 external gears are so ubiquitous that most people don't even know there is a type of bike with internal gears hidden in the rear wheel and only 2-11 gears. Yet, in countries like <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-reliable-everyday-bicycle.html">the Netherlands</a>, where everyone bikes for transport, internal gears are standard and it's mostly sports cyclists who use derailleurs.<br />
<br />
One could conclude that derailleurs still dominate in Australia because cycling is still mostly a sport or recreation. Utility bikes are breaking through but, presently, the ones with internal gears tend to be heavy, slow Dutch bikes or too expensive to take the leap of faith.<br />
<br />
But if hills, winds or a disinterest in unnecessary exertion put you off a single speed for getting around, I've long considered internal gear hub (IGH) bikes with 3 to 8 speeds to be - at least in theory - the next best alternative. Especially, if you want to minimise bike maintenance and service costs, leave your bike exposed to the elements all year round, and don't use most of the gear combinations on a 20+ speed bike.<br />
<br />
A recent clearance price ($399) on a commuter bike with a 5 speed Sturmey-Archer IGH has led me to finally having the opportunity to use a common IGH bike and in this post I will provide guidance on suitability, finding the best option, saving money, and will also update the long-term results (maintenance required, mileage I get out of the IGH). Because of the wider steps between IGH gears, my Sturmey Archer 5 speed (wide range model) is delivering ~80% of the effective range of my 20 speed road bike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVBIatk6JsSVEgRA2lkidXNcY4MuS525EGg1-Zr6LhBepj112_DljNG2n71cpEP8BP7nM2iXytdRLLwO1BaYgyWglP0xmxE-ykwwlKSfhMS4vNCg55KnSvAL-9bMqQTx1URtLu77xn84/s1600/xdsstreet01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVBIatk6JsSVEgRA2lkidXNcY4MuS525EGg1-Zr6LhBepj112_DljNG2n71cpEP8BP7nM2iXytdRLLwO1BaYgyWglP0xmxE-ykwwlKSfhMS4vNCg55KnSvAL-9bMqQTx1URtLu77xn84/s400/xdsstreet01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XDS Adult Street with 5 speed Sturmey-Archer internal gear hub</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<br />
<b><u>1. What is the difference and pros vs cons between a bike with derailleur gears and an internal gear hub (IGH)?</u></b><br />
<br />
For a brilliant explanation on the key differences see: <a href="http://bootiebike.com/igh/igh.htm">BootieBike - Derailleurs, internal gear hubs and the transport cyclist</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For all the proliferation of styles and designs currently available, in concept the typical new bike is closer to the 70s 10 speed ‘racing’ bike than the practical ‘transport’ bikes of yore. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – as long as that bike isn't intended for everyday, all-weather transport. This is a shame, as more and more folk are trying cycling for that very purpose; they walk into a bike shop looking for a transport bike but are instead foisted a machine designed for recreational use, whether that be road racing, tooling around the park or exploring bush trails.<br />
<a href="http://bootiebike.com/igh/igh.htm">BootieBike - Derailleurs, internal gear hubs and the transport cyclist</a></blockquote>
Read the whole post as it also has enlightening sections on:<br />
- Derailleurs couldn't be too bad – could they?<br />
- How can one possibly live with fewer than 27 gears?<br />
- Efficiency: Internal gear hubs vs derailleurs<br />
<br />
BootieBike also has some other relevant articles worth reading:<br />
> <a href="http://bootiebike.com/commute/commute.htm">So you want to ride to work...</a><br />
<br />
For a great list of advantages versus disadvantages see: <a href="https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/geared-hubs-vs-derailleur/">Hubstripping - Gear Hubs vs Derailleur</a><br />
<br />
These include:<br />
<br />
Advantages:<br />
- Less maintenance efforts and costs than derailleurs<br />
- Chain and sprockets last longer<br />
- Less fragile to crashes or when bicycle falls to one side<br />
- Easy to use with one shifter<br />
- There are no ratio overlaps and ineffective “cross” combinations<br />
- Less and simpler parts: Single chainwheel, single cog, shorter chain<br />
- Shifting without pedaling<br />
<br />
Disadvantages:<br />
- A lower overall gear ratio<br />
- Rear wheel removal usually more difficult (e.g. fixing punctures)<br />
- Often more expensive than derailleurs<br />
- Cheaper models require easing off pedalling to change gears (including the Sturmey Archer 5 speed I have)<br />- As low drive ratios get further below 1, there is proportionately more <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/twist-internal.html">torque on the rear frame</a>. The rear wheel nuts need to be very tight and checked regularly and you need to be careful not to put too much force through in low drive ratios (more chance of frame cracking). Use a larger rear sprocket instead of very low drive ratios.<br />
<br />
A key tradeoff of IGH bikes is that there are less gears but they cover a wider range due to much greater steps between adjacent gears. While professional sports cyclists would see the loss of granular gear choice as a disadvantage, having fewer gears with greater steps is a definite advantage for most transport cyclists.<br />
<br />
See also:<br />
> <a href="https://www.purecycles.com/blogs/fixie-news/96200007-gears-and-shifting-101-3-speed-vs-8-speed">Pure Cycles - Gears and Shifting 101: 3-Speed vs. 8-Speed</a><br />
> <a href="http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/3412/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-internal-gears">StackExchange - Bicycles - What are the pros and cons of internal gears?</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>2. Which internal gear hub type is the best tradeoff of quality, price and practicality?</u></b><br />
<br />
It's most helpful to narrow this down by elimination first.<br />
<br />
- The most renowned IGH for design and quality is the <a href="https://www.rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/">Rohloff Speedhub</a> (14 speeds, lasts 20,000km+ under suitable operating conditions) but it costs at least $1,600 alone and is thus overkill for almost everyone.<br />
<br />
- Indeed because the aim of this blog is to provide advice on transport cycling - which includes being able to park your bike at any destination without fear of theft - I generally exclude consideration of all IGH costing more than $300. This essentially excludes all IGH over 8 speeds. This price threshold would also exclude the <a href="https://chappelli.com/au/shop/bicycles/nuvinci-hub/">NuVinci Hub</a> (a continuous shifting IGH with a 330% range) but if you are going to spend $1,000 on a bike then the NuVinci hub is worth test riding to see if it's worth it - just be sure to always secure your rear wheel with a U lock or chain lock with a Sold Secure Gold rating.<br />
<br />
- I consider automatic shifting and 2 speed IGH to be a waste of money and just lead to annoyance. It delivers little value but plenty of frustration, and you'd be better off just putting a larger rear sprocket on a single speed or getting at least a 3 speed. See: <a href="https://rideonmagazine.com.au/comparative-test-sturmey-archer-s2-duomatic-versus-sram-automatix/">RideOn - Comparative test: Sturmey Archer S2 Duomatic versus SRAM Automatix</a><br />
<br />
- That leaves us with IGH of 3 to 8 speeds from the most common manufacturers: Shimano, Sturmey Archer, SRAM.<br />
<br />
- A 3 speed IGH can be ideal for short or mostly flat commutes. And 3 speeds can cover even more challenging trips if you change the rear sprocket freewheel to make it slightly larger and shift the whole 3 speed range to a little easier (better for hills). The gear range is around 175%.<br />
<br />
- If you're using an IGH over a single speed because you want a wider gear ratio, then 175% may not be enough. The next common step up is to 5 speeds and around 250% gear range. After that it is 7 or 8 speeds and around 300% gear range.<br />
<br />
- Take into account how often you may need to take off the rear wheel (to fix punctures, change tyres or other reasons). At this cheaper end, Sturmey Archer hubs tend to be easy enough to get off. But many of the Shimano and SRAM hubs take more expertise.<br />
<br />
- Ultimately, once you know approximately what will suit (e.g. 5 speed up to a 7/8 speed) your value-for-money decision may be guided by a sale price on an IGH bike. In my case, I wanted a 3-5 speed but would have considered a 7 or 8 speed if there was a massively-discounted sale price. It turned out the $399 clearance sale of the XDS Adult Street 2016 came with a Sturmey Archer 5 speed (wide range), and I was happy with that. If I could buy a NuVinci hub bike for less than $700, I would probably consider that too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>3. What gear range do I need and how do you work it out and compare?</u></b><br />
<br />
Standard 20-27 speed derailleur bikes have a gear range of around 400% - 500% depending on whether there are two or three chainrings at the front. This percentage is the ratio difference between the highest (hardest) gear combination and the lowest (easiest) gear combination.<br />
<br />
For an IGH you simply need to specify the size of your chainring and rear sprocket and the type of IGH to find out the gear range. Both can be calculated using: <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html">Sheldon Brown's Derailer and Internal-Gear Calculator</a><br />
<br />
If you are coming to an IGH bike from a derailleur bike with 20+ speeds then doing this comparison may be worthwhile. For example, I can compare my <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Cell-Otway-2-0">Otway 2.0 road bike</a> with 20 speeds to my <a href="http://www.bikeroar.com/products/xds/adult-street-mens-2016/specs">XDS Adult Street</a> with 5 speeds.<br />
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The Otway 2.0 has two chainrings of 50 teeth and 34 teeth. And 8 rear sprockets between 11 and 30 teeth. The XDS Street has a 46 tooth chainring and a 16 tooth rear sprocket with an <a href="http://practicalcycles.com/products/245763--sturmey-archer-srf-5-w-hub-gear-36-hole.aspx">SRF5(W) 5 speed hub</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MEcF-A8EJGfL5CEqerdKDNSVguSD3_lropA9Y1vR52dDHMlkXTwvFrR3QIXLDaufA5gg-VIzzbrGxstAJUaTrlTc4JHpgCZJ6KB8K3Oi6tSh2uZ_XLLtTBkRu6lEaUJWt-QW19hhjf4/s1600/areinternalgearhubbikesthesecret02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MEcF-A8EJGfL5CEqerdKDNSVguSD3_lropA9Y1vR52dDHMlkXTwvFrR3QIXLDaufA5gg-VIzzbrGxstAJUaTrlTc4JHpgCZJ6KB8K3Oi6tSh2uZ_XLLtTBkRu6lEaUJWt-QW19hhjf4/s640/areinternalgearhubbikesthesecret02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html">Sheldon Brown's Derailer and Internal-Gear Calculator</a> - Otway 2.0<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10lYCUhP2bYOKvTEKxiyIvLNm01H58tjbNNNi95rnkis9LWzJHJtT4bgfW-bKLZETRRU0yMvZmdlU-FeSFZJ94DZHpvtMDxoj-q3Pb9CMexb3c3T5ptS8IKvTYU9ZmNk7grLfax_zDEc/s1600/areinternalgearhubbikesthesecret01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10lYCUhP2bYOKvTEKxiyIvLNm01H58tjbNNNi95rnkis9LWzJHJtT4bgfW-bKLZETRRU0yMvZmdlU-FeSFZJ94DZHpvtMDxoj-q3Pb9CMexb3c3T5ptS8IKvTYU9ZmNk7grLfax_zDEc/s640/areinternalgearhubbikesthesecret01.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Gear inches for Cell Otway 2.0 road bike with 20 speeds<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhH5Wx3CRnUc2cavOhis-NhtGqkD_NQiuWEfG5vosHrCcRp5jmZCoAwnu1hjhd0Q_LovkEF3u6uEUn7xyVzNvgukQ7HQrnyQMYhAfxtVEy7Z0LvoowYG3qA_J-8ahR1k6JVpVT273j-E/s1600/areinternalgearhubbikesthesecret03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhH5Wx3CRnUc2cavOhis-NhtGqkD_NQiuWEfG5vosHrCcRp5jmZCoAwnu1hjhd0Q_LovkEF3u6uEUn7xyVzNvgukQ7HQrnyQMYhAfxtVEy7Z0LvoowYG3qA_J-8ahR1k6JVpVT273j-E/s640/areinternalgearhubbikesthesecret03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html">Sheldon Brown's Derailer and Internal-Gear Calculator</a> - XDS Street 5 speed<br />
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Gear inches for XDS Street with 5 speeds<br />
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Gear inches and their corresponding "metres of development" are nicely explained in the diagram and article below. "The resulting value, gear inches, is the equivalent diameter for a direct-drive wheel (like the front wheel of a Penny-farthing)." In the diagram below, one pedal revolution with a 53-12 setup on a standard 27 inch wheel bike has 119 gear inches and produces 9.3m of travel (metres of development). By using smaller front chainrings or larger rear sprockets you reduce the gear inches and metres of development but make turning the pedals easier.<br />
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<a href="http://cyclingtips.com/2014/08/beyond-the-big-ring-understanding-gear-ratios-and-why-they-matter/">Beyond the big ring: understanding gear ratios and why they matter</a><br />
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So my 20 speed Otway 2.0 road bike has a gear inch range of: 30.6 (easiest) to 122.7 (hardest).<br />
= 401% gear range<br />
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And my 5 speed XDS Street IGH bike has a gear inch range of: 48.5 (easiest) to 124.2 (hardest).<br />
= 256% gear range<br />
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Consequently, the Sturmey Archer 5 speed (wide range) is delivering 64% of the range of my 20 speed road bike.<br />
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This is because derailleurs bikes with 2 or 3 front chainrings have significant overlapping redundancy as can be seen below:<br />
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<a href="http://cyclingtips.com/2014/08/beyond-the-big-ring-understanding-gear-ratios-and-why-they-matter/">Beyond the big ring: understanding gear ratios and why they matter</a><br />
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It's worth noting that the stock setup of the chainring and rear sprocket sizing for my XDS Street IGH bike is deficient. My 5 speed should not have a hardest gear higher than anything on my 20 speed road bike. It would be better if a larger rear sprocket was used - a 20 or 18 tooth rather than 16.<br />
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While the 256% range of the Sturmey Archer remains the same, using an 18 tooth rear sprocket would shift it toward climbing steeper hills by dropping the easiest gear inch value from 48 to 43. The reduction at the high end from 124 to 110 is no loss for such a city bike.<br />
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As I was paying $399 for a clearance bike, I didn't bother asking for any changes to the stock setup. I have made this modification myself. However, if paying significantly more or standard retail price, then you would be best off refining the rear sprocket to the best size - usually a step up in size (thus easier) but with an even number of teeth.<br />
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<b>Effective Gear Range and Useable Combinations</b><br />
As I noted above, my Sturmey Archer 5 speed (wide range) is delivering 64% of the range of my 20 speed road bike. This potential range coverage from fewer gears is promising. But it is the effective gear range that really matters:<br />
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- Most cyclists with 3 chainrings at the front have to avoid cross chaining - creating too much of an angle between the chainring and the rear sprocket as this rubs on the derailleur and leads to much faster wear on the drivetrain.<br />
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- Many cyclists also never use some part of the extremes of their gear ratios. At the highest end it is simply too hard to push round. At the lowest end, they almost never ride hills so steep they require them.<br />
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Consequently, if you adjust the rear sprocket size on your IGH bike you can ensure that all of your 5-8 speeds are within your useable (effective) gear range. 20-27 speed derailleur gears are rarely adjusted to suit the rider or their circumstances, or are just overkill, and so typically have an ineffective (unused) portion. So, with savvy rear sprocket size selection, my 5 speed IGH bike could deliver an effective gear range of <b>~80%</b> of my 20 speed derailleur bike.<br />
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The below table and page provides a useful ballpark guide on the gear inch range that suits different types of riding and terrain. This reconfirms that having a top gear inch much over 100 is usually pointless for urban cycling and it is adviseable to err on creating more room at the bottom end.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hubgear.net/selection.html">Hubgear.net - Selecting a hub gear</a><br />
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Hence, for my XDS Sturmey Archer 5 speed bike, I have switched the 16 tooth rear sprocket to a 20 tooth rear sprocket. With the stock 16 tooth setup, speeds 4 and 5 had gear inches in excess of 100 - too high for most of my trips involving carrying my child or cargo. So I had only 3 effective gears. With the 20 tooth sprocket all 5 gears are now within a useful gear inch range given my circumstances (see below diagram). The lowest speed (gear 1) is now only 38.8 gear inches and is only used for the most challenging hills. Cruising speed is in gear 3 or 4 as it should be with a 5 speed IGH bike.<br />
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<a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html">Sheldon Brown's Derailer and Internal-Gear Calculator</a> - XDS IGH 5 speed with 16 tooth rear sprocket replaced by 20 tooth<br />
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<br />
<b><u>4. Should you get an internal gear hub on a Dutch bike, City bike or Fixie-style bike?</u></b><br />
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An IGH typically comes on three main types of bikes in Australia:<br />
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(a) A Dutch-style (aka Classic, Vintage) bike which is usually steel with a step-through frame, very upright cycling, swept-back handlebars, typically comes with fenders, a rack, chain guard, wide tyres (32-35mm) and a kickstand.<br />
E.g. The <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/cruiser-bikes/nixeycles/nsw/revesby/nixeycles-classic-green/102662961">Nixeycles Classic</a> (~$310 on sale)<br />
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Nixeycles Classic with Sturmey Archer 3 speed<br />
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If you can avoid hills, have mostly short trips, don't need to lift your bike often, and desire a very upright position, this is a good value option. Otherwise, look further.<br />
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There are also lighter, less upright Dutch-style commuter bikes with IGH that are more expensive but also more useful. E.g. See <a href="https://www.lekkerbikes.com.au/">Lekker Bikes</a> 3 speed and 7 speed options.<br />
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And if you have at least $1000 to spend there are <a href="https://www.vanmoof.com/en_us/">Vanmoof bikes</a> which are the ultimate in modern Dutch bikes - lighter, more functional, superior in-built lights, optimally designed for utility. If you can get one second hand for 50% or less of the new price they would be very worthwhile.<br />
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(b) A city/commuter bike which is usually aluminium alloy (lighter), has flat handlebars allowing a less upright position, often has fenders and rack (or can easily add), stock tyres around 28mm, no kickstand but this can be added.<br />
E.g. <a href="http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes15/flat-bar-road/exceed-25#.WCw_QPl95PY">Apollo Exceed 25</a> (~<a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/bike15-apollo-exceed-25-matte-black-green-grey">$660</a> on sale)<br />
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Apollo Exceed 25 with Shimano Nexus 8 speed<br />
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Similar alternative bikes include:<br />
- Urban Mover Urban Commuter with a Nexus 8 speed IGH, rack, fenders. (<a href="http://ivanhoecycles.bikeit.com.au/a/load-carrying-bikes/urban-mover/vic/heidelberg-heights/urban-commuter/102468960">$500</a> on sale)<br />
- Giant Seek 1 which has a Shimano Alfine 8 speed, disc brakes and 50mm Schwalbe Big Apple tyres (older models can be had on sale for ~<a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/urban-bikes/giant/vic/hallam/giant-seek-1/102720355">$800</a>). (However, an Alfine 8 speed IGH is overkill and the hydraulic disc brakes detract from the low complexity/maintenance)<br />
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At the value-for-money end these are unsexy, utilitarian bikes but they can be very reliable workhorses that require little maintenance and can be used for a wide range of trips.<br />
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(c) A single speed/fixie style bike which is CrMo steel, has flat or bullhorn handlebars for a more speedy flatter position, is minimalist, doesn't come with fenders and often has less clearance for them, generally doesn't come with a rack (but can be added), stock tyres are often ~25mm. Most fixie frames won't allow tyres wider than 28mm so if you want wider tyres check the tyre clearance (the XDS Street can take 32mm wide tyres)<br />
E.g. <a href="https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/fixie-bikes/se-bikes/vic/carlton/se-bikes-tripel-2016-red/102730478">SE Bikes Tripel</a> (~$400 on sale). <a href="http://australia.sebikes.com/bikes/cat/urban-series/tripel-st">Step-through frame version</a><br />
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E.g. <a href="http://www.xdsbicycles.com.au/XDS-Products/Adult-Street-Bikes-Mens">XDS Adult Street</a> 5 speed Sturmey Archer (~$400 on sale)<br />
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E.g. <a href="http://www.samsoncycles.com.au/urban-bikes/Internal%20Road%20Bikes">Samson Cycles 3 Speed Internal Road Bikes</a> ($370)<br />
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E.g. <a href="https://chappelli.com/au/shop/bicycles/nuvinci-hub/">Chapelli NuVinci hub bikes</a> - 330% continuous shift. ($1,000)<br />
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<br />
<br />
Personally, I find Dutch-style bikes too heavy and slow for a bike you want to use multiple times a week for a range of trip distances that may involve hills, winds, lane filtering (narrow handlebars better).<br />
<br />
A 3-5 speed fixie-style bike is perfect for those who are best suited to a single speed bike in every way except for only having 1 gear.<br />
See: > <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/when-is-single-speed-bike-most-suitable.html">When is a Single Speed bike most suitable and how to make the most of one</a><br />
<br />
Ultimately, I was looking for an IGH bike to be the family bike - with either WeeRide child seat attached or the bike trailer. I bought the XDS Adult Street as 5 speeds are enough for me, I prefer the single speed style, and I have two other bikes so $400 was as much as I wanted to spend.<br />
<br />
However, if you are looking for just one IGH bike for commuting and getting around, the Apollo Exceed 25 (or similar) is one of the most practical and value-for-money IGH I've seen in Australia. It would make an exceptionally reliable bike with minimal maintenance costs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>5. Tracking and comparison of maintenance costs of an IGH bike with a derailleur bike</u></b><br />
<br />
The main attraction for me of buying an IGH bike is to find out if you really can have a geared bike that has negligible maintenance costs and is super reliable.<br />
<br />
I will track any reliability issues and all maintenance costs for my <a href="http://www.xdsbicycles.com.au/XDS-Products/Adult-Street-Bikes-Mens">XDS Adult Street</a> in this section.<br />
<br />
I expect the Sturmey Archer 5 speed IGH to last for at least 15,000km (several years) with no issues.<br />
<br />
As usual, I have replaced the stock tyres with Schwalbe Durano Plus puncture resistant tyres. This is even more worthwhile for IGH bikes as taking the rear tyre off is a bit more complicated.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUem5XFTtm8">How to remove a Sturmey Archer Rear Bike Wheel</a><br />
<br />
A derailleur bike used all year round to do 2000-4000km will often require two ~$90 services mostly to clean and adjust the gears and cables and replace worn parts like brake pads. Plus every 4,000-6,000km the chain and rear cassette will need replacing. Every 8,000-12,000km the chain rings will need replacing.<br />
<br />
So if you have bought all of the tools you need and do your own servicing of all derailleur adjustments and drivetrain replacemnts, you will spend at least $80 a year on drivetrain parts and servicing.<br />
<br />
If you outsource all of your servicing the annual saving is likely to be at least $200 a year.<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://abbotsfordcycles.com.au/pages.php?CDpath=0_3&pID=8">Abbotsford Cycles - Regular service</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>6. Maintenance guides specific to IGH bikes</u></b><br />
<br />
IGH bikes will still require typical maintenance of non-drivetrain components like brakes, keeping wheels true and checking tyres. However, if you choose your bike with low maintenance in mind, you can minimise even non-drivetrain work:<br />
<br />
- IGH bikes have no cassettes thus the rear wheel is not dished and is stronger. In addition, bikes based on fixies - like my XDS Adult Street - have deep rims which also add strength. So trueing wheels should be rare. However, true a new bike after the first few decent rides as all spokes settle into tension only after actual use<br />
<br />
- IGH bikes don't have derailleurs and so have thicker 1/8 inch gears and chains. These are stronger and as they don't need to shift they wear much less quickly and are less likely to skip. Horizontal dropouts also mean the rear wheel can be moved back gradually as the chain elongates with wear to eliminate the possibility of skipping.<br />
<br />
The drivetrain on IGH bikes requires much less maintenance but there are also some important IGH-specific tips to note:<br />
<br />
- When dissembling the rear wheel - for example, to put puncture-resistant tyres on - make sure you take careful note (and photos) of the correct assembled setup. For example, IGH rear hub axles have flat sides and a special anti-rotation washer is fitted on one side to prevent the axles being rotated in the dropouts by forces from the hub. It is important to place this washer correctly.<br />
<br />
- Make sure the axle nuts are very tight or the anti-rotation washers will strip metal from the dropouts, or the axle thread will get stripped, or the hub could be damaged. You also need to check rear wheel nut tightness regularly on IGH bikes as the action of the hub loosens the nuts.<br />
<br />
- IGH bikes have more torque through the rear frame when using low gears. Avoid putting too much force through the pedals, such as by standing.on the pedals and grinding. Use a larger rear sprocket or smaller front chainring to avoid having to put too much force through the pedals.<br />
<br />
- It is also important to note/photograph the correct setup of the gear-switching mechanism. Whether it's a pullchain, rotary or other type, photos will provide a useful reference point when re-assembling or trying to adjust the gear changing to make it smoother.<br />
<br />
- With the Sturmey Archer S-RF5, switch to 2nd gear (spin pedals to make sure engaged), then tighten the pullchain, then switch to 5th gear and the pullchain should be loose but hanging on to the roller (not falling off). Keep switching back and forth between 2nd and 5th gears to refine.<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.lochsidecycles.com/internalgearhub/">Loch Side Cycles - Internal gear hub</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.sturmey-archer.com/files/catalog/files/322/MANUAL%20-%205%20SPEED%20HUBS.pdf">Sturmey Archer - Instructions for 5-speed Internal Gear Hubs (pdf)</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.rideyourbike.com/internalgears.shtml">Ride Your Bike - Internally Geared Hubs (IGH)</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<br />
RideOn Magazine<br />
> <a href="https://rideonmagazine.com.au/hub-of-the-matter/">Hub of the matter</a><br />
<br />
Hubstripping<br />
> <a href="https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/geared-hubs-vs-derailleur/">Gear Hubs vs Derailleur</a><br />
> <a href="https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/internal-gear-hub-review/">Internal Gear Hub Review</a><br />
<br />
Sheldon Brown<br />
> <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/internal-gears.html">Internal Gear Hubs</a><br />
> <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer_5-spd.html">Servicing Sturmey-Archer 4- 5- and 7- Speed Hubs</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/sturmey-archer-parts.html">Parts for Sturmey-Archer Hubs</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet_s-a-hubs.html">> Sturmey-Archer Bicycle Hubs Cribsheet</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer_tech.html">Sturmey-Archer Internal-Gear Hubs, Tech Tips</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline-internal-gear.html">Chainline and Overlocknut Distance on Bicycles with Internal-Gear Hubs</a><br />
<br />
SJS Cycles<br />
> <a href="https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hubs-internal-hub-gear-brake/?geoc=AU">Hubs Internal Hub Gear / Brake</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hubs-internal-hub-gear-brake/28-hole-sturmey-archer-srf5-5spd-hub/?geoc=AU">Sturmey Archer S-RF5(W) 5Spd Hub</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/sprockets-hub-gear/?geoc=AU">Sprockets - Hub Gear</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/sprockets/sturmey-archer-20t-sprocket-18-for-rx-hub-hsl200/?geoc=AU">Sturmey Archer 20T Sprocket - 1/8" for RX Hub - HSL200</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://chappelli.com/au/">Chapelli Cycles</a><br />
> <a href="https://chappelli.com/au/shop/bicycles/nuvinci-hub/">NuVinci Hub Bicycles</a><br />
> <a href="https://chappelli.com/au/product/sturmey-archer-sprocket-for-3spd-hub/">Buy Sturmey Archer Sprocket (15 to 22 tooth)</a><br />
<br />
Abbotsford Cycles<br />
> <a href="http://abbotsfordcycles.com.au/index.php?cPath=3_35">Sturmey Archer parts</a><br />
<br />
Brommie Plus<br />
> <a href="http://www.brommieplus.com/portal_b1_page.php?owner_num=b1_408821&button_num=b1&folder_id=&cnt_id=29466">Sturmey Archer S-RF5 Parts list</a> (part numbers for 14-22T sprockets. e.g. 20T = HSL834)<br />
<br />
Sturmey Archer<br />
> <a href="http://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/rear-hubs">Rear hubs</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bikecalc.com/">BikeCalc</a><br />
<br />
Bike Roar<br />
> <a href="http://www.bikeroar.com/products/xds/adult-street-mens-2016/specs">XDS Adult Street Mens 2016</a><br />
<br />
Loch Side Cycles<br />
> <a href="http://www.lochsidecycles.com/internalgearhub/">Internal gear hub</a><br />
<br />
Cycling Tips<br />
> <a href="http://cyclingtips.com/2014/08/beyond-the-big-ring-understanding-gear-ratios-and-why-they-matter/">Beyond the big ring: understanding gear ratios and why they matter</a><br />
<br />
Sydney Cyclist<br />
> <a href="http://www.sydneycyclist.com/forum/topics/seriously-what-is-the-point-of-a-3-speed-hub">Seriously what is the point of a 3 speed hub?</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://hubgear.net/">Hubgear.net</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.hubgear.net/sprockets.html">Sprockets for hub gears</a><br />
<br />
Lovely Bicycle<br />
> <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/just-three-for-me.html">Just Three for Me! In Praise of the Humble 3-Speed</a><br />
<br />
Sturmey Archer<br />
> <a href="http://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/rear-hub-sprockets">Rear Hub Sprockets</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.sturmey-archer.com/files/catalog/files/39/PART%20LIST%20-%20RX-RF5.pdf">RX-RF5 Parts List (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
YouTube<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qIVEpyelP0">How to remove/install a fixie cog without a chainwhip (rotafix)</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHHaajDcL_g">Overhauling 60 Year Old Sturmey Archer 3 Speed Hub</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6tbdrMEdDoQDcOdRqlCdEA"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6tbdrMEdDoQDcOdRqlCdEA">YouTube - Dan Burkhart</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5EU0U-6FXg">Bicycle repair 3 spline cog removal and installation</a><br />
<br />
Ride Your Bike<br />
> <a href="http://www.rideyourbike.com/internalgears.shtml">Internally Geared Hubs (IGH)</a><br />
<br />
A View From The Cycle Path<br />
> <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-reliable-everyday-bicycle.html">Anatomy of a reliable, everyday bicycle</a><br />
<br />
Lochside Cycles<br />
> <a href="https://www.lochsidecycles.com/internalgearhub">Sturmey Archer and Shimano IGH model adjustment</a><br />
<br />
Bike Forums<br />
> <a href="http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/800728-help-adjusting-sturmey-archer-s-rf5.html">Help adjusting Sturmey Archer S-RF5</a><br />
<br />
Urban Bicycles<br />
> <a href="http://www.urbanbicycles.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Sturmey_Archer_X_RD5_Hub_Instructions.pdf">Instructions for 5-speed Internal Gear Hubs (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
Terminal City Riders<br />
> <a href="https://terminalcityriders.ca/m/articles/view/Troubleshooting-Sturmey-Archer-3-Speed-Hubs">Troubleshooting Sturmey Archer 3-Speed Hubs</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-36325311295931229172016-11-13T23:56:00.000+11:002017-08-05T12:17:42.557+10:00Carrying kids on bikes - starting age, methods, safety and practicalities<b>Summary</b>: If you and your partner have a bike-based lifestyle and then have a child, there's a lot to figure out regarding how to get around by bike until the kid is old enough to ride the trip themselves.<br />
<br />
Our daughter Luka is now 10 months old and we are keen to start making bike trips with her. Until she is riding all types of trips herself (~5 years old), I'll be keeping this post updated with our decisions and answers to all of the common issues that arise including:<br />
<br />
- What age is safe and practical to carry a child using a bike for common methods (centre versus rear kid seats, box bikes, rear trailers, etc)?<br />
<br />
- What carrier methods are safest, most practical, and most affordable?<br />
<br />
- Whether helmets are necessary for all ages and methods? And, if using a helmet, how to do so safely for infants? Are there alternatives to helmets for infants under 1 year?<br />
<br />
- How to best deal with practicalities like the child needing to rest their head or nap?<br />
<br />
- How to create genuinely safer routes including using off-road paths and footpaths in the safest way?<br />
<br />
- How to ride with your partner and child so that the trip is as safe, stress-free and enjoyable as possible?<br />
<br />
- The relevant laws and regulations that apply in Australia (starting age, helmets, footpath use, recommended minimum ages from manufacturers, etc)<br />
<br />
<b>Our Situation</b>: Our daughter Luka has been in a <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/croozer-3-in-1-c3-double-green-trailer">Croozer Kid for 2 bike trailer</a> and on a <a href="http://www.weeride.com.au/">WeeRide</a> centre-mounted bike seat since 10.5 months of age (she's much happier in the trailer). The WeeRide is too upright and the harness isn't great so I recommend a second-hand Yepp or Thule bike seat instead. She wears a <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/helmet-lazer-bob-chick">Lazer Bob</a> 46-52cm bike helmet in the bike seat but not in the trailer as she is happier with it off, the trailer is safer, and I ride very safely. (She'll start wearing a helmet in the trailer for some trips involving more on-road and high speed travel at around 2-3 years age). We use the bike seat only for very short trips when the trailer is too unsuited due to its size. The trailer is used for most trips (especially longer trips), when she'll need to nap in it or have weather protection, or when we need it as a stroller or for storage. At around 3 years, for the bike seat trips, she will switch to a rear seat as speeds will be higher and it's safer to brake with significant weight at the back rather than front.<br />
<br />
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The Guardian</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<br />
<b><u>1. The most useful quick guides answering common queries for Australians</u></b><br />
<br />
I'll collate the most useful guides below:<br />
<br />
> <a href="http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/bikes-and-children">Victorian Law Foundation - Bikes and children</a><br />
<br />
> <a href="http://www.bikewise.com.au/2012/07/carrying-children-on-bikes/">BikeWise - Carrying children on bikes</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>2. What are the different options for carrying kids on bikes and what are their pros and cons?</u></b><br />
<br />
Essentially they are:<br />
<br />
- Bike trailers designed or modified to carry kids. The more expensive models (e.g. <a href="https://au.croozer.com/">Croozer</a>) also double as strollers when detached)<br />
- Bike seats mounted on a <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/accessories/baby-seats-trailers/child-seats">rack at the rear</a><br />
- Bike seats mounted at the front on the head tube, stem or handlebars (e.g. <a href="https://www.twowheelingtots.com/yepp-mini/">Yepp Mini</a>, <a href="https://www.twowheelingtots.com/thule-ridealong/">Thule Ride Along</a>)<br />
- Bike seats mounted in the centre behind the handlebars (e.g. <a href="http://www.weeride.com.au/">WeeRide</a>)<br />
- <a href="http://dutchcargobike.com.au/product-category/family/">Dutch-style bakfiets</a> ("box bikes"). Most boxes are at the front. A few (e.g. <a href="http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/carrying-children-on-bikes/">Madsen</a>) are at the rear<br />
- Modern, versatile versions of the bakfiets like the <a href="http://www.myzigo.com/">Zigo</a>, <a href="http://www.tagabikes.com/">Taga 1.0</a> (bike/stroller) and <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/taga-2-0-the-ultimate-most-affordable-family-bike-baby#/">Taga 2.0</a> (modular bakfiets)<br />
- Longtail or midtail (in between) bikes which have elongated lengths allowing for carrying multiple kids directly on a saddle (not individual seats). These can be perfect for 2-3 kids aged between 3 and 7. E.g. <a href="http://yubabikes.com/">Yuba Bikes</a>, <a href="http://www.workcycles.com/home-products/child-transport-bicycles">Workcycles Fr8</a>, <a href="http://www.xtracycle.com/">Xtracycle</a><br />
- Tag-along kids bikes attached to the rear frame. The simpler <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/trailer-bike-tow-bar-trail-gator-red">tow-bar type</a> which just attach existing adult and kids bikes are much cheaper and more flexible.<br />
<br />
It's not recommended to carry infants in slings in any position or with proper baby carriers at the back, as when you fall it will often involve hitting your side or back. In the <a href="http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/2009/01/20/test-carrying-a-newborn-on-a-bike/">Netherlands some parents do carry babies</a> in proper carriers (e.g. Ergo) at the front on short, safe, smooth rides if able to ride very upright. All of these "on your body" options aren't legal in Australia and are very rare, so I don't cover them in detail below.<br />
<br />
The suitability of the different options typically varies with the child's age and type of trip. It is common to start with a 10-12 month old in a front/centre-mounted child seat. When they are too big or heavy (around 2 years old) they typically move to a rear-mounted child seat. And when they are old enough not to need a 5 point harness they can ride in box bikes or rear rack bench seats. Trailers - which are more cumbersome - are used for longer trips, when a convertible stroller is desired, or when the child needs to sleep at some stage.<br />
<br />
A good explanatory video of the common options and typical stages is below:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JuJHVXe_AI">The Guardian - A guide to carrying your child on a bicycle</a><br />
<br />
A detailed blog post on the many options available between 6 months (car seats in box bikes) and school age is here:<br />
> <a href="http://totcycle.com/blog/family-biking-ages-stages.html">Totcycle - Family Biking Ages & Stages</a><br />
<br />
The best buying guide website for bike equipment for kids including bike seats is: <a href="https://www.twowheelingtots.com/">Two Wheeling Tots</a><br />
<br />
For example, it discusses the various pros and cons of different child seats.<br />
<br />
- Some harnesses are better positioned (less likely to slip off shoulders), more comfortable and easier to adjust.<br />
- Some front seats are only useable on larger bike frames as they extend further back toward the adult.<br />
- Mounting can differ and you need to choose a bike seat that will mount readily to your adult bike and is practical to take on and off. If you need to take the seat on and off often you'll want to make sure this is very quick and simple.<br />
<br />
Personally, I would recommend against the WeeRide as being centre-mounted even on my large bike it takes up too much space thus requiring me to keep my seat lower than desireable so I can reach the ground while seated (I can't shift forward easily to put my foot down). The WeeRide also has the harness positioned a bit too low and is not as comfortable. Lastly, depending on how you are forced to position the lateral metal bar the seat sits on, the seat can be too upright for comfort. I would advise having a slight reclining angle.<br />
<br />
The one advantage of centre-mounted seats is the weight isn't as forward on the bike or affecting steering, but the quality front-mounted seats (e.g. Yepp, Thule) are safe and stable till the child weighs 15-20kg. Based on experience, your child's own weight, and your riding circumstances (speed, etc) you can then decide to shift to using a rear seat or only a trailer when they are too heavy for the front.<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.twowheelingtots.com/child-bike-seat-comparison-guide/">Two Wheeling Tots - Child Bike Seats: Comparison Charts</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/carrying-children-on-bikes/">Bike Hub - Carrying children on bikes</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/accessories/baby-seats-trailers">99 Bikes - Baby Seats and Child Trailers</a><br />
> <a href="http://totcycle.com/blog/all-about-front-child-bike-seats.html">Totcycle - All about front child seats</a><br />
> <a href="http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/215274-best-cycling-child-seats-and-trailers">road.cc - The best cycling child seats and trailers</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>3. What does Australian law and standards say about children on bikes including age restrictions, helmets, type of carrier/seat and footpath use?</u></b><br />
<br />
The key laws applying to kids can be found at the links below:<br />
<br />
VicRoads<br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/bicycles">Road Rules - Bicycles</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/wearing-a-bicycle-helmet">Wearing a bicycle helmet</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-safety-education/helmet-tips-for-parents-and-carers">Helmet tips for parents & carers</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety">Learning to ride</a><br />
<br />
Victorian Law Foundation<br />
> <a href="http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/publication/bike-law/read">Bike Law</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/bikes-and-children">Bikes and children</a><br />
<br />
Key points include:<br />
<br />
- There is no Australian law that sets a minimum age for a child being carried by bike<br />
- Contrary to advice of some bike trailer vendors, helmets are legally required for passengers. In Victoria this is Road Rule 257 - Riding with a person on a bicycle trailer. (I don't abide by this rule for very safe, mostly off-road bike path trips as my child is much happier with the helmet off and can rest or sleep more easily).<br />
- Bicycle trailers should be designed to carry children as Road Rule 257 requires that the trailer can safely carry the person<br />
- Children under 12 can ride on footpaths as well as adults carrying children or supervising them<br />
- While Australian State Road Rules don't specifically refer to all types of family bikes (box bikes, stroller bikes, varying child seats) the helmet requirement seems to apply to all riders and passengers<br />
<br />
There are also legally-mandated Australian Standards applying to bikes and helmets but not other types of child carriers like child seats or trailer harnesses or baby slings. However, a private organisation - Standards Australia - does have a voluntary standard applying only to rear-mounted child seats.<br />
<br />
An excellent article explaining the current situation regarding laws and standards for bicycle child-carriers is this:<br />
> <a href="http://weeride.com.au/General/does-the-weeride-meet-australian-safety-standards.php">WeeRide Australia - Does the WeeRide meet Australian Safety standards?</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>4. What is the minimum age it's safe for an infant to be on a bike and which method is safest?</u></b><br />
<br />
In the few places where specific laws exist, they typically specify a minimum age of 12 months. In Australia, there is no minimum age law. A minimum age is imprecise anyway as what really matters is the developmental readiness of the child and the appropriateness of the way they are carried and for how long.<br />
<br />
From a health perspective the key danger is neck and spine injury if they aren't strong enough to hold their head up for the period required or adjust their position if uncomfortable. The other often-mentioned risk (to the brain) for infants under 12 months is from sustained exposure to heavy vibrations.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in places like Copenhagen or the Netherlands it is common for babies to be carried on bikes before they're even 3 months old. In these cases they are in car seats (or similar seats made for bikes) that are securely fitted to box bikes or racks with <a href="http://www.dutchbikebits.com/steco-baby-mee-universal-child-seat-carrier">special equipment</a>. But you need to remember the cycling conditions in such cities are much better. Not just safer but the ride is usually much smoother. In Australia, it is inevitable for most trips that there will be plenty of bumps - such as when travelling on the footpath and crossing intersections or even driveways.<br />
<br />
Unless you are eliminating injury risks through various additional efforts, I would recommend a minimum age of around 9 months in Australia. And, even then, you should ensure the infant has well passed the point of being able to sit upright and hold their head up for the period of time needed:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It's not so much a question of age, but of physical development. Infants vary a lot as to the age at which they are able to sit up unaided (as in sitting in the middle of the carpet, playing with toys etc), which is when they are ready to ride in the usual sort of bicycle child seat. Usually this is about nine months. And the length of your cycle ride between stops for some other activity should not exceed the length of time they are content to do that."<br />
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/jan/07/bike-seat-child-age">The Guardian - When can you put your baby on your bike?</a></blockquote>
For most Australians - where helmets are mandatory for all passengers - the minimum age may be practically limited by the age when their child fits the smallest helmet and is happy to wear it. The exception is those who use trailers without helmets (possibly infant slings under 9 months) or fit car seats into box bikes and feel this is safe enough even though not strictly legal.<br />
<br />
In our experience, at around 8 months Luka could easily hold her head up but her head wasn't quite big enough to have a tight fit in a 46cm helmet. And she didn't seem that happy to have a helmet on. At 10 months her head was big enough and she didn't mind having a helmet on as much but not for too long and less so in the trailer where it interfered with her reclined head position.<br />
<br />
There's no objective, universal way of comparing the safety of the different carrier methods for infants. It will mostly depend on your circumstances. However, an infant should definitely be strapped in tight (not just sitting unharnessed) and have suitable head protection (a helmet or be in a car seat or similar).<br />
<br />
If there is little chance of your trailer accidentally flipping (e.g. hitting a kerb or other obstruction) and the ride won't be too bumpy then they may be preferable as the infant has much less distance to fall than if on a child seat.<br />
<br />
But a front or centre mounted seat can also be safe when used by a competent cyclist who eliminates the risk of a spill. They will also suffer a bit less vibration than trailers if the bike tyres are wide enough, tyre pressure not too high, and care is taken with bumps. A rear mounted seat is not adviseable for infants as you can't monitor things like their head position or discomfort as easily.<br />
<br />
However, the most important thing is simply choosing where and how to ride. The younger the child the more conservative you should be. In particular, you should keep speeds below 15km/hr, eliminate sharp deceleration and minimise bumps.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>5. From a safety (not legal) perspective do kids always need a helmet regardless of type of carrier? Is there any alternate head safety gear?</u></b><br />
<br />
Helmets need to fit well to provide worthwhile protection, otherwise they may risk spine and neck injury, especially for infants. They shouldn't be too heavy for the child, including when they're tired. And they should be round and not jut out at the front or back such that they might twist their head if they are resting their head.<br />
<br />
The smallest helmets I could find sold in Australia for infants have a head circumference of 44cm and most are a minimum of 46cm. Many infants much younger than 12 months have head circumferences over 44-46cm. Nevertheless, my research indicates most manufacturers of helmets sold in Australia recommend a minimum age of 12 months. Luka's head circumference was about 43cm at age 9.5 months and she fitted a 46cm helmet at 10.5 months. The helmet she wears is a <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/helmet-lazer-bob-chick">Lazer Bob</a> 46-52cm.<br />
<br />
In the Netherlands it's common to see toddlers and small kids - who could comfortably wear helmets - riding as passengers without them. In Australia circumstances are very different, not just cycling conditions but cyclist skills as well. I'd suggest that unless riding in a way similar to jogging with a pram (low speeds, no risk of tipping over or crashes), that helmets are always needed for bike seats and should be used for bike trailers unless the child is very young (under 2 years) and the helmet interferes with a comfortable head position.<br />
<br />
If cycling in extremely safe confitions it may be justifiable to use a bakfiets + car seat or trailer + sling without a helmet for infants under 10 months who can't wear helmets safely or comfortably. If using a bike trailer and riding in very safe circumstances then it may be pragmatic to not use a helmet, especially if it greatly aids comfort or sleep. Though when riding on roads or speeds are higher, it's adviseable for a child to wear a well-fitting helmet that they can still rest in a comfortable way. I'm not aware of any alternate head safety gear for younger infants that is recommended and accessible.<br />
<br />
If getting a bike trailer, choose a quality one that has space for the helmet to sit rather than the cheap models that push the head forward when a helmet is worn.<br />
<br />
Australians who are tempted to take their kids on bike seats helmet-free should also consider if there is a better way to deal with the source issue. For example:<br />
<br />
- If an infant finds a helmet uncomfortable it is probably best to wait till they're 9-12 months old and try again.<br />
- If the helmet doesn't fit well then you'll need to wait till their head is big enough. If it is big enough, look for helmets designed for infants like the <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/helmet-lazer-bob-chick">Lazer Bob</a>. They are small, light and the size and fit can be adjusted using bands and inserts. The <a href="http://www.99bikes.com.au/helmet-lazer-bob-chick">Lazer Bob</a> cost $36, and its 52cm max size should give it a lifetime of ~2 years, so saving money should not be an issue.<br />
- A well-fitting helmet without protusions may not affect the child's ability to nap if there is a comfortable position possible.<br />
- Children can be fussy about things they see as optional. Given you'll want your child to be riding themselves and so wearing a helmet is inevitable at some stage, it makes sense to just make putting on a helmet a consistent part of the bike riding experience.<br />
- Don't force it and try getting them used to a helmet for short periods as a game at home if necessary.<br />
<br />
Note: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/when-should-urban-cyclists-wear-helmet.html">I am not absolutely pro-helmets</a> for adults but the risk to young kids from even very low speed falls is considerable as they do not have the same capacity to use their hands to protect their heads when falling. After around 10-14 months of age all kids can adjust to wearing suitable helmets and so it shouldn't be a barrier to cycling.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>6. What can be done to enable children to rest or sleep safely and comfortably on bikes?</u></b><br />
<br />
Quality kid-specific bike trailers are generally best as the child is reclined and the seat is soft and can adjust to their body position. A well-fitting helmet without protusions shouldn't affect the child's ability to nap in these trailers which have a space behind the seat for the helmet to sit in rather than forcing the head forward.<br />
<br />
Kids from 9 months to 3 years that fit on front or centre mounted seats can also nap if these seats come with a suitable padded "dashboard" in front of them. This is a key reason I bought the WeeRide rather than other models.<br />
<br />
While children under 2 years of age can sometimes be large enough to safely ride on a rear seat when awake, it is better for them not to rest or sleep without head support. Past a certain age and stage of development the neck will definitely be strong enough that it doesn't matter if they nod off on a bike and get bumped around a bit for a short time. But most children under 2 years should be protected from having their heads jolted around while they nap.<br />
<br />
Whatever method you use, if your child's head is not supported well for sleep then it is better to stop and let them sleep while stationary. If this is inconvenient then you may simply have to plan trips better around their nap times. Or use a proper bike trailer for such trips - this is the main reason we bought our Croozer bike trailer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>7. How to choose the safest and most comfortable routes when cycling with kids in Australia</u></b><br />
<br />
Below are some concise tips:<br />
<br />
- Plan the safest routes in advance using Google Maps Bicycling layer and other local cycling maps and resources. Ask local cyclists who ride with kids.<br />
<br />
- Leave plenty of time so that you aren't rushed and don't have to speed or take unnecessary risks.<br />
<br />
- While it is legal to ride on the footpath with kids under 12, this can offer a false sense of security. Special care needs to be taken at intersections, driveways and any other place others may be crossing.<br />
<br />
- It is often safer and more comfortable to ride on-road on quiet back streets than on the footpath. Particularly signed cycle routes or ones that are popular with cyclists.<br />
<br />
- When carrying infants you should take special care to reduce bumps and vibrations, especially if using a bike trailer or carrier method that transmits a lot of vibration. Prioritise smoother routes (e.g. shared paths), reduce speed on bumpy sections like coming on and off the footpath, and avoid cobblestones (or similar surfaces) entirely. Also ride with wider tyres and lower pressure.<br />
<br />
- Avoid steep climbs or descents or walk them if safer.<br />
<br />
- Ride with your partner or others where possible such that an adult can observe children in trailers or rear seats. You will also find it more comfortable to ride on-road when it makes sense if there is an adult bringing up the rear.<br />
<br />
- If using a trailer you need to be conscious of the extra width behind you, braking and turning smoothly, going very slowly through narrow passages, and avoiding kerbs or surfaces that may jolt the trailer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>8. Other general tips on cycling with kids</u></b><br />
<br />
Some other general tips include:<br />
<br />
- Don't rush it or force it or persist till they give in. It's better to be patient, take baby steps, stop whenever something isn't working, and focus on enjoyment and fun.<br />
<br />
- Remember that your child is likely to get tired of being stuck in one place regardless of whether it's a box, trailer or seat. If very young they may just want to shift position, be held, feed or rest. After 9 months it's likely they just want to move, touch things and interact. You should plan for regular stops.<br />
<br />
- If cycling with a bike seat that doesn't leave enough crotch space to dismount by coming off your seat you'll need to lower your seat so that you can safely stop and reach the ground while seated.<br />
<br />
- Whether riding with a child in a bike seat, in a trailer, or in a box bike, it takes some skill and experience to ride with safety, comfort and convenience, and to optimise enjoyment for yourself and the child. Test ride the most suitable options and find what works and feels best. Invest the time and effort in refining things to create the best experience.<br />
<br />
- Some family bike options and accessories can be very expensive. While some parents find them worthwhile for their circumstances others tend to regret their initial choices and switch or ride much less than they expected. It's worthwhile trying things out properly before committing to expensive purchases. You can borrow for free seats, trailers and family bikes on sharing sites like <a href="http://streetbank.com/">Streetbank.com</a>. Or rent them at low cost via sites like <a href="http://spinlister.com/">Spinlister.com</a><br />
<br />
- Make sure the bike gearing is easy enough with the child and any other loads. If you have to push too hard on the pedals to move the bike when starting or facing resistance (hills, wind, load) this can be dangerous as if your feet slip it will throw the bike off balance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<br />
Bike Portland<br />
> <a href="http://bikeportland.org/2009/08/24/carrying-your-infant-by-bike-how-young-is-too-young-22374">Carrying your infant by bike: How young is too young?</a><br />
> <a href="http://bikeportland.org/2012/06/28/with-six-kids-and-no-car-this-mom-does-it-all-by-bike-73731">With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike</a><br />
<br />
BikeWise<br />
> <a href="http://www.bikewise.com.au/2012/07/carrying-children-on-bikes/">Carrying children on bikes</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.weeride.com.au/">WeeRide</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Child-Carrier-WeeRide-Bike-Seat">WeeRide sold by Cell Bikes</a><br />
<br />
Croozer Bike Trailer<br />
> <a href="https://au.croozer.com/good-to-know/faq/">FAQs</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twowheelingtots.com/">Two Wheeling Tots</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.twowheelingtots.com/childbabybikeseatbuyingguide/">Child Bike Seats: What to Look For</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.twowheelingtots.com/child-bike-seat-comparison-guide/">Child Bike Seats: Comparison Charts</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.twowheelingtots.com/11-distinguishing-features-of-bike-trailers/">Bike Trailers: What to Look For</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.twowheelingtots.com/what-to-look-for-when-purchasing-a-childs-bike-helmet-2/">Kids and Toddler Bike Helmets: What to Look For</a><br />
<br />
Helmets.org<br />
> <a href="http://www.bhsi.org/child.htm">Helmets and Carriers for Children</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bhsi.org/little1s.htm">Should You Take Your Baby Along?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.helmets.org/smallhead.htm">Why Can't I Find an Extra Small Helmet?</a><br />
<br />
Dutch Cargo Bikes<br />
> <a href="http://dutchcargobike.com.au/product-category/family/">Family cargo bikes</a><br />
<br />
Bakfiets en Meer<br />
> <a href="http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/2009/01/20/test-carrying-a-newborn-on-a-bike/">Test: Carrying a newborn on a bike</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thudguard.com/">Thudguard</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://totcycle.com/">Totcycle</a><br />
> <a href="http://totcycle.com/blog/baby-on-a-bicycle.html">Baby on a bicycle?</a><br />
<br />
Bike Hub<br />
> <a href="http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/carrying-children-on-bikes/">Carrying children on bikes</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://humofthecity.com/">Hum of the city</a><br />
<br />
Wiki.ezvid.com<br />
> <a href="https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-bike-child-seats">10 Best Bike Child Seats</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JuJHVXe_AI">A guide to carrying your child on a bicycle</a><br />
<br />
Icebike.org<br />
> <a href="http://www.icebike.org/the-truth-about-bike-trailers-for-kids-and-babies/">The Truth About Bike Trailers for Kids and Babies</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.icebike.org/baby-bike-trailer/">Why A Baby Bike Trailer Might Not Be The Best Choice</a><br />
<br />
Treehugger<br />
> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/moms-guide-biking-babies.html">A mom's guide to biking with babies</a><br />
<br />
Grist<br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/biking/babes-in-bikeland-advice-for-cycling-with-kids/">Babes in bikeland: Advice for cycling with kids</a><br />
<br />
Citylab<br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/navigator/2015/05/ask-citylab-how-to-bike-with-a-baby/393392/">Ask CityLab: Can I Bike With My Baby?</a><br />
<br />
Bicycle Dutch<br />
> <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/cycling-with-a-baby/">Cycling with a baby</a><br />
> <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/cycling-with-babies-and-toddlers/">Cycling with babies and toddlers</a><br />
<br />
Dutch Bike Bits<br />
> <a href="http://www.dutchbikebits.com/steco-baby-mee-universal-child-seat-carrier">Steco Baby-Mee child seat support</a> (attach baby car seat to rear rack)<br />
<br />
Momentum Magazine<br />
> <a href="https://momentummag.com/bicycling-with-newborns/">How To Bike With Newborns</a><br />
<br />
Travelling Two<br />
> <a href="http://travellingtwo.com/resources/baby-bike-tour-age">Baby’s First Bike Tour: At What Age?</a><br />
<br />
Bakfiets En Mier<br />
> <a href="http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/2009/01/20/test-carrying-a-newborn-on-a-bike/">Test: Carrying a newborn on a bike</a><br />
<br />
Essential Baby<br />
> <a href="http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/life-style/family-travel/family-cycling-options-for-carrying-kids-on-bikes-20130610-2nzmv">Family cycling: options for carrying kids on bikes</a><br />
<br />
Vicroads<br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-safety-education/helmet-tips-for-parents-and-carers">Helmet tips for parents & carers</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tomsarazac.com/tom/opinions/childcarriers.html">Carrying Children on Bikes - Trailer versus Kid Seat</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-65032905159589194452016-05-04T16:02:00.001+10:002016-07-14T09:34:37.712+10:00Tips on using bikes with V/Line regional trains in Victoria<b>Summary</b>: <a href="https://www.vline.com.au/">V/Line</a> provides regional public transport in Victoria by train and bus. Taking bikes on trains to and from regional destinations is becoming more desirable for both commuters to Melbourne and for cyclists pursuing recreation in regional areas - especially given Victoria's fantastic <a href="https://www.railtrails.org.au/trail-descriptions/victoria">rail trails</a>.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, V/Line currently provides very limited and low priority services for those seeking to take bicycles on regional trains. Present regional train services accommodate only a handful of bikes at the best of times and the decision on whether to allow bikes at each station is solely up to the conductor. Official advice is to avoid taking bikes in the peak hour direction during weekdays from 7-9:30am and 4-7pm and any other busy times.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, there are various tips to maximise your chances of being able to take bikes on V/Line trains. I've collated them in this post. Experienced V/Line bike travellers have figured out how to make it work most of the time because there are few people committed enough to persist.<br />
<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>1. Official policies and guidance on taking bikes on V/Line trains and coaches</b><br />
<br />
Key Points (from <a href="https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Bikes-Luggage-Animals">V/Line - Bicycles on trains</a>):<br />
<br />
Space is generally available on reserved, locomotive-hauled services to and from Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill or Warrnambool.<br />
(This is because they have a separate storage carriage but you still may need to get in early before it fills up. Reservations seem to be needed outside the Myki zone but it seems are not always needed within it - unless the train happens to be very full already when trying to board. You can never reserve a spot for a bike regardless)<br />
<br />
Space is limited on Sprinter and VLocity trains to and from Ararat, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Geelong, Maryborough, Seymour and Traralgon.<br />
<br />
V/Line conductors will determine whether there is enough space for bicycles to be carried safely on each service.<br />
<br />
Customers with bicycles are strongly advised to travel at off-peak times and avoid weekday services arriving in Melbourne between 7am and 9:30am or departing Melbourne between 4pm and 7pm.<br />
<br />
Large groups wishing to travel to and from regional Victoria with their bicycles will need to make alternative arrangements to transport their bikes.<br />
(Small groups can try and prioritise locomotive services if available - that have a storage carriage - and turn up very early and advise the conductor they are travelling together. There are no guarantees though and the group may have to split onto multiple train services.)<br />
<br />
Folding bicycles can be carried free on V/Line trains and coaches as long as they:<br />
- do not exceed the dimensions of 82cm long x 69cm high x 39cm wide<br />
- have wheel rims no more than 20 inches (51 cm) in diameter<br />
- can be folded up and stored inside a bag or cover before boarding.<br />
<br />
Bicycles can be carried for free on the following V/Line scheduled coach services, if there is space available:<br />
Beechworth - Wangaratta<br />
Bright - Wangaratta<br />
Corowa/Rutherglen - Wangaratta<br />
Mulwala/Yarrawonga - Benalla<br />
Wangaratta - Bendigo<br />
<br />
Bicycles can be carried on coaches replacing trains subject to space in the luggage area and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.<br />
<br />
The V/Line network map indicates the destinations one can get to by train and which line they are on:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://www.vline.com.au/Maps-stations-stops/Network-Maps">V/Line Network Map</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. No reservations, first-come, first-served rules. Turn up early before the train arrives and talk to the conductor or platform attendant</b><br />
<br />
- You can't reserve a spot for your bike on any train or service. It's first-come, first-served but there is no queue system so you need to approach the conductor or platform attendant ASAP if you think space may run out.<br />
<br />
- The conductor on each train has the sole say on whether your bike will be permitted and where so talk to them early and politely.<br />
<br />
- If boarding mid-route and concerned about capacity turn up early and ask staff at the station and aim to be first outside one of the carriages allowing bikes.<br />
<br />
- Avoid all peak times where possible (including things like sporting events) and factor in that other recreational or commuter cyclists may be travelling on the same day.<br />
<br />
- There are no services or peak times when bikes are totally banned so if catching a regular service and you can be there early it may be always possible for you (not everyone with a bike) to get on. Make sure you talk to the conductor.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Trains powered by locomotives have a shared storage carriage and the most potential space but it's often inefficiently used so get there early. Non-locomotive trains (Vlocity, Sprinter) typically have 1 storage area (fitting 2-3 bikes) for every 2 carriages</b><br />
<br />
As noted in the official guidance: "Space is generally available on reserved, locomotive-hauled services to and from Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill or Warrnambool."<br />
<br />
This is because they have a separate storage carriage that could potentially fit at least a dozen bikes. However, this carriage is also used to store luggage and it is often stored on the floor in very space-inefficient ways (not using the fold down racks), so you often need to get to the departure station before the train arrives and luggage is packed.<br />
<br />
"Space is limited on Sprinter and V-Locity trains to and from Ararat, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Geelong, Maryborough, Seymour and Traralgon." These trains typically have 1 storage area (fitting 2-3 bikes max) for every 2 carriages. But this space is shared with prams, other mobility devices and large luggage.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijimkQjGTbEA9G4pX7YcXk0PnJ-tCCzJtQ0b7OrWXzcq5KN_ndcUFirmoY8L53VxfBOTPjWJuRk9BWKOOaQc5lXBHrLTT67NPmp4w8D-tpvm0orAugkqIGQfPM96hPLCSGm-6oNs1u3iU/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijimkQjGTbEA9G4pX7YcXk0PnJ-tCCzJtQ0b7OrWXzcq5KN_ndcUFirmoY8L53VxfBOTPjWJuRk9BWKOOaQc5lXBHrLTT67NPmp4w8D-tpvm0orAugkqIGQfPM96hPLCSGm-6oNs1u3iU/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Shared storage for bikes, prams, mobility aids and large luggage on V-Locity or Sprinter trains<br />
<br />
<b>4. Regular users on services where bike space often is exhausted should consider using a folding bike. If not using a folding bike, coordinate efficient space usage with other regular users</b><br />
<br />
Folding bicycles can be carried free on V/Line trains and coaches as long as they:<br />
- do not exceed the dimensions of 82cm long x 69cm high x 39cm wide<br />
- have wheel rims no more than 20 inches (51 cm) in diameter<br />
- can be folded up and stored inside a bag or cover before boarding.<br />
<br />
Folding bicycles cannot be stored in overhead luggage racks.<br />
<a href="https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Bikes-Luggage-Animals">V/Line - Bicycles on trains</a><br />
<br />
I would use a folding bike in these circumstances as one could ensure always getting in on board rather than having to miss trains that have no space.<br />
<br />
If using a non-folding bike in the limited storage space on a regular service, coordinate efficient usage of the limited bike space with other regular users.<br />
<br />
By removing panniers (or similar attachments) and arranging the bikes very close together, many more bikes can be fitted in the same space. This is often best done by cyclists who know each other rather than conductors unfamiliar with bicycles and cautious about damage.<br />
<br />
<b>5. It's possible to be stranded by V/Line in a country town with no way of getting home with your bike so even if you are denied access to the first train be nice to staff, explain the situation and exceptions could be made. Most bus services do not allow bikes due to policy but often have space</b><br />
<br />
It's quite possible that your bike could be denied access in a country town (e.g. if boarding mid-route) and subsequent trains also have no capacity or the train service ended:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Trace Balla was left stranded in Sunbury on one occasion after the train service was terminated due to problems with the line and she couldn't get her luggage and bike onto a bus. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I was travelling to Sunshine to visit my dying mother in hospital and was left stranded. None of the bus drivers would take me. I had to call my partner to come and collect me. It was very upsetting. I just can't trust them anymore. I just don't take my bike," she said.<br />
<a href="http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/3789305/pedal-power-cyclists-urge-vline-to-improve-service/">Pedal power - Cyclists urge V/Line to improve service</a></blockquote>
I can only suggest being extra nice to V/Line staff as exceptions could be made (trains often have unused wheelchair space, buses often have unused storage space underneath).<br />
<br />
<b>6. If making major decisions (e.g. moving to a country town assuming you will bike + train commute) do your research on which towns, lines and days/times are best</b><br />
<br />
V/Line info, media articles and social media posts make evident that there are particular train lines, stations and times which are most difficult to reliably take bikes on due to capacity issues.<br />
<br />
First there is the official advice (which may change at any time): "Space is limited on Sprinter and VLocity trains to and from Ararat, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Geelong, Maryborough, Seymour and Traralgon."<br />
<br />
Secondly, as just one example, the Bendigo and Echuca line (including stops like Castlemaine) often features in media reports as lacking capacity with cyclists turned away. E.g. <a href="http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/3789305/pedal-power-cyclists-urge-vline-to-improve-service/">Pedal power - Cyclists urge V/Line to improve service</a><br />
<br />
Cycling forums are also useful sources of guidance as to which lines/stations are best or worst.<br />
<br />
bicycles.net.au Forums<br />
> <a href="http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=69e17e1cf9b45958a9404c63784fd369">Touring Australia</a><br />
<br />
<b>7. V/Line and the state government can do much more to increase the capacity and convenience of bike + train travel so when denied service, take pictures, use social media (e.g. tweet to your MP) and submit your feedback/complaint</b><br />
<br />
When you do get denied service on V/Line trains based on there not being space for your bike it's important to take photos, use social media and complain to V/Line and politicians.<br />
<br />
Based on my complaint experience, V/Line's will simple copy and paste a useless, canned response saying space is limited and customer safety can't be compromised (that's what Matthew Quattrocchi, Customer Feedback Manager, emailed me). But it's useful to add to the stats anyway.<br />
<br />
Even better is to post your feedback (preferably with a photo showing wasted/empty space) to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VlineVictoria">V/Line Facebook page</a> and tweet to your local politicians. There is plenty that V/Line and the state government can do to actually improve capacity and convenience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCqzc7QRIF9N_EYH_a-gbcZQ3wfVmEgNTefXO-OeoNJEAzsEPyVL4vHrHgMxIJGrafRJI9aAtS3NhvCrk5nsGt_mNfdMlQQgAp8qWxy2OecGPy7Kc7MEtwYerg4bRkeIyPSAPXFL0Y6U/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCqzc7QRIF9N_EYH_a-gbcZQ3wfVmEgNTefXO-OeoNJEAzsEPyVL4vHrHgMxIJGrafRJI9aAtS3NhvCrk5nsGt_mNfdMlQQgAp8qWxy2OecGPy7Kc7MEtwYerg4bRkeIyPSAPXFL0Y6U/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/VlineVictoria/posts/1106440306084785">Feedback to V/Line post on its Facebook page</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Similar suggestions have been made before:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The group is calling on V/Line to consider investing in some of the innovative bicycle storage techniques being used in European countries, given what appears to be an increasing demand for bikes to be carried by the service. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The riders also urge V/Line to consider adding bicycle information to its existing electronic station information infrastructure to inform commuters an estimated number of spaces for bicycles. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"This would enable riders to gauge if there will be space for them and if needed make other arrangements before their preferred service arrives," Mr Waddell said.<br />
<a href="http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/3789305/pedal-power-cyclists-urge-vline-to-improve-service/">Pedal power - Cyclists urge V/Line to improve service</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WRi1768F90RH7_XbehNudhg43UjfwN1st3zjNggH8M9uwSskP9SY3bigvs3z6p5Omu6q4yM803l-6b0CtO4uv6XUTE8wyK0guRMFnk0Ip3OQ84a99r1bHuGH4XDKFnt8PUcQvzQ8FZU/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WRi1768F90RH7_XbehNudhg43UjfwN1st3zjNggH8M9uwSskP9SY3bigvs3z6p5Omu6q4yM803l-6b0CtO4uv6XUTE8wyK0guRMFnk0Ip3OQ84a99r1bHuGH4XDKFnt8PUcQvzQ8FZU/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=84518">Efficient vertical bike storage in French trains (bicycles.net.au forums)</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitugPG_DTJaGXtIuQz_v-3zwTP-5sdencctXDsYgl7bV9cjNvansLajNbBzPXV8HQJHpVi3SdudoblVp0NsTBSAvhTrusR7etvykKVWryIu_ijZdKaHNgcEoFqmyRfIZNJW_vYHtGd5pU/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitugPG_DTJaGXtIuQz_v-3zwTP-5sdencctXDsYgl7bV9cjNvansLajNbBzPXV8HQJHpVi3SdudoblVp0NsTBSAvhTrusR7etvykKVWryIu_ijZdKaHNgcEoFqmyRfIZNJW_vYHtGd5pU/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/VlineVictoria/posts/1098311753564307'">Feedback to V/Line on its Facebook page</a><br />
<br />
Sending your feedback to the regional towns and businesses that are affected by V/Line's lack of service for bikes is also useful. This can lead these regional stakeholders to pressure V/Line to provide improved services:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Mansfield Shire Council and Tourism North-East are pushing for V/Line to be more accommodating when it comes to the transport of bikes on its trains. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The shire would like V/Line to schedule services that guarantee bicycles would be carried on both its trains and coaches when travelling to the region. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The shire's tourism and economic officer, Judy Dixon, said the Victorian fares and ticketing manual was unclear on taking bikes on regional train services, with the decision left to the discretion of the conductor. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
She said bike riders using tracks like the Great Victorian Rail Trail, bring great economic benefit to the shire. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We'd like to see that there would be V/Line scheduled services that guarantee that you can take your bike, so that you can have some certainty as a visitor or a tourist with your bike and we would certainly like a new approach," she said. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Currently the bikes aren't allowed on the coaches and we'd certainly like for them to explore options to accommodate the demands of their own customers.<br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-31/guarantee-sought-for-bikes-to-be-allowed-on-vline/5856496">ABC News: 'Guarantee' sought to allow bikes on V/Line trains</a></blockquote>
In my case, I won't be planning future trips on V/Line's Bendigo, Swan Hill or Echuca lines given my experience trying to get to and from Castlemaine with my bike. So I looked up the regional tourism website for the relevant region and emailed them with my feedback:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLs5iNrrWH11PuxjPqmU_wc1UbZ3pL9UXtf_IlvKL8oKeAMl8iY4tb0ZSuvrruAiZpe1eF0E0qXq80JEkLf6VVxARcpunl0oy2CCvYfGi370ZrDY_TAJaVZrFPDJHfh1KaW4NhyphenhyphenAmpno/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLs5iNrrWH11PuxjPqmU_wc1UbZ3pL9UXtf_IlvKL8oKeAMl8iY4tb0ZSuvrruAiZpe1eF0E0qXq80JEkLf6VVxARcpunl0oy2CCvYfGi370ZrDY_TAJaVZrFPDJHfh1KaW4NhyphenhyphenAmpno/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.maldoncastlemaine.com.au/getting-here/by-train/">Castlemaine Maldon - Getting here by train</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The website advises: "V/Line's modern and comfortable trains are a perfect way to sit back, relax and enjoy the journey." In reality, V/Line's train service is an unreliable, time-wasting and frustrating gamble for anyone trying to take a bike. So I emailed them to let them know and ask them to take this up with V/Line if they wanted visitors who travel with bikes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4Ax7fGYBqCPtoyUrLoibRNctrTk-GJjs3fV-qmH965poR0VEB7hzVP0nkpBvwkWJ5JOAdyiNH8D61bcxTfh7RUIjsln2xEKk3DLbdhPxL0Sc6cPdF0U6wZytXDZglkR4MS7cvwv3jW8/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4Ax7fGYBqCPtoyUrLoibRNctrTk-GJjs3fV-qmH965poR0VEB7hzVP0nkpBvwkWJ5JOAdyiNH8D61bcxTfh7RUIjsln2xEKk3DLbdhPxL0Sc6cPdF0U6wZytXDZglkR4MS7cvwv3jW8/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>8. Recommended Victorian regional cycling trails and destinations. And how to assess the feasibility of accessing them with V/Line or even Melbourne Metro trains</b><br />
<br />
Below are links that list recommended Victorian regional cycling trails and destinations. In order to check whether V/Line is a feasible means of getting to them (or near enough) simply look up the regional towns and compare with those that are part of the V/Line bike-accessible network (trains plus coaches from or to Wangaratta and Benalla).<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/maps/">Melbourne Metropolitan train network</a> also allows you to reach some scenic areas to cycle. E.g. Ferntree Gully station on the Belgrave line. Or Lilydale station which connects with the Lilydale to Warburton rail trail.<br />
<br />
> <a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/Things-to-do/Outdoor-activities/Cycling/Cycling-trails">Visit Victoria - Cycling Trails</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.piecesofvictoria.com/2016/05/carefree/">Pieces of Victoria - Car free</a><br />
<br />
For example, the <a href="http://www.victoriashighcountry.com.au/murray-to-mountains-rail-trail/the-trails">Murray to Mountains rail trail</a> includes the towns: Wangaratta, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Porepunkah, Bright, Milawa, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBZU4Kf8_pIy4_5DIJUAr6DA-Jqs3WL0PY2nCtLZQNC1Z2bFiTDrqNqN3YbILmrmRY4MJXEkqACTQZrgBVWw1QDi-U84YjBn4QQzSgvk5odETlBdMRVofhHRY9qtGlqsnUdkrHK8vo20/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBZU4Kf8_pIy4_5DIJUAr6DA-Jqs3WL0PY2nCtLZQNC1Z2bFiTDrqNqN3YbILmrmRY4MJXEkqACTQZrgBVWw1QDi-U84YjBn4QQzSgvk5odETlBdMRVofhHRY9qtGlqsnUdkrHK8vo20/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Only Wangaratta is reachable by train but the following V/Line coaches run from nearby towns:<br />
Beechworth - Wangaratta<br />
Bright - Wangaratta<br />
Corowa/Rutherglen - Wangaratta<br />
Mulwala/Yarrawonga - Benalla<br />
<br />
Google Maps now contains many of these rail trails so you can search for cycling directions from Beechworth to Wangaratta and find out if it is hilly and, if so, whether mostly in one direction.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKiLZeef017Z1qezZZoi-VZKGjYWgO9qG6X-K2Dr9FlLQvzLu-jnWNqajmXDiwqR3cioXAo0W0ScaDWbg4OGyjNsufRwOB1mD1I50cgDQHxNw9TlqNmSs8KQ3wZaYj618JPlisVcNvkU/s1600/tipsonusingbikeswithvline08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKiLZeef017Z1qezZZoi-VZKGjYWgO9qG6X-K2Dr9FlLQvzLu-jnWNqajmXDiwqR3cioXAo0W0ScaDWbg4OGyjNsufRwOB1mD1I50cgDQHxNw9TlqNmSs8KQ3wZaYj618JPlisVcNvkU/s640/tipsonusingbikeswithvline08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Wangaratta+VIC/Beechworth+VIC+3747/@-36.405673,146.4577397,12z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b26db97f22cde03:0x50579a430a0d350!2m2!1d146.3256568!2d-36.3543294!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b26ac599f7be39b:0x40579a430a04be0!2m2!1d146.6872665!2d-36.3592906!3e1">Google Maps Cycling Directions - Wangaratta to Beechworth</a><br />
<br />
As you can see, there is one long climb going from Wangaratta toward Beechworth. Thus, if only interested in doing this trip in one direction (possibly as a day trip) it would be easiest to catch the train to Wangaratta and then a coach to Beechworth and then cycle back.<br />
<br />
As you can't book a spot for your bike on a coach even when buying a V/Line ticket well in advance online, space for bikes in the underside luggage area is on a first come, first served basis. It is advisable to get there early, let the V/Line staff know of your bike, and plan enough time/flexibility in case you have to wait for the next service.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<br />
V/Line<br />
> <a href="https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Bikes-Luggage-Animals">Bicycles on trains</a><br />
<br />
PTV<br />
> <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/v-line-tickets/">V/Line tickets</a> (for stations within Myki zone)<br />
> <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/v-line-tickets/reservations/">V/Line reservations</a><br />
> <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/luggage-bikes-and-animals/bikes-and-public-transport/">Bikes and public transport</a><br />
<br />
Bicycle Network<br />
> <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/policy-and-campaigns/3796/">Policy & Campaigns - Bikes on trains</a><br />
<br />
Rail Trails Australia<br />
> <a href="https://www.railtrails.org.au/trail-descriptions/victoria">Victoria</a><br />
<br />
The Age / SMH<br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/cyclists-are-climate-change-heroes-but-we-are-often-treated-as-villains-20160122-gmbvrm.html">Cyclists are climate-change heroes but we are often treated as villains</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/country-cyclists-win-reprieve-from-railways-bike-ban/2008/01/07/1199554571397.html">Country cyclists win reprieve from railways bike ban</a><br />
<br />
Midland Express<br />
> <a href="http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/3789305/pedal-power-cyclists-urge-vline-to-improve-service/">Pedal power - Cyclists urge V/Line to improve service</a><br />
<br />
bicycles.net.au Forums<br />
> <a href="http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=84518#p1259881">Bike-rail</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=61774">V-line, with four loaded tourers</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=69e17e1cf9b45958a9404c63784fd369">Touring Australia</a><br />
<br />
Wikipedia<br />
> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V/Line">V/Line</a><br />
<br />
TrailMate (Mountain Bike Trails in Australia)<br />
> <a href="http://www.trailmate.com.au/home/vic">MTB Trails: Victoria</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-37499705783242531822015-10-26T18:14:00.000+11:002016-11-25T12:25:06.009+11:00How can cycling best contribute to personal wellbeing and a better life?<b>Summary</b>: Liveable city rankings are obviously flawed because quality of life varies considerably for residents based on where they live and their access to well-paid jobs and amenities. But the more damaging implications are that individual wellbeing is primarily at the mercy of politics, economics and planning, and that individuals should focus on maximising the suggested indicators (e.g. income, home ownership, private schools). A more useful exercise is to compile a list of the proven factors that significantly influence <b>personal wellbeing</b>, quality of life and happiness. And then to consider how you might optimise your housing, work, transport and lifestyle decisions to maximise the benefits. This post isolates many of these personal wellbeing factors and suggests how cycling can best contribute to leveraging them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.australianunity.com.au/about-us/wellbeing/auwbi">The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index</a><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category of this blog<br />
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<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Factors used in liveability city rankings</b><br />
Prompted by Melbourne once again topping the <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/08/daily-chart-5">The Economist's liveable city rankings</a>, there were the usual valid critiques of whether life in Melbourne is actually liveable or improving for everyone:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Melbourne might have topped The Economist liveable city rankings for a fifth year in a row, but is life in the city actually getting better? Only marginally – and only for some, according to research released at a forum on Thursday. The economics and planning consultancy SGS looked at everything from income levels, Melburnians' work-life balance, their health and the quality of the city's environment over the past decade and found 10 had declined, 18 remained steady and the remainder had improved. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But the research revealed a "happiness divide", that showed those who were paying off their own home in a good location and had secure employment had enjoyed a great past decade. "For those searching for their first job, or whose family is in a low income bracket, life has become more challenging," SGS Economics & Planning principal Terry Rawnsley said. "If these trends continue this poses challenges for the future liveability of our city."<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-a-most-liveable-city-but-only-for-some-20150820-gj3ukt.html">Melbourne: a most liveable city, but only for some</a></blockquote>
Indeed, a cursory review of the 30 factors used by The Economist shows there is plenty of scope to simplify and prioritise when looking for the most relevant factors that influence the wellbeing of individuals living in developed countries:<br />
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<a href="http://a%20summary%20of%20the%20liveability%20ranking%20and%20overview/">EIU Liveability Report 2014 (pdf)</a><br />
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<b>2. Is life getting better in Melbourne? City-wide statistics vs personal wellbeing factors</b><br />
The SGS analysis asked the question: <a href="http://www.sgsep.com.au/news/sgs-seminar-is-life-in-melbourne-getting-better/">Is life in Melbourne getting better?</a> It's analysis noted that: "to understand the progress of Melbourne we must examine many aspects of people’s lives - their incomes, their work life balance, their health, the quality of their environment, their access to opportunities, and so on. These dimensions of progress are intertwined. To earn more income, people may need to work longer hours and so have less leisure time. Rising incomes can lead to greater inequity."<br />
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However, for individuals, the broad statistics (GDP, employment, household income, infrastructure spending, carbon emissions, etc) are not meaningful or relevant: the statistic may go slightly up, down or nowhere for the whole state or city, but individual and family outcomes will always vary by a much greater extent.<br />
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The SGS analysis did expose a few useful factors for individuals to consider: job access, local safety, daily face-to-face contact with family or friends, and connections with the local community.<br />
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Based on the above job access map, any city-wide shifts will be glacial; so what really matters is that people are able to move closer to where the most relevant jobs are, can afford to live there, and can access their job efficiently.<br />
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It's curious to see that this aggregate safety statistic got an improvement tick because Victoria's state-wide average has gone up by 2% from 2006 to 2014, when the real story here is that <b>only 53%</b> of Victorians feel safe in their neighbourhood. Yet, personal safety and a safe community were rated by individuals as among the most important factors in the wellbeing of themselves and their family.<br />
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Also interesting to note is that Victoria and Australia have rates of daily face-to-face contact with family and friends of less than 20% which are stagnant or decreasing as wealth, income and urban development and sprawl increase. These levels compare poorly with much less "developed" countries with less wealth, income, industry, formal jobs and commutes.<br />
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<b>3. What can individuals and families do to improve their wellbeing and standard of living? And how can cycling be best used to achieve these improvements?</b><br />
Based on the last 10 years of "progress" in Melbourne, politics, economics and infrastructure clearly aren't going to lead to a much better life for <b>all</b> residents. In fact, current macro factors will only drive greater inequalities and geographic segregation. The good news for individuals is that they can skip the liveability surveys and focus instead on the wellbeing surveys.<br />
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The most interesting elements of the SGS analysis were not its 50 state-wide statistical indicators, but the list of <b>issues defining personal wellbeing</b> and the <b>local area impacts on wellbeing</b>. This data came from <a href="http://www.australianunity.com.au/about-us/wellbeing/auwbi">The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index</a>:<br />
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Looking at these types of factors, which <b>really do</b> contribute to the differences in personal wellbeing among Melbourne residents, it becomes clear that many of them can be significantly influenced through individual's smarter choices and judicious tradeoffs. This pathway isn't only for those born into the right suburbs, or wealthy families, and with high-income careers.<br />
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These individual choices might include:<br />
- Renting closer to well-paying jobs and eliminating the cars you own and long commutes<br />
- Renting in a safer neighbourbood rather than buying in an unsafe one<br />
- Choosing where precisely to live with the safety and feasibility of cycling and walking in mind<br />
- Being satisfied with making smarter use of a smaller, less expensive house and using walkable/bikeable parks, libraries and community facilities instead<br />
- Minimising your cost of living in order to be able to work less, commute less and spend more time with family and friends<br />
- Prioritising connecting with people over maximising income or status pursuits<br />
- Making recreation with family and friends involve walking, cycling or simple, low-cost physical and outdoor activities that don't require a car<br />
- Choosing to live within commutable range of the family and friends that most contribute to your wellbeing. This could include combining cycling with public transport<br />
- Changing where you live and work as your circumstances change and you move through different life stages<br />
- If single, opting to live in share houses rather than living alone<br />
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As this blog documents, cycling can be a key enabler of many smarter choices about housing, work, transport and lifestyle. This <b>doesn't happen automatically</b> though, it's possible to use a bike occasionally (e.g. for recreation) and still opt for a bigger house, far from work, with long commutes, and a high-cost, high-stress, time-poor lifestyle.<br />
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E.g. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/working-less-and-more-flexibly-is.html">Working less and more flexibly is desirable and a key to going car-free</a><br />
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See also:<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/access%20and%20urban%20freedom">access and urban freedom</a> category<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/cycling%20benefits">cycling benefits</a> category<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20time">saving time</a> category<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20money">saving money</a> category<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/convenience">convenience</a> category<br />
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<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.australianunity.com.au/about-us/wellbeing/auwbi">The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-33314038706816905532015-10-23T21:15:00.003+11:002016-01-18T08:50:28.949+11:00The dirty secret of Yuppie urbanist's parking waivers: car ownership on the public teat<div>
<b>Summary</b>: Among other things, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Urbanism">New Urbanism</a> principles favour policies that reduce the ownership and use of cars in order to improve liveability for all residents. In practice, <a href="http://danielkayhertz.com/2013/03/05/yuppie-urbanism-v-egalitarian-urbanism/">Yuppie Urbanism</a> uses the cover of progressive urban reform to primarily pursue the narrow interests of professional elites. Broad <a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/6/27/5849280/why-free-parking-is-bad-for-everyone">Shoup-style parking reforms</a> are typically thrown in the too hard basket, and so obtaining waivers (special exemptions) from off-street parking minimums is a common element of new urbanism projects where commensurate car ownership and parking demand can be reduced. An egalitarian, scalable interest in policies that actually reduced private car ownership would seek unavoidable tradeoffs (no cheating) that were open to all developers and residents. The dirty secret of campaigns for parking waivers on specific projects is that some of these urban elites <b>are cheating</b> - escaping the cost of contributing to car parking supply while still owning private vehicles they park in free or highly-subsidised public space (e.g. on-street). In this post, I look at a specific example in Melbourne and discuss how it could be resolved fairly for genuine, scalable community benefit.</div>
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Nightingale proposed development in Brunswick</div>
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<div>
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b></div>
<div>
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category of this blog.</div>
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> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/07/choose-housing-that-is-designed-for.html">Choose housing that is designed for sustainable transport</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/the-curse-of-free-or-subsidised-car.html">The curse of free or subsidised car parking</a></div>
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Cross-posted to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/311753722196970/">FB Group Urban Happiness</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/311753722196970/permalink/975760825796253/">here</a>.<br />
(If you want to discuss this or see what other's have to say, best to do it there).<br />
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<b>TL:DR Summary</b><br />
This is constructive criticism so for those who wish to debate it, please refer to the below diagram first and consider my arguments through this lens.<br />
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- The VCAT decision revealed the dirty secret about The Commons resident's car ownership and use and the deliberate lack of transparency about it, with no new measures proposed to address these deficiencies with Nightingale. Until then, I'd accepted the proponent's ambitions about car-free living at face value and presumed them to be working on Approach 2 and thought the City of Moreland might have started also doing something in Approach 3 (e.g. extending on-street parking permit requirements in this precinct). It turned out both took the easy path and appear to be limiting efforts to Approach 1 (no change at all to rules, policies, tradeoffs, enforcement, investment, etc just another special exemption from the existing flawed rules).<br />
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- Focusing on the car-free living ambition and justification (the reason for my posting on this transport cycling blog), it should be obvious why I am so critical of Approach 1: it is <b>not</b> a genuine attempt to do what's feasible to ensure car-free households occupy these apartments. This is abundantly clear from the reaction to the outcomes of the first experiment at The Commons. No-one is prepared to even reveal the full facts about the extent of private car ownership or use. Evidently, eliminating private car use can hardly be a serious, genuine ambition of Breathe Architecture, the City of Moreland or most of the residents.<br />
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- The recent VCAT decision on Nightingale provides an opportunity for real, scalable reform: Approach 2 and Approach 3. I'm most interested in preserving and fixing the car-free living ambition via Approach 2 - by seeing a replicable template for strict tradeoffs enforced (zero-parking or no basement parking required in an apartment block as long as residents are not allowed to park their cars in free or subsidised public space). This is perfectly feasible for the City of Moreland to deliver in this precinct. Nevertheless, zero-parking projects can certainly drop their car-free ambitions (if they aren't capable or willing to deliver on them), but this also entails dropping this justification for special exemptions from the current planning rules (Approach 1). To deliver zero-parking projects, they would then need to switch to Approach 3 Shoup-style parking reform (see below). This involves much more difficult work, which is why only those with serious, long-term interests in tackling the big structural problems ever take this on.<br />
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Once you start dealing honestly and seriously with the issue of reducing private car ownership, car-dependence and car use you realise why scalability and tractability matters. Rather than simplistic, phoney claims about being car-free, the urgent need is to create real, tractable, scalable pathways toward actually reducing private car ownership and use. Any addition or change to the housing stock by any developer could then leverage such pathways to some extent and scale over time.<br />
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- Some of the most pertinent fundamental reforms (Approach 3) relating to car-centric parking rules and incentives could be addressed along the lines of the well-known Donald Shoup prescriptions referenced below: removing parking minimum rules, charging for all on-street parking, returning revenue to locals directly through discounts on rates or via neighbourhood improvements. I have less interest in this domain except as it relates to creating more space and incentives for not using cars. I am more interested in fundamental reforms that relate directly to alternatives to car use: better policies and investment in cycling, walking, facilitating public transport use, and multi-modal solutions.<br />
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- I argue that "New Urbanists" who stubbornly reuse Approach 1 when there are feasible, scalable problem-solving changes available in Approach 2 or 3, are guilty of <a href="http://danielkayhertz.com/2013/03/05/yuppie-urbanism-v-egalitarian-urbanism/">Yuppie Urbanism</a> - primarily pursuing their narrow self-interest under the cover of being part of broad, urban improvement for everyone. One can, of course, state this more generically as Selfish Urbanism but I prefer to leverage the considerable, rich source of writing (primarily from North America) critiquing the narrow, self-interest of much new urbanism campaigning by elites. (See example links under Further Info).<br />
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<b>Note</b>: A much more damning critique of projects like The Commons and Nightingale with respect to Yuppie Urbanism vs Egalitarian Urbanism can be made with respect to these project's claims to be addressing the <b>social issue of housing affordability</b>. In reality, these types of projects are targeted at the income levels and priorities of a quite narrow cohort. They will not scale to address the needs of the much larger, lower-income cohorts for whom housing affordability is a critical issue (including opening up long-term renting opportunities in city locations with much better job, service and amenity access). I have focused only on the car-free aspect on this blog, but will address the other issues on another blog. In the meantime, you can find much enlightening discussion by simply reading critiques of new urbanism.<br />
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<b>1. Yuppie outcry as VCAT rejects a complete waiver of off-street parking provision for a 20 apartment block</b></div>
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The trigger for this post was the recent VCAT decision to overturn the permit granted for a new 20 apartment development in Brunswick known as Nightingale. The local government (City of Moreland) gave the developer a complete waiver of having to provide any off-street parking. This was challenged by a developer of an adjacent apartment block which would have to provide a minimum quota of off-street parking (even if it didn't wish to) and the VCAT arbiter agreed the permit should be overturned.</div>
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The Age journalist Clay Lucas either didn't read or understand the decision and published a greenwash article that amounted to this argument:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The project's architect, Jeremy McLeod from Breathe Architecture – which also designed and oversaw Brunswick's award-winning Commons apartments, which is over the road and similarly has no car parking – said each buyer was saving $30,000 per dwelling by not having parking. "Why should someone who doesn't have a car have to pay for a basement car park?" asked McLeod.</blockquote>
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Because, according to VCAT, there is nothing as convenient as owning an automobile.<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/green-building-with-no-car-parking-thrown-out-by-vcat-for-having-no-car-parking-20151022-gkfia5.html">The Age: Green building with no car parking thrown out by VCAT for having no car parking</a></blockquote>
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It turns out this argument is completely bogus. The VCAT Member (Russell Byard) exposed as fiction the proposition that no contribution to off-street parking supply was required as there was no addition to parking demand. The dirty secret of The Commons (the precursor model for Nightingale) is that several of the <b>current residents <u>do</u> own, access and use private cars</b> that simply exploit public space instead - including permit-free streets (see excerpts from the VCAT decision below).<br />
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<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/green-building-with-no-car-parking-thrown-out-by-vcat-for-having-no-car-parking-20151022-gkfia5.html#comments">Comments on The Age article</a></div>
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Breathe Architecture, Nightingale supporters, the City of Moreland, the Greens political party and new urbanists who ignore, hide or facilitate the flaws in the proposed tradeoff (no private car ownership traded for lower cost, liveable housing) are not achieving scalable car-free living and housing development. Instead, they are betraying it. Consequently, making it much harder to implement broad-based, long-term policies that could entrench a fair tradeoff that was win-win for everyone.</div>
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<a href="http://www.australiandesignreview.com/architecture/48633-the-commons-an-uncommon-community">Australian Design Review: The Commons - an uncommon community</a><br />
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<b>2. A brief summary of why the permit objection was upheld by VCAT and why I agree with the decision</b></div>
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I posted the below as a comment on The Age article but it was rejected.</div>
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Sadly, the consensus view shared by this reporter, experts and "progressive" social media commenters that this was a retrograde or unjustified decision is wrong.<br />
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As someone who lives in the inner city, hasn't used a car for local transport for years, and runs a blog - http://www.betterbybicycle.com - on how cycling can be a superior transport solution, you'd expect me to rip into this VCAT decision. And I was going to! But first I actually read the entirety of the decision. See: <a href="https://claylucas.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/vcat-ruling-on-6-florence-st-brunswick/">https://claylucas.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/vcat-ruling-on-6-florence-st-brunswick/</a></div>
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It turns out my instincts were mistaken. VCAT Member Byard actually provides a strong rationale for the decision and exposes where the specific fault lies: with the City of Moreland's planning rules, processes, evidence, reasoning and consistency with respect to required parking provision (especially giving complete waivers); as well as with the submissions made by Nightingale proponents relating to parking demand generated vs parking supplied.</div>
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The much more interesting story here is the dirty secret that emerged: that despite The Commons being optimally located and designed to make private car ownership and use unnecessary, a significant proportion of current residents own, access or use private cars. Ironically, they exploit the <b>real commons</b> - public streets - to store these cars at both ends of their trips.</div>
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So don't shoot the messenger (VCAT Member Byard) for exposing the fiction of the simplistic assertion that eliminating off-street parking provision eliminates parking demand. And it's also ridiculous to lambaste him for claiming there's "nothing as convenient as private car ownership" when many residents of these "deep green" apartments find this convenience so irresistable they surmount any obstacle to private car ownership and use - like parking their car further away on no-permit streets or exploiting other space not intended for their car storage.</div>
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The bullshit detector of most citizens goes off when they hear of these simplistic, narrow, greenwashed solutions to eliminating private car ownership and use. This is a complex problem with a lot of major changes required (planning rules, Shoup-style parking reforms, genuine affordable housing and density policies like opening up zoning, removing some heritage restrictions and replacing Stamp Duty with a universal land value tax, actual investment and policy changes to shift people to using transit, cycling & walking, job access, individual values and choices, cultural change). Of particular interest to those interested in car-free living: making alternatives like public transport, cycling and walking an <b>attractive first choice</b> for those with the most suitable circumstances is a key element which requires massive, ongoing investment. Yet, to pick just one example, the City of Moreland and State Government have yet to make any substantial improvements for cycling in Brunswick even when popular support briefly emerges after tragic incidents like the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2015/03/what-infrastructure-and-legal-changes.html">dooring death on Sydney Rd</a>.</div>
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Until progress on these major reforms does occur, apartment blocks of such size (20-24 units) should be permissible in locations like this with no car parking provided - but only if you 100% ensure residents (current and future) aren't allowed to park their cars for free, or with considerable subsidies, in public space.<br />
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Australian cities need a gradual reshuffling of who chooses to live where, such that those best suited to being car-free can relocate to the optimal areas and housing types. Instead of simply hoping for this 100% car-free rate in developments targeted for special exemptions, the City of Moreland and relevant architects/developers should work to genuinely ensure it. And then no-one will object to the parking inequity, and the plaudits for progressive urbanism will be truly deserved.</div>
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<b>3. What do scalable, equitable reforms focused on the whole community's interests look like?</b><br />
Below are some ideas that easily came to mind, which I've listed primarily to demonstrate that there are abundant areas of practical reform available. In determining actual initiatives, there is plenty of real expertise, research, case studies, and off-the-shelf improvements to review, adapt and implement. See the examples under Further Info.<br />
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- Firstly, campaigning for parking waivers (special exemptions from the current rules) for the specific projects that you have a stake in instead of consistent, evidence-based application of reformed parking and planning rules is a clear sign of <a href="http://danielkayhertz.com/2013/03/05/yuppie-urbanism-v-egalitarian-urbanism/">Yuppie Urbanism</a>.<br />
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- Indeed, the true test of whether you've achieved a scalable, valuable reform in rules and policies is precisely how frequently<b> competing projects and developers</b> leverage these new circumstances to obtain the same win-win benefits (e.g. lower development costs, more affordable housing, more housing diversity, better choices for car-free households, less traffic and on-street parking congestion).<br />
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- Local and State governments have to tackle the more complex and difficult changes required (planning rules, collecting and applying objective evidence on parking equitably, justifying to residents why the costs for using public space have to go up, etc). Simply greenlighting a favoured eco-development here and there has trivial long-term impact.<br />
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- Within walking distance of all areas where parking waivers would be desirable, real barriers, significant costs, and enforcement of restrictions on parking on-street have to be implemented. Currently, car-owning residents of The Commons or Nightingale can just walk 2 minutes to permit-free parking on the other side of the railway line. The City of Moreland can make changes to eliminate this cheating but so far has chosen not to.<br />
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- A more efficient, lower-hassle alternative to permits in many residential-only streets is time limits on parking that are properly enforced. This prevents private car storage by non-residents without adding the hassles of permits for residents and visitors.<br />
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- Apart from requiring parking permits in these areas (or implementing other restrictions on storage like time limits), the cost needs to be raised significantly to market rates (it should be more like $200/year than <a href="http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/parking-roads-and-transport/parking-permits-moreland/residential-parking-permits.html">$33/year</a> with annual increases taking it up to the market value of each public space). Property rates could be reduced by an equivalent aggregate such that properties without off-street parking became a clearer tradeoff for those who could go car-free as well as those who can't or won't. Permits could also be stamped with the licence plate of the authorised owner's vehicle so that they couldn't be resold to others. Or more innovative ways of breaking out market-priced parking "cashbacks" for visibility of owners and tenants could be trialled.<br />
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- Ultimately, the best solutions for more fairly and efficiently managing on-street parking is via modern market pricing and allocation mechanisms. Local governments like the City of Moreland could cap the number of on-street permits and manage the market for them. To make the introduction of such a change politically-feasible they could discount permits for existing residents with subsidised on-street parking use. Over time the cap could be reduced and the higher costs of car storage on public streets would lead to less car ownership or market-based provision of off-street car parking.<br />
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This "cap and trade" permit solution was explained in more detail by a commenter - Smith John - on Alan Davies' article <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2015/11/26/are-councils-dealing-with-the-problem-of-inner-suburban-parking/">The Urbanist - Are councils dealing with the problem of inner suburban parking?</a><br />
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- Eliminating the need for basement parking is a huge cost saving that should be obtained where appropriate. An obvious solution to the issue of smaller parking contributions being required to match minimal extra parking demand is initiatives that allow this contribution to be off-site, such as via paid arrangements with third party private or government parking suppliers. Near The Commons and Nightingale there is an ample parking lot opposite the market and there are also private and City of Moreland spaces nearby (including unutilised spaces in other apartment blocks) where paid parking arrangements could be used. Alternatively, proportionate levies paid to local government could also fund public parking provision or costs. There are significant efficiences to be had from pooling contributions in some cases rather than forcing every development to meet only its own needs directly.<br />
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- Simply eliminating the provision of off-street parking and situating housing near public transport and an activity area is nowhere near enough to ensure car-free living. If the costs of basement parking can be saved then levies paid to local government could also fund improvements for cycling and walking in the immediate area.<br />
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- Local governments really do need to <b>proactively facilitate</b> the much-needed reshuffling of who chooses to live where, such that those best suited to being car-free can relocate to the optimal areas and housing types. Planning rules and permit conditions are one critical way in which concessions like complete parking waivers can be used to ensure there are considerable, long-term advantages for the genuinely car-free (owners or tenants). This reshuffling can never occur at the rate needed unless substantial tradeoffs are ensured. State governments also need to <a href="https://www.prosper.org.au/?s=stamp+duty">replace stamp duty with land tax</a> (or higher council rates based on site value) so as to make moving home - due to job changes or life stage - much easier.<br />
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- Note that it's important not to misapply this enforced tradeoff in locations where non-car transport options - particularly public transport - aren't abundant. Given the cost of basement off-street parking, there are locations where there is no on-street parking congestion and so utilising it should be permissible if it provides affordable housing.<br />
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- Finally, it's important to remember that the extent and complexity of planning rules and processes often adds massive costs, delays and barriers to responsive supply of affordable housing options. A key principle to reform has to be simplification and elimination of burdensome, counterproductive rules and procedures. See: <a href="http://ti.org/antiplanner/?p=11072">The Antiplanner - Planning Is the Problem, Not the Solution</a><br />
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<b>4. Examples of parking waiver cases and how they've been handled or solved</b><br />
It is worthwhile learning from various cases to see what solutions have been tried, and what does and doesn't work.<br />
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A recent one of interest from Washington DC is discussed here: <a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/28517/can-a-housing-development-go-up-in-petworth-if-it-doesnt-build-new-parking/">Greater Greater Washington - Can a housing development go up in Petworth if it doesn't build new parking?</a><br />
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It is useful to note that in the above case the shape of the lot prevented a basement parking garage and so the issue becomes what other things the developer and owners can be required to do to meet any parking needs:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To manage parking, Rooney Properties (the developer) is planning to provide new residents with SmarTrip cards, a bike share membership and car share membership for the first three years. Rooney is also including space for bicycle maintenance and storage within the new building, and the lobby of the building will offer a transit screen that shows the number of bikes available and a real-time Metro train schedule. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Finally, Rooney is also actively seeking off-street parking options and ha noted that several of the recent buildings in the area that have off-street parking are not parked up. The developer would be willing to provide free parking in these garages to new residents for three years as well.<br />
<a href="http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/28517/can-a-housing-development-go-up-in-petworth-if-it-doesnt-build-new-parking/">Can a housing development go up in Petworth if it doesn't build new parking?</a></blockquote>
I'm not involved in property, development or planning and never intend to be so have little inclination to become an expert. Yet, any intelligent person who does this work for a living should be able to do this research and at least try to implement actual solutions. If people commenting on blogs can do so, so can the hundreds of paid staff in local government or organisations with a stake in scalable solutions.<br />
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Here's just one example of a comment discussing real, innovative, scalable solutions on the above Petworth case:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Combine<br />
a) no Residential Parking Permits for the development, with<br />
b) the TOD (transit-oriented development) measures the developers have already agreed to, and<br />
c) a further assurance that the developer acquire the right to lease a reduced number (due to Metro proximity) of offstreet parking spots at other buildings that are not parked up (so that an expected number of residents have the option of acquiring a spot if they need to) and this should not be an issue. </blockquote>
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If the ANC really wanted to press it, I'd say they should shoot for getting rid of the 3 year sunsets and have the city make the TOD items and parking spot lease-options be an obligation built into the building title that transfers to whoever owns it in perpetuity (developer, rental property owner, or HOA).</blockquote>
Here's another example from Boston of the architect jumping through the hoops with local government to make the affordability vs no car ownership tradeoff legally enforceable:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mariscal trusts his would-be tenants, but he suspects that the neighbors won’t. And if he is planning – controversially – to build zero new parking with his development, the least he can do is guarantee the community that his renters won’t crowd out their cars. </blockquote>
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The blunt way to frame this whole idea is that it is not precisely legal, at least under existing regulation. "I would use a different word," Mariscal says. “What I want to do requires a variance.” And to get one he must go through myriad hearings and community meetings to obtain special permission from, first, the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Mariscal has already been at the process for nine months, and he figures he has a few more to go.<br />
<a href="http://www.citylab.com/housing/2013/02/boston-ready-apartment-building-bars-cars/4810/">Is Boston Ready for an Apartment Building That Bars Cars?</a></blockquote>
<b>5. The "If not here, then where?" argument for granting zero parking provision</b><br />
This argument for zero parking provision being justified in Nightingale's location (next to a train station and key bike path, close to amenties and services) was emphasised by proponents and supporters of Nightingale. The VCAT response was entirely reasonable given the current planning and parking rules which the City of Moreland did nothing to revise or improve upon.<br />
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However, I'd also add one other rebuttal. I'm not persuaded by rhetoric, TED talks, PowerPoint presentations or glib assertions regarding car-free living being delivered. The real challenge for proponents of zero parking provision who argue they deserve special waivers is to demonstrate that they <b>actually delivered car-free households over the long run</b>. But if their actual position is that some households will inevitably own cars then consistent rules must apply and hence broad parking reform is required (e.g. reforms toward the Shoup prescription: removing all off-street parking minimums, charging market prices for all on-street parking, and returning dividends to local areas).<br />
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In terms of this transport cycling blog, I'm interested in initiatives that holistically resolve<b> all of the challenges</b> inherent in transitioning car-dependent urban residents to living car-free or at least car-lite (no private ownership but use car share, carpooling and even Uber/taxis when necessary).<br />
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Given all the hype about The Commons model, to find out the extent of actual private car ownership and use was most enlightening. Consequently, I am offended by this simplistic "if not here, then where?" argument which relies on <b>the myth</b> that The Commons did deliver car-free living for virtually all of its households.<br />
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The <b>ideal suitability of the location</b> actually only establishes a <b>contrary argument</b>: that despite this near-optimal location, the reality of car ownership and use at The Commons proves that its approach to delivering car-free households<b> is inadequate</b>. Given this perfect test case, only selfish, <a href="http://danielkayhertz.com/2013/03/05/yuppie-urbanism-v-egalitarian-urbanism/">Yuppie Urbanists</a> would seek to hide this dirty secret and persist with promulgating these expedient myths.<br />
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Why should the community give eco-hypocrite yuppies special exemptions worth $30,000 per apartment for not owning cars when they secretly own and use private cars anyway and externalise the cost to the public commons?<br />
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Genuine progressive urbanists would be interested in clearly establishing the real facts so as to eliminate the defects and improve the approach and outcomes. An obvious start is to accurately assess all vehicle ownership, use and parking arrangements at The Commons. The relevant questions are obvious and simple to answer but intentionally have not been. So let's start with just one:<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Q1: Out of the 24 households at The Commons, how many private motor vehicles are owned or used and where are they parked?</span><br />
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If necessary, I will personally pay (including to the household) for accurate information about motor vehicle ownership, use and parking arrangements at The Commons seeing as it hasn't been forthcoming elsewhere and appears to be such a guilty secret. Feel free to contact me: loboadrian AT gmail<br />
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Below is just one example of commentary on the VCAT decision that is appalled that Melbourne's "insidious car culture" blocked the perfectly positioned Nightingale. How ironic that it was actually the insidious private car ownership and on-street parking by residents of The Commons that led the VCAT Member to overturn Nightingale's permit.<br />
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<a href="https://urban.melbourne/policy/2015/10/26/comment-plan-melbourne-must-enshrine-steps-purge-our-insidious-car-culture">Urban Melbourne: Plan Melbourne must enshrine steps to purge our insidious car culture</a><br />
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<b>6. <Updated Jan 2016> City of Moreland prompted to act by VCAT rejection of Nightingale - but not to create scalable rule and incentive changes but simply to preserve their freedom to favour a few preferred projects with exemptions</b><br />
Interestingly, the VCAT decision on Nightingale has exposed the true colours of some Yuppie Urbanists and misguided priorities of "progressive" local government politicians. They accept that special exemptions (Approach 1) are inconsistent, inequitable and don't scale, but rather than pursue genuine reform, instead they fight to preserve and extend their special exemption privileges.<br />
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Apparently, it's all too hard and too unpopular to work on tractable, scalable pathways to reducing car ownership and use by equitably changing the rules and incentives for all new developments and existing housing too. But local politicians are happy to pour ratepayers money into fighting for their sole discretion to ignore their own planning rules and policies when it suits them, rather than actually fix them.<br />
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The wilful deceit about The Commons and Nightingale being car-free continues apace. This short-term thinking and bluster is destined for further setbacks, as unless the hard work is actually done at all levels - government, developers, residents - to unlock car-free living, there will always be some private car ownership and use in these developments. The reality that residents are not car-free will continue to be the hurdle these special exemptions and Yuppie privileges fail to clear.<br />
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<i>Moreland Councillor Meghan Hopper continues to insist The Commons is car-free and Nightingale would be too and thus merit zero parking waivers.</i><br />
<br />
If I'm right that the City of Moreland is on track to do nothing substantial to change the rules and shift the incentives for car-free living, private car ownership and use at The Commons will remain considerable and will grow over time at Nightingale too. But even if this exemption model was successful it offers no incentives for other developers or existing housing owners. In Councillor Hopper's own words, it applies to only two buildings in all of Moreland.<br />
<br />
YouTube<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM1irefxEzA">City of Moreland council debate on motion to seek changes to zero parking rules</a><br />
<br />
Herald Sun<br />
> <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/moreland-councillors-call-for-updated-planning-laws-to-allow-zero-carbon-emission-buildings/news-story/5b5efaaf37b24f2594c7ae27b94c36ed#load-story-comments">Moreland councillors call for updated planning laws to allow zero carbon emission buildings with </a><br />
<br />
While local government politicians like Meghan Hopper take positions that are inconsistent and populist (fighting for zero parking for just two favoured developments and rejecting it for others like at Oak Park), occasionally their own staff admit that it is the City of Moreland's planning scheme which needs revision to provide an equitable, logical framework for parking reductions and complete waivers. The City of Melbourne and City of Sydney both have planning schemes that do precisely this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Moreland City Council group manager city development Phillip Priest says the VCAT decision means the council needs to revisit its planning scheme, and other councils will be taking a close look as well. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“What this means for the council now is that we need to look further into how we can strengthen the sustainability objectives regarding car parking and total waivers of car parking,” Mr Priest says. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“We will have to run a planning scheme amendment and do the research and put in place a framework where we would accept development without parking and then VCAT would need to consider that planning framework. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The conversation now has to happen with council,” he said. “I don’t believe we are alone.” Moreland is not. The City of Melbourne, for instance, exempts new apartment buildings from parking, something the council is looking to roll out in its near CBD suburbs as well. The City of Sydney also has no minimum car parking requirements and at least 10 new apartment buildings have no parking, according to the Lord Mayor.<br />
<a href="http://www.thefifthestate.com.au/business/taxlaw/nightingale-sings-despite-vcat-snare/78323">The Fifth Estate - Nightingale sings despite VCAT snare</a></blockquote>
But while Phillip Priest seems to understand their rules need to be changed, other City of Moreland staff continue with the contradictions, inconsistency and inequity of their current rules, strategy and on-street parking management. Primarily, because they wish to pick and choose according to their personal, subjective preferences which developments to confer privileges on. In Jan 2016, the City of Moreland lost again at VCAT, this time for rejecting a zero parking apartment in East Brunswick:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The state planning tribunal has approved a five-storey, green apartment building in East Brunswick with zero car parking, just three months after it rejected a similar development proposal because it lacked car parking. The VCAT decision is a defeat for the City of Moreland, which had blocked the development because it believed it would put too much pressure on demand for nearby on-street parking. The positions taken by Moreland and VCAT are a complete reversal of the stance each took in a dispute over the proposed Nightingale apartment building in Brunswick in October. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Kirsten Coster, Moreland's director of planning, said the council rejected the application for 451 Lygon Street because it had inadequate car parking and inadequate daylight for future occupants. "Council planning officers judged that while it was reasonable to have reduced car parking, particularly due to the site's proximity to bus and tram services, it was not acceptable to have none," Ms Coster said. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The fact Nightingale was virtually next door to Anstey railway station also made its case more compelling, Ms Coster added. "Nightingale also went much further with its measures to drive and support modal shift away from cars," she said.<br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/five-storeys-zero-car-parks-vcat-gives-green-light-to-contentious-building-20160117-gm7kx6.html">Five storeys, zero car parks: VCAT gives green light to contentious building</a></blockquote>
Meanwhile, at least some of the professionals in this space chided the media and "Nightingale Universe" denizens for their inability to actually read and understand the VCAT decision or the substantive issues that need reform. At a seminar hosted by the Victorian Planning & Environmental Law Association (VPELA), the three unbiased experts looked past the hype and special-interest outrage to shift the focus to the broad reforms that are needed:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tamara Brezzi, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, cast an impartial planning and legal eye across the VCAT decision, noting that it was ultimately clause 52.06 (car parking) and the Nightingale application’s inclusion of a waiver of car parking requirements which determined the order. To crudely summarise, the Tribunal “found insufficient policy support for a complete waiver” which led to Brezzi’s asking of the equity question: were the proposal approved, then what about everyone else? In closing, Brezzi criticised the media for not fairly representing all matters and serving to heighten confusion and prejudice before urging all in the audience to read the decision. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Utilising live audience polling, Traffic Engineer Brett Young of Ratio Consultants provided a snapshot of transport modes across Melbourne before making environmental and fiscal arguments for not owning a car. Young perceived the Tribunal’s decision to be a fair one, acknowledging that it wasn’t until he had digested the entire decision that he had reached this position. Always positive, Young stressed that the decision was not all ‘doom and gloom’ for the future of developments with low or no parking provisions, introducing to the seminar a suite of alternative approaches to regulation which were not limited to on-street parking controls, the place of car-share, and other sustainable alternatives. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The last speaker Stephen Rowley, Lecturer at RMIT University, offered a further critique not of the decision but of the statutory mechanism that is clause 52.06. Opening with a tongue-in-cheek slide showing aerial views of Rome (‘parking shortage’) in comparison to Denver (‘adequate parking’), it was clear from the outset where the talk might go. Arguing that our status quo ‘predict and provide’ model is discredited, Rowley considered car parking as an amenity impact of land use while acknowledging the place of built form outcomes in driving the need to drive. Rowley agreed with Young’s alternatives to minimum parking requirements and added others, stressing in particular the need for a regional approach to demand rather than a site-by-site approach, noting that VCAT has for some time been ‘ringing the same bell’.<br />
<a href="https://urban.melbourne/planning/2015/11/13/vpela-seminar-summary-vcats-nightingale-decision-car-parking-and-future-sustainable-development">VPELA Seminar: VCAT's Nightingale decision, car parking and the future of sustainable development</a></blockquote>
And Alan Davies who writes <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/">The Urbanist blog</a> for Crikey agrees with much of my critique and argues that local government needs to actually deliver broad reform if it is to achieve their claimed aspirations for sustainable transport and development:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Nightingale decision highlights a number of important points for policy. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
First, councils need to get serious about encouraging developments with zero or significantly reduced parking. You can’t increase car use at the same time as you increase density (and in the inner suburbs you don’t have to). </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Second, councils should prepare and enforce ancillary policies to ensure residents of developments with zero or reduced parking can’t “free-ride”. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Third, councils need to review the effectiveness of green travel plans. In too many cases appearances seem to matter more than substance. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fourth, councils need to be alert to the seductiveness of greenwashing; they should be pursuing real outcomes, not waving flags. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fifth, councils and state governments need to take a bigger view of parking; one that begins with understanding that residents don’t own on-street parking. It’s more usefully thought of, as parking expert Paul Barter suggests, as a “commons”. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Finally, planners and the media in Victoria should accept that VCAT did what Council was supposed to have done in the first place; apply the law. It’s the job of councils and state governments to get the policy and implementation right<br />
<a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2015/11/26/are-councils-dealing-with-the-problem-of-inner-suburban-parking/">The Urbanist - Are councils dealing with the problem of inner suburban parking?</a></blockquote>
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<b>7. Excerpts from the VCAT decision overturning the planning permit approval for Nightingale</b><br />
See: https://claylucas.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/vcat-ruling-on-6-florence-st-brunswick/<br />
<br />
WHAT IS THIS CASE ABOUT?<br />
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In short this case concerns a proposal for the clearing from a site of existing developments and their replacement with a new five storey mixed use development with two office areas on the ground floor and 20 apartments on the upper floors with generous parking accommodation for bicycles and none at all for motor cars.<br />
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<br />
WHAT IS THE ISSUE?<br />
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The objector is Chaucer Enterprises Pty Ltd (Chaucer). It has an interest in adjoining land, also proposed for development. Its complaint is not that the responsible authority has determined to grant permission for the project, but that it has done so without any provision for on site car parking. Chaucer agrees that a reduction in the standard planning scheme requirement for car parking, indeed a substantial reduction, is appropriate in the circumstances. It does not agree that a complete waiver or reduction to nothing of the car parking requirement is appropriate.<br />
...<br />
<br />
This more recent referral response appears to be in stark and anomalous contrast to the equivalent response of 23 February 2015 in relation to the Florence proposal. The equivalent passage in relation to the Florence proposal reads as follows:<br />
The Commons (7-9 Florence Street) has been occupied since December 2013. Details of car ownership rates within the fully occupied 25 dwellings should be provided by the applicant in support of this request for a complete waiver.<br />
The green travel plan incorporates mandatory car share and public transport costs into the owner’s corporation fees and is therefore considered a suitably robust model to support a car free proposal.<br />
The site has very good access to public transport with Anstey Train Station, the 503 bus and tram route 19 all within a 5 minute walk of the site. The Upfield bike path also passes close to the site. A car-share bay exists on street opposite the property. 50 bicycle parking spaces are provided onsite and 14 are proposed in the street.<br />
Given the above and that the car-free intent of the development is made clear to all prospective buyers, the parking waiver is considered acceptable for the residents.<br />
<br />
How did the referee come to write that last paragraph without the request in relation to The Commons car ownership having been complied with? Conversely, why was The Commons information sought, if it was not needed?<br />
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In any event, it is not only what is acceptable to the residents. What about other and nearby land owners, residents, tenants, commercial users and the public generally? Are they to be imposed upon, and parking opportunities in the streets nearby to be devoted to these two private developments to the exclusion of others and their visitors and customers, and where other developments are required to make a contribution to meet the car parking demand that they generate?<br />
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Although the various ‘green’ attributes of The Commons and the proposed Nightingale are commendable, those commendations are something separate from the provision of on site car parking and whether it should be completely waived. A development might be as green as can be, in all sorts of ways, and still generate a parking demand which should be considered on its own merits. The parking demand should be considered separately from greenness. A green development may generate a demand for parking and it is that, and not greenness in other respects, that must be considered. It may be that people attracted to a green development might also be more likely than the average to avoid car ownership but that does not, by any means, mean an absence of car ownership or an absence of parking demand. Indeed, the evidence in this case, including that in relation to The Commons, is to the contrary. How can it be good planning, or equitable in relation to Chaucer and other developers, that they should be required to contribute to the meeting of the parking demand they generate whilst The Commons and Florence are to be excused? If The Commons and Florence are to excused, why not Chaucer and all the others, including those yet to be proposed? I consider that this would be poor planning, and contrary to the purposes of clause 52.06 (to be discussed later). It would create just the sort of congestion that clause 52.06 seeks to avoid and would cause on street parking spill over well beyond the immediate area. <br />
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It appears to me that the information sought by the Development Advice Engineer in relation to The Commons was never obtained because of this paragraph at the top of page 17 of the officers’ report. It reads: <br />
Whether some occupiers of 7-9 Florence Street have cars should not preclude the proposed development from being permitted to have a parking reduction. This type of development actively discourages car ownership, but it cannot prohibit it. Nevertheless, occupiers will only be able to park in the street in accordance with parking regulations. Owners and/or occupiers of the premises will not be eligible for any Council parking permits to allow for on street parking. This is noted in the recommendation.<br />
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It is not only the immediately nearby areas likely to be subjected to parking. The Neighbourhood Residential Zone, on the west side of the railway line, is not subject to council parking restrictions. As the quotation notes, whatever encouragement or discouragement there might be, car ownership at The Commons, and at Nightingale, cannot be prohibited. In fact evidence subsequently gathered in relation to The Commons indicates that a demand is generated by people who do own motor cars. This is common ground on the traffic engineering evidence from both sides, the only difference being in relation to the number and percentage of car owners.<br />
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THE TRUE ISSUE IS NOT REDUCTION, BUT WAIVER OR REDUCTION TO NOTHING<br />
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The above quotation refers to parking reduction, an expression frequently used in evidence and argument at the hearing, and in various documents referred to. The issue in this case is not that there should be a mere reduction. Indeed, it is common ground, not only that there can and should be a reduction, but there can and should be a substantial reduction from standard requirements. The issue raised by Chaucer is not that, but an objection that there should not be waiver or a reduction to zero. Chaucer maintains that Florence, like other developments, should make a contribution towards meeting the parking demand it generates. That is the issue. Repeated pointing to evidence or considerations justifying a reduction, or a substantial reduction, does not necessarily justify waiver or reduction to zero with no contribution where a demand is generated.<br />
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PURPOSE OF CLAUSE 52.06 IN RELATION TO CAR PARKING<br />
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The purposes of clause 52.06 read:<br />
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To ensure that car parking is provided in accordance with the State Planning Policy Framework and Local Planning Policy Framework.<br />
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To ensure the provision of an adequate number of car parking spaces having regard to the demand likely to be generated, the activities on the land and the nature of the locality.<br />
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To support sustainable transport alternatives to the motorcar.<br />
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To promote the efficient use of car parking spaces through the consolidation of car parking facilities.<br />
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To ensure that car parking does not adversely affect the amenity of the locality.<br />
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To ensure that the design and location of car parking is of a high standard, creates a safe environment for users and enables easy and efficient use.<br />
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I have emphasised the second purpose above because of its obvious importance, and because it does not appear, in the present case, to have been afforded that importance by the responsible authority or Nightingale.<br />
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As part of the Nightingale application GTA Consultants were engaged to assess the Car Parking Demand Assessment but limited only to the commercial aspects of the proposal. I do not understand why such a limitation was imposed or why the assessment did not include the residential aspects which were clearly important.<br />
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It is really also common ground that The Commons, does generate a demand for parking. There is dispute in relation to the quantum of the assessment.<br />
<br />
The traffic engineer on behalf of Nightingale relies on a so called ‘Survey Monkey’ administered electronically to owners and occupiers of The Commons. No face to face interviews were conducted, nor actual observed or closed circuit TV evidence was collected.<br />
<br />
This survey attracted respondents from only 13 responses, 52% of residents and 54% of apartments. Two ownerships, representing three occupants, admitted to private ownership of motor cars which are parked, when not in use, in unrestricted on street parking in Orient Grove in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone located on the eastern side of the railway. Not, I would have thought, an ideal arrangement, nor one that should be aggravated by repeated permissions for multiple dwelling developments on this scale with no on site parking at all being required.<br />
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It included a question as to whether a currently owned car might be disposed of in the next two years. On that basis it is said that car ownership in The Commons can be expected to decrease.<br />
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I see no justification for this hopeful speculation. It was pointed out, on behalf of Chaucer, that a car disposed of might be immediately replaced. In any event, there is quite a possibility that further cars might be acquired. Almost 50% did not respond to the Survey Monkey. It does not strike me as reliable to suppose that the non respondents have the same proportion of cars as the respondents. Elsewhere it was suggested that the pressure of peer public opinion is likely to repress a desire for private car ownership. It is just as likely to repress a willingness to respond to the survey by those who might, perhaps guiltily, currently own a motor car.<br />
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The assessment of The Commons on behalf of Chaucer was carried out by actual physical observation and by checking closed circuit television recordings. This resulted in assessment of seven to nine which, when applied in relation to Nightingale, was reduced to 5 to 7. That compares with a suggested 3 to 5 on behalf of Nightingale. I regard the Chaucer method of survey and assessment as more reliable, and I prefer it to the Survey Monkey. That is, quite apart from the partial corroboration claimed in relation to the Chaucer survey attributed to the so called ‘Monash Study’ being an academic paper by Chris De Gruyter and others based on observed surveys which included The Commons.<br />
<div>
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<br />
THE CONVENIENCE OF PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP<br />
<br />
Various other sources of car availability not involving private car ownership were referred to. Taxis are, of course, well known and a more recent service has arisen under Uber arrangements. There can also be so called ‘peer to peer car hire’ and ‘car next door’. Such various arrangements offer degrees of convenience, although not as convenient as private car ownership. They will normally be considerably more economical than private ownership. However, unlike public transport, they do not necessarily represent a reduction in car usage or the various emissions involved in car usage that give rise to environmental concern. Perhaps, as they are less convenient than private ownership, reliance on them may mean a reduction in car use overall. Of course, a reduction in demand for actual vehicles would represent a reduction in the resources required to manufacture them and, perhaps, to import them.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, when all is said and done, no such arrangements, whether by means of alternative cars or public transport, are as convenient as private car ownership. Of course some citizens are unwilling or unable to walk or cycle at all or for considerable distances. Even a handy GoGet spot is not as convenient as having one’s own car on hand to use at any time and for any purpose. A more distant shared car pickup is obviously less convenient and more distant cars again might be necessary if the nearer ones are already booked when required. Some planning ahead is required for making bookings rather than being able to use one’s own car whenever desired. The movement of heavy or awkward loads may also be facilitated by private car, even the movement of heavy cases, books, files or shopping. The proximity of public transport can be a great convenience and saving, particularly if it can lead to frequently visited destinations. Even people who retain a car, or even two, may use them much less if they can get to work or make other common trips by tram, train or bus. However, even if the origin of a journey is proximate to public transport, that does not mean that the destination is likewise conveniently placed. Most post World War II suburbs were developed on the basis that people would have private cars so that many locations are poorly served, even barely served by public transport. The advent of children or changed relationships or altered workplaces can all reduce the convenience of such means of transport.<br />
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DEVELOPER’S AIM OF ZERO CAR OWNERSHIP<br />
<br />
This Nightingale proposal is brought forward by the same developer and architects as for The Commons. It is said by the traffic engineer called to give evidence on behalf of Nightingale that it:<br />
<br />
…is a further evolution and refinement of the prototype project The Commons.<br />
<br />
It was claimed that the aim of the developer, in relation to The Commons, was 10% car ownership whilst that for Nightingale is zero percent. With 24 dwellings at The Commons 10% is between 2 and 3 although, as can be seen, the assessment of actual ownership, even on behalf of Nightingale, is higher than that. In spite of this 10% aim no parking provision was ever intended for The Commons.<br />
<br />
Does this difference of ‘aim’ amount to more than a hope or wishful speculation? The two projects are essentially similar. Nightingale is for 20 dwellings rather than 24 with a majority being single bedroom whereas the majority in The Commons have two bedrooms.<br />
<br />
The only other difference pointed to is the suggestion that The Commons units were sold on the open market whereas the developer intends to vet applicants for Nightingale dwellings with a view to obtaining, at least for the first generation of owners, people with values sympathetic to the green ‘ethos’ of the proposal. I should have thought the features of both would have a rather similar appeal in market terms. The method of marketing and proportion of single to double bedroom apartments, being the characteristics said to mark the alternative zero car ownership aim compared with the 10% aim for The Commons do not strike me as significant or persuasive. I do not give weight to the alleged aim of 0% ownership for Nightingale, nor do I think it more likely of achievement than has proved to be the case in relation to The Commons. The traffic engineer also says that the residents of these projects are likely to share a ‘sustainable vision’ and that, accordingly, it could be reasonably expected that most, if not all, future occupants will not own a car.<br />
<br />
I think that, in all the circumstances, it is reasonable to expect that some, though not most, future occupants will own a car which, if no on site.parking is provided, will be parked in the streets.<br />
<br />
<br />
‘IF NOT HERE, THEN WHERE?’<br />
<br />
The question was posed, on behalf of Nightingale, that if zero parking provision is not be accepted here, then where can it be accepted?<br />
<br />
I take that to be intended to be a rhetorical question. It assumes that zero provision of parking will be acceptable in some places. That does not necessarily follow from the planning scheme provisions like clause 52.06. The question assumes there may be suitable places, not necessarily that there will be such circumstances.<br />
<br />
However, I readily accept that there are circumstances in which zero on site parking can be accepted. I have granted permits on that basis on a number of occasions, and so have other members of the Tribunal. Speaking for myself, I cannot recall doing so in relation to a multi unit development to contain 20 dwellings in a context where other residential developments of a similar scale exist, have been applied for, are being developed and will be developed in accordance with important planning policies pointing to such development in the locality. On the contrary, the examples I can recall are for much smaller numbers of dwellings such as three or four, and in circumstances where the site cannot provide parking or where circumstances render that undesirable sufficiently to outweigh the disadvantage of there being no parking. Some allotments may be too small or such that the provision of parking might be prohibitively expensive. Also, it may be intended to retain existing buildings where that is desirable but where such retention prevents the provision of onsite parking. The retention of heritage buildings is an example, although I do not mean to limit possibilities to that category.<br />
<br />
None of those circumstances, which in my view tend to support a zero parking proposition, apply to this Nightingale project.<br />
<br />
<br />
HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT CARS<br />
<br />
I accept that there are households without privately owned motor cars and for whom private car parking spaces are irrelevant. A suburban locality with good access to public transport and to retail facilities and services is obviously a convenient place for such people to live. Such households may be increasing in absolute numbers and as a percentage of households generally. Of course such localities have convenience advantages for all households and are conducive to less private car usage, even for those who own cars. A household may retain one car rather than two, and either event may use such cars much less than if the dwelling was in another locality. Others may have a car and relinquish it or have no car and acquire one. Others again might never have a car, or even a license to drive one. Such people may well prefer a dwelling with no car parking space.<br />
<br />
I accept that there are such households and a place in the market for the provision of dwellings to suit them, particularly if the purchase price or rent may be less on account of there being no parking. However, I also consider that these needs can be met by dwellings where parking is not or cannot be provided, or by development like those considered in this case where there can be a substantial reduction in parking provision, and where many dwellings will not have space for private parking, though some provision may be made for those who do retain or acquire a car.<br />
<br />
<br />
INTERIM DETERMINATION<br />
<br />
It was suggested that I might make an interim determination in this case providing an opportunity for a revised proposal to be brought forward. So far as Nightingale is concerned that suggestion was that a space for a FlexiCar might be provided at ground floor with access from the back lane, notwithstanding that such arrangements are not favoured by the promoters of such schemes. I do not regard that as meeting my concerns in relation to this case.<br />
<br />
Beyond that, I think the provision of a contribution to the parking demand that I find would be generated would require a revision and redesign of the proposal which I consider that I should not embark upon.<br />
<br />
<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
<br />
Accordingly I consider that the objection of Chaucer should be sustained, that the decision of the responsible authority to grant a permit should be set aside and that no permit should be granted.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.nightingale.melbourne/">Nightingale Development</a></div>
<div>
> <a href="http://www.nightingale.melbourne/nightingale-1">6 Florence St - Update on VCAT overturning the planning permit</a><br />
<br />
YouTube<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM1irefxEzA">City of Moreland council debate on motion to seek changes to zero parking rules</a><br />
<br />
The Commons<br />
<a href="http://www.australiandesignreview.com/architecture/48633-the-commons-an-uncommon-community">Australian Design Review: The Commons - an uncommon community</a><br />
<br />
Architecture AU<br />
> <a href="http://architectureau.com/articles/nightingale-slapped-down-by-tribunal-thats-lost-the-plot/">Nightingale rejected by tribunal that’s ‘losing the plot’</a><br />
<br />
Herald Sun<br />
> <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/moreland-councillors-call-for-updated-planning-laws-to-allow-zero-carbon-emission-buildings/news-story/5b5efaaf37b24f2594c7ae27b94c36ed#load-story-comments">Moreland councillors call for updated planning laws to allow zero carbon emission buildings with no carparks</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/vcat-approves-apartment-plan-for-oak-park-despite-699-objections/news-story/47d2d457aa48e99475cbaed5ac6d7fcf#load-story-comments">VCAT approves apartment plan for Oak Park despite 699 objections</a><br />
<br />
The Fifth Estate<br />
> <a href="http://www.thefifthestate.com.au/business/taxlaw/nightingale-sings-despite-vcat-snare/78323">Nightingale sings despite VCAT snare</a><br />
<br />
The Conversation<br />
> <a href="https://theconversation.com/nightingales-sustainability-song-falls-on-deaf-ears-as-car-centric-planning-rules-hold-sway-50187">Nightingale’s sustainability song falls on deaf ears as car-centric planning rules hold sway</a><br />
<br />
<b>Yuppie Urbanism and Critiques of Inegalitarian New Urbanism</b><br />
Daniel Kay Hertz<br />
> <a href="http://danielkayhertz.com/2013/03/05/yuppie-urbanism-v-egalitarian-urbanism/">Yuppie Urbanism vs Egalitarian Urbanism</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Urbanophile<br />
> <a href="http://www.urbanophile.com/2013/02/03/is-urbanism-the-new-trickle-down-economics/">Is Urbanism the New Trickle-Down Economics?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.urbanophile.com/2010/05/02/failure-to-communicate-beyond-starbucks-urbanism/">Failure to Communicate: Beyond Starbucks Urbanism</a><br />
<br />
Open Democracy<br />
> <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity/tom-slater/resilience-of-neoliberal-urbanism">The resilience of neoliberal urbanism</a><br />
<br />
Planetizen<br />
> <a href="http://www.planetizen.com/node/26287">Beyond Moses and Jacobs</a><br />
<br />
The Daily Beast<br />
> <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/20/richard-florida-concedes-the-limits-of-the-creative-class.html">Richard Florida Concedes the Limits of the Creative Class</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://opportunityurbanism.org/">Opportunity Urbanism</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.reinventingparking.org/">Reinventing Parking</a> (must read)<br />
> <a href="http://www.reinventingparking.org/2014/10/we-need-clearer-thinking-on-key-parking.html">We need clearer thinking on key parking policy alternatives. Here is help</a><br />
<br />
CityLab<br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/05/how-parking-keeps-your-rent-too-damn-high-in-2-charts/392894/">The High Cost of Residential Parking</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/07/how-parking-spaces-are-eating-our-cities-alive/374413/">How Parking Spaces Are Eating Our Cities Alive</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/housing/2014/08/how-outdated-parking-laws-price-families-out-of-the-city/375646/">How Outdated Parking Laws Price Families Out of the City</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/05/seattle-to-buildings-give-tenants-transit-passes-not-parking-spots/392756/">Seattle to Buildings: Give Tenants Transit Passes, Not Parking Spots</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/housing/2013/02/boston-ready-apartment-building-bars-cars/4810/">Is Boston Ready for an Apartment Building That Bars Cars?</a><br />
<br />
Sightline Institute<br />
> <a href="http://www.sightline.org/2013/12/12/how-is-parking-like-a-sandwich/">How is parking like a sandwich?</a><br />
<br />
Streetsblog<br />
> <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/03/21/report-details-how-onerous-nycs-parking-regressive-minimums-really-are/">Report Details How Onerous NYC’s Regressive Parking Minimums Really Are</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shoupdogg.com/">Donald Shoup</a><br />
<br />
Slate<br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_hive/2010/06/theres_no_such_thing_as_free_parking.html">There’s No Such Thing as Free Parking</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/07/free_parking_isn_t_free_parking_mandates_hurt_america_s_cities.html">Free parking isn't free</a><br />
<br />
Vox<br />
> <a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/6/27/5849280/why-free-parking-is-bad-for-everyone">Why free parking is bad for everyone</a><br />
<br />
ITDP<br />
> <a href="https://www.itdp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ITDP_US_Parking_Report.pdf">U.S. Parking Policies: An Overview of Management Strategies (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://sensibletransport.org.au/">Institute for Sensible Transport</a><br />
> <a href="http://sensibletransport.org.au/project/the-high-cost-of-free-parking-seminar-with-professor-donald-shoup/">The High Cost of Free Parking Seminar – with Professor Donald Shoup</a><br />
<br />
The Urbanist<br />
> <a href="http://www.theurbanist.org/2015/05/15/lets-give-away-our-parking/">Let's give away our parking</a><br />
<br />
Market Urbanism<br />
> <a href="http://marketurbanism.com/2012/06/15/the-high-cost-of-free-parking-chapters-1-4/">The High Cost of Free Parking Chapters 1-4</a><br />
> <a href="http://marketurbanism.com/2012/06/27/the-high-cost-of-free-parking-chapters-5-9/">The High Cost of Free Parking Chapters 5-9</a><br />
<br />
Think Progress - Yglesias<br />
> <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2008/09/29/189748/minimum_parking/">Minimum Parking</a><br />
<br />
Freakonomics<br />
> <a href="http://freakonomics.com/2013/03/13/parking-is-hell-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/">Parking Is Hell: A New Freakonomics Radio Podcast</a><br />
<br />
Reinventing Urban Transport<br />
> <a href="http://www.reinventingtransport.org/2010/06/parking-slots-are-like-toilets.html">Parking slots are like toilets (according to conventional parking planning)</a><br />
<br />
Transport Blog NZ<br />
> <a href="http://transportblog.co.nz/?s=parking+minimums&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search">Posts tagged with "parking minimums"</a><br />
<br />
Andrew Alexander Price<br />
> <a href="http://andrewalexanderprice.com/blog20151123.php#.VmSn07h95D-">My car pays cheaper rent than me</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-9501657852243232162015-06-30T23:48:00.002+10:002015-07-26T20:04:40.386+10:00How to escape the tyranny of others' thoughtless car-centrism<b>Summary</b>: I’ve already <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/my-calculated-benefits-of-cycling-for.html">fully escaped</a> from car-dependence and the accompanying costs, hassles, stress, health impacts and wasted time. I don’t use a car at all unless absolutely necessary for trips out of town, such as camping. If the trip is genuinely worthwhile, I’ll make the effort to organise a car through the best car share option I can find (currently <a href="http://www.carnextdoor.com.au/">Car Next Door</a>). Unfortunately, sometimes family, friends or acquaintances arrange plans that presume we all own or use cars, and don’t mind hours of pointless driving or taking very expensive taxi rides. I've now quit accommodating these thoughtless demands. Rather than have to explain my justification in depth to each person, I wrote this post so I could just send it to those most aggrieved. Feel free to use it yourself; the case is watertight!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNhSUEYNMcTXdDuJu22g5SKeXnRHkJSAWwGZXyzcTm1CWTZnZ32vCreoik-G6fNhpLvafd_Lrfq5oVrCdZJKnG3rSUjncrFClfkbfO7_Q-oOSQV1v4OyqdRJoipMKdqQj5WY4vog7XFM/s1600/howtoescapethetyranny01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNhSUEYNMcTXdDuJu22g5SKeXnRHkJSAWwGZXyzcTm1CWTZnZ32vCreoik-G6fNhpLvafd_Lrfq5oVrCdZJKnG3rSUjncrFClfkbfO7_Q-oOSQV1v4OyqdRJoipMKdqQj5WY4vog7XFM/s400/howtoescapethetyranny01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/8gNony">Flickr CCby2.0 - Sakeeb Sabakka</a><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
Sometimes family, friends or acquaintances arrange plans that presume we all own or use cars, and don’t mind hours of pointless driving or taking very expensive taxi rides. I have some disturbing news for such people: <b>I hate cars</b>. I dislike driving or even just being stuck in a car. I detest long, pointless car trips. If you’re planning an event you want me to attend (which could have been located flexibly) you’d better make sure I can at least get there on public transport, if not bike.<br />
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I received the following invite (see map below) to a wedding celebration where the vast majority of invitees live in Melbourne. Honestly, I burst out laughing when I looked up the address of the wedding venue. A few years ago, when my values and priorities weren’t so clear, I would have found a way to make this trip. Now, the insanity of pointless car travel is jarringly obvious, and it takes all of two seconds to dismiss such absurd expectations. I simply declined to attend this wedding.<br />
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Committing to a bike-based life and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_living">simple living</a> will inevitably cause social friction when other’s norms and presumptions are challenged. However, unless these norms are challenged, the status quo persists. If you accept thoughtless car-centric decisions and expectations, you’ll have to accommodate them forever. I didn’t escape the tyranny of a car-centric life only to subject myself to the externalised costs of other’s car-centric lives. That’s like quitting smoking but then hanging out with smokers who blow it in your face.<br />
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It's time to properly read the memo folks: <b>I quit pointless, miserable, needlessly-expensive car travel – for my activities <u>and for everyone else’s too</u></b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphyphenhyphenY4B_uv86VgVcdl8yjF72pv9nkBdFgzVOK0Jrz-C85CkIdsRHhgBasR6RFrtqZ0YYNjhXVpw5ch6QSrWG9V5ChfjXe2VkfJEd7rNaBpicac9vQraw3qwzUBfzjYQjHbZXNgoItGglc/s1600/howtoescapethetyranny02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphyphenhyphenY4B_uv86VgVcdl8yjF72pv9nkBdFgzVOK0Jrz-C85CkIdsRHhgBasR6RFrtqZ0YYNjhXVpw5ch6QSrWG9V5ChfjXe2VkfJEd7rNaBpicac9vQraw3qwzUBfzjYQjHbZXNgoItGglc/s640/howtoescapethetyranny02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Destination on the wedding invite I turned down<br />
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<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_living">Wikipedia: Simple living</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-88703513417769785112015-03-13T02:01:00.002+11:002015-10-20T09:11:32.141+11:00What infrastructure and legal changes are needed to prevent dooring deaths in Melbourne?<b>Summary</b>: In Feb 2015, Alberto Paulon was killed after being doored and pushed under the wheels of a truck driving alongside. This entirely preventable death occurred on Sydney Rd which has long been notorious for its high risk of dooring. This is exactly the same way James Cross died in another popular Melbourne street in 2010. However, a video of Alberto's incident has led to more media, political and community attention than normal, and there has been much debate on how to prevent future dooring deaths on this road and similar ones. Unfortunately, most of the mainstream discussion is ignorant of the key facts and real infrastructure and legal changes required to prevent these deaths. I'll use this post to concisely discuss them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJhL1TJnO32eQR5P4cwfRbGLa3V5rIXdaKCjWiqiPSu-a5Iymu5PFFyYMywLmiCke5BzWnV1aEs7INp5g03T7XE5qs-7xOQbTtdyOuDCrCGPJ1OHu0dRoQXBFPoxrbD70OZx6RH9WzJ4/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJhL1TJnO32eQR5P4cwfRbGLa3V5rIXdaKCjWiqiPSu-a5Iymu5PFFyYMywLmiCke5BzWnV1aEs7INp5g03T7XE5qs-7xOQbTtdyOuDCrCGPJ1OHu0dRoQXBFPoxrbD70OZx6RH9WzJ4/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/how-to-avoid-getting-doored.html">How to avoid getting doored</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-close-to-kerb-you-should-ride-and.html">How close to the kerb you should ride and when to take the lane</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/11/how-to-use-and-contribute-to-melbourne.html">How to use and contribute to Melbourne cycling safety data</a><br />
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<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. These deaths are not freak accidents, they are a direct result of discretionary decisions about road design and transport law and are simply a numbers game</b><br />
The high risk of dooring on Sydney Rd (and other roads with similar design and activity) has been well known for years from the statistics. It is also obvious to experienced transport cyclists and those who work in transport. I've highlighted it myself on this blog using data that is well known to the responsible government agencies (VicRoads, City of Moreland) and cycling groups (e.g. Bicycle Network):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpjL28XSLZFpBetE6Y91Wdc3oY2uKdFkF2G1I9WA97b-fOc23ShQVBDR6RRnoYEizWrL1EqsF_eV4iTqqjWbiE7TOUnh2nTxMGiCSWc-rcZoS9b0yIsfiezBSf37KxMObeKcBZNvU8BM/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpjL28XSLZFpBetE6Y91Wdc3oY2uKdFkF2G1I9WA97b-fOc23ShQVBDR6RRnoYEizWrL1EqsF_eV4iTqqjWbiE7TOUnh2nTxMGiCSWc-rcZoS9b0yIsfiezBSf37KxMObeKcBZNvU8BM/s640/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/11/how-to-use-and-contribute-to-melbourne.html">How to use and contribute to Melbourne cycling safety data</a><br />
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See also:<br />
> <a href="http://www.shareandbeaware.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bicycle-Rider-Collisions-with-Car-Doors.pdf">Bicycle Rider Collisions with Car Doors - Cameron Munro (pdf)</a><br />
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Yet in its <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/media/vanilla_content/files/moreland_bikestrategy2011-2021.pdf">Bike Strategy 2011 – 2021</a> the City of Moreland makes no mention of dooring at all, let alone reducing dooring risks on high-risk streets like Sydney Rd. After James Cross was killed in 2010, VicRoads was forced to start keeping more accurate statistics about dooring and asked to scale up its actions to reduce dooring if the incidence didn't fall. Yet, the incidence of dooring has risen on Sydney Rd as the route has become more heavily used but VicRoads has taken no effective action to reduce dooring risks.<br />
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<b>2. What about the claim that cyclists shouldn't be riding on Sydney Rd and should be using the Upfield bike path instead?</b><br />
After deaths and serious injuries on streets that are known to be unsafe for cyclists, politicians and government agencies will routinely deflect responsibility by suggesting that the street isn't a recommended bicycle route and that there are better and sufficient alternate routes for cyclists. This is, of course, nonsense as indicated by the City of Moreland's own <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/media/vanilla_content/files/moreland_bikestrategy2011-2021.pdf">Bike Strategy 2011 – 2021</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHfKLTdku-d-7VXSLLRnQKZWFgRljwiWShHaJFEKWCy9xIWkwnqE3bgWoprZi3JCuX1mfN4wrpgRbcjx70VmSc9toUmT87RXVhIBXWn-NeV9J8J83RBZ2d6EIZnw34CoriUmHJbugTkQ/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHfKLTdku-d-7VXSLLRnQKZWFgRljwiWShHaJFEKWCy9xIWkwnqE3bgWoprZi3JCuX1mfN4wrpgRbcjx70VmSc9toUmT87RXVhIBXWn-NeV9J8J83RBZ2d6EIZnw34CoriUmHJbugTkQ/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Upfield bike path is certainly much safer from traffic crashes but it is also crowded during peak commute time, is too narrow, has blind corners, is unlit at night and isolated, and has many conflict points with pedestrians both when it crosses the footpath and because it is a narrow shared path. It is desperately in need of a major upgrade but the City of Moreland in its <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/media/vanilla_content/files/moreland_bikestrategy2011-2021.pdf">Bike Strategy 2011 – 2021</a> indicates that it could eventually be lost to rail expansion and vaguely suggests some new off-road bike track might be built instead. This sounds like a convenient excuse for not doing this essential upgrade work but also not providing any decent alternative.<br />
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I've recommended previously that, if Sydney Rd isn't your destination, cyclists should avoid it due to its serious safety issues (primarily dooring) and provided alternate north-south routes (see below). Nevertheless, it remains part of the Principal Bicycle Network, is on the City of Moreland's TravelSmart bike maps as an "informal route," and is the only lengthy, north-south road arterial in this area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEwmCsGCYww-ZC2fAlU63MpIzdeaLPCbXgBNAO8IGcNnzIkEAlvh1_MYNJ0qgnrI3Ch2loj13IktnCuSRKbjW6IuJ1AIeVllabpJFuM57G6SnSvtHqW6QSK1Gl9EPb2XLGDbElCrrWgA/s1600/cyclingcrashdata10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEwmCsGCYww-ZC2fAlU63MpIzdeaLPCbXgBNAO8IGcNnzIkEAlvh1_MYNJ0qgnrI3Ch2loj13IktnCuSRKbjW6IuJ1AIeVllabpJFuM57G6SnSvtHqW6QSK1Gl9EPb2XLGDbElCrrWgA/s1600/cyclingcrashdata10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/11/how-to-use-and-contribute-to-melbourne.html">How to use and contribute to Melbourne cycling safety data</a><br />
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<b>3. How are cyclists meant to find the safest routes? Government doesn't provide a useful grid map of safe, connected, efficient cycling routes</b><br />
Alberto and his girlfriend were riding their regular commute to Alberto's workplace at Donnini's in Carlton. If I was making this trip regularly I wouldn't be using Sydney Rd and would be taking the off-road Upfield bike track south, then the off-road Capital City Trail east and then Rathdowne St (wide bike lanes out of door zone) south (see below). This is a very safe cycling route. Conversely, Sydney Rd and other more direct roads like Lygon St are very unsafe to cycle on regularly - if you ride on them daily, it is only a matter of time before you'll be involved in an incident.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qxZkrzfE6QsWnQjc6LTXwixVAWcZwdUti9Tc9b7mTA49TIS9dwiI1rYu9vcD-Bp8zMJK5-LfGqOQw9tyreuR68iGYkMDsd_cW7vHJTzQzdqwnHLuEYzCOmB05yfJlljMljikdRLyOXg/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qxZkrzfE6QsWnQjc6LTXwixVAWcZwdUti9Tc9b7mTA49TIS9dwiI1rYu9vcD-Bp8zMJK5-LfGqOQw9tyreuR68iGYkMDsd_cW7vHJTzQzdqwnHLuEYzCOmB05yfJlljMljikdRLyOXg/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: purple;">New cyclists have no easy way to discover the best cycling routes and so often end up on obvious but unsafe roads</span><br />
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The problem here is that neither State or Local government nor any bicycle advocacy groups like Bicycle Network Victoria disseminate free, usable grid maps of the safest and most preferable cycling transport routes. Moreover, a lot of the cycling infrastructure data they provide to Google Maps is inaccurate or misleading. Wayfinding signage on streets to the best routes is also sorely lacking. The reason I created my <a href="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zkrlETnnrMC4.k01hIhWwUzFQ">Melbourne Bike Grid Map</a> is because there is no effective guidance for transport cyclists apart from trying Google Maps and learning from their own experience. Alberto and his girlfriend can't be blamed for the route they took. They were new cyclists in Melbourne who could not know any better.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/09/melbourne-map-of-key-cycling-transport.html">Melbourne map of key cycling transport routes, infrastructure and destinations</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/11/15/how-come-we-dont-already-have-safe-cycling-networks/">The Urbanist: How come we don’t already have safe cycling networks?</a><br />
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<b>4. If there's insufficient space for public transport, traffic, parking and safe cycling on a key route or destination then the private vehicle space has to go</b><br />
There's abundant evidence, much of it covered on this blog, why a useful grid of safe cycling routes are needed to equitably provide access and urban freedom for all residents. Key <b>destination streets</b> like Sydney Rd have to be part of this grid, even if a good enough, alternate bike transport route did exist (e.g. an upgraded Upfield Bike Path).<br />
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Once we accept that position, then it's straightforward to determine what has to give when there's insufficient road width for safe cycling: on-street car parking and/or traffic lanes for private vehicles have to make way. I don't bother writing much about best practice cycling infrastructure, laws and policies because it's already covered perfectly well on blogs like David Hembrow's: <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/">A view from the cycle path</a>. Thankfully, David has once again covered this specific issue in a recent post: <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2015/03/eliminating-risk-of-dooring-good-cycle.html">Eliminating the risk of "Dooring": Good cycle infrastructure design keeps cyclists out of the door zone and saves lives</a><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, cyclists and cycling advocates have been conned into accepting the defeatist position that current norms and unsafe cycling infrastructure is what we are stuck with:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
CINDY CALDEIRA: You can have as much infrastructure in place, but I think it comes down to every single person's awareness about bicycles and especially when you're in a motor vehicle.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
TRACEY GAUDRY: Car drivers and passengers need to recognise that the car door is potentially a deadly weapon and was in this situation and it's responsible behaviour when getting in and out of the car.<br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4194223.htm">7:30 Report: Young cyclist's death ignites debate on sharing our roads</a></blockquote>
<b>5. During clearway times when parking is disallowed cyclists are already free of dooring risks</b><br />
All of the claims about how on-street parking is essential and that Sydney Rd by its nature is inherently unsuitable for cycling are belied by the fact that there are already lengthy clearway times during the morning and evening peak times on weekdays. If Alberto Paulon had been riding just 20 minutes later during the clearway period he couldn't have been doored. That doesn't mean cycling is already perfectly safe during clearway times on Sydney Rd but it does indicate that parking <b>can be removed</b> from such streets. Sadly the political will only exists to do so for motorist convenience. One day there might be the political will to do so for public safety.<br />
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<b>6. The responsible government agency staff for cycling safety are often part of the problem</b><br />
Nicholas Elliot works as the Transport Projects Officer for the City of Moreland and has a key role in decisions, implementation and changes to cycling infrastructure on Sydney Rd. His personal view, provided after Alberto's death on the <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/morelandbug">Moreland BUG Google Group</a>, indicates his likely opposition to the only genuine solution to cycling safety (major road use changes to create more space for cycling) and shifts responsibility for preventing these cyclist deaths and injuries to individual cyclists and the way they ride. His argument that avoiding dooring is not best solved via infrastructure changes is spurious because around <span style="color: #cc0000;">25% of doorings in Melbourne occur on just five roads and Sydney Rd is one of them</span>. Thus the idea that we shouldn't improve cycling safety on those five roads unless we can do so on all roads with parked cars is ridiculous.<br />
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<a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/morelandbug/qF9MXWpJFuA">Moreland BUG Google Group > The solution to car dooring</a><br />
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Advising cyclists to ride out of the door zone, where feasible, is fine by citizens; I've provided the same guidance myself: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/how-to-avoid-getting-doored.html">How to avoid getting doored</a>. But those who are employed in government jobs to make transport safer for vulnerable road users need to actually work hard to genuinely improve cycling infrastructure, relevant laws and policies - that's what government is for! If these employees can't or won't do that, they should get out of those jobs and let others try.<br />
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<b>7. Counterintuitively, key routes for cyclists with limited road width are the <u>most</u> in need of <u>major</u> infrastructure changes (like protected cycling lanes or removing parking) to make cycling safer</b><br />
As an experienced cyclist who only gets around Melbourne by bike, rides all over town (even to the airport), and has to ride on Sydney Rd every week (not by choice only because I shop there), I can say, based on significant experience, that it is the popular cycling route where I feel the most in danger of dooring (Chapel St, Smith St and parts of Collins St and St Kilda Rd are similar). I can use alternate routes or my knowledge, skills and experience about minimising dooring risks to make cycling safe enough for me on most trips. But for even the most experienced and skillful cyclists, there is no comfortable, convenient way to ride on streets like Sydney Rd that can eliminate dooring risk. Jane Garrett, the Labor Member of Parliament for Brunswick, who has been very vocal about genuine improvements to safety on Sydney Rd needs to understand this. The only measure that can make a significant, lasting improvement is to provide sufficient, safe cycling space.<br />
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So rather than using the constrained road width as an excuse to do nothing significant, this should actually mitigate in favour of a major infrastructure change to remove space for private vehicles and create space for safe cycling. People without direct cycling expertise could look at raw dooring statistics and conclude that Brunswick St in Fitzroy is as bad and so a consistent way of addressing this issue on both streets is needed. However, while far from perfect, experienced cyclists can readily minimise dooring risks on Brunswick St while cycling in a convenient and comfortable way. Sydney Rd, Chapel St and Collins St - as popular destination streets with limited road width - are high priority exceptions. Virtually all cyclists agree that only a major infrastructure change can make them safe. Motorists and some retail traders may consider it unfair that Sydney Rd should be targeted for dedicated cycling space before Brunswick St (a more popular route) but this should be about evidence-based prioritisation. Additionally, there is <a href="http://sydneyroad.com.au/getting-here/#imageclose-1">ample parking space</a> (over 900 just in parking lots) adjacent to Sydney Rd that isn't on-street and is never full.<br />
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<a href="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zkrlETnnrMC4.k01hIhWwUzFQ">Melbourne Grid Map</a><br />
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<b>8. Sustainable safety ("safe systems") is what really matters as people will always make mistakes and cyclists will always come off their bikes</b><br />
Most Australian commentators on cycling and pedestrian safety keep failing to understand the core principles behind safety for vulnerable users in the Netherlands. Fortunately, David Hembrow consistently keeps on providing reminders:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The really important principle in road design from the Netherlands which is worth campaigning for is <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/search/label/sustainable%20safety">Sustainable Safety</a>. Frequently I see from the UK that there are calls for drivers to be better educated, for cyclists to be better educated, for pedestrians to wear brighter clothing so they are seen more easily and to take the responsibility for avoiding being hit by motor vehicles. This is not sustainable safety. Sustainable safety is not about punishing people for making mistakes, but about preventing those mistakes from occurring. </blockquote>
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While a good level of education of drivers in particular (as they are the ones bringing lethal force to the roads) is important, it is never possible to completely eliminate the chance of error, or of frustration leading to violent behaviour, if conflict is designed into the way in which roads are used. What's more, people are often tired or distracted. These things cannot be solved by education, they are a result of being human. </blockquote>
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What the Dutch have done is to reduce the frequency of conflict between road users and to to reduce the lethality of those crashes which still inevitably occur. This has involved changes in infrastructure to keep vulnerable road users away from the lethal force of motor vehicles, design of junctions so that routes do not cross each other at speed, as well as some changes in the law and education of road users about how to behave in a safe way (i.e. drunk driving, taking a break on long journeys...).<br />
<a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2010/01/sustainable-safety.html">A view from the cycle path: Sustainable safety</a></blockquote>
However, it's inexcusable for professionals who work in transport, or for those involved in government decisions and policy about transport, to be ignorant of sustainable safety - known as "safe systems" in Australia. Even worse are those who are introduced to the strong rationale for this paradigm shift from accidents/persons to systems but then persist with their prior erroneous perspective:<br />
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Systems-based approaches are currently receiving increased attention from safety managers in complex, sociotechnical systems, and are attractive for a number of reasons including their consideration of the different contributory factors involved in accidents, the removal of an individualistic blame culture and the development of system-wide countermeasures that they facilitate. It was also concluded, however, that, despite the recent increase in systems based research the dominant view on human error in a number of safety-critical domains (including the road transport domain) is still the person-based view, and that this is detrimental to safety and error management because countermeasures are aimed at the individual, ignoring the latent conditions that reside within a particular system.<br />
<a href="http://www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc256.pdf">Monash University: Human error and road transport (pdf)</a></blockquote>
<b>9. Dooring and other unintentional accidents are not a respect or courtesy issue!</b><br />
Once you understand that the main game is all about sustainable safety you will find it extremely disappointing to hear from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC-GDc0KmqM">bicycle safety advocate</a> at a memorial ride for a dooring victim that one of the key things bike riders can do to help themselves is to show respect to other road users by obeying road rules and being courteous in sharing the road. Many bike safety advocates in Australia seem to be suffering from some kind of perverse <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome">Stockholm syndrome</a> - they've been mentally captured by motorist culture and dominant norms and find it difficult to do much more than seek peace, empathy and small mercies from their abusers. Or perhaps it's just easier to raise money from government, business and the community when your solutions are sweet, palatable and don't upset any apple carts. E.g. <a href="https://vimeo.com/120663111">Amy Gillett Foundation: It's a two-way street</a><br />
See:<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC-GDc0KmqM">YouTube: #AlbisRide - Simon Gillett of the Amy Gillett Foundation on sharing the road</a><br />
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<b>10. Dooring risks are worst on Sydney Rd during peak periods when cyclists can be doored by both parked cars and stationary cars in the traffic lane. Trams and tram tracks also prevent simplistic "taking the middle of the lane"</b><br />
One major reason why the simplistic admonition to simply ride out of the door zone doesn't work on shopping streets like Sydney Rd is that dooring can occur from both sides during the busiest periods. Indeed when I'm forced to ride on Sydney Rd each weekend to go shopping I feel most exposed to dooring as there is no way to ride completely out of the door zone of both parked cars and cars that are stationary in the traffic lane.<br />
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Another reason why simply riding further away from parked cars isn't feasible on these streets are the trams and tram tracks. Cyclists are essentially forced into a compromise position that is bounded by trams and tram tracks on one side and the door zone on the other. I reject that Alberto and his girlfriend could easily have ridden well out of the door zone and even taken the traffic lane if they needed to. Most experienced, confident cyclists (including myself) don't ride as far enough from parked cars as we'd like to precisely because current infrastructure and legal and social norms are barriers. New, inexperienced cyclists can hardly be expected to.<br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.774831,144.960804,3a,37.5y,167.01h,84.52t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfps9LvewHHOAlleBiExk1g!2e0">Google Maps - Sydney Rd near Weston St</a><br />
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<b>11. The chief obstacle is that most motorists vote to put their convenience ahead of other human beings safety</b><br />
Motorists are still easily in the majority even in the most active transport cycling localities in Australia (like Brunswick where Sydney Rd is), and the majority of these motorists would object to and vote against any significant reduction to space for car traffic or parking. That's legitimate (though selfish and unenlightened), because Australia is a democracy and the majority has to be persuaded. However, these motorists also need to face up to the consequences: <span style="color: #cc0000;">they are primarily responsible</span> for these cycling deaths and injuries by putting their convenience ahead of safety for other human beings. Government employees and politicians could always do more to educate motorists but, ultimately, the only major obstacle to eliminating risks like dooring is motorist selfishness. It really is that simple.<br />
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<b>12. What about education campaigns, stickers and other ways to make motorists more careful when opening their car door?</b><br />
These campaigns (e.g. open the door with the opposite hand so you turn first), stickers and reporting on dooring deaths have occurred for years and dooring rates haven't decreased. These methods can never be relied upon as a solution. Even regular cyclists who drive forget sometimes to check carefully before opening their door.<br />
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Some findings from the focus group included that few had much interest in putting the stickers on their car, either because they didn’t think they would work, or because they didn’t like the idea of blemishing their vehicles. The existing visual reminders to avoid car dooring (stickers) in their current format, distributed in isolation, do not lead to most people avoiding car dooring. </blockquote>
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The key to reducing the incidence of car dooring is to implement a package of measures which include information (including what the term means, incidence, impact, liability, associated fines); personal prompts including visual, audible and tactile reminders which people can choose according to what best suits them; community wide reminders – including media messages, inclusion in driver’s licence tests, through schools, workplaces and organisations; effective enforcement and pricing.<br />
<a href="http://acrs.org.au/files/papers/50%20Bolitho_NPR.pdf">A multi-stage, multi-faceted approach to addressing ‘car dooring’ in inner Melbourne (pdf)</a></blockquote>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.shareandbeaware.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Reducing-car-dooring_the-role-of-stickers-as-visual-reminders.pdf">Concepts of Change: Reducing ‘car-dooring’: The role of stickers as visual reminders (pdf)</a><br />
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<b>13. Would motorists open car doors without checking it was clear if their own life was at risk? Or even if there was a chance their car could be significantly damaged and they'd have to pay for it?</b><br />
No, I think not. The fact is people are selfish and need no reminders to protect their own safety or property. In every situation where motorists are at serious risk themselves if opening their door without checking, they somehow all become reliable checkers. For example, when stopped in the emergency lane on a highway and getting out near a fast-moving traffic lane.<br />
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Below is Nicholson St, another busy north-south road adjacent to Sydney Rd in Brunswick. If a motorist flings their door open here without first checking its clear, there's a chance it might get ripped off by a passing car. Yet, despite this parking being extensively used every day of the year, I've never heard of a dooring with a motor vehicle on Nicholson St - not even a motorcycle. Car owners seem quite adept at avoiding dooring when they are at significant risk themselves. But, if not, then the door's fly open with much less caution.<br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.782122,144.9777,3a,37.5y,190.15h,84.6t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sZb90chRj3BrkCBuMPn0sDA!2e0">Nicholson St - Motorists don't fling their doors open without checking when they'll come off worst</a><br />
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There are actually many circumstances in which car drivers injure cyclists and claim they didn't see them which wouldn't happen if a bike had the same damage potential as a truck. Car drivers don't cut off or hook into trucks purely because of self preservation. Conversely, they cut off and hook into cyclists because their life <b>isn't</b> at risk. Billions of dollars of "share the road" advertising and educating can't change human nature. So citizens need to stop pretending it can and support the only thing that has been proven to work - changing the design of the system.<br />
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<b>14. The incidence of car dooring would drop significantly if heavier vehicles travelled in the door zone</b><br />
Until there are bike infrastructure and legal changes, one way of educating motorists about the risks of opening their doors is to have heavier, more threatening vehicles travelling in the door zone.<br />
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An idea for a guerrilla bike safety campaign is to collaborate with others to arrange for heavy, delivery bakfiets trikes to be ridden in the door zone on Sydney Rd, Collins St, Chapel St, Elizabeth St and St Kilda Rd. I think it would only take a couple of car doors being ripped off for motorists on these routes to suddenly start paying a little more attention to causing dooring incidents. If these key roads, responsible for 25% of Melbourne's doorings, had such heavy duty bikes regularly using the door zone, the incidence of doorings by regular road users would likely drop considerably.<br />
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Until the infrastructure is improved, perhaps cyclists should even campaign for motorbikes to be allowed to use the door zone on routes like Sydney Rd.<br />
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<a href="https://flic.kr/p/amSMET">Flickr CCby2.0 - Jacques Mounnezergues</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WEGuVJp0W8">YouTube: Motorcycle cuts through traffic, hits car door</a><br />
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<b>15. Would it help to give cyclists the legal and moral right to ride in the middle of a traffic lane where necessary for safety?</b><br />
Alan Davies has argued that one solution would be to prompt more cyclists to take the middle of the traffic lane even if it meant motorists may be held up:<br />
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I think this is an opportunity to start thinking about another option; give cyclists the legal and moral right to ride in the middle of a traffic lane rather than keep close to the left hand side. It wouldn’t be plausible on all roads. I have in mind local roads; dense locations like the CBD; and congested arterials where segregated lanes aren’t a realistic option e.g. narrow inner city roads. It would give cyclists the confidence to keep out of the door zone and to avoid other potentially dangerous situations such as being shunted to the kerb on small roundabouts and traffic islands. It would signal to motorists that cyclists have the right to occupy the lane.<br />
<a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2015/03/02/what-to-do-about-cyclists-getting-doored/">The Urbanist: What to do about cyclists getting doored?</a></blockquote>
In fact, cyclists already have this legal right as they are not required to cycle wherever it is impracticable and that obviously includes wherever it is unsafe. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-close-to-kerb-you-should-ride-and.html">How close to the kerb you should ride and when to take the lane</a>.<br />
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A significant issue on roads like Sydney Rd is that traffic is often banked up at intersections and moving much more slowly than bikes and so cyclists use the de facto lane next to parked cars in order to travel more efficiently. In such circumstances, there is little attraction for most cyclists of riding in the middle of the traffic lane.<br />
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However, when there is less congestion, confident cyclists should start asserting their right to occupy the traffic lane if that is the safest riding position, and consequently prevent vehicles behind them from overtaking.<br />
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<b>16. Guerrilla painting of door zone stencils is necessary till safe space for cycling is provided</b><br />
Until cycling infrastructure is made safe, guerrilla stencils are highly desirable which advise of dangerous door zones like that on Sydney Rd. Alberto and his girlfriend are from Italy, had just started riding in Melbourne, and would have had no idea how much more dangerous it is to ride in the Sydney Rd door zone than to ride outside it and be uncomfortably close to passing vehicles. Door zone stencils like the one pictured below could have led them to riding further from the parked cars and given Alberto time to swerve rather than being pushed violently by the door under the truck.<br />
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If you are aware of other innovative, practical ways of using the street surface itself to advise inexperienced cyclists about where to ride and safety risks, please suggest them in the comments.<br />
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<b>17. Commentators and the public still don't understand there is a Road Use Hierarchy which deprioritises vehicles on these roads but that is never actually <u>implemented</u></b><br />
The implicit assumption in most discussions about which transport modes have priority on these roads is that the roads belong to motorised traffic and cyclists are interlopers that should be grateful for whatever space they are granted. In fact, a <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/traffic-management/smartroads">Road Use Hierarchy</a> has existed for years and consistently prioritises pedestrians, public transport users and cyclists along these activity areas - which is the rational and ethical position. The real problem is that VicRoads and state and local governments <span style="color: #cc0000;">don't follow through</span> on modifying the infrastructure to reflect these priorities.<br />
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Ask any motorist or cyclist to consider the existing infrastructure and usage of the road width on Sydney Rd and answer which mode has priority and they would all be amazed to hear that cyclists are apparently prioritised and private motor traffic is not. Our <span style="color: #cc0000;">society's true priorities</span> don't reside within documents, they are evidenced on our streets every day. VicRoads and the Victorian State Government are self-evident liars for claiming they've prioritised cyclists over motorists on Sydney Rd. How does one prosecute this fraud and force it to be corrected one way or the other? If the reality is that the Victorian government almost always prioritises motorists over cyclists and pedestrians because that's what the majority of voters support, I can tolerate that and fight against it. But let's start with some honesty.<br />
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<a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/traffic-management/smartroads">SmartRoads</a> - <a href="file:///D:/downloads/SmartRoadsPriorityMapCityofMoreland.pdf">City of Moreland (pdf)</a><br />
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<b>18. Some local traders on these streets are one of the biggest obstacles to removing car parking and the most vocal objectors should be identified and boycotted by cyclists</b><br />
For reasons that confound me, local governments consider the views of a local business to be far more important than a local resident or affected person. The problem is that some local businesses on streets like Sydney Rd are resolutely and vocally opposed to removal of any on-street parking to make more space for safe cycling.<br />
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If those who support safer cycling and safer streets are serious about their efforts they should be identifying the biggest opponents of parking removal and advocating boycotts of these businesses till they change their position.<br />
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Local government periodically considers removing car parking and traffic from activity areas to revitalise them and improve safety and amenity but there is little concerted effort by people with the most to gain to pursue these opportunities. See: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sydney-road-a-boulevard-of-dreams/2007/01/06/1167777325043.html">The Age: Sydney Road - a boulevard of dreams</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It's bullshit," he said of the proposal to ban motorists from the four-kilometre strip between Brunswick Road and Bell Street. "Most of our customers drive here. This is going to kill us." Mr Assaad is not alone in his assessment. Every local trader and resident The Sunday Age spoke to expressed concern about the proposal, with most insisting it should not proceed. Many feared it would only worsen traffic congestion in surrounding streets and scare off car-dependent shoppers. Fruiterer Steve Semaan estimated his revenue would halve if cars were banned.<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/traders-say-keep-it-open/2007/01/06/1167777325049.html">The Age: Traders say: keep it open</a></blockquote>
Even after cyclist deaths due to dooring crashes, the <a href="http://sydneyroad.com.au/">Sydney Road Brunswick Association</a> issued the below press release defending on-street parking and incredulously asserting that removing it would make the road <b>more</b> dangerous for cyclists. The businesses that support this position should be boycotted by cyclists till they change it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydneyRoadBrunswick/posts/800798849988843">Sydney Rd Facebook page: Post by Sydney Road Brunswick Association</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/MelbCrank/status/573738161555120128/photo/1">Twitter: Melbourne Crank</a><br />
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<a href="http://cyclelocalshoplocal.com/">Cycle Local Shop Local</a> is a fantastic initiative to convince local traders that bicycle lanes are good for business. It has been particularly active since Alberto's death in trying to get support from Sydney Rd businesses. I highly recommend local cyclists like their Facebook page, note the businesses supporting cycling infrastructure and make their consumption decisions accordingly.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cyclelocalshoplocal">Cycle Local Shop Local Facebook page</a><br />
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<b>19. Given car doorings are always the motorist's fault why aren't penalties automatic and reflective of the consequences? Especially when a cyclist is injured or killed as a result?</b><br />
According to Australia's road laws, motorists are always at fault in dooring incidents. There are no legitimate excuses such as "I didn't see them" or "They came out of nowhere." A motorist simply cannot open their door and cause a hazard to others:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
RR 269(3): A person must not cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a door of a vehicle, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or getting off, or out of, a vehicle.<br />
<a href="http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/handbook/ch10s03s05.php">The Law Handbook Victoria: The Road Law for Cyclists and Skaters</a></blockquote>
This begs the question as to why so many motorists that door cyclists, including many causing serious injury and death, escape with either no penalty or with the most minimal fine possible? One can only conclude there is a serious bias in favour of motorists for these offences.<br />
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Of course, ignorant media personalities will still refuse to be educated and shift the blame to cyclists but hopefully one day their smirks will be wiped off their faces:<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcmjjSOdJMg">ABC News: Car door bikie hits increase in Melbourne</a><br />
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<b>20. Politicians and government agencies routinely fail to follow through on their promises to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Often they target the vulnerable road users instead</b><br />
One constant is that the vast majority of politicians and government employees will continue to fail the public on these issues. The majority are incapable of courageous leadership if it might cost them their jobs, power or popularity. <a href="http://greens.org.au/policies/vic/transport-and-freight">The Greens</a> are the only exception I am aware of, though even they sometimes need to be educated as to the real, priority solutions. For example, the last time a cyclist was killed in these circumstances (James Cross in 2010) a parliamentary inquiry concluded that demerit points should be considered for introduction if fine increases didn't reduce the incidence:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Committee recommends that VicRoads undertake a review of ‘car dooring’ incidents before the end of 2014 to determine whether the higher monetary penalties and further police training have achieved a decrease in the number of ‘car dooring’ incidents. If the number of incidents has not decreased, the Committee recommends VicRoads then reconsider attaching demerit points to the offence.<br />
<a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/council/SCEI/CarDoors/Final_Report.pdf">Inquiry into the Road Safety Amendment (Car Doors) Bill 2012 (pdf)</a></blockquote>
It's now 2015 and dooring incidents are as high as ever and another death has occurred. Yet there is no discussion by politicians or VicRoads of introducing demerit points for dooring in the light of the latest death. Nor any conclusion about the review that was due by the end of 2014.<br />
<br />
Instead of serious action, the state politician and selected agencies had their private talks and came up with a minor extension to the 40km/hr speed limit (irrelevant to the times cyclists are doored and the incident), speed humps at intersections (I'll be amazed if these ever arrive but also irrelevant to dooring), tweaking traffic signals to give pedestrians priority (irrelevant to dooring), removing some right hand turns (welcome but irrelevant to dooring) and removing some parking spaces (no details and likely to have a negligible impact on dooring risks on Sydney Rd):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The speed limit on Sydney Road will be permanently lowered to 40km/h, 24 hours a day, following the cycling death of Italian man Alberto Paulon in Brunswick last week. An "emergency meeting" in Brunswick on Wednesday afternoon produced few firm plans to improve safety on Sydney Road, a heavily congested arterial in Melbourne's north that is statistically among the most dangerous for bike riding in Melbourne. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But Brunswick MP Jane Garrett, who called the meeting, said the "overwhelming feeling in the room was one of wanting to pay tribute to this man and all work together to find practical solutions to this really congested piece of road". Short-term changes that will be made to Sydney Road include building speed humps at intersections, tweaking traffic signals to give pedestrians priority ahead of vehicles and removing some parking spaces, Ms Garrett said. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But an online petition to remove all on-street parking along a short stretch of Sydney Road where Mr Paulon was killed was not endorsed in the meeting. There was discussion about taking cars off the road, there was discussion about taking bikes off the road," Ms Garrett said. "We just have to find better ways to ensure in a population which is embracing cycling in record numbers that we are able to live together in this stretch of Melbourne."<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sydney-road-speed-limit-drops-to-40kmh-in-wake-of-dooring-death-20150304-13v4ue.html">The Age: Sydney Road speed limit drops to 40km/h in wake of dooring death</a></blockquote>
The worst aspect of the approach of VicRoads and Victoria Police to these safety issues caused by infrastructure design and unjust laws is that they often respond to high incident rates by vulnerable users by <span style="color: #cc0000;">targeting the vulnerable users</span> rather than addressing the real dangers (poor design, law, policy and car-centric norms).<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
VicRoads and Victoria Police are joining forces to combat the high number of casualty crashes involving cyclists along a busy stretch of Sydney Road in Brunswick. VicRoads Regional Director Adam Maguire said a recent investigation into road safety along Sydney Road between Barkly Street and Albion Street revealed alarming statistics. “In the five years to June 2014, there were a total of 179 casualty crashes along this section of Sydney Road, and 85 of those crashes involved cyclists,” Mr Maguire said. “Our investigation revealed many of these 85 crashes involved doorings and cyclists turning right and colliding with oncoming traffic. “More often than not, a cyclist involved in a casualty crash will come off second best. We want cyclists to be safe and enjoy their journeys, but also acknowledge they are in a shared roadway with other road users and act and ride accordingly. “We can help reverse these trends through increased awareness of the road rules, tips for riding on the road as well as through engineering solutions.<br />
<a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/newsmedia/2014/sydney-road-cyclists-to-be-targeted-in-behaviour-blitz">VicRoads: Sydney Road cyclists to be targeted in behaviour blitz </a></blockquote>
<b>21. Decision makers continue to ignore the evidence and genuine experts as what we should be doing is a long way from what we are (i.e. too hard)</b><br />
Instead of evidence and expertise about the massive shift needed in our approach to road safety being taken seriously it continues to be ignored. Motorists simply love their cars too much and prioritise their convenience over other's safety.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Australia is one of several nations that has a long-term goal of reducing the road toll to zero, perhaps an impossibly ambitious target but one that nevertheless drives authorities such as Victoria's TAC to seek to continually push down the number of deaths and serious injuries on the road. But a recent review of the 10-year strategy revealed a host of areas where Australia is failing to reduce the carnage, especially for "vulnerable road users" such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The review says we will have to take a much more radical approach to road safety if the "vision zero" ambition is a sincere one. The focus on "blaming the driver" – in which hoons, drunks and "irresponsible" drivers are viewed as the main cause of crashes – must shift, the review states. "We are concerned that this distinction perpetuates the 'blame the driver' attitude still common in the media and the community," it states. Instead, more effort must be made to build a "safe system" that accepts that people make mistakes, and design roads that reduce crash risks as much as possible. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Professor Ian Johnston was director of road safety at VicRoads for five years in the 1980s and remains one of the leading voices in Australia calling for a change in direction in road safety strategy. He believes Australian society is too complacent about the fact that more than 1000 people die on the roads each year, while tens of thousands are admitted to hospitals. "The target is to reduce serious injury and death by 30 per cent by 2020," Professor Johnston says. "That means more than 70,000 Australians will be killed or seriously injured on the roads every year. Have we ever asked the community if they're happy with that?" </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Calls are growing to similarly ban on-street parking on a stretch of Sydney Road, where cyclist Alberto Paulon was killed last month when a woman opened her car door in his path and he was knocked beneath a moving truck. Professor Johnston says incidents like the death of Mr Paulon are less a case of bad driver behaviour than unsafe road design that makes road trauma more likely. "<span style="color: #cc0000;">We've designed a system where dooring is going to happen</span>," he says.<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/road-trauma-design-a-big-factor-in-accident-statistics-20150309-13ysup.html">The Age: Road trauma: Design a big factor in accident statistics</a></blockquote>
Cameron Munro has done some of the most extensive research into bike crash data and road safety and agrees the current road system trades off cyclist safety to achieve motorist parking convenience and their ability to drive fast (even if it doesn't save any significant trip time):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Melbourne's roads are fundamentally unsafe for bike riders and we need to make big decisions on the value of on-street parking if we want to save lives, according to new research from a traffic engineer. Dr Cameron Munro analysed VicRoads and Victoria Police crash data involving cyclists in Victoria from 2002 to 2012 to determine the most common causes of bike accidents. The research has been published on the <a href="https://rideonmagazine.com.au/top-risks-to-riders/">Bicycle Network's Ride On website</a>. "Our road system is fundamentally unsafe, and we implicitly trade off serious injury and death to allow us to drive fast and park in the most convenient locations," Dr Munro said.<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/modify-the-roading-system-to-make-it-safer-for-cyclists-says-roads-expert-20150815-gizzfw.html">Big decisions needed to make 'fundamentally unsafe' road system safe for cyclists: expert</a></blockquote>
<b>22. Independent transport safety and equity citizen groups in Australia are light years behind the rest of the developed world</b><br />
One of the things that troubles me the most about transport and road safety, justice and equity in Australia is the lack of strong, independent citizen groups that aren't beholden to government funding or constrained/conflicted in other ways. Consequently, Australian pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users simply don't have a strong, independent voice that is heard in the media, community and by decision makers. A brief review of these groups just in New York City provides telling comparisons:<br />
> <a href="http://transalt.org/">Transportation Alternatives</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/">Streetsblog NYC</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.rightofway.org/">Right Of Way</a><br />
> <a href="http://transalt.org/getinvolved/familiesforsafestreets">Families for Safe Streets</a><br />
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Just one example which shows up this contrast in reporting and advocacy is Streetsblog NYC's end of year review called "In Memoriam". Have a read of this amazing citizen journalism and follow some of the links in these posts:<br />
<a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2014/12/26/in-memoriam-6/">Streetsblog NYC - In Memoriam 2014</a><br />
<a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2013/12/27/in-memoriam-5/">Streetsblog NYC - In Memoriam 2013</a><br />
<a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/12/26/in-memoriam-4/">Streetsblog NYC - In Memoriam 2012</a><br />
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<b>23. Australia is particularly scarce of groups, political parties and influential individuals articulating a transformative vision of safe transport and pleasant environments where cars are unnecessary and undesirable in activity areas</b><br />
The reason why the vast majority of car-centric citizens, politicians and business owners in Australia struggle to be convinced that major changes to transport infrastructure and policies are practical and beneficial is because no-one has effectively communicated to them a vision of a better, different society built around walking, cycling and public transport. Australia is far behind much of the world in establishing this vision of better cities and more beneficial mobility.<br />
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One of the most influential posts about urban cycling I've ever read is by Dave Horton in which he convincingly argues that those advocating for mass cycling will struggle forever to make significant progress till everyone else can clearly see the compelling, alternate vision being proffered. Below are some extracts but the whole post is worth reading and re-reading until it fully sinks in:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Have you ever left a meeting utterly dejected, feeling you might as well give up because ‘people just don’t get it’? Meetings about cycling inevitably involve different agendas and compromise. But is our struggle to make cycling mainstream so difficult because we – it’s strongest advocates – still haven’t learned how to speak about it? Are we yet to find our voice? If so, other people, understandably, would struggle to hear it. So perhaps ‘people don’t get it’ because we’ve yet to tell them? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cycling advocacy for the past half-century has been on the back foot, so busy complaining, criticising and protesting it never paused to build – let alone proselytize – progressive visions of an alternative society with the bicycle at its heart. Yet isn’t that what we must do if we’re to convince others that cycling matters? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We have jumbles of ideas, impulses and convictions around cycling’s worth. But we lack the confidence to develop these jumbles into coherent visions, because they’re about bicycles, and bicycles don’t count. Personal and collective development of mass cycling visions is immature because we have internalised the cycling shame of the last half-century. This shame got forked on bicycles as the car became everyman’s vehicle (and gradually every woman’s too). So now we are embarrassed to say we believe in bikes, believe in society re-organised away from cars and towards bikes. As many people today are embarrassed to think of themselves as people who might cycle, we are embarrassed to advocate boldly for their cycling. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How powerful is the dominant ideology that it stops us articulating even to ourselves, let alone asking for, what it is we really want! Thus our silence contributes to cycling’s continued repression. So? So we need to develop our visions and move beyond the shame of speaking them. Find our voice. Of course we must compromise – to make cycling big requires working with others, and that inevitably entails compromise. But unless they know what we really stand for, those others can’t know by how much we’re compromising. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We believe bikes should replace cars. We think half of all journeys could easily be made by bike. We see a bicycle-based society as better than a car-based one. We look forward to the time when bicycles proliferate as cars disappear and die. People won’t know these things unless we tell them, so we should tell them. We need to make our stories, to help make sense of the changes we’re calling for. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Just one example – the conversion of two lanes of a dual-carriageway’s four into top-notch space for cycling. Howls of protest, obviously. But the prospects of such change have to be higher the more people see them as forming part of an ongoing societal project to re-design our cities away from cars towards bicycles. The more people can see and understand the bigger picture, the more supportive they will be. That’s why we need vision, narrative and discourse elucidating change, helping people make sense of, rather than react against, it.<br />
<a href="http://thinkingaboutcycling.com/2014/03/20/new-cycling-stories/">Thinking About Cycling: New cycling stories</a></blockquote>
One of my favourite cycling blogs is <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/">Bicycle Dutch</a> because pretty much all it does is show the rest of the world what communities built around mass cycling look like. I have a vision of permanently car-free activity areas including Sydney Rd, Brunswick St, Collins St, Chapel St and most of the other streets where the incidence of dooring is high. In this regard, it is interesting to see how Utrecht converted its city centre to car-free and ultimately fully-pedestrianised streets. See: <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/car-free-city-centre-in-utrecht/">Bicycle Dutch: Car free city centre in Utrecht</a><br />
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<a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/car-free-city-centre-in-utrecht/">Bicycle Dutch: Car free city centre in Utrecht</a><br />
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<b>24. There will be many more serious injuries and fatalities due to dooring on the roads with on-street parking and insufficient space for cyclists</b><br />
No matter how much money, time and effort is spent on education and changing behaviour, for as long as road design creates elevated dooring risk on popular cycling routes, there will be further injuries and fatalities. Indeed, given the statistics, it's amazing that there haven't been more deaths from dooring on St Kilda Road, Chapel Street or even Brunswick St. For the streets with current designs that generate numerous injuries each year, it is only a matter of time before the next dooring death. Cameron Munro continues to collate these statistics and analysis on his site:<br />
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<a href="http://bikedata.info/door_graphs.pdf">Cameron Munro: Top 50 streets with cyclist dooring injuries (Victoria)</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To my interpretation these graphs suggest the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Over the period dooring crashes were the third most frequent crash type in Victoria for riders (indeed, this has been the case for many years)</li>
<li>The map shows the top six crash types, and suggests dooring crashes are concentrated along a few corridors. This is rather different to most other crash types, which are far more disperse across the metro area.</li>
<li>We can demonstrate this level of concentration by looking at the crashes on each road. The second graph illustrates this by showing the top 50 dooring roads - notice how St Kilda Rd had far and away the most dooring crashes over the period, followed by Chapel St and Collins St. Sydney Rd is no. 5.</li>
<li>The third graph is the crux of my argument; this shows the % of dooring injuries attributable to each street for the top 50. Note how if we could magically eliminate dooring on St Kilda Rd we'd reduce all Victorian doorings by 9%. If we could tackle the top 5 we could eliminate 23% of doorings, and if we could fix the top 10 sites we could reduce dooring by about a third. I suggest this is rather unusual in road safety for crashes to be so concentrated; normally in a 'black spot' program we'll treat one intersection or section of road which'll have a tiny impact on overall crash totals. (conversely of course, one could argue that we've still got 2/3rds of crashes even if we could deal with doorings at the top 10 sites).</li>
<li>Looking only at Moreland, almost half of all dooring crashes occur on Sydney Rd. </li>
<li>So although it's certainly true that the there is a dooring risk on almost all streets, we can materially reduce the injury burden if we treat "only" the highest risk streets.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/morelandbug/qF9MXWpJFuA">Cameron Munro: Moreland BUG Google Group - The solution to car dooring</a></blockquote>
<b>25. Fatalities are just the tip of a massive iceberg of injuries and loss of urban freedom and equity. </b><b>Focusing solely on fatalities lets governments and transport/safety agencies off the hook</b><br />
Decades of single minded, car-centric infrastructure and policies (including housing and jobs policies) and Mandatory Helmet Laws have crushed mass cycling in countries like Australia. The recent, small resurgence has been mostly among the young, fit, well-educated and privileged due to their values and when the benefits (health, money, time, convenience) are considerable. These people aren't dying in droves and never will be as transport cycling rates are now largely driven by judicious safety decisions. Essentially, virtually no-one in Australia is forced to cycle for the trips they judge to be most unsafe and so they don't.<br />
<br />
All actual and potential Australian cyclists only ride the trips and routes they feel are safe enough and thus exist somewhere on a continuous spectrum of cycling usage illustrated by the "spider map" images below (See <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/interested-but-concerned-potential.html">"Interested but Concerned" potential cyclists need to take action themselves</a>). For the ~60% of Australians that are "Interested but Concerned" they feel very few of their trips are safe enough and feasible to cycle so there are very few trips they ride. For the ~7% that are "Enthused and Confident" the extent of their safe-enough trip spider map varies but would exclude the many routes they feel are too unsafe. Even the ~1% "Strong and Fearless" (which now likely includes myself) still exclude the most dangerous routes (thus some trips) for reasons of safety.<br />
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<a href="http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/sci-study-shows-poverty-of-existing.html">SCI Study Shows Poverty of Existing Bikeway System</a><br />
<br />
For example, I would love to do more winery trips using a route following the <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Maroondah+Hwy,+Coldstream+VIC/@-37.685934,145.4670507,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b281925ce0e8a9b:0xf41a8bce288c581b">Maroondah Highway</a> in the Yarra Valley but am prevented from doing so as the lack of cycle space means the risk of death is too high. I would also like to be able to ride on many routes at night but don't as the risk of death is too high. I'm lucky as I am forced to give up only a few trips now due to lack of safety (I've found safe-enough alternate routes for most trips). The majority of potential cyclists are forced to give up a far larger proportion of their possible trips due to a lack of safety. Conversely, motorists are forced to give up none of their trips due to a lack of safety. Imagine how many fatalities there would be if all Australians that wanted to cycle for their trips actually did so regularly regardless of the lack of safety? Tracking <span style="color: #cc0000;">that number</span> might indicate whether Australia's cycling infrastructure is progressing sufficiently. Tracking the actual fatalities - which are rare precisely because people don't intentionally risk death - tells us very little about whether there have been improvements in sustainable safety.<br />
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Because it's difficult to make accurate estimates of the number of cycling trips people didn't make because they considered them too unsafe, it's too easy for car-centric decision makers to dismiss this significant, adverse impact on <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/access%20and%20urban%20freedom">access and urban freedom</a>. Fortunately, there is hard data about something very real that does hint at the true state of sustainable safety - <span style="color: #cc0000;">the number of injuries</span>. What alarmed me in Cameron Munro's image above about dooring incidents are the sheer number of injuries and serious injuries in particular. If I get doored, run over and become permanently disabled in some way that won't count as a fatality or likely get much media coverage but the impact on a person and family can be huge. I often hear mentions of previous cycling trauma from people I meet in person but the details are rarely discussed. Even now, I am fixing up a disused bike for someone who plans to give it to a friend as they gave up cycling permanently after being injured. This is a serious injustice and, from the statistics, there are clearly thousands of these hidden injustices but most receive little attention and prompt no effective action from government.<br />
<br />
For instance, we know there are dozens of serious injuries each and every year on St Kilda Rd due to dooring, but it seems like government will wait for someone to die before even pretending to do anything significant about it. Sydney Rd was the same story. Do we really need to wait for a dooring fatality on each individual street to significantly improve that street? Are patterns of flawed road design and mode prioritisation not clear enough?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MZw2PO1m0_-4QAbOPNClzw68Wp_i0fIYC-xPUKr5tXwrhGaZf2zrn1fbxGoAOmQVS1mppquZwiTSqkMoCuF_Xdt2E6eI2USBnNWm4mRRcUXVuw6A5GaDu4VGjbtS79IrFMRYirOGwIk/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MZw2PO1m0_-4QAbOPNClzw68Wp_i0fIYC-xPUKr5tXwrhGaZf2zrn1fbxGoAOmQVS1mppquZwiTSqkMoCuF_Xdt2E6eI2USBnNWm4mRRcUXVuw6A5GaDu4VGjbtS79IrFMRYirOGwIk/s1600/whatinfrastructureandlegalchanges15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brunswick.Residents.Network/photos/pb.467079456687756.-2207520000.1426332986./869930413069323/?type=1&theater">Brunswick Residents Network - Comments about being seriously injured and giving up riding</a><br />
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<b>26. If Australian governments and their agencies have designed and maintained a system that makes injury and death from things like dooring inevitable, then why isn't anyone suing them?</b><br />
As noted above, Professor Ian Johnston, the former director of road safety at VicRoads, argues that the current road safety system is designed in a way that makes injuries to vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) inevitable. He and other experts argue that a paradigm shift toward sustainable safety is necessary. Yet, government is doing nothing. I have no great love for much of what lawyers do but it seems that there is an urgent need for traffic justice lawyers in Australia to test the limits of government responsibility for foreseeable injuries and deaths. In the absence of a shift in most Australian's car-centric norms, significant financial losses might be one of the few ways of forcing government to act. I'd be interested to hear from any lawyers who work in this space. I'd be delighted to contribute to the initial funding of such traffic justice cases.<br />
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<b>27. Updates on cycling infrastructure, laws and policies to reduce dooring in Australia</b><br />
Below I'll maintain links to updates relating to this issue, particularly for Sydney Rd.<br />
<br />
Bicycle Victoria<br />
<a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/policy-and-campaigns/783/">Metro Routes: Sydney Road</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://sydneyroad.org/">SydneyRoad.org</a><br />
A community group has come up with a proposal called <b>Revitalising Sydney Road</b> that would address bike safety with separated lanes as well as improve circumstances for pedestrians and public transport users. It would remove parking for cars and shift it to the ample, adjacent car parks and side streets.<br />
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<a href="http://sydneyroad.org/">Revitalising Sydney Road Plan</a><br />
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City of Moreland<br />
<a href="http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/about-us/have-your-say/consultations/cycling-and-traffic-safety---sydney-road-and-upfield-shared-path/">Cycling and Traffic Safety - Sydney Road and Upfield Shared Path</a><br />
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The Age<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sydney-road-bike-lane-plan-rejected-amid-calls-to-scrap-onstreet-parking-20150813-giy5ii.html">Sydney Road bike lane plan rejected amid calls to scrap on-street parking</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-bike-lane-plan-to-prevent-sydney-road-doorings-20150810-givydt.html">New bike lane plan to prevent Sydney Road “doorings”</a><br />
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Herald Sun & Melbourne Leader<br />
<a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/cycling-groups-urge-moreland-council-not-to-adopt-double-cycle-lanes-on-sydney-rd/story-fnrvvn43-1227478748772">Cycling groups urge Moreland Council not to adopt double cycle lanes on Sydney Rd</a><br />
<a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-east/cycling-advocates-call-on-vicroads-to-extend-door-away-bike-lanes-across-melbourne/story-fngnvlpt-1227306467795">Cycling advocates call on VicRoads to extend ‘door away’ bike lanes across Melbourne</a><br />
<br />
SMH<br />
<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bike-activists-go-guerilla-painting-unsafe-cycle-lane-on-sydney-roads-20150617-ghqtue">Bike activists take guerilla action by painting 'unsafe cycle lane' on Sydney roads</a><br />
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<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
ABC News<br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4194223.htm">7:30 Report: Young cyclist's death ignites debate on sharing our roads</a><br />
<br />
The Age<br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sydney-road-speed-limit-drops-to-40kmh-in-wake-of-dooring-death-20150304-13v4ue.html">Sydney Road speed limit drops to 40km/h in wake of dooring death</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/riders-pay-respect-to-alberto-paulon-killed-in-brunswick-dooring-20150306-13xkhz.html">Riders pay respect to Alberto Paulon, killed in Brunswick dooring</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/road-trauma-design-a-big-factor-in-accident-statistics-20150309-13ysup.html">Road trauma: Design a big factor in accident statistics</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tougher-dooring-penalties-call-rejected-after-death-of-italian-cyclist-alberto-paulon-20150302-13t011.html">Tougher dooring penalties call rejected after death of Italian cyclist Alberto Paulon</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/proposal-to-curb-car-traffic-in-brunswick-street-in-favour-of-pedestrians-20141030-11edhb.html">Proposal to curb car traffic in Brunswick Street in favour of pedestrians</a><br />
<br />
9 News<br />
> <a href="http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/02/28/19/57/dramatic-footage-emerges-of-cycling-fatality">Chilling footage of cyclist's road death sparks passionate debate</a><br />
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The Urbanist<br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2015/03/02/what-to-do-about-cyclists-getting-doored/">What to do about cyclists getting doored?</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/11/15/how-come-we-dont-already-have-safe-cycling-networks/">How come we don’t already have safe cycling networks?</a><br />
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The SMH<br />
> <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/fitness/on-your-bike/cyclings-door-zone-of-death-20120517-1ys25.html">Cycling's door zone of death</a><br />
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The Weekly Review<br />
> <a href="http://www.theweeklyreviewmelbournetimes.com.au/story/1833946/greens-mp-ellen-sandell-s-safer-cycling-call-after-sydney-road-death/">Greens MP Ellen Sandell’s safer cycling call after Sydney Road death</a><br />
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Bicycle Network<br />
> <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/2566/">Dooring</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/783/">Metro Routes: North - Sydney Road</a><br />
> <a href="http://city%20of%20moreland/">City of Moreland</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/2689/">Share the road</a><br />
<br />
VicRoads:<br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety">Cyclist safety</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/bike-rider-safety">Bike rider safety</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/car-doors-and-bike-riders">Car doors & bike riders</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/traffic-management/smartroads">SmartRoads</a> - <a href="file:///D:/downloads/SmartRoadsPriorityMapCityofMoreland.pdf">City of Moreland (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
City of Moreland<br />
> <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/media/vanilla_content/files/moreland_bikestrategy2011-2021.pdf">Moreland Bike Strategy 2011 – 2021 (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.safercyclingsydneyroad.com/">Safer Cycling Sydney Road</a><br />
<br />
RideOne<br />
> <a href="https://rideonmagazine.com.au/exit-with-care/">Exit with care</a><br />
<br />
Change.org<br />
> <a href="https://www.change.org/p/moreland-city-council-remove-parking-from-sydney-road-between-weston-and-barkley-street-to-make-cycling-safer?recruiter=112265555&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-custom_msg&fb_ref=Default">Remove parking from Sydney road Between Weston and Barkly street to make cycling safer</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://cycle.org.au/">Cycle</a><br />
> <a href="http://cycle.org.au/index.php/rambles/the-big-issues/174-make-sydney-rd-safer-event-march-6th">Make sydney rd safer - event march 6th</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.themonthly.com.au/blog/pete-chambers/2015/06/2015/1425603418/four-wheels-good-two-wheels-good">The Monthly: Four wheels good, two wheels good</a><br />
<br />
Victorian Parliament<br />
> <a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/council/SCEI/CarDoors/Final_Report.pdf">Inquiry into the Road Safety Amendment (Car Doors) Bill 2012 (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
Moreland BUG<br />
> <a href="http://www.morelandbug.org/">Moreland BUG</a><br />
> <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/morelandbug">Moreland BUG Google Group</a><br />
<br />
YouTube<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0NhDqmgrXQ">The Project TV - Looking at the issue of #CarDooring</a><br />
<br />
Melbourne Leader<br />
> <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/moreland-councillor-calls-for-urgent-upfield-bike-path-audit-following-cyclist-death-on-sydney-rd/story-fnrvvn43-1227261182320">Moreland Councillor calls for urgent Upfield bike path audit following cyclist death on Sydney Rd</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/brunswick-traders-want-sydney-rd-parking-fees-slashed-to-bring-shoppers-back/story-fnrvvn43-1227269597862?sv=dea66ca5b4f9576655e8bccd24b47a46">Brunswick traders want Sydney Rd parking fees slashed to bring shoppers back</a><br />
<br />
CityLab<br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/03/the-complete-business-case-for-converting-street-parking-into-bike-lanes/387595/">The Complete Business Case for Converting Street Parking Into Bike Lanes</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2014/04/3-enormous-benefits-charging-right-price-parking/8772/">3 Enormous Benefits to Charging the Right Price for Parking</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/01/just-because-you-cant-find-a-place-to-park-doesnt-mean-there-arent-way-too-many-parking-spots/384509/">Just Because You Can't Find a Place to Park Doesn't Mean There Aren't Way Too Many Parking Spots</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://safercycling.net/">Monash University: Safer Cycling</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-16937075395434872812015-01-16T09:32:00.001+11:002015-01-23T07:50:14.865+11:00The Better By Bicycle Android app<b>Summary</b>: If you have an Android phone you can now download the free <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev224847.app209349">Better By Bicycle app</a>, which is intended to provide useful smartphone-targeted content for transport cyclists. It is only available for Android as the app maker I used (<a href="http://www.andromo.com/">Andromo</a>) is Android-only. This post will be updated with details of what I've currently incorporated into the mobile app and any ideas for new features. Please also use the comments to suggest any content for the app, such as links to the most outstanding articles, websites, videos, books, apps and Facebook Groups/Pages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifazni6JIwBc_p2ChRKF9jjs4M10KP9xKpd_YZzjf9hyKynU6vcdWNM8T-gRYDiLGJxKaC-0YvTS3TQjWUahv_kJiDN7TADpEXUQMwfdLh0jS8avreOpRR4xXnIWsiZGMpkK2bHXMJYpg/s1600/thebetterbybicycleandroidapp02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifazni6JIwBc_p2ChRKF9jjs4M10KP9xKpd_YZzjf9hyKynU6vcdWNM8T-gRYDiLGJxKaC-0YvTS3TQjWUahv_kJiDN7TADpEXUQMwfdLh0jS8avreOpRR4xXnIWsiZGMpkK2bHXMJYpg/s1600/thebetterbybicycleandroidapp02.jpg" height="185" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/mobile%20and%20web%20apps">mobile and web apps</a> category of this blog.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Details about the Better By Bicycle Android app</b><br />
- My aim was to use my <a href="http://www.andromo.com/">Andromo</a> subscription (a no-code Android app maker) to publish a free utility cycling app that demonstrated some valuable uses for smartphone access. In other words, what info and capabilities are most useful when a utility cyclist is out and about? (Not necessarily riding but often just using spare time reading). This initial app is intended to be useful for any utility cyclist, so I have limited the extent of Melbourne-specific app elements (e.g. Melbourne cycling destinations, activities, events and news).<br />
<br />
- The limitations of a no-code app are that it isn't going to be highly functional and more about content consumption. You can see the current version of the app below.<br />
See:<br />
> <b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev224847.app209349">Google Play - Better By Bicycle app</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN21Zc31HYLo_Z7YqwYCEJZEZnZHUtI7MVpkZ7vSqA9JdiFQF6ocRtRV7EAx47wkBWDxIQk1wCDAo5XAkV4TolDVuoEt9LTCyo-0yFLOjJz_JFNnUiCNqUAw7MoXVceCyi9a6hx1SimWI/s1600/thebetterbybicycleandroidapp04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN21Zc31HYLo_Z7YqwYCEJZEZnZHUtI7MVpkZ7vSqA9JdiFQF6ocRtRV7EAx47wkBWDxIQk1wCDAo5XAkV4TolDVuoEt9LTCyo-0yFLOjJz_JFNnUiCNqUAw7MoXVceCyi9a6hx1SimWI/s1600/thebetterbybicycleandroidapp04.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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<b>2. What can a no-code, smartphone app offer utility cyclists?</b><br />
- The simple no-code, app activities (elements) are limited to mostly content display (static or dynamic feeds) or integration with common web apps like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.<br />
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- However, the potential use of social apps like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube means that it is possible to use such apps to share crowdsourced content. E.g. Any app user can share content directly with other app users by including the #BetterByBicycle hashtag in their tweet. If there's interest, I'll integrate other social features.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1oAPFFfDyxkSNvDXtSHTkBL4-3HcdBS-CJ7enY-YeHfScnv92cm-JC0Q6zhYbyiUSLwCI6bYYWXs47S_eaISMw36SvleVf1J8Fd5x4je22fYRGX2KqcRL2MYVaCQZ3HZs5cKu06mIAA/s1600/thebetterbybicycleandroidapp03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1oAPFFfDyxkSNvDXtSHTkBL4-3HcdBS-CJ7enY-YeHfScnv92cm-JC0Q6zhYbyiUSLwCI6bYYWXs47S_eaISMw36SvleVf1J8Fd5x4je22fYRGX2KqcRL2MYVaCQZ3HZs5cKu06mIAA/s1600/thebetterbybicycleandroidapp03.jpg" height="280" width="640" /></a></div>
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- Most of the elements of my app leverage RSS Feed activities to display posts from a blog - either this one or the one I set up especially as the content source for the app: <a href="http://betterbybicycleapp.blogspot.com.au/">Better By Bicycle App</a>. I simply create a discrete RSS feed for a blog category (e.g. <a href="http://betterbybicycleapp.blogspot.com.au/search/label/top%20web%20articles">Top Web Articles</a>) and use that in an app activity (Top web articles).<br />
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<b>3. Current Better By Bicycle app activities and ideas for new ones</b><br />
- Below are the activities I've included in the current app. Other feasible suggestions on elements (activities) to add to the app are welcome via the comments.<br />
<br />
<b>Current app activities</b><br />
(a) Better By Bicycle recent posts<br />
- The most recent posts from this blog.<br />
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(b) Better By Bicycle top posts<br />
- Selected older posts that are popular or very useful.<br />
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(c) Top web articles<br />
- Selected articles on cycling, transport and urban life that I've found most interesting.<br />
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(d) Recommended sites<br />
- The main websites that I read for articles on cycling, transport and urban life.<br />
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(e) Useful apps<br />
- Suggested smartphone or web apps that may be useful for cyclists.<br />
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(f) Videos and media<br />
- Selected videos and media (e.g. podcasts) that are worth checking out.<br />
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(g) Recommended books<br />
- Reviews and summaries of books relevant to urban cycling, transport and cities.<br />
<br />
(h) Facebook Groups & Pages<br />
- Selected Facebook groups or pages of most relevance to transport cycling.<br />
<br />
(i) Melbourne Grid Map<br />
- My custom Google Map of a recommended network of cycling routes in Melbourne.<br />
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(j) #BetterByBicycle Twitter hashtag<br />
- Displays all tweets including this hashtag, allowing any user to share information and links with other users.<br />
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<b>Potential new app activities</b><br />
(k) Idea: Melbourne Commute Ninja<br />
- I'm considering adding an activity that would let Melbourne residents, interested in commuting to work by bike, request in-person assistance from an experienced cyclist (preferably in their area). In particular, to identify a route that meets their safety and convenience needs. This activity is of interest to me as I need more wide-ranging trips to build out my <a href="http://melbourne%20map%20of%20key%20cycling%20transport%20routes%2C%20infrastructure%20and%20destinations/">Melbourne Grid Map</a> into areas I don't typically ride.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Suggest content to be added to existing Better By Bicycle app activities</b><br />
- App users or those with similar interests can use the comments on this post or the in-app email to suggest articles, links and content to be added to the app. In particular, the below sections may be of interest to contribute to:<br />
> Top web articles<br />
> Recommended sites<br />
> Useful apps (phone or web)<br />
> Recommended videos and podcasts<br />
> Recommended books<br />
> Facebook Groups & Pages<br />
> Melbourne Grid Map - additions or desired extensions to the area covered<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.andromo.com/">Andromo</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-14660350187346742552015-01-04T03:07:00.001+11:002015-12-16T08:49:40.875+11:00The green illusions and false promises of the electric car (including Tesla)<b>Summary</b>: Naive environmentalists have been fooled into thinking that private electric cars are green, sustainable and a necessary, key part of our transport future. In reality, electric cars are about sustainability only for the automotive industry and status quo financial and industrial systems. Thankfully, new sceptics like Ozzie Zehner, author of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12804425-green-illusions">Green Illusions</a>, have broken into the mainstream media with arguments dispelling the myths and greenwash around electric cars. I'll use this post to collate evidence that demonstrates why private electric cars will simply perpetuate our real problems (private cars, a commuting culture, a consumption and growth based economy). Bikes are the real solution for local trips, with public transport for longer journeys and car share and carpooling where required. And the focus of <span style="color: #cc0000;">genuine environmentalists</span> should be on <span style="color: #cc0000;">transformative</span> improvements to how we live, work, get around, and build a healthier, fairer society.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QweNsLesMrM">YouTube: Tesla Model S: "Gallons of Light" Commercial</a></div>
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<b>Related Posts</b>:</div>
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> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/politics%20and%20transport%20futures">politics and transport futures</a> category of this blog.</div>
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<b><u>Details:</u></b></div>
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<b>1. Electric car boosters claim we can continue with everyone getting around by car, they just need to switch to electric ones</b></div>
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- The story we're supposed to believe is that we can just keep the bike in the garage, grab our government subsidy, buy a new car and, as long as it's electric, we're part of a progressive transport future that will resolve our growing environmental, sustainability and lifestyle issues.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.fix.com/blog/why-buy-electric-cars/">Fix: The Electric Car Revolution</a><br />
> <a href="http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/europes-big-bet-on-evs-and-hybrids/">NY Times: Europe’s Big Bet on EVs and Hybrids</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/cars/tesla-model-s-named-most-important-car-last-20-years-telegraph.html">Treehugger: Tesla Model S named 'Most important car of the last 20 years' by The Telegraph</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/tesla-arrival-tells-us-that-the-future-is-electric-transport-23724">RenewEconomy: Tesla arrival tells us that the future is electric transport</a><br />
> <a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/how-solar-power-could-slay-the-fossil-fuel-empire-by-2030">Vice Motherboard: How Solar Power Could Slay the Fossil Fuel Empire by 2030</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avLKiWi71cE">YouTube: Chevy Volt - Building A Better Tomorrow</a><br />
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<b>2. Private cars are the actual big problem. Private electric cars just add to this problem and solve nothing</b><br />
- By breathing new life into the value of private car ownership and use, electric cars are keeping an inefficient, expensive, harmful and earth-destroying system going - a system that is starting to strangle the majority of people with ridiculous housing costs, commutes, transport costs and life impacts. The deficiencies in this system are slowly becoming obvious and it is inevitable that more and more people will strive to opt out. I like this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QweNsLesMrM">Tesla S ad</a> as an example, because it is in part trying to prove that electric cars can do everything conventional cars do, which makes it perfect to illustrate that electric cars will just perpetuate and extend the issues with private cars:<br />
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<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Problem with car-centric lives</th><th>Real solutions</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Long distance car trips</td><td>- Eliminate them. People need to shift to lives based around home and local communities rather than wasting so much time travelling in cars.<br />
- "Range anxiety" is a psychological ailment because life isn't meant to be spent sitting in cars or criss-crossing vast areas.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Road trips by car</td><td>Try bike trips instead and use public transport or shared transport to minimise private car use.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Car-dependent recreation and social activities</td><td>You can fly a kite in the park you walk/ride to. There is no recreation that needs to be car-dependent. Switch from ferrying kids around to activities that can be gotten to by cycling, walking or transit.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Car-dependent work commutes</td><td>Eliminate them by reducing work, working closer to home or from home, and switching to biking or public transport.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Requiring a car to connect with others</td><td>Live closer to family and friends. Free up time to connect with neighbours on community co-production and recreation.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Consumption-based lifestyles</td><td>Switch to a lifestyle of "voluntary simplicity" and "intentional living" where you target happiness and fulfillment and escape the hedonic treadmill of pointless consumption.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Income-focused lives</td><td>Redesigning your life to go car-free or car-lite and adopting voluntary simplicity will enable you to downshift and reduce time working for others and time away from home. It may also lead to you switching to work from home or close to home.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Unhealthy lifestyles</td><td>Freeing yourself from car-dependence and work-addiction and using walking and cycling to get around will build in free exercise to your daily life as well as give you time to take up activities that enhance your physical and mental health.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Lack of self-sufficiency and resilience</td><td>Voluntary simplicity and reduced car-dependence will lead to less dependence on purchasing everything as a service. Instead you have time to build skills and meet your own needs directly or through local sharing.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Congestion wastes time in traffic</td><td>Eliminating unnecessary and long distance local trips and switching to cycling or transit will eliminate being stuck in traffic and all the other car-related wasted time.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Achieving status through cars</td><td>Reject the desire for social status. Instead, obtain pride from the simplicity, independence and quality of your life.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Deaths and injuries</td><td>- Choosing to use a heavy, inefficient vehicle to get around that results in over a million people being killed each year and tens of millions being injured is a sickness (even worse when you consider the wildlife and pets).<br />
- Choosing to participate in an arms race of vehicle size, weight and "kill or be killed" defences that enable you to drive at lethal speeds is sociopathic.<br />
- Switch to cycling and walking as your means of getting around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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- Ultimately, many more people need to come to understand why using a private car regularly, especially for local trips, is an affliction that they need to resolve. Not only would I reject a free Tesla Model S, even if delivered in person by Elon Musk, but there is no amount of money you could pay me to switch to using a car for local transport - even if 100% safe and with the lowest environmental impact possible.<br />
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- The best visual, animated explanation of the difference between "more of the same" and <span style="color: #cc0000;">genuine solutions that are objectively better</span> can be found on Annie Leonard's <a href="http://storyofstuff.org/">The Story of Stuff</a> website. Watch "<a href="http://storyofstuff.org/movies/the-story-of-solutions/">The Story of Solutions</a>" and consider if electric cars are real solutions to society's important problems.<br />
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> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpkRvc-sOKk">The Story of Solutions</a> (YouTube)<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4365951?shelf=urban-cycling">My Goodreads "urban cycling" shelf</a> for books about the adverse impacts of the car<br />
> <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/23/driving-sideways/?_r=0">NY Times: Opinionator - Driving Sideways (Allison Arieff)</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7370844-carjacked">Carjacked: The Culture of the Automobile and Its Effect on Our Lives</a><br />
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<b>3. Apparently electric cars don't take from the earth, they just drink free gallons of light from the sun!</b><br />
- Ok so my antipathy for electric cars turned out to be for private car ownership and unnecessary car use in general. But what of the argument that most people don't share my view and won't be convinced, so if people are going to own and drive cars, at least it would be better for the environment if they were electric cars? Isn't that reason enough to support electric cars? My answer is that the current, car-centric, misanthropic system and lifestyle is already in inevitable collapse (human more than environmental). Switching to electric cars is like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. Nevertheless, the rest of this post will focus on whether the environmental argument for electric cars is correct or a fiction.<br />
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For our example, let's take the Tesla S "<a href="http://jordanbloch.com/gallonsoflight/">Gallons of Light</a>" ad. I conside it a perfect example of greenwashing - pure capitalism dressed up as progressive environmentalism:<br />
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A car that may lead other cars in <span style="color: #cc0000;">no longer taking from the earth</span>, but accepting from the sun. Untold memories per gallon of light.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QweNsLesMrM">YouTube: Tesla Model S: "Gallons of Light" Commercial</a><br />
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- According to the ad's creator, <a href="http://jordanbloch.com/about/">it all started</a> at the Copenhagen Conference, driven by a passion for the environment. When he stumbled on the Tesla S he'd seen the "revolution in transportation" and the way to a sustainable future:<br />
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Just look at the automobile. Worldwide, there are over 1 billion cars and trucks using engine technology that is over 100 years old. The byproducts of this technology – greenhouse gasses and countless other pollutants – are making us and our planet sick. Yet amazing progress is being made with both hybrid and electric cars, not to mention increased fuel efficiency and the promise of hydrogen technology. So, how does the Tesla Model S fit into this picture? Well, it’s a state of the art electric vehicle that charges on sunshine…for free.<br />
<a href="http://jordanbloch.com/gallonsoflight/">Jordan Bloch: Gallons of Light campaign for Tesla S</a></blockquote>
- Make no mistake, the ad is beautiful and Jordan is very talented, but he couldn't be more wrong about private electric cars being a revolution in transportation or the key to a sustainable future. <span style="color: #cc0000;">The problem is the private motor vehicle itself, and everything that it requires to be created and used</span>. Simply switching petrol for electricity cannot resolve these fundamental issues. Neither the greenhouse emissions of the fuel consumed nor the pollutants emitted are near the top of the list of adverse environmental impacts from the creation and use of private cars. The world needs to be getting rid of cars and their damaging legacies not producing more or even just different (electric), more expensive ones. Just the <b>production of each new electric car</b> will cause far more greenhouse emissions and pollution than they can "save" over their lifetime. Even these imagined "savings" presume a business-as-usual addiction to car-centric cities and lives can continue. That presumed growth in cars is the very <span style="color: #cc0000;">definition of unsustainable</span>. Now that the Tesla Model S has finally come to Australia, I shouldn't need to do anything more than point to the absurd price of the cheapest option - it indicates just how much this electric car <span style="color: #cc0000;">really takes from the earth</span> just to produce and deliver:<br />
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<a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/en_AU/models/design">Tesla Australia</a><br />
<br />
This intuitive "price as a proxy for environmental impact" shorthand I've always used mentally (e.g. for expensive "eco homes") is finally breaking into the mainstream debates about how green new products/solutions really are:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Many such studies (arguing electric cars are clean) are not especially compelling, because they don’t hold up to the shorthand cost check that I term the <span style="color: #cc0000;">price-tag predicament</span>. The cost of manufactured goods ultimately boils down to two things: natural resource extraction, and profit. Extraction is largely based on fossil-fuel inputs. Profit, in this broad stroke, is essentially a promise to extract more in the future. Generally speaking, if a supposedly green machine costs more than its conventional rival, then more resources had to be claimed to make it possible. A lot of carbon must be poured into the atmosphere to make and charge an electric car.<br />
<a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/ozzie-zehner-responds-to-his-critics">IEEE Spectrum: Ozzie Zehner Responds to His Critics</a></blockquote>
<b>4. Ozzie Zehner's argument is that the total lifecycle costs of electric cars indicate there is no net environmental benefit in mass production of private electric cars instead of conventional cars</b><br />
- Ozzie Zehner recently authored a book I highly recommend called <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12804425-green-illusions">Green Illusions</a> in which he takes on myths about clean energy and other sacred cows of the unsophisticated, mainstream environmental movement. He also recently wrote an article exposing the environmental claims about electric cars: <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/unclean-at-any-speed">IEEE Spectrum: Unclean at Any Speed - Electric cars don’t solve the automobile’s environmental problems</a>. The entire article is required reading, but I've excerpted some of his key points below. He essentially argues that average citizens have been seduced into allowing electric cars to be massively subsidised for wealthy people when the evidence indicates that their environmental impacts, though different and often hidden, are at least as bad as for conventional cars. Even worse, poorer people in rural areas stand to suffer the most from the massive increases in electricity production that would be required to make electric cars mainstream. Given electric cars are so expensive, and even at the cheaper end are making little market impact, it is irrational to prioritise them over more sensible changes to implement higher vehicle emission standards and enforcement, and make the changes to cities that would enable more people to cycle, walk and use public transit.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Meanwhile, environmentalists who once stood entirely against the proliferation of automobiles now champion subsidies for companies selling electric cars and tax credits for people buying them. Two dozen governments around the world subsidize the purchase of electric vehicles. In Canada, for example, the governments of Ontario and Quebec pay drivers up to C $8500 to drive an electric car. The United Kingdom offers a £5000 Plug-in Car Grant. And the U.S. federal government provides up to $7500 in tax credits for people who buy plug-in electric vehicles, even though many of them are affluent enough not to need such help. (The average Chevy Volt owner, for example, has an income of $170 000 per year.) Some states offer additional tax incentives. California brings the total credit up to $10 000, and Colorado to $13 500—more than the base price of a brand new Ford Fiesta. West Virginia offers the sweetest deal. The state’s mining interests are salivating at the possibility of shifting automotive transportation from petroleum over to coal. Residents can receive a total credit of up to $15 000 for an electric-car purchase and up to $10 000 toward the cost of a personal charging station. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
There are other perks. Ten U.S. states open the high-occupancy lanes of their highways to electric cars, even if the car carries a lone driver. Numerous stores offer VIP parking for electric vehicles—and sometimes a free fill-up of electrons. Mayor Johnson even moved to relieve electric-car owners of the burden of London’s famed congestion fee. Alas, these carrots can’t overcome the reality that the prices of electric cars are still very high—a reflection of the substantial material and fossil-fuel costs that accrue to the companies constructing them. And some taxpayers understandably feel cheated that these subsidies tend to go to the very rich. Amid all the hype and hyperbole, it’s time to look behind the curtain. Are electric cars really so green? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Electric-car makers like to point out, for instance, that their vehicles can be charged from renewable sources, such as solar energy. Even if that were possible to do on a large scale, manufacturing the vast number of photovoltaic cells required would have venomous side effects. Solar cells contain heavy metals, and their manufacturing releases greenhouse gases such as sulfur hexafluoride, which has 23 000 times as much global warming potential as CO2, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. What’s more, fossil fuels are burned in the extraction of the raw materials needed to make solar cells and wind turbines—and for their fabrication, assembly, and maintenance. The same is true for the redundant backup power plants they require. And even more fossil fuel is burned when all this equipment is decommissioned. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12794">One study</a> attempted to paint a complete picture. Published by the National Academies in 2010 and overseen by two dozen of the United States’ leading scientists, it is perhaps the most comprehensive account of electric-car effects to date. As with many earlier studies, it found that operating an electric car was less damaging than refueling a gasoline-powered one. It isn’t that simple, however, according to Maureen Cropper, the report committee’s vice chair and a professor of economics at the University of Maryland. “Whether we are talking about a conventional gasoline-powered automobile, an electric vehicle, or a hybrid, most of the damages are actually coming from stages other than just the driving of the vehicle,” she points out. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The materials used in batteries are no less burdensome to the environment, the MIT study noted. Compounds such as lithium, copper, and nickel must be coaxed from the earth and processed in ways that demand energy and can release toxic wastes. At the end of their useful lives, batteries can also pose a problem. If recycled properly, the compounds are rather benign—although not something you’d want to spread on a bagel. But handled improperly, disposed batteries can release toxic chemicals. The National Academies’ assessment didn’t ignore those difficult-to-measure realities. <span style="color: #cc0000;">It drew together the effects of vehicle construction, fuel extraction, refining, emissions, and other factors. In a gut punch to electric-car advocates, it concluded that the vehicles’ lifetime health and environmental damages (excluding long-term climatic effects) are actually greater than those of gasoline-powered cars.</span> Indeed, the study found that an electric car is likely worse than a car fueled exclusively by gasoline derived from Canadian tar sands! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As for greenhouse-gas emissions and their influence on future climate, the researchers didn’t ignore those either. The investigators, like many others who have probed this issue, found that electric vehicles generally produce fewer of these emissions than their gasoline or diesel-fueled counterparts - but only marginally so when full life-cycle effects are accounted for. The lifetime difference in greenhouse-gas emissions between vehicles powered by batteries and those powered by low-sulfur diesel, for example, was hardly discernible.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The National Academies’ study stood out for its comprehensiveness, but it’s not the only one to make such grim assessments. A <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00532.x/abstract">Norwegian study</a> published last October in the Journal of Industrial Ecology compared life-cycle impacts of electric vehicles. The researchers considered acid rain, airborne particulates, water pollution, smog, and toxicity to humans, as well as depletion of fossil fuel and mineral resources. According to coauthor Anders Stromman, “<span style="color: #cc0000;">electric vehicles consistently perform worse or on par</span> with modern internal combustion engine vehicles, despite virtually zero direct emissions during operation.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
North American power station emissions also largely occur outside of urban areas, as do the damaging consequences of nuclear- and fossil-fuel extraction. And that leads to some critical questions. Do electric cars simply move pollution from upper-middle-class communities in Beverly Hills and Virginia Beach to poor communities in the backwaters of West Virginia and the nation’s industrial exurbs? Are electric cars a sleight of hand that allows peace of mind for those who are already comfortable at the expense of intensifying asthma, heart problems, and radiation risks among the poor and politically disconnected? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Upon closer consideration, moving from petroleum-fueled vehicles to electric cars begins to look more and more like shifting from one brand of cigarettes to another. We wouldn’t expect doctors to endorse such a thing. Should environmentally minded people really revere electric cars? <span style="color: #cc0000;">Perhaps we should look beyond the shiny gadgets now being offered and revisit some less sexy but potent options - smog reduction, bike lanes, energy taxes, and land-use changes to start</span>. Let’s not be seduced by high-tech illusions.<br />
<a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/unclean-at-any-speed">Unclean at Any Speed - Electric cars don’t solve the automobile’s environmental problems</a></blockquote>
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<div>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.wired.com/2012/07/green-illusion/all/">Wired: Author Claims Electric Vehicles Are a Green Illusion</a><br />
> <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/ozzie-zehner-responds-to-his-critics">IEEE Spectrum: Ozzie Zehner Responds to His Critics</a><br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/business-technology/electric-cars-are-clean-today-and-will-only-get-cleaner-tomorrow/">Grist: Electric cars are clean today and will only get cleaner tomorrow</a><br />
<br />
- Ozzie Zehner makes many other cogent arguments in his <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12804425-green-illusions">Green Illusions</a> book, articles and videos that are worthy of further investigation and which I'll incorporate into future posts. With regard to electric cars, the most salient is that there is no such thing as "clean energy" because all renewable energy is inextricably dependent on fossil fuels at each stage of the lifecycle. Scaling up renewables like wind and solar (thus total energy production) to try and power a mass-market fleet of electric cars would thus simply lead to both a massive increase in fossil fuel consumption as well as new large-scale environmental impacts specific to "green" technologies. Ozzie argues that we need to reduce total energy production and focus on proven, massively-untapped opportunities like energy efficiency. Also, a transformation in society (e.g. human rights, healthcare) and the economy (e.g. degrowth, focusing on quality of life not production and comsumption) is what we really need to focus on, not the tech fixes. Indeed, in the absence of those transformations to the existing economy, society and culture, alternative energy and electric cars will just pile up more problems:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Alternative energy is not a free ride, just a different ride," he added, "and there's no reason to believe it will offset fossil fuel use in a society that has high levels of consumption and is growing exponentially." Put another way, renewable energy only makes sense if undertaken in concert with other, more fundamental changes in the way we deploy and make use of energy in our everyday lives.<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-zeller-jr/ozzie-zehner-green-illusions_b_1710382.html">Huffington Post: Ozzie Zehner's 'Green Illusions' Ruffles Feathers</a></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiB4j_ufoAlhkk0_6JQaGQItruXBsn3LR4t6TbFEDBMzh0E2-0Edr_gzbGAB-0gzfHlKiIx3aXgYoNBFJEsxd-z-zi-XnptspENh70v9Xkq_4CGdtEKXBpXMyPm_zsu0mpePWbGxbSac/s1600/thegreenillusionsoftheelectriccar07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiB4j_ufoAlhkk0_6JQaGQItruXBsn3LR4t6TbFEDBMzh0E2-0Edr_gzbGAB-0gzfHlKiIx3aXgYoNBFJEsxd-z-zi-XnptspENh70v9Xkq_4CGdtEKXBpXMyPm_zsu0mpePWbGxbSac/s1600/thegreenillusionsoftheelectriccar07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.greenillusions.org/">Green Illusions website</a><br />
> <a href="http://wrongkindofgreen.org/2014/08/28/watch-ozzie-zehner-green-illusions/">The Wrong Kind of Green: Watch Ozzie Zehner on Green Illusions (videos)</a><br />
<br />
<b>5. Elon Musk is just another capitalist not an environmentalist or our technological saviour</b><br />
- I get really tired of the mainstream media and bloggers lauding Elon Musk as a visionary who is going to fix our transport problems. The hyperloop and other Personal Rapid Transit is a techno-fantasy that will never happen and Elon isn't interested in public transit. (See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/10/transport-tech-fantasies-vs-existing.html">Transport tech fantasies vs existing cycling solutions</a>). More importantly, Elon is the chief force behind the political and mainstream acceptance that the future of transport is electric cars - which is one of the most destructive and regressive trends for the welfare of people and the environment.<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/new-establishment-2014/elon-musk">Vanity Fair: The New Establishment - Elon Musk</a><br />
> <a href="http://qz.com/252990/the-story-of-elon-musk-and-gms-race-to-build-the-first-mass-market-electric-car/">The story of Elon Musk and GM’s race to build the first mass-market electric car</a><br />
> <a href="http://english.caixin.com/2014-04-28/100671579.html">CaixinOnline: The Driving Forces of Elon Musk</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkQYyMxgHhg5yd4M1oTCSy6L9CftGOV_vCwjYLYk9oOoSampDSEv1i91JOLRik2Nj4IWXPARLAFjFnYNWf5jbVj2sMa9EkTKOYB_rk803jf1H_SwLVsLRoQsgn0U79O6aSAyyChanNzM/s1600/thegreenillusionsoftheelectriccar06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkQYyMxgHhg5yd4M1oTCSy6L9CftGOV_vCwjYLYk9oOoSampDSEv1i91JOLRik2Nj4IWXPARLAFjFnYNWf5jbVj2sMa9EkTKOYB_rk803jf1H_SwLVsLRoQsgn0U79O6aSAyyChanNzM/s1600/thegreenillusionsoftheelectriccar06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/new-establishment-2014/elon-musk">Vanity Fair: The New Establishment - Elon Musk</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. "Green Tech" is often just another way to transfer wealth to rent-seeking corporations</b><br />
- A level playing field is the only fundamental necessity for real technology solutions to make sustainable progress. Sometimes limited government assistance and incentives can be a catalyst but large scale assistance that never ends is generally a clear sign that the real game is wealth transfer and rent seeking. When you see a litany of failures of goverment-assisted projects and companies, as well as boom and bust cycles, it should be very clear that these green initiatives are not driven by sustainability but corporatism and crony capitalism.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2010/07/unaffordable_at_any_speed.single.html">Slate: Unaffordable at Any Speed</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/296045/next-lsquonext-solyndrarsquo-robert-bryce">National Review Online: The Next ‘Next Solyndra’</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/magazine/19car-t.html?pagewanted=all">NY Times: Batteries Not Included</a><br />
<br />
<b>7. The mainstream environmental movement has to drop the cheerleading techno-fix pom poms and focus on "deep green" transformative ideas</b><br />
- To attack the current green obsession with "clean energy" and electric cars raises the ire of unsophisticated and dilettante environmentalists as well as those who are just using green causes to pursue money, status and careers. Ozzie Zehner explains that the real environmentalists need to recapture the agenda and understand what genuine transformation requires:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I would say that the environmental movement has relegated itself to cheerleading and mindless chants and that it's time for us to step away from the pom-poms. I encounter a boundless enthusiasm for creating positive change when holding dialogues with environmental groups. Unfortunately, <span style="color: #cc0000;">the mainstream environmental movement is channeling that energy into an increasingly corporatist, and what I call a "productivist," set of priorities</span>. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now I admit, it's difficult to say we've ever had a truly transformational environmental movement, but if you go back 50 years, activists were at least on a far better path. Prominent environmentalists were <span style="color: #cc0000;">living modestly, challenging dominant economic assumptions, and imagining durable strategies for human prosperity that were more in tune with the non-human planet</span>. That humility has largely eroded. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The modern environmental movement has rolled over to become an outlet for loggers, energy firms and car companies to plug into. It is now primarily a social media platform for consumerism, growth and energy production - an institutionalized philanderer of green illusions. If you need evidence, just go to any climate rally and you'll see a strip mall of stands for green products, green jobs and green energy. These will do nothing to solve the crisis we face, which is <span style="color: #cc0000;">not an energy crisis but rather a crisis of consumption</span>.<br />
<a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15588-power-shift-away-from-green-illusions">TruthOut: Power Shift Away From Green Illusions</a></blockquote>
<b>8. Other articles and research challenging the false promises of electric cars</b><br />
- Below I will collate the best articles I find illustrating other evidence and arguments against the electric car hype:<br />
> <a href="http://talkingclimate.org/unsustainable-practices/">Talking Climate: Unsustainable practices - why electric cars are a failure of ambition</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/will-electric-cars-ever-enter-mainstream">The Guardian: Will electric cars ever enter the mainstream?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3028159/a-broken-place-better-place">Fast Company: A Broken Place</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b></div>
<div>
<a href="http://ozziezehner.com/">Ozzie Zehner</a></div>
<div>
> <a href="http://www.greenillusions.org/">Green Illusions website</a><br />
> <a href="http://ozziezehner.com/2013/06/30/tesla-leaf-unclean-at-any-speed/">Tesla, Leaf: Unclean at Any Speed?</a><br />
<br />
Reviews & Articles on Green Illusions arguments<br />
> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-zeller-jr/ozzie-zehner-green-illusions_b_1710382.html">Huffington Post: Ozzie Zehner's 'Green Illusions' Ruffles Feathers</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15588-power-shift-away-from-green-illusions">TruthOut: Power Shift Away From Green Illusions</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.wired.com/2012/07/green-illusion/all/">Wired: Author Claims Electric Vehicles Are a Green Illusion</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.economonitor.com/dolanecon/2012/12/10/green-illusions-the-limits-of-alternative-energy/">Ed Dolan Econ Blog: Green Illusions - The Limits of Alternative Energy</a><br />
> <a href="http://wrongkindofgreen.org/2014/08/28/watch-ozzie-zehner-green-illusions/">The Wrong Kind of Green: Watch Ozzie Zehner on Green Illusions (videos)</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12804425-green-illusions?ac=1">Goodreads: Green Illusions - Ozzie Zehner</a></div>
<div>
<br />
EcoShock Radio<br />
> <a href="http://www.ecoshock.info/2014/12/green-illusions-ozzie-zehner.html">"Green Illusions" - Ozzie Zehner</a><br />
<br />
Clean Technia<br />
> <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/category/clean-transport-2/electric-vehicles/">Electric Vehicles articles</a><br />
> <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/18/electric-vehicles-greenhouse-gas-emissions-save-money/">Electric Vehicles Good for the Environment & Save You Money</a><br />
> <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2012/02/17/ev/">EV in a Frightening Chinese Haze</a><br />
> <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2012/01/16/a-short-tale-%E2%80%9Cthe-long-tailpipe%E2%80%9D/">A Short Tale & “The Long Tailpipe”</a><br />
> <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/19/tesla-owner-tax-rebates-total-1-5-billion/">Tesla Owner Tax Rebates Could Total $1.5 Billion</a><br />
> <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/22/ron-baron-us-will-likely-tesla-customers-25-years/">Ron Baron: “All Of Us Will Likely Be Tesla Customers In 25 Years”</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Mackinac Center for Public Policy</div>
<div>
> <a href="http://www.mackinac.org/16682">Volt Analysis Charges Debate</a></div>
<div>
<br />
Slate<br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2010/07/unaffordable_at_any_speed.html">Unaffordable at Any Speed</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/project_syndicate/2013/04/electric_cars_they_re_expensive_inconvenient_and_not_even_good_for_the_environment.html">Someday, Electric Cars Will Be Great</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/09/how_green_is_a_tesla_electric_cars_environmental_impact_depends_on_where.single.html">How Green Is a Tesla, Really?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/09/california_s_green_vehicle_subsidies_and_income_inequality.html">Clean Air Is for the Wealthy</a><br />
<br />
NY Times<br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/08/business/energy-environment/despite-push-for-cleaner-cars-sheer-numbers-could-work-against-climate-benefits.html?_r=0">Despite Push for Cleaner Cars, Sheer Numbers Could Work Against Climate Benefits</a><br />
> <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/e/electric_vehicles/index.html?&inline=nyt-classifier">Topic: Electric and hybrid vehicles</a><br />
> <a href="http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/will-2013-be-the-year-of-the-electric-car-finally/">Will 2013 Be the Year of the Electric Car?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/28/technology/personaltech/technology-and-the-human-factor-the-future-could-work-if-we-let-it.html?_r=0">The Future Could Work, if We Let It</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/automobiles/how-green-are-electric-cars-depends-on-where-you-plug-in.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all">How Green Are Electric Cars? Depends on Where You Plug In</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/magazine/19car-t.html?pagewanted=all">Batteries Not Included</a><br />
> <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/23/driving-sideways/?_r=0">Opinionator - Driving Sideways (Allison Arieff)</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/26/business/global/26rare.html">Earth-Friendly Elements, Mined Destructively</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/electric-cars">Topic: "Electric cars"</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/electric-vehicle-brands-consumer-charging-points">Electric vehicles: how can brands get consumers behind the wheel?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/29/norway-electric-cars-sale">Norway has fallen in love with electric cars – but the affair is coming to an end</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/mar/05/better-place-wrong-electric-car-startup">The Guardian: Better Place - what went wrong for the electric car startup?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2012/oct/05/electric-cars-emissions-bad-environment">Are electric cars bad for the environment?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/apr/16/electric-car-government-subsidy">The flaws in the electric car scheme</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/16/green-cars-transport-incentives-emissions">Labour's £5,000 sweetener to launch electric car revolution</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/16/elon-musk-hyperloop-going-nowhere">Sorry, Elon Musk – your Hyperloop is going nowhere</a><br />
<br />
Shrink That Footprint<br />
> <a href="http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electric-cars-green">The ‘electric cars aren’t green’ myth debunked</a><br />
> <a href="http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electric-car-emissions">Shades of Green: Electric Cars’ Carbon Emissions Around the Globe</a><br />
<br />
Treehugger<br />
> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/tag/electric-cars/">Posts tagged "electric cars"</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/cars/tesla-model-s-named-most-important-car-last-20-years-telegraph.html">Tesla Model S named 'Most important car of the last 20 years' by The Telegraph</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/cars/time-to-drive-on-sunshine.html">It's time to drive on sunshine</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/green-investments/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-gives-hour-long-speech-university-oxford-video-and-audio-q-a.html">Tesla CEO Elon Musk Speaks on the Future of Energy and Transportation</a><br />
<br />
The Telegraph<br />
> Topics: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/green-motoring/">Green Motoring</a>; <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/greenertransport/">Greener Transport</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/11301983/Tesla-Model-S-the-most-important-car-of-the-last-20-years.html">Tesla Model S: the most important car of the last 20 years</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/predictions/leisure/11308247/new-eco-friendly-cars.html">Affordable motoring in eco-friendly cars</a><br />
<br />
Dissent Magazine<br />
> <a href="http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/green-energy-bust-in-germany">Green Energy Bust in Germany</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Fox News</div>
<div>
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy0YwxICCN0">Chevy Volt Cost TaxPayers 250000 For Every Car Sold (YouTube)</a><br />
<br />
WSJ<br />
> <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324128504578346913994914472">Bjorn Lomborg: Green Cars Have a Dirty Little Secret</a><br />
<br />
Gizmodo<br />
> <a href="http://gizmodo.com/ban-cars-1737654991">Ban cars</a><br />
<br />
Renew Economy<br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/tesla-arrival-tells-us-that-the-future-is-electric-transport-23724">Tesla arrival tells us that the future is electric transport</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/are-evs-cheaper-to-buy-and-run-than-petrol-cars-yet-86813">Are EVs cheaper to buy and run than petrol cars, yet?</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/electric-vehicle-revolution-nigh-47796">Graph of the Day: The electric vehicle revolution is nigh</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/costly-toxic-slow-charge-busting-electric-car-myths-93070">Costly, toxic and slow to charge? Busting electric car myths</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/top-7-reasons-considering-electric-vehicle-today-33344">Top 7 reasons for considering an electric vehicle today</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/ubs-time-to-join-the-solar-ev-storage-revolution-27742">UBS: Time to join the solar, EV, storage revolution</a><br />
> <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/the-5-key-elements-of-sustainable-transport-23446">The 5 key elements of sustainable transport</a><br />
<br />
Transport Evolved<br />
> <a href="https://transportevolved.com/2014/12/16/beware-misinterpreted-study-electric-cars-yet-miscast-heavy-polluters/">Beware The Misinterpreted Study: How Electric Cars Are Yet Again Being Miscast as Heavy Polluters</a><br />
> <a href="https://transportevolved.com/2014/08/20/tell-us-tesla-electric-cars-deserve-tax-credits-cheaper-plug-ins/">You Tell Us: Do Tesla Electric Cars Deserve The Same Tax Credits As Cheaper Plug-ins?</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://evobsession.com/">EV Obsession</a><br />
> <a href="http://evobsession.com/50-big-aspects-evolving-electric-vehicle-market/">50 Big Aspects Of The Evolving Electric Vehicle Market</a><br />
> <a href="http://evobsession.com/ev-incentives-effective-especially-diverse/">EV Incentives Effective, Especially When Diverse</a><br />
<br />
Skift<br />
> <a href="http://skift.com/2014/05/11/with-electric-cars-hyperloop-and-spacex-elon-musk-becomes-disrupter-in-chief/">Elon Musk, Future-of-Travel’s New Disrupter-in-Chief</a><br />
<br />
Urban Foresight<br />
> <a href="http://urbanforesight.org/casebook.html">EV City Casebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/en_AU/models/design">Tesla Australia</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pluginamerica.org/">Plug In America</a><br />
<br />
Plugincars<br />
> <a href="http://www.plugincars.com/attacking-evs-new-book-says-electric-cars-arent-clean-123063.html">Attacking EVs: New Book Says Electric Cars Aren't Clean</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.revengeoftheelectriccar.com/">Revenge of the Electric Car - Movie</a><br />
<br />
Wikipedia<br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_incentives_for_plug-in_electric_vehicles">Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles</a><br />
<br />
> <a href="https://storiesofcreativeecology.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/whats-wrong-with-renewable-energy/">Stories of creative ecology: What’s wrong with renewable energy?</a><br />
<br />
<b>Books and articles about the adverse impacts of private cars</b><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/k/kay-asphalt.html">Asphalt Nation - How the Automobile Took Over America, and How We Can Take It Back (Ch1)</a><br />
<br />
Research<br />
<a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/smart-transportation-solutions/advanced-vehicle-technologies/electric-cars/emissions-and-charging-costs-electric-cars.html#.VKgE2yuUcWk">Union of Concerned Scientists: State of Charge (2012)</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-64373593581344792552015-01-02T01:56:00.000+11:002015-07-08T15:40:31.376+10:00My calculated benefits of cycling for transport<b>Summary</b>: In 2014, I cycled for 99% of my local trips in Melbourne between 2km and 20km (4000km). So this annual calculation exercise will demonstrate with hard facts whether cycling really can be cheaper, quicker, easier, safer, healthier and more enjoyable than the alternatives for getting around cities like Melbourne. For each criteria, I compare cycling with using a car or public transport.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/gregraisman/10470920534/" title="Diagonal Signal"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/10470920534_6e564925da.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
<small><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/gregraisman/10470920534/" title="Diagonal Signal">cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo</a> shared by <a href="http://flickr.com/people/gregraisman/">Greg Raisman</a></small><br />
<b><u></u></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
> See these blog categories: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/cycling%20benefits">cycling benefits</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20money">saving money</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20time">saving time</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/convenience">convenience</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-reduce-your-cycling-operating.html">How to reduce your cycling operating costs to less than $150 per year</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/why-mr-money-mustaches-biggest-secret.html">Why Mr Money Mustache's biggest secret of financial freedom is to ride a bike</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Overall Summary</b><br />
The overall picture is perfectly clear: by cycling for transport I make massive gains in money, time, convenience, safety, health and enjoyment.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Benefit (compared to driving)</th><th>2014 (Jan - Dec)</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Money Saved</td><td>A$4,000 - A$5,000</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Transport Time Saved</td><td>~90 hours</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Wasted Time Saved</td><td>~313 hours</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Trip Convenience Satisfaction</td><td>99%</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Safety</td><td>0 accidents, injuries, near misses</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Health</td><td>0 issues, sick days, doctor visits</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Trip Enjoyment Rating</td><td>99% were enjoyable</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Trips under 20km I chose not to cycle</td><td>1 nightime roundtrip to a party</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Total cycling km</td><td>~4,000km</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't have rare circumstances or skills that makes these gains difficult to replicate by the vast majority of able-bodied adults. However, your <b>current</b> circumstances and lifestyle will likely need to be proactively redesigned to maximise the benefits of switching to cycling and prioritising your quality of life. Most residents of Melbourne (or similar cities) could also cycle for at least <b>some of their trips</b> and <b>start </b>redesigning their lives and taking advantage of these benefits. If you own a car, the biggest gains are realised when you eventually get rid of it and come to depend on cycling and walking as your primary means of local transport.<br />
<br />
Also there are various practical barriers, issues and challenges to be overcome or optimised over time. These all differ according to each circumstance, so it's up to each individual or family to assess and solve these. This blog exists to help you do that. Simply choose the relevant category to review these solutions. E.g. <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/barriers%20and%20solutions">barriers and solutions</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/buying%20a%20bike%20and%20gear">buying a bike and gear</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/safety%20and%20health">safety and health</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/routes%20and%20maps">routes and maps</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/protecting%20your%20bike">protecting your bike</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/how%20to%20ride">how to ride</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/commuting">commuting</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/comfort">comfort</a>; etc.<br />
<br />
<b>Notes</b>:<br />
The scope of this analysis is <span style="color: #cc0000;">local trips</span> - <b>defined here as trips between 2km and 20km</b>. The vast majority of people's local trips are under 20km (over 99% of mine are). I exclude trips under 2km as I tend to walk most of them (which is even better than cycling for short trips).<br />
<br />
I don't own or have access to a car. I didn't use cars for any local trip in 2014 (including taxis, Uber, etc). I have very good access to public transport (2 tram lines are 300-400m away, the train is 1km away) but use it very rarely as I prefer to cycle. However, there are situations where public transport is a necessary or superior alternative. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/05/the-most-common-situations-where-public.html">The most common situations where a public transport alternative helps cyclists</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. Money Saved</b><br />
Regarding the financial benefits, the calculations are dead simple:<br />
<br />
(a) My direct operating expenditures on cycling in 2014 were <b>$0.</b> I do all maintenance myself and didn't have any servicing, part replacement or running costs. You could claim that food is a running cost but I doubt I'd save much money if I switched to a passive mode of transport; I think I'd eat about the same and just put on weight due to getting insufficient exercise. As the saying goes: "cycling runs on fat and saves you money; driving runs on money and makes you fat."<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-reduce-your-cycling-operating.html">How to reduce your cycling operating costs to less than $150 per year</a>.<br />
<br />
So that just leaves the amortized operating expenses that I estimate at <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/my-calculated-benefits-of-cycling-for.html">$138/year</a> - $75/year of which is purely the depreciation of my bike over an artificially-shortened 5 year period (its lifespan is around 15 years but I will buy a new bike approximately every 5 years because I want to and can easily afford it).<br />
<br />
(b) There were a few direct capital expenditures in 2014 (total value of $263) but the bulk of this was for a complete bike repair tool kit and repair stand that will be amortized over 20 years (i.e. costing $12/year). (See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/actual-cycling-expenditures-tracked.html">Actual cycling expenditures prove how cheap cycling can be</a>). It is too complicated to provide actual amortized yearly costs for all of these CapEx spends I've documented, so I've erred on the higher side and will use <b>$50/year</b> as the cumulative amortized CapEx spend.<br />
<br />
(c) I didn't use a car for any local trip under 20km in 2014 (including taxis, Uber, etc). I promise there is no cheating involved in these calculations. I really do deliberately bike everywhere I can because I prefer it.<br />
<br />
(d) My public transport costs for local trips under 20km in 2014 were <b>$3.58</b> - a single roundtrip after 6pm on a tram with my girlfriend to a party. The few other trips recorded on my public transport smartcard (Myki) were taken by others (my sister when visiting town, my girlfriend) or were well over 20km (e.g. a train-bike trip to do cherry picking out of town - 30 Nov to Lilydale)<sup><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">2</span></b></sup>. For 2015, my aim is to keep one Myki reserved for my trips and then show a complete Jan to Dec record that is pure.<br />
<br />
(e) So <span style="color: #cc0000;">my total local transport costs for 2014</span> were: $138 + ~$50 (other amortized CapEx spend) + $3.58 = <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>$191.58</b></span>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT5jmMUqgODNWYWignXEt1q6zeSAZoyKU6CygG6STfQv2iNl-A-wssyLeXFXopGbAu5mjENeZAQgR1yamMmMMS7hJWM4BxgozSkwZyx10f-EVA3XGIzkuU5IUlnZZbUWykQRM2U-cuEE/s1600/mrmoneymustache06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT5jmMUqgODNWYWignXEt1q6zeSAZoyKU6CygG6STfQv2iNl-A-wssyLeXFXopGbAu5mjENeZAQgR1yamMmMMS7hJWM4BxgozSkwZyx10f-EVA3XGIzkuU5IUlnZZbUWykQRM2U-cuEE/s1600/mrmoneymustache06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<sup><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>2</b></span></sup><a href="https://www.mymyki.com.au/">My Myki Transactions: April 2014 - Dec 2014</a><br />
<br />
I completed 4,000km on my bike in 2014. So let's compare what I would have spent if I did those 4,000km in a car I owned. I used the Hyundai i20 3 door as the light car example and focused primarily on minimum, required costs.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Cost Category</th><th>Annual Car Costs (4,000km/yr)</th><th>My Cycling Costs</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Depreciation</td><td>- $1760 to $2160 / year<br />
(this is the range for <a href="http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/b27163d0-f6da-4903-aa1e-7e3edfad05f1/light_14.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=b27163d0-f6da-4903-aa1e-7e3edfad05f1">Light Cars calculated by RACV</a>)<br />
- Larger cars will cost significantly more</td><td>$75 / year (my $380 bike will last at least 5 years)</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Vehicle Registration</td><td><a href="http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/FeesFormsAndFAQs/Fees/VehicleRegistrationFees.htm">$238 / year</a> (for Victoria)</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Compulsory Accident & 3rd Party Insurance</td><td>$474 / year (In Victoria: <a href="http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/about-the-tac/our-organisation/transport-accident-charge">Transport Accident Charge</a>)</td><td>$5 / year (I <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/self-insurance-usually-beats-paying-for.html">self-insure</a> and will likely never need it)</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Comprehensive Insurance & Breakdown Cover</td><td>$415 / year with $600 excess<br />
(Cheapest quote for new Hyundai i20 3 door via <a href="http://www.comparethemarket.com.au/">Compare The Market</a>)</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Services, Repairs, Tyres, Oil</td><td>$300 / year<br />
(Bottom-end average based on <a href="http://www.carservice.com.au/">servicing costs</a> for Hyundai i20)</td><td>- $58 / year (<a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-reduce-your-cycling-operating.html">mostly amortized costs</a>)<br />
- No direct costs for 2014.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Fuel</td><td>- $500 / year (4,000km * <a href="http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/b27163d0-f6da-4903-aa1e-7e3edfad05f1/light_14.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=b27163d0-f6da-4903-aa1e-7e3edfad05f1">8 cents/km for Hyundai i20</a>)</td><td>$0. Extra food was unnecessary.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Parking</td><td>- $2,200 / year if driving to work and parking in city at <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/early-bird-gets-the-park-and-also-eats-lunch-20100522-w31g.html">early bird rate</a><br />
- $200 / year if parking only occasionally in high-cost areas</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Fines</td><td>$100 / year (<a href="http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-news/aussie_drivers_hit_with_exorbitant_fines">Victoria raises $640 million/year in fines</a> so for the average motorist this is over $200 / year)</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Cleaning</td><td>$0 / year (Perhaps $40 - $100 / year for the typical motorist)</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Permits (e.g. on-street parking)</td><td>$0 / year (I have a garage. However, other residents may need permits to park outside their house or at work)</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Other: Financing, Leases, Tolls...</td><td>? / year - I've excluded these not because they're insignificant but because they vary considerably.</td><td>$0</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Total</td><td>- <b>Minimum of $4000/year</b> ($6000/year if driving to work and parking in the city)<br />
- This cost increases substantially with the price of the car, number of km driven and costs for parking, fines, financing, tolls, etc.</td><td><b>$138 / year</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We can also use the comprehensive aggregate figures compiled by motoring organisations. According to Victoria's largest motoring organisation, the RACV, the lowest Total Standing Costs for a car ("micro cars") available in Australia (for the Suzuki Alto) are $74.71/week = $3,885/year - that's before you ever turn the engine on! The lowest Total Running Costs for any available petrol car aren't materially cheaper than the Suzuki Alto which is 14.17 cents/km. I did around 4,000km on my bike in 2014 so that equals $567. The combined total minimum driving costs to replace my 2014 cycling = <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>$4,452</b></span>. <span style="color: #cc0000;">So my minimum annual saving by cycling rather than driving</span> is $4,452 - $192 = <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>$4,260</b></span>. See: <a href="http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/Primary/my+car/Operating+Costs">RACV's car owning and operating costs guide for 2014</a><br />
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If your household owns multiple cars then you can multiply the Total Standing Costs and also factor in that greater car access results in greater mileage and usage (a mythical car-using equivalent of me would actually drive more than 4,000km of local trips a year).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDtxAKuEtM1h0X-1pCc9S2YGNu3qsPG938kG377yzOIGwsE__xnR1aVu7PE1cDJxDeMA1v2DIEEdGpD8yApfFUnjlYGjDcVnYDGL7kn_8o3vQxs-8v_pJ30B6Hw0u072ASraoRgCJMsE/s1600/mrmoneymustache07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDtxAKuEtM1h0X-1pCc9S2YGNu3qsPG938kG377yzOIGwsE__xnR1aVu7PE1cDJxDeMA1v2DIEEdGpD8yApfFUnjlYGjDcVnYDGL7kn_8o3vQxs-8v_pJ30B6Hw0u072ASraoRgCJMsE/s1600/mrmoneymustache07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/2b4746c0-d490-4156-832a-03281fd4f609/micro_14.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=2b4746c0-d490-4156-832a-03281fd4f609">RACV's car owning and operating costs guide for 2014 - Micro cars (cheapest)</a><br />
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A useful exercise is to take that minimum annual saving ($4,260) and accumulate it over 10 years (I've been car free since 2008 and intend to be for as much of my future life as is feasible). It's easy to do this math yourself with your own figures using any online compound interest calculator. I've used the one on the <a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-apps">MoneySmart website</a> and plugged in ultra conservative and simplified numbers. Even so, the <b>minimum</b> 10 year gain is <span style="color: #cc0000;">$51,146</span>. When you consider actual household car-related expenses, the long-term financial gains for most households are several hundred thousand dollars. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/why-mr-money-mustaches-biggest-secret.html">Why Mr Money Mustache's biggest secret of financial freedom is to ride a bike</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAEFT2xq8oM0xmKCyV6Wwi0ZuBRQvNoReczFiwO1mFdBvjRxZwDO_c9-kqL07azj5XV9mcWpIq0qR6vyZbVek5_IsQgA1P848FgSLvgDpjm_5OMy-tQsUlwzFeGaPGo3x-6JR644vIFo/s1600/mycalculatedbenefitsofcyclingfortransport03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAEFT2xq8oM0xmKCyV6Wwi0ZuBRQvNoReczFiwO1mFdBvjRxZwDO_c9-kqL07azj5XV9mcWpIq0qR6vyZbVek5_IsQgA1P848FgSLvgDpjm_5OMy-tQsUlwzFeGaPGo3x-6JR644vIFo/s1600/mycalculatedbenefitsofcyclingfortransport03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-apps/compound-interest-calculator">ASIC MoneySmart Compound Interest Calculator</a><br />
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There are various other indirect and optional savings to be had from not owning and using a car and cycling instead. I haven't included them in my comparisons but they are worthy of special consideration as most are hidden costs that car-dependent people are unaware of. These include:<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; color: black; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Other Potential Savings - Cycling vs Driving</th><th>Estimate for 4,000km Cycling</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Exercise costs - gyms, sports, etc.</td><td>$300 / year</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><a href="http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/">Accessories for car </a>(audio, comfort, racks, wheels, etc.)</td><td>$200 / year</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>The value of your time spent on a car: buying/leasing, servicing, repairing, cleaning, doing paperwork, etc.</td><td>$500 - $1000 / year</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Expenditures on goods that are made because you are using a car to get around. E.g. I've never visited a large shopping mall in Melbourne nor a drive-thru nor bought anything spontaneously I couldn't carry using my bike.</td><td>$1000 / year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The costs of public transport are much cheaper than owning and using a car, but they are still more expensive than cycling. In Melbourne, the cheapest method of using public transport as a replacement would be to pay for an annual transport pass (Myki). This would <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/metropolitan-myki-fares/">cost $1,430</a> per year.<br />
<br />
Clearly, my actual, annual cycling costs ($192/year) are far cheaper than any transport alternative, especially owning a car (even if I didn't put many km on it). Your cycling costs may be slightly higher (based on different bike and equipment preferences and whether you do your own maintenance) but they can readily be much less than the costs of driving and considerably cheaper than public transport.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Transport Time Saved</b><br />
This is hard to calculate exactly without repeatedly timing the cycling trip versus the car trip (which I typically can't collect). However, personal experience has shown that, if we leave at the same time, I typically beat those travelling by car door-to-door to most destinations within 5-10km unless traffic is very light and parking very easy. Below are estimates of the time saved in 2014:<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>2014 Trip (# per year)</th><th>Time by Car (door to door inc. parking)*</th><th>Time by Bicycle (door to door inc. parking)</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Work Commute (368)</td><td>~19-23min</td><td>10-12min</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Weekend Grocery Shop (96)</td><td>~13-16min</td><td>9-10min</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Brunch/Dinner (~90)</td><td>~10-16min average</td><td>7-9min average</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Social Destinations (~70)</td><td>~15-20min average</td><td>9-11min average</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Other Destinations (~60)</td><td>~10-15min average</td><td>7-9min average</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><b>Transport Time Saved:</b></td><td><br /></td><td><b>~90 hours saved per year</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*The car times are estimates rather than exact as I haven't taken many of these trips by car.<br />
<br />
Also see: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/bikes-are-faster-door-to-door-than-cars.html">Bikes are faster door-to-door than cars or public transport within 5-10km</a><br />
<br />
<b>3. Wasted Time Saved</b><br />
Apart from the direct travel time inefficiencies of driving (congestion, parking), there are many indirect ways in which driving wastes time compared to cycling. I have summarised many of these here: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/the-many-ways-cycling-saves-time.html">The many ways cycling saves time compared to cars and public transport</a>. I have made rough annual estimates of this wasted time in the table below.<br />
<br />
However, the biggest two areas of indirect time saving are from: (a) Exercise - the time you spend cycling is exercise that if you were commuting by a passive means you would need to obtain elsewhere; (b) Earning the extra costs of driving - even if you're happy to spend an extra $5000/yr on a car you'll need to spend time working to earn this money.<br />
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<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; color: black; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Time Category</th><th>Estimate for 4,000km Cycling</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Exercise</td><td>- For 4,000km at 20km/hr = 200 hours spent cycling which wasn't wasted as it was exercise.<br />
- If these 200 hours were spent on passive transport to get the equivalent exercise would require at least an extra 200 hours.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Fuel Stops</td><td>~50 stops * 6min = 5 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Servicing</td><td>2 services * 1.5 hours = 3 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Registration, Insurance, Other Paperwork</td><td>~5 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Cleaning</td><td>~3 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Permits or Parking Arrangements</td><td>~2 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Accidents & Breakdowns</td><td>~4 hours / yr (annual pro-rata average)</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Waiting for Others (e.g. passengers, sharing car)</td><td>~3 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Purchase, Lease or Sale</td><td>~6 hours / yr (annual pro-rata average)</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Fines or Penalties</td><td>~2 hours / yr</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Earning the Extra Costs</td><td>$5000 / $60/hr wage = 80 hrs per year</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><b>Wasted Time Saved:</b></td><td><b>~313 hours saved per year</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>4. Trip Convenience Satisfaction</b><br />
I have claimed <b>99%</b> as an estimate for 2014. Obviously this is just an estimate rather than a calculation as I haven't counted and rated each individual trip. However, in thinking over my 2014 trips, I can't think of <b>any trips</b> where I would have preferred to use a car or public transport than cycle.<br />
<br />
<b>Note</b>: This satisfaction level typically rises with experience and as you refine the efficiency, comfort and flexibility of your cycling trips.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Safety</b><br />
In 2014, I once again had <b>zero</b> accidents, injuries or near misses (same as for 2013). Please see my accident history log for precise details: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/actual-cycling-accident-history-proves.html">Actual cycling accident history proves how safe it can be</a>. Clearly, cycling several hundred trips and 4,000km in Melbourne does not have to involve any accidents with cars, doorings or crashes due to wet or slippery surfaces. It certainly doesn't have to involve any injuries.<br />
<br />
From a subjective safety standpoint: I now almost always feel safer riding a bike than travelling in a car, especially if others are driving. On my bike I feel in complete control of the risks and, given where and how I ride, I consider them negligible.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Health</b><br />
In 2014, I once again had <b>zero</b> health issues, sick days or doctor visits (same as for 2013). My health has always been very good but it is worth noting that over the last 6 years of cycling regularly I have had no illnesses, sick days or doctor visits. Nor have I taken any medicine or supplements (excluding a few aspirins for hangovers). My current <a href="http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthy-eating/Pages/bmi-calculator.aspx">BMI is 22</a> and very stable which compares pretty favourably with people of a similar age (born in 1975) and background.<br />
<br />
Naturally, one can't claim that daily cycling will be a remedy for all existing health issues, but it is fair to say that the daily exercise that cycling for transport provides can be a significant contributor to maintaining good health. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/built-in-exercise-is-major-benefit-of.html">Built-in exercise is a major benefit of cycling for transport</a><br />
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There may also be some benefit in limiting one's daily exposure to airborne illnesses like colds or the flu on public transport.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo6-4OKgSdxVS2NhOPzGegU-uFPHtMsxUn1ptm0fX8NimqnwlYXfSwkQeu1N8oDzObnbNWg1ePYVPZ-TfQbElEw0w4x7RJaHz-KfEcZ8NDxGVTo-S9jBBa3BJsgJMBE_rVvHa4mCV6lQ/s1600/mycalculatedbenefitsofcyclingfortransport01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo6-4OKgSdxVS2NhOPzGegU-uFPHtMsxUn1ptm0fX8NimqnwlYXfSwkQeu1N8oDzObnbNWg1ePYVPZ-TfQbElEw0w4x7RJaHz-KfEcZ8NDxGVTo-S9jBBa3BJsgJMBE_rVvHa4mCV6lQ/s1600/mycalculatedbenefitsofcyclingfortransport01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/85Berv">Flickr CC by 2.0 - Carlton Reid</a><br />
<br />
<b>7. Trip Enjoyment Rating</b><br />
I have claimed <b>99%</b> as an estimate for 2014. Obviously this is just an estimate rather than a calculation as I haven't counted and rated each individual trip. However, in thinking over my 2014 trips, I can't think of <b>any trips</b> where I would have enjoyed using a car or public transport more than cycling.<br />
<br />
Because I have ready access to reasonably comfortable and efficient public transport for most common trips (e.g. my work commute would be a straightforward tram ride and take only 5-10min longer), another good measure of my cycling trip enjoyment is how many times I chose to use public transport instead. In 2014, there were <b>zero instances</b> where I opted to use public transport rather than ride.<br />
<br />
It is interesting to note that I used to switch to public transport from cycling due to wet weather conditions more readily in the past but now that I have a rain jacket, use a rain radar app and feel confident riding in the wet, I almost never switch. I have also learnt to deal with hot and windy weather and, over time, have found it more comfortable and enjoyable to cycle in a broad range of weather conditions.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/how-to-avoid-getting-wet-when-riding.html">How to avoid getting wet when riding</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/11/solve-sweat-problem-without-showers-and.html">Solve the sweat problem without showers and changing clothes</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/11/how-to-deal-with-windy-conditions-and.html">How to deal with windy conditions and still get around by bike</a><br />
<br />
<b>8. Trips under 20km I chose not to cycle</b><br />
There was only one local trip (i.e. under 20km) in 2014 that I chose to use public transport for rather than ride and that wasn't my preference (I'd have ridden on my own). My girlfriend and I went to a nightime party around 15km away and she was dressed up and didn't want to ride. Of course, there's nothing at all wrong with using public transport when it makes sense and is strongly preferred by yourself or your family/friends.<br />
<br />
The major category of trips to watch out for in such calculations like these are <b>the trips that don't happen</b> because cycling has some obstacles that need to be overcome. In this case, limiting yourself to cycling would be reducing your <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/access%20and%20urban%20freedom">access and urban freedom</a> not extending it. The only real impediment to taking a trip by bike for me is the weather. I would definitely keep an accurate count of such trips I opted not to take if I lived in a very rainy city like Portland or a very snowy or cold city. Fortunately, it doesn't rain much or for long in Melbourne and nor does it get too cold to ride. It's pretty simple to take steps to ensure you are happy to ride all year round. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/how-to-avoid-getting-wet-when-riding.html">How to avoid getting wet when riding</a>. In 2014, there were no trips I can recall that I chose not to take due to it not being pleasant or suitable for cycling.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/high-cost-of-commute-20131211-2z6g0.html">High cost of commute</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/14/making-the-leap-going-carless-breaking-down-the-numbers/">Making the Leap-Going Carless: breaking down the numbers</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-28074602037821005042014-12-31T17:32:00.000+11:002015-01-08T13:58:58.230+11:00The complete guide to electric bikes<b>Summary</b>: Electric bikes (e-bikes, pedelecs) can make it feasible for more people in more types of circumstances to achieve many benefits of cycling for transport - specifically where distance, hills, winds, loads or fitness are barriers. However, it's important to consider: if e-bikes are really the best solution, if so, what type of e-bike to choose, and how to best use it to maximise cycling's advantages while not unnecessarily eliminating some benefits (e.g. free exercise, improving fitness/health) or introducing new barriers (risk of theft, ongoing costs). As I don't own or use e-bikes, this post will primarily collate links to the most helpful guides and resources.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4yljoQJih0VZx6QBO0OCSQz1bmU5u214-vR-hU76VMOWeRfcInRPZ3hdj0KNp7JGfT_E2T3YpvJEb6C89yulc9jVDTYxtLCmlAwaUFXM1gBgVnDFp3kzohyphenhyphenVovFlgLTbaBbS0Yx2riQ/s1600/thecompleteguidetoelectricbikes02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4yljoQJih0VZx6QBO0OCSQz1bmU5u214-vR-hU76VMOWeRfcInRPZ3hdj0KNp7JGfT_E2T3YpvJEb6C89yulc9jVDTYxtLCmlAwaUFXM1gBgVnDFp3kzohyphenhyphenVovFlgLTbaBbS0Yx2riQ/s1600/thecompleteguidetoelectricbikes02.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.superpedestrian.com/">Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/buying%20a%20bike%20and%20gear">buying a bike and gear</a> category of this blog.<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/barriers%20and%20solutions">barriers and solutions</a> category of this blog.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Understand e-bike disadvantages</b><br />
- I'm aware of all types of e-bikes and can readily afford any of them, so if I thought the e-bike type most suited to me was a better way of extending my cycling access, utility, benefits or enjoyment, I would get one or at least try it. However, I don't need one and, in my case, any benefits are very limited compared to several obvious, significant disadvantages. Hence, there's no chance of me considering one until I'm at least 60 or my circumstances change massively.<br />
<br />
- Anyone considering some kind of e-bike should familiarise themselves with the common disadvantages as there may be alternate biking solutions and the ultimate aim is to be using bikes more not less:<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>e-bike Disadvantage</th><th>Explanation</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Higher cost</td><td>e-bikes cost between $500 and $2000 more than conventional equivalents</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Theft risk; Can't park as freely</td><td>- The higher value of e-bikes mean the theft risk is higher plus their components are typically harder to secure with a single U lock.<br />
- The elevated theft risk means you often can't freely park an e-bike anywhere like you can with an inexpensive conventional bike.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Requires charging</td><td>An e-bike turns into a heavy, impractical bike when not charged and thus there is a dependency on regular access to power plus the time,effort and inconvenience of charging and monitoring charge level.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Range/time limits</td><td>e-bikes have limited battery capacity and so all have a finite limit to power usage. Once this runs out they become heavy, impractical bikes.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Higher weight</td><td>e-bikes add weight of around 5-10kg to a conventional bike. If you need to carry your bike or lift it then this is a possible issue. The higher weight also means e-bikes are significantly harder to pedal without electric assist.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Greater maintenance dependencies</td><td>Conventional bikes can be fully maintained by a typical person who acquires the low-cost tools and skills. The electric and some drivetrain components of e-bikes will require specialist maintenance if they need repair or tuning.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Battery life and bike lifespan</td><td>e-bikes have special batteries that have a finite life and many are not designed for simple, self-service replacement at reasonable cost. This may mean that many e-bikes have much lower in-practice lifespans than conventional bikes.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Vendor dependencies</td><td>Most e-bikes use proprietary solutions that need part replacement, servicing or support by a single vendor. This creates a dependency on the vendor's continued existence and service-level.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Technology dependencies</td><td>Using a smartphone, app or similar technology as the means of enabling, configuring and operating an e-bike sounds appealing but creates an extra dependency for using the bike. E.g. Always having a charged, suitable phone with bluetooth connectivity.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Less exercise</td><td>The health benefits of building free, daily exercise into your means of getting around is the biggest advantage of cycling. e-bikes reduce the extent of this advantage so you'd have to choose a type that lets you limit when the electric assist is on to prevent this.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Less safe</td><td>e-bikes greater speeds (which are effortless and easily maintained) combined with greater weight make them less safe for both the rider, other cyclists and pedestrians. Speeds above 30km/hr are one of the biggest factors in cycling crashes and injury.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Additional regulations</td><td>e-bikes can be subject to additional regulations on things like maximum power or speed, access to some cycling facilities and extra road rules.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Technical limitations (speed/power caps)</td><td>e-bikes often have limitations built-in for safety or to meet the hardest regulatory constraints (often power/speed caps). This can mean that functionality and performance (e.g. climbing steep hills, going fast when safe) can suffer.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Not true sustainability</td><td>Don't fall for the greenwash that electric bikes and cars are green and sustainable. Most of the issues with electric cars apply to e-bikes. See: <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/unclean-at-any-speed">IEEE Spectrum: Unclean at Any Speed</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/electric-vs-regular/">Elecric Bike Review: Electric Bike vs. Regular Bike</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.copenhagenize.com/2014/02/the-e-bike-sceptic.html">Copenhagenize: The E-bike Sceptic</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. First explore and try feasible alternatives using conventional bikes</b><br />
- There are feasible solutions to many of the issues that lead people to considering e-bikes. Given the inherent disadvantages listed above, it is recommended to consider alternate solutions to these issues that only require a conventional bike:<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Reason for considering an e-bike</th><th>Alternative with a conventional bike</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Distance</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/the-distance-of-your-common-trips-does.html">The distance of your common trips does matter or you need good connections with public transport</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/getting-most-out-of-using-bikes-and.html">Getting the most out of using bikes and public transport together</a><br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category of this blog<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/access%20and%20urban%20freedom">access and urban freedom</a> category of this blog</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Speed and saving time</td><td>> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20time">saving time</a> category of this blog</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Hills</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-maximise-your-cycling-when-faced.html">How to maximise your cycling when faced with hills</a></td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Wind</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/11/how-to-deal-with-windy-conditions-and.html">How to deal with windy conditions and still get around by bike</a></td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Sweat</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/11/solve-sweat-problem-without-showers-and.html">Solve the sweat problem without showers and changing clothes</a></td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Comfort</td><td>> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/comfort">comfort</a> category of this blog</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Bike weight and efficiency</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/key-decisions-that-will-help-narrow.html">Key decisions that will help narrow down the most suitable bike to buy</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/the-best-existing-design-solutions-for.html">The best existing design solutions for transport utility bicycles</a></td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Bike load</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/the-best-existing-design-solutions-for.html">The best existing design solutions for transport utility bicycles</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/designing-better-utility-bike-in.html">Designing a better utility bike in developing cycling cities</a></td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Other</td><td>> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/solutions-to-common-barriers-to-cycling.html">Solutions to common barriers to cycling</a><br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/barriers%20and%20solutions">barriers and solutions</a> category of this blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>3. Recent news articles about e-bikes, their growing popularity and the reasons</b><br />
- The most salient, recent news articles on e-bikes are a helpful way of getting a general understanding of the circumstances in which e-bikes have proved to be most useful and advantageous. Reviewing the most recent articles also advises you of the latest technological developments and options which is critical for the fast-evolving e-bike market. Older e-bike technologies and types tend to fade out of style and support rapidly.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/commute/2013/09/coming-battle-over-electric-bicycles/6763/">CityLab: The Coming Battle Over Electric Bicycles</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/commute/2012/04/defense-electric-bicycle-bottom-steep-hill-san-francisco/1851/">CityLab: In Defense of the Electric Bicycle, from the Bottom of a Steep Hill in San Francisco</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/topics/electric-bicycle/">CityLab: Articles tagged "electric bicycle"</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/19/business/e-bike-sales-are-surging-in-europe.html">NY Times: E-Bike Sales Are Surging in Europe</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/jan/08/cycling-ebikes-smart-bike-blog">The Guardian: Smart e-bike: futuristic-looking and shiny, but how practical?</a><br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/article/the-body-electric/">Grist: What can China teach us about electric bikes?</a><br />
> <a href="http://gizmodo.com/is-the-us-poised-for-an-e-bike-revolution-1570563530">Gizmodo: Is the US Poised for an E-Bike Revolution?</a><br />
<br />
<b>4. Useful general guides on e-bikes to aid decision making</b><br />
- Below I'll collate the most useful general guides on e-bikes that help individuals make decisions on their utility, suitability and selecting the best type.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/category/guides/">Electric Bike Review: Guides</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereport.com/category/electric-bike-guides/">Electric Bike Report: Guides</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.electric-bicycle-guide.com/">Electric Bicycle Guide</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/09/30/electric-bikes-gateway-drug-to-bike-commuting/">Mr Money Mustache: Electric Bikes - Gateway Drug to Bike Commuting?</a><br />
> <a href="https://rideonmagazine.com.au/e-bikes-buying-guide/">RideOn: E-bikes buying guide</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bicycles.net.au/2013/05/australianexpert-round-table-buying-ebike-part-1/">Bicycles Network Australia: Expert Round Table - Buying an E-Bike Part 1</a><br />
<br />
<b>5. Useful specific guides on e-bikes to aid decision making</b><br />
- Below I'll collate the most useful specific guides on e-bikes that help individuals make decisions on their utility, suitability and selecting the best type.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/category/guides/">Electric Bike Review: Guides</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/what-is-an-electric-bike/">Electric Bike Review: What is an Electric Bike?</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/electric-bike-classes/">Electric Bike Review: What Are Electric Bike Classes and Why Do They Matter?</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/difference-between-ebike-motors/">Electric Bike Review: What’s the Difference Between Electric Bike Motors?</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/how-to-choose-electric-bike/">Elecric Bike Review: How to Choose an Electric Bike</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/electric-bike-terminology/">Elecric Bike Review: Electric Bike Terminology</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/insurance-for-electric-bikes/">Electric Bike Review: Insurance for Electric Bikes</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/guides/electric-vs-regular/">Elecric Bike Review: Electric Bike vs. Regular Bike</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. Professional, comprehensive e-bike review sites</b><br />
- Review sites with actual product tests, sufficient details and videos for a large number of recent e-bikes can be hard to find. I will list the best of them below.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/top-10-electric-bikes/">Electric Bike Review: Top 10 Electric Bikes</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/tag/bikes/">Electric Bike Review: All Reviews</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/compare/">Electric Bike Review: Compare Electric Bikes</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PrTu44IYfbGHB2K22mBixEuv0UXZ8T_RqPXuBeiUAsS8KMmpnSHgVz06-Q5tudgScYReJLCZUFrS5empe-kuyT_fFsGrDaRg5cT3_1ZFI-MqJUfcpRGqnkjmVaIItQ8OvDde1FDY2Lc/s1600/thecompleteguidetoelectricbikes01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PrTu44IYfbGHB2K22mBixEuv0UXZ8T_RqPXuBeiUAsS8KMmpnSHgVz06-Q5tudgScYReJLCZUFrS5empe-kuyT_fFsGrDaRg5cT3_1ZFI-MqJUfcpRGqnkjmVaIItQ8OvDde1FDY2Lc/s1600/thecompleteguidetoelectricbikes01.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://electricbikereview.com/compare/">Electric Bike Review: Compare Electric Bikes</a><br />
<br />
<b>7. About "Copenhagen Wheel" e-bike conversions (inc FlyKly, etc)</b><br />
- "Copenhagen Wheel" solutions have all of the e-bike components in an extra-large hub that is integrated with the rear wheel. This enables most conventional bikes with standard 700C wheels to simply be converted to e-bikes by replacing the conventional rear wheel with a "Copenhagen Wheel".<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/07/if-an-electric-bike-is-ever-going-to-hit-it-big-in-the-us-its-this-one/375167/">CityLab: If an Electric Bike Is Ever Going to Hit It Big in the U.S., It's This One</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.superpedestrian.com/">Superpedestrian</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.superpedestrian.com/support">Superpedestrian Support</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/superpedestrian/copenhagen-wheel/">Electric Bike Review: Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel Review</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/flykly/smart-wheel/">Electric Bike Review: FlyKly Smart Wheel Review</a><br />
> <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/currie/electron-wheel/">Electric Bike Review: Electron Wheel Review</a><br />
<br />
<b>8. An e-bike I'd consider if I was going to spend around US$3,000: Vanmoof Electrified</b><br />
- If you don't need to worry too much about theft or damage risk, have sufficient money and are after thoughtful design, then the single manufacturer I'd recommend is Vanmoof. I have no connection with them, nor have I ridden any of their bikes yet, but I have reviewed their design choices and philosophy and think they are masters at optimising utility-driven function and form. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/the-best-existing-design-solutions-for.html">The best existing design solutions for transport utility bicycles</a><br />
<br />
- Hence, though I haven't ridden their e-bike - the <a href="http://vanmoof.com/electrified/23-electrified-3.html#/size-28">Vanmoof Electrified</a> - I am confident that <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>if</b> you are going to spend around US$3,000 on a bike</span>, you should consider it. The best review I've found of it is here: <a href="http://electricbikereview.com/vanmoof/electrified-3/">Electric Bike Review: Vanmoof Electrified 3 Review</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj110v9B7jGRvSqhq7LZgS_mTUfKaCLc6K_KBQuV9BWrXE5DBeLQ9M-DngqZl0o3UpWvLfsTD04T2E3L99QRFcS8-7CgyiBXgqSPM02yyI1VQecSBA1kAG1LynPXhTyMr5Nxhf2mvC7N_k/s1600/thecompleteguidetoelectricbikes03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj110v9B7jGRvSqhq7LZgS_mTUfKaCLc6K_KBQuV9BWrXE5DBeLQ9M-DngqZl0o3UpWvLfsTD04T2E3L99QRFcS8-7CgyiBXgqSPM02yyI1VQecSBA1kAG1LynPXhTyMr5Nxhf2mvC7N_k/s1600/thecompleteguidetoelectricbikes03.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://vanmoof.com/electrified/23-electrified-3.html#/size-28">Vanmoof Electrified</a><br />
<br />
<b>9. Australian e-bike vendors and accessible solutions</b><br />
- Below I'll compile a list of e-bike vendors and solutions available directly in Australia or which readily ship to and support Australian customers.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.urbanbicycles.com.au/product/vanmoof-10-electrified/">Urban Bicycles - Vanmoof 10 Electrified</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/electric-power-assisted-bikes">Bicycle Exchange: Electric & Power Assisted Bikes</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bike_shop/pyrmont/nsw/electric-bikes-network/18813">Electric Bikes Network</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bike_shop/carlton-north/vic/velo-cycles/6156">Velo Cycles</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.urbanmover.com.au/">Urbanmover</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<b>About e-bikes</b><br />
<a href="http://electricbikereview.com/category/guides/">Electric Bike Review: Guides</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5BY_ko3sI4">Electric Bike Review: What is an electric bike? (YouTube)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.electric-bicycle-guide.com/">Electric Bicycle Guide</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.electric-bicycle-guide.com/who-can-use.html">Who can use an electric bicycle?</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://electricbikereport.com/">Electric Bike Report</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ebwr.com/">Electric Bikes World Report</a><br />
<br />
<b>e-bike advantages and disadvantages</b><br />
<a href="http://www.bicycleinnovationlab.dk/bicycle-library/data-from-the-bicycle-library?show=kkv">Bicycle Innovation Lab: Electric Bicycles</a><br />
<a href="http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-an-electric-bicycle-versus-an-ordinary-bicycle">Quora: What are the advantages and disadvantages of an electric bicycle versus an ordinary bicycle?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.situp-cycle.com/2010/03/28/the-electric-bike-debate/">Situp Cycle - The Electric Bike Debate</a><br />
<a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/unclean-at-any-speed" style="background-color: #f8f2f2;">IEEE Spectrum: Unclean at Any Speed</a><br />
<br />
<b>e-bike reviews and comparisons</b><br />
<a href="http://electricbikereview.com/">Electric Bike Review</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.electric-bikes.com/bikes/bikes.html">Electric-Bikes: Electric Bicycles - Best Buys in Complete E-bikes</a><br />
<br />
<b>e-bike blogs</b><br />
<a href="http://sexy-ebikes.tumblr.com/">Sexy e-bikes</a><br />
<br />
<b>Specific e-bike types</b><br />
"Copenhagen Wheel" types<br />
> <a href="https://www.superpedestrian.com/">Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flykly/flykly-smart-wheel">Flykly Smart Wheel</a><br />
<br />
<b>Research</b><br />
<a href="http://ebike.research.pdx.edu/">Portland State University: e-bike Research</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-16337797389823899262014-12-23T13:32:00.001+11:002015-04-03T23:08:03.714+11:00Why Mr Money Mustache's biggest secret of financial freedom is to ride a bike<b>Summary</b>: Most people can benefit greatly from simple, candid and accurate guidance on how to really achieve financial freedom and put earning, spending and saving money into perspective with regard to what's really important in life. <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/">Mr Money Mustache</a> (MMM) is one of the <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/11/mr-money-mustache-spend-like-youre-poor.html">most popular</a> personal finance bloggers in the world for doing just that. The connection with cycling and transport is simple - MMM advises that if he had to strip down his financial advice and philosophy to just one tip it would be to ride a bike. I agree and have a few insights that help clarify that it's not primarily about the money savings, it's about cycling's potential to transform your life for the better. This post will collate MMM's most salient posts and arguments about cycling vs driving in one place. This is especially important as many devotees of MMM or similar blogs struggle to fully understand how riding a bike can be so critical to a better life and financial freedom. Hence, they don't fully implement this element and I think they're really missing out. Also, if struggling to overcome the barriers to cycling, note that MMM doesn't write a transport cycling blog and his biking advice has some shortcomings that I've corrected in this post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrjxZkBN9pSXRy4x2jiFNroKdE1jb1_Bd4l1yx1Q3Ak-lOg1BQoeEkHiN1XA89qLDxKzJzXcF2NDOeBHHxA1ADnQpn9-CfrW6S18d-uTGpTf74bUk13r3GKGXdUrreMcqL5Gcr8DS9FQ/s1600/mrmoneymustache01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrjxZkBN9pSXRy4x2jiFNroKdE1jb1_Bd4l1yx1Q3Ak-lOg1BQoeEkHiN1XA89qLDxKzJzXcF2NDOeBHHxA1ADnQpn9-CfrW6S18d-uTGpTf74bUk13r3GKGXdUrreMcqL5Gcr8DS9FQ/s1600/mrmoneymustache01.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/">Mr Money Mustache</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20money">saving money</a> category of this blog.<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category of this blog.<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/cycling%20benefits">cycling benefits</a> category of this blog.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. The collected works of Mr Money Mustache on cycling vs driving</b><br />
- Mr Money Mustache (MMM) is a family-man called Pete living in Colorado who retired from having to work (his family could afford to live off their savings) at the remarkable age of 30. It's an interesting story so, if unfamiliar, you should read one of the articles explaining it (also in <b>Further Info</b> at the end) and watch the Yahoo video.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://mashable.com/2015/01/11/mr-money-mustache-finances/">Mashable: Mr. Money Mustache tells you how to be a badass with your finances</a><br />
> <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/11/mr-money-mustache-spend-like-youre-poor.html">NY Mag: Meet Mr. Money Mustache, the Personal-Finance Blogger Who Wants You to Spend Like You’re Poor</a><br />
> <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/video/playlist/financially-fit/retired-30-144216321.html">Yahoo Finance: How I retired at 30 (video)</a>; <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/07/23/a-4-minute-video-inside-the-mmm-household/">Related MMM post</a><br />
<br />
- One tip that stands out is MMM's focus on eliminating driving and instead using a bike to get around. Indeed, for the Yahoo story above, he insisted the reporter join him for a bike ride as a condition of doing the story. MMM's most salient cycling and driving blog posts are linked below:<br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">What Do You Mean “You Don’t Have a Bike”?!</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/18/get-rich-with-bikes/">Get Rich With… Bikes</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/04/22/curing-your-clown-like-car-habit/">Curing your Clown-Like Car Habit</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/">The True Cost of Commuting</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/20/mmm-challenge-try-getting-your-groceries-with-a-bike-trailer/">MMM Challenge: Try Getting Your Groceries with a Bike Trailer</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/11/03/how-to-ride-your-bike-all-winter-and-love-it/">How To Ride Your Bike All Winter – And Love it</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/09/30/electric-bikes-gateway-drug-to-bike-commuting/">Electric Bikes: Gateway Drug to Bike Commuting?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/06/13/bicycling-the-safest-form-of-transportation/">Bicycling: The SAFEST Form of Transportation</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/10/28/mmm-challenge-can-you-go-car-free-this-weekend/">MMM Challenge: Can You go Car-Free This Weekend?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/tag/bicycles/">Posts tagged with "bicycles"</a><br />
<br />
- It turns out, MMM's <span style="color: #cc0000;">most important advice</span> for achieving financial freedom is to cut (preferably eliminate) car use and bike more:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mustachianism has many facets. It’s a lifestyle and a fake religion all in one. And it is packed with an unlimited number of deep and interesting nuances, which is why you and I still have something to talk about after 13 months of this blog’s existence and 224 published articles. But if I had to strip it down as far as possible, down to just one single action, and I wasn’t allowed to talk about anything else, the choice would still be simple: “Ride a Bike”.<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">What Do You Mean “You Don’t Have a Bike”?!</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Ride a bike, walk, or run whenever you can, and use your car only as the last choice. By planning errands in advance (like "Wednesday evening is Car Errands Night"), you avoid making several trips daily.<br />
The bike is an automatic life-balancing machine. A money-printing fountain of youth. The health and financial benefits can make the difference between “broke" and “millionaire.” within a few decades. And in many areas, you can travel 5-10 miles faster by bike than by car, because you are immune to traffic jams and can maintain a constant 20mph without being bound to regular roads. You can always design a mostly-bike lifestyle. San Francisco hills? Bikes have gears these days. Sprawling LA? Loads of bike paths. Detroit winters? A mountain bike with knobby tires works great in the snow. Choose your house and job around bike transportation, rather than around the car.<br />
<a href="http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjfi45kmk/bike-more/">Forbes: 12 Money Tips From Mr. Money Mustache</a></blockquote>
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- Even if you don't go car-free, simply reducing car usage and upgrading costs, and spending carefully on a reliable, value-for-money car with great mileage can significantly reduce your transport bills:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You don’t even have to totally give up the automobile. You just have to use it less. So, instead of the usual strategy of buying two expensive cars and living far from work and then replacing your cars every five years, you can buy two old cars like I have. Bike to work. And that can make a difference in your auto costs of somewhere like $12,000 to $15,000 a year,” he calculates.<br />
<a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/how-biking-saves-me--10-000-a-year--192443745.html">Yahoo Finance: How Biking Saves Me $10,000 a Year</a></blockquote>
<b>2. First get enlightened as to the ultimate purpose of frugality - it is the philosophy of voluntary simplicity and intentional living</b><br />
- Reducing your car use and using a bike instead isn't about sacrifice, extreme frugality or simply targeting the most expensive financial elements of your lifestyle. If it were, then it would be easy to reject this particular advice on transport as unsuitable for you and move on to the next tip on the basis that your use of a car adds sufficient value to your life (in time saved, convenience, comfort, access to opportunities, etc) to justify the <span style="color: #cc0000;">financial cost</span>.<br />
<br />
- Instead, take a moment to understand the instigating philosophy of life - it's about <span style="color: #cc0000;">actively designing</span> a fulfilling, healthy and resilient lifestyle that doesn't require having to spend a lot of money or consume a lot of goods. Financial freedom is a natural consequence if you combine this philosophy with several years of income-earning work and invest the resultant savings. Because our current economies, social norms and lifestyles inherently cause "money stress", most people discover blogs like MMM when searching for financial freedom and advice about money. Nevertheless, the real value is in the introduction to a different philosophy around lifestyle and its relation to money, consumption and a genuinely rich life.<br />
<br />
- Neither MMM, nor other bloggers who focus on frugality, invented this philosophy. It has a long history and in contemporary times is best known and searched for under the terms:<br />
- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_living">Voluntary Simplicity</a> (aka Simple Living)<br />
- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downshifting">Downshifting</a><br />
- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intentional_living">Intentional Living</a><br />
<br />
See:<br />
> The related ideas and useful links I've collated here: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/how-to-contribute-to-genuine.html">How to contribute to genuine, transformative sharing</a><br />
> <a href="http://simplicityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/The-Simpler-Way-Report-12a.pdf">The Simpler Way - A practical action plan for living more on less (pdf)</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. If bikes cost far more than cars they'd still be far preferable and the key to a better life</b><br />
- Here's something that may surprise even MMM acolytes: MMM would choose getting around by bike to using a car even if a suitable bike cost a lot, lot more than a suitable car<sup><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">1</span></b></sup>. (e.g. Let's say a suitable bike cost $50,000 just to emphasise the point.) So would I. I could afford a dozen cars but am delighted to be car-free and will only ever own one in the future if it is absolutely necessary - for example, if we relocated to the country and had regular trips over 25km. And, even if I had to own a car, I'd choose to use it as little as I could.<br />
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<sup><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>1</b></span></sup>Update: MMM advises he would gladly pay $100,000 for a bike. See: <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/18/get-rich-with-bikes/">Get Rich With… Bikes</a><br />
<br />
- The philosophy of voluntary simplicity explains why people like MMM and I are primarily attracted to biking. It is value-driven - about achieving better health, relationships, independence, happiness and natural, local experiences by being able to get to everywhere you need to with a simple, efficient, reliable and long-lasting tool you can fully maintain yourself with minimal costs. MMM explains his rationale in one of his best, clarifying posts about his philosophy:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We don’t use our bikes for transportation and hauling instead of our cars, even in the dark and even in the middle of winter because it saves us a few dollars of fuel. We do it because it’s an awesome way to connect with your own town, stay in proper condition, adapt naturally to your own climate, and live like a real human instead of a sanitized, flabby car clown.<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/11/23/not-extreme-frugality/">MMM: If You Think This is About Extreme Frugality, You’re Missing The Point</a></blockquote>
- The really amazing thing is that this single tool, that has the potential to unlock so many valuable benefits, <span style="color: #cc0000;">doesn't cost a fortune and is affordable by everyone</span>. There is no comparable life-enhancing tool like it. Suitable, long-lasting, utility bikes cost between $300 and $1000 brand new not $50,000. Ironically, for the devotees of MMM who don't quite get the unique value of biking, if bikes did cost $50,000 and people like MMM bought one, then they might reassess their value. In this way, bikes are the most outstanding example of the fact that there is no connection between spending money (or the price of goods) and happiness or satisfaction of human needs. There is no transport vehicle (e.g. helicopter, jetpack) or service (e.g. Uber life membership) that either exists or is conceivable that can get close to the existing benefits and advantages of a bicycle.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Some utility bikes have reached peak design but you need to carefully choose a bike that best suits your needs and you really enjoy riding</b><br />
- There are existing, affordable utility bikes that are already close to peak design. You can buy a basic, inexpensive one for $300 or obtain design and functional perfection for $1,000 ($3,000 if you need electric assist). See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/the-best-existing-design-solutions-for.html">The best existing design solutions for transport utility bicycles</a>. However, that doesn't mean a cheap, department store mountain bike is a worthwhile option for everyday use. Low quality "bike shaped objects" not suited to your needs will have too many deficiencies and just put you off cycling. Nor are most bikes designed for recreation best suited to cycling for transport (e.g. road bikes). What you need is a <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/utility%20cycling">utility bike</a> - a bike designed for usefulness and practicality that suits your needs and circumstances. You can find the best type of inexpensive, utility bicycle for your needs by following logical decision-making guidance:<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/key-decisions-that-will-help-narrow.html">Key decisions that will help narrow down the most suitable bike to buy</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/designing-better-utility-bike-in.html">Designing a better utility bike in developing cycling cities</a><br />
<br />
<b>4. Cycling for transport is a catalyst that has the potential to reshape much of your life in the optimal direction (voluntary simplicity, intentional living)</b><br />
- What does often need radical design improvements are our lifestyles and our urban environments. This exposes the flaw in almost every objector's arguments about biking being unsuited to their circumstances due to barrier X and deficiency Y. The issue is not with bikes or with cycling for local transport, it's with defects in people's current lifestyles and urban environments. The appropriate resolution is not to maintain the benefits of cycling are inapplicable to your circumstances but to make the conscientious efforts to change your lifestyle and urban environment so that you can obtain these benefits. <span style="color: #cc0000;">You won't do this long-term</span> if you view cycling as just one of many ways to save money, even if it's the best one. <span style="color: #cc0000;">You should and have to do this</span> if you genuinely want to live in accordance with the values of voluntary simplicity - where things like health, relationships and self-sufficiency matter more than status and income/career-maximising jobs far from home.<br />
<br />
- For an analogy, you can think of cycling for transport as an acid that will expose these lifestyle and environment defects and facilitate your redesigning actions to eliminate them. Rather than seeing the challenges and issues posed by cycling as a problem, this is actually its principal gift - it throws all of these hidden lifestyle and environment deficiencies into stark relief. Cycling is tractable too, it isn't an all or nothing affair. It simply requires that you start this journey of figuring out how to deal with each barrier or defect and then resolve it, experience the benefits, and move onto the next barrier.<br />
<br />
Some examples of the lifestyle and environment changes that cycling may trigger include:<br />
(a) Changing where you live, work/study and other destinations so that they are walkable or bikeable.<br />
(b) Changing your attitude to conventional employee jobs vs home and where you should be aiming to spend the most time.<br />
(c) Changing your approach to "life exercise" vs "synthetic exercise" such that you consciously try to maximise walking and cycling as part of getting around rather than avoid "life exercise" and isolate it to certain times/places (e.g. the gym).<br />
(d) Changing your decisions about recreation, socialising and family leisure/holidays so that they involve more active transport, more physical activity and more experiences in nature.<br />
(e) Changing your approach to physical and mental health such that it comes from cooking and eating healthily and daily life exercise rather than medication and healthcare services.<br />
(f) Changing your expectactions and habits around the importance of feeling well and energetic every day rather than overindulging in alcohol, food or not getting enough sleep.<br />
(g) Changing your consumption habits to eliminate low-satisfaction and impulse purchases and acquiring goods that are difficult to transport home on a bike.<br />
(h) Changing your decisions about housing/home costs, size and amenities as you don't have a lot of stuff and your weekly recreational activities don't involve "home entertainment" facilities and do involve things like biking trips to the local library.<br />
(i) Changing your attitude to cars and the risks and downsides of car-centric lifestyles and choices.<br />
(j) Changing your connection with neighbours and your local area such that you seek more value through shared activities (productive and recreational) in your local community.<br />
(k) Changing your approach to money, time, services and skills such that you find it much more rewarding to learn the skills to meet your own needs or swap non-monetary skill-sharing and services with neighbours rather than pay for all services (doing your own bike maintenance is a catalyst).<br />
(i) Changing your attitude toward status, social norms and asserting your right to optimise your life even if it's contrary to other's expectations. (e.g. From the clothes you wear to work when biking to flexible working to not having to look like you get everywhere in a taxi).<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category of this blog<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/barriers%20and%20solutions">barriers and solutions</a> category of this blog<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/cycling%20benefits">cycling benefits</a> category of this blog<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/reducing%20car%20dependence">reducing car dependence</a> category of this blog<br />
<br />
<b>5. The enablers, solutions and lifestyle choices that facilitate cycling for transport</b><br />
- Some readers of MMM's advocacy of biking just read the anti-car posts and handful of bike-specific posts and are still at a loss as to how to really get started tapping into the supposed endless well of cycling benefits. This isn't surprising, as maximising the feasibility, benefits and advantages of cycling for transport requires redesigning your life, destinations and trips, as well as solving various practical problems (identifying the most useful bike, finding safe and efficient routes, eliminating punctures). The aim of this blog is to provide practical examples of these enablers and solutions, based on my experience, as I use my bike for 99% of all trips between 2km and 20km each year. You can explore all of these practical challenges using the relevant blog category. E.g. <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/barriers%20and%20solutions">barriers and solutions</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/buying%20a%20bike%20and%20gear">buying a bike and gear</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/safety%20and%20health">safety and health</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/routes%20and%20maps">routes and maps</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/protecting%20your%20bike">protecting your bike</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/commuting">commuting</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/comfort">comfort</a>; <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/how%20to%20ride">how to ride</a>; etc.<br />
<br />
- MMM also has various posts that relate to changes in thinking, decisions and lifestyle choices that facilitate biking.<br />
These include:<br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/03/19/a-lifetime-of-riches-is-it-as-simple-as-a-few-habits/">A Lifetime of Riches – Is it as Simple as a Few Habits?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/10/15/the-tyranny-of-having-a-real-job/">The Tyranny of Having a Real Job</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/05/15/the-principle-of-constant-optimization/">The Principle of Constant Optimization</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/06/11/weekend-edition-health-wealth/">Weekend Edition: Health = Wealth</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/05/09/stashtown-usa/">‘Stashtown, USA</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/11/11/are-you-giving-the-shaft-to-your-future-self/">Are You Giving the Shaft to your Future Self?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/10/22/theres-something-you-need-to-know-about-the-rules/">There’s Something You Need to Know About The Rules</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/10/07/how-big-is-your-circle-of-control/">How Big is your Circle of Control?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/the-mmm-reading-list/">The MMM Reading List</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4-QChslfL0w6TpSExuHjNotOLTLu7YHKnG8IMcoUSgYaBqwynR8NbctMzaO5uzDEfUrRpWN0J4upBz7HEG28E92Sk-v0rCZ_U0VpM0Dw2M_eCPC_t0VkwyD-oH7CnHudk2se91cmepQ/s1600/mrmoneymustache03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4-QChslfL0w6TpSExuHjNotOLTLu7YHKnG8IMcoUSgYaBqwynR8NbctMzaO5uzDEfUrRpWN0J4upBz7HEG28E92Sk-v0rCZ_U0VpM0Dw2M_eCPC_t0VkwyD-oH7CnHudk2se91cmepQ/s1600/mrmoneymustache03.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/CGV4H">Flickr CC by 2.0 - Robin Robokow</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. Is biking instead of driving or using transit as simple as MMM implies? What does MMM get wrong about transport cycling and where can I get the best advice?</b><br />
- Pete is a smart guy and on most topics I've read is a very reliable guide. However, his MMM persona and unique experiences does mean he can sometimes proffer his Mustachian audience with "one size fits all" advice that doesn't fit all circumstances, deal sufficiently with all obstacles, or includes some highly useful tips. Due to his writing style, some of his claims are also exaggerated or oversimplified. If you really want to maximise the extent to which you use your bike for all types of trips then you need to find a few blogs/sites with accurate, comprehensive, circumstance-specific guidance that meets your needs, written by people with the most relevant and broad experience. It's even better if you can learn from such people in your local community. Note: MMM also sometimes admits his current biking for transport experience has limitations:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I WAS a little bit embarrassed when I noticed my commuter bike had only racked up 2400 miles in 4 years!...I don’t have a job to commute to (this is the biggest factor I’m sure as that used to add 50 miles/week!)<br />
- my son’s school is only 0.8 miles from my house, and the library is only about 1.1<br />
- I don’t go shopping very often, so there aren’t as many errands to run<br />
- I’m a wimp and need to find ways to bike MORE!!<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">What Do You Mean “You Don’t Have a Bike”?! - Comments</a></blockquote>
- A few of the most valuable corrections or refinements to MMM's guidance on biking are listed below. Note: I tried to add some of these in a comment on the post - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">What Do You Mean “You Don’t Have a Bike”?!</a> - but MMM rejected my comment, I'm not sure why.<br />
<br />
(a) "<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can anyone with sufficient mental capacity to pass a driver’s test, or indeed to dress themselves in the morning, not realize the folly of living a life that includes a working car, but no working bike?</span>" - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">MMM Source</a><br />
- MMM really does seem to think that not having a bike or at least a working bike is one of the major reasons why people, including MMM devotees, don't cycle for transport. Thus his solution <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">in his post</a> is to simply tell you how to obtain an affordable, working bike. TADA, all fixed! In reality, not having a working bike is just an excuse. Bikes have outsold cars routinely for over a decade in the U.S. and Australia. Though the types of bikes most people choose (e.g. mountain bikes; expensive road bikes) and the purpose they originally buy them for (recreational not transport) is not ideal. However, <b>the much bigger issue</b> is what the real reasons are for people (including MMM readers) not taking up or persisting with cycling. The worldwide evidence over decades is clear: there are many barriers, subjective safety being the biggest, followed by confidence/skills to ride with vehicles, distance, time, weather, comfort, lack of enjoyment, carrying stuff, end of trip facilities, clothing and appearance, theft risk, bike parking, etc.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://bikeportland.org/2013/11/05/why-bikes-outsell-cars-in-the-usa-too-and-why-it-doesnt-matter-96595">Bike Portland: Why bikes outsell cars in the USA, too (and why it doesn’t matter)</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/interested-but-concerned-potential.html">"Interested but Concerned" potential cyclists need to take action themselves</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/solutions-to-common-barriers-to-cycling.html">Solutions to common barriers to cycling</a><br />
<br />
(b) "<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of all the objections I get from people about why they can’t ride a bike to get around, perhaps the most frustrating is the claim that bicycling is too dangerous. But luckily for all of us, we don’t have to choose between safety and freedom. They both come together perfectly in the form of bicycle transportation, and once we work our way through the statistics of the matter, all talk of choosing cars over bikes because of safety can be banished from the face of the Earth – forever."</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Sure, mainland US biking infrastructure (as represented by Atlanta) is not as good as it is in Denmark or Holland. But it is enormously better than Mexico or Hawaii! I’ve been able to do effective bike travel in every US city I have tried it in. Suburbs in general are a great place for cycling. You don’t need a bike path to be able to bike safely."</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Strangely enough, bike helmets don’t seem to have a statistically significant effect on bike safety. I think it’s great that most people wear them in the US, but I only use mine for the longer inter-city rides or on the mountain bike. Otherwise I wear an old fishing hat with a brim that keeps the sun off</span>." - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/06/13/bicycling-the-safest-form-of-transportation/">MMM Source</a><br />
- MMM tends to be dismissive of biking safety concerns due to his own long experience and above average biking skills and risk tolerance. Instead he points to <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/06/13/bicycling-the-safest-form-of-transportation/">shaky statistical calculations</a> that trade off the greater risks of biking in typical U.S. cities against the health benefits of free exercise. But just as he was definitively wrong about helmets (which he admitted in the comments) so too can he be misguided in primarily addressing these safety queries by simply pointing to his argument that "guaranteed health benefits > a slightly higher but still very low risk of a serious road accident."<br />
<br />
- In reality, people's subjective safety assessments of the risks of cycling have to be <b>addressed seriously</b> through measures like: (a) moving to a more cycling-friendly (infrastructure, rules/policies and motorist behaviour) city or neighbourhood; (b) changing your work/study and other regular destinations to ones that can be safely reached by bike; (c) carefully finding and refining safer routes; (d) spending time learning about the most relevant cycling safety risks and how to mitigate them; (e) improving your biking skills and confidence through experience, riding with friends and courses. I provide many examples of these serious approaches to enhancing your cycling safety on this blog which provide honest, accurate answers to legitimate concerns. For example, regarding George's common issue below, I would argue he'd need to move to a more cycling-friendly area to safely maximise his cycling:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thus, even though I do a decent amount of biking myself, in my area it is definitely dangerous at times; I go on Google maps to plot out the safest route, however usually somewhere along that route I will be forced to take at least 1 stretch of road that is somewhat dangerous (i.e. high speed, high volume traffic or a road that has no berm or shoulder). So it kinda of bothers me when MMM says that he specifically brought his house and lives where he does; he just cruzes down his trails and bike paths get his groceries so easily; then he talks about how easy it is to bike to everything yet he tells the rest of the world oh its just so easy for me to bike why are you not doing it as well; I would love to have some sweet bike lanes that would be awesome but in my town, I don’t recall ever even seeing one of them; so yeah I really get pissed off sometimes.<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/06/13/bicycling-the-safest-form-of-transportation/">George commenting on Bicycling: The SAFEST Form of Transportation</a></blockquote>
- In some cases, you'll find the informed safety lessons are contrary to the casual suggestions of confident, risk-tolerant riders like MMM - such as emphasising the speed you can go by bike. Excessive speed is actually one of the major risk factors in serious injury and death for cyclists.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Bikes convert a slow human with a walking speed of 3.5MPH into one of the fastest creatures on land, with an easy cruise of 15MPH and a top speed of over 40MPH on level ground and 50+ downhill for athletic people." - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/18/get-rich-with-bikes/">MMM Source</a></blockquote>
See:<br />
> The <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/safety%20and%20health">safety and health</a> category of this blog.<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/the-most-important-tips-on-how-to-ride.html">The most important tips on how to ride safely</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/05/how-to-find-safe-convenient-route-to.html">How to find a safe, convenient route to a regular destination</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/when-should-urban-cyclists-wear-helmet.html">When should urban cyclists wear a helmet?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/05/how-to-reduce-conflict-with-motorists.html">How to reduce conflict with motorists and pedestrians</a><br />
<br />
(c) "<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bikes are virtually free, and require no insurance, registration, license, parking spaces, or any other hassle</span>" - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">MMM Source</a><br />
- Actually bikes can easily be money pits if you aren't very careful to avoid the traps. Insurance laws and options vary massively based on which country and state you are in. In litigious countries like America, you should be particularly careful to assess your liability for injuries to persons. Some localities do require registration (including MMM's). Parking is a major issue for most people (especially work commuters) due to the risk of theft, vandalism and weather damage. And there are various hassles (sweating, work clothing, helmets, getting your hair messed up, punctures) to work through and find effective solutions for.<br />
See:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/saving%20money">saving money</a> category of this blog<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/self-insurance-usually-beats-paying-for.html">Self-insurance usually beats paying for bike insurance</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/03/what-to-do-if-involved-in-bike-accident.html">What to do if involved in a bike accident</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/03/where-to-park-if-commuting-to-melbourne.html">Where to park if commuting to Melbourne CBD</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/puncture-proof-tyres-are-key-to.html">Puncture-proof tyres are the key to reliable transport</a><br />
<br />
(d) "<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How much maintenance has she required for this virtual bike ride from our home in Colorado to somewhere near the tip of South America? … once again, virtually zero. So the point is, while bike maintenance is fun and many bike shops provide free tune-ups for life, in reality you will find that a good bike does not demand too much from you.</span>" - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">MMM Source</a><br />
- MMM's personal anecdote's of riding thousands of miles over 4+ years and virtually no significant maintenance or part replacement being necessary are the exception not the rule. Most utility cyclists will advise you that when riding a bike daily, all year round, and having it exposed to weather and dirt, <b>maintenance is a big issue</b> that takes careful decision making, compromises and regular upkeep to effectively manage. The biggest factor in achieving low maintenance, reliable cycling is to carefully choose your type of bike and components to suit your circumstances, trips and preferences. This is something that MMM's posts on biking provide inaccurate and incomplete information on. For example, if you want to commute year-round in all weather conditions, be free to park outside and want to minimise your maintenance, then you generally shouldn't get an exposed drivetrain - such as on the bikes MMM mentions on his blog. You'd be best off using an internal gear hub - this isn't mentioned even as an option on the MMM blog. Also experienced utility cyclists <a href="http://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/why-we-dont-need-rain-bikes-any-longer/">rave about the benefits of fenders/mudguards</a> for good reasons - yet fenders or mudguards are neither pictured on MMM's bikes nor mentioned (ironically, there are fenders on every single bike in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amsterdam_bicycle.jpg">Amsterdam photo</a> he <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/18/get-rich-with-bikes/">links to</a>).<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/designing-better-utility-bike-in.html">Designing a better utility bike in developing cycling cities</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/the-best-existing-design-solutions-for.html">The best existing design solutions for transport utility bicycles</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/05/finding-effective-fenders-that-fit-your.html">Finding effective fenders that fit your bike</a><br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/low%20maintenance">low maintenance</a> category of this blog<br />
<br />
(e) "<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These people need a instant gratification bike that will work reliably for long enough to get them hooked into the biking habit.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Gear ratios are the best invention ever, and I use all 27 of mine frequently! I think the real reason singles are popular is something much dirtier: they’re considered “cool” or “in style”, just like brand-name clothing or Apple products. Therefore I try to avoid them</span>." - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">MMM Source</a><br />
- Choosing the most suitable, useful bike and components for your specific circumstances, trips and preferences is one of the <b>most critical prerequisites</b> for maximising your use and enjoyment of cycling for transport. Unfortunately, MMM takes an oversimplified approach, recommending "instant gratification" bikes including mountain bikes, excessive numbers of gears and basic setups that aren't optimised for utility (e.g. carrying stuff). He also warns against single speed bikes and lumps them together with fixies.<br />
<br />
- I'll clarify. Instant gratification bikes should generally be avoided as getting hooked to transport cycling (unlike recreational cycling) is more challenging to achieve and the right bike, setup/sizing, comfort and equipment can make a big difference for novices. Stock mountain bikes are generally a poor choice for riding significant distances regularly in cities with redundant gears, shocks and unsuited tyres (smoother tyres have better grip on smooth roads). Bicycle gears are badly misunderstood by novices. MMM's bike may have 27 "speeds" but it has a much fewer number of useful gear ratios. Utility cyclists rarely need more than 8 actual gears, let alone the 24+ "speeds" provided by many hybrid, road and mountain bikes with three chain rings at the front and 8-9 at the back. Regarding actual gear ratios, the less gears you need and simpler the setup the better, and ideally they should match your riding (not be a stock setup resulting in unnecessary cogs and changing). Internal gear hubs (even 3 speeds) have wide enough ranges for most cyclists in many cities. The cursory dismissal of single speed bikes is also very telling. Single speed (not fixed!) bikes equipped for utility not style are one of the biggest secrets to optimal utility biking as they are the lowest maintenance, lowest cost and most reliable. Additionally, each rider can choose the $15 rear cog size that best suits them. E.g. I ride a 17 tooth rear cog while my girlfriend rides an easier 18 tooth rear cog. There was no extra cost or difficulty involved in opting for an 18 tooth cog. And it is simple and cheap to change them.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/key-decisions-that-will-help-narrow.html">Key decisions that will help narrow down the most suitable bike to buy</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/designing-better-utility-bike-in.html">Designing a better utility bike in developing cycling cities</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/when-is-single-speed-bike-most-suitable.html">When is a Single Speed bike most suitable and how to make the most of one</a><br />
> <a href="http://blog.dutchbikebits.com/2014/08/the-stealth-near-fixie-efficient.html">Dutch Bike Bits: The stealth "near-fixie". An efficient bicycle for everyday use</a><br />
<br />
(f) "<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My bike lock, I just hang on the handlebars or frame (it’s just a good long cable combination lock -> you can stretch it around tree trunks and there are no keys to lose!).</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oddly enough, I had to deal with frequent bike theft problems when I lived in Canada. Here in the Boulder area, nothing.</span>" - <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/">MMM Source</a><br />
- While a cable lock may be fine for MMM in small-town Longmont, Colorado, they are <b>worse than useless</b> in the cities where most people live as they provide zero protection (can be cut with scissors) yet offer a false sense of security till your bike is inevitably stolen. Thus, cable locks should never be recommended to another cyclist. Bike theft (both actual losing it and the potential risk) is a major reason why people give up on cycling or don't bike for more types of trips. There are thousands of posts on the internet with advice on preventing your bike being stolen; most of the advice is good, some is terrible (e.g. put ugly stickers on it). But all of the good advice is encapsulated in my post below. Also, there's a simple answer as to how to carry a U lock: buy a quality one with a U lock bike mount.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/how-to-prevent-your-bike-being-stolen.html">How to prevent your bike being stolen</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/05/what-lock-to-buy.html">What type of bike lock should I buy?</a><br />
<br />
<b>7. Get started with cycling for transport for an easy, regular trip then expand. See cycling as a keystone habit that you let build out as you obtain the benefits</b><br />
- My personal cycling experiences documented on this blog (just like MMM's) are only one example of how someone can make cycling and their lifestyle work together to optimally achieve many benefits. However, they are at the more advanced end after a few years of solely using my bike for local transport. For people starting out, the aim is to find the existing routine trip that is most likely to be converted to being completed by bike. It could be the easiest (e.g. a short trip to a nearby store) or the one with the biggest immediate benefits and motivational pull (e.g. your work commute) but you should ignore the most difficult (e.g. riding to the airport).<br />
<br />
- Apart from working through the practical requirements (a suitable bike and equipment; a safe-enough route; seeking help from experienced friends) the big psychological challenge is to <span style="color: #cc0000;">turn this into a habit</span>. Happily, cycling for transport and getting "life exercise" are both suitable keystone habits - habits that automatically trigger chain reactions and positively transform other habits in reinforcing circles. MMM has written about this himself and also created a visual example of how habits can be broken and formed (e.g. make picking up the car keys and accessing your car harder and make biking easy and obvious).<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So if habits are so automatic, biological and hard to break, how do we do it? Distilling all the books and the science down to a tiny list, the answer seems to be this: Habits are like little loops. They start with a trigger, which sets off your automatic behavior. They end at a reward, which is the little pleasant occurrence that reinforces your habit.<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/03/19/a-lifetime-of-riches-is-it-as-simple-as-a-few-habits/">MMM: A Lifetime of Riches – Is it as Simple as a Few Habits?</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQB7R4fpTpBV-4VmDLb4MEN3SqHqk0iRpoevPJTNhyEnd6udX8yyf1Tem6XuDpyuFUw11cqsAyivoH3L2oPSeGzdRhyphenhyphenQHE0i3awwsHy6BC-DQWb1n7Q0W-jKS-YUeVHz1LzGMEQJ2DVM/s1600/mrmoneymustache04c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQB7R4fpTpBV-4VmDLb4MEN3SqHqk0iRpoevPJTNhyEnd6udX8yyf1Tem6XuDpyuFUw11cqsAyivoH3L2oPSeGzdRhyphenhyphenQHE0i3awwsHy6BC-DQWb1n7Q0W-jKS-YUeVHz1LzGMEQJ2DVM/s1600/mrmoneymustache04c.jpg" height="222" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/03/19/a-lifetime-of-riches-is-it-as-simple-as-a-few-habits/">MMM: A Lifetime of Riches – Is it as Simple as a Few Habits?</a><br />
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<b>8. My own quantified benefits of using a bike for 99% of my annual local trips between 2km and 20km</b><br />
- I update a yearly statement to summarise my calculated benefits of cycling. The update for 2014 has now been published and provides quantitative estimates of the gains in money, time, convenience, safety, health and enjoyment. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/my-calculated-benefits-of-cycling-for.html">My calculated benefits of cycling for transport</a><br />
<br />
- As I've emphasised in this post the really important benefits of switching to cycling are to one's health, relationships, freedom and quality of life. However, regarding just the financial benefits, the calculations are dead simple:<br />
<br />
(a) My direct operating expenditures on cycling in 2014 were <b>$0.</b> I do all maintenance myself and didn't have any servicing, part replacement or running costs. You could claim that food is a running cost but I doubt I'd save much money if I switched to a passive mode of transport; I think I'd eat about the same and just put on weight due to getting insufficient exercise. As the saying goes: "cycling runs on fat and saves you money; driving runs on money and makes you fat."<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-reduce-your-cycling-operating.html">How to reduce your cycling operating costs to less than $150 per year</a>.<br />
<br />
So that just leaves the amortized operating expenses that I estimate at <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/my-calculated-benefits-of-cycling-for.html">$110/year</a> - $75/year of which is purely the depreciation of my bike over an artificially-shortened 5 year period (its lifespan is around 15 years but I will buy a new bike approximately every 5 years because I want to and can easily afford it).<br />
<br />
(b) There were a few direct capital expenditures in 2014 (total value of $263) but the bulk of this was for a complete bike repair tool kit and repair stand that will be amortized over 20 years (i.e. costing $12/year). (See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/actual-cycling-expenditures-tracked.html">Actual cycling expenditures prove how cheap cycling can be</a>). It is too complicated to provide actual amortized yearly costs for all of these CapEx spends I've documented, so I've erred on the conservative side and will use <b>$50/year</b> as the cumulative amortized CapEx spend.<br />
<br />
(c) I didn't use a car for any local trip under 20km in 2014 (including taxis, Uber, etc). I promise there is no cheating involved in these calculations. I really do deliberately bike everywhere I can because I prefer it.<br />
<br />
(d) My public transport costs for local trips under 20km in 2014 were <b>$3.58</b> - a single roundtrip after 6pm on a tram with my girlfriend to a party. The few other trips recorded on my public transport smartcard (Myki) were taken by others (my sister when visiting town, my girlfriend) or were well over 20km (e.g. a train-bike trip to do cherry picking out of town - 30 Nov to Lilydale)<sup><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">2</span></b></sup>. For 2015, my aim is to keep one Myki reserved for my trips and then show a complete Jan to Dec record that is pure.<br />
<br />
(e) So <span style="color: #cc0000;">my total local transport costs for 2014</span> were: $110 + ~$50 (other amortized CapEx spend) + $3.58 = <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>$164</b></span>.<br />
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<sup><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>2</b></span></sup><a href="https://www.mymyki.com.au/">My Myki Transactions: April 2014 - Dec 2014</a><br />
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- For comparison, anyone can use the comprehensive aggregate figures compiled by motoring organisations in their country. According to Victoria's largest motoring organisation, the RACV, the lowest Total Standing Costs for a car ("micro cars") available in Australia (for the Suzuki Alto) are $74.71/week = $3,885/year - that's before you ever turn the engine on! The lowest Total Running Costs for any available petrol car aren't materially cheaper than the Suzuki Alto which is 14.17 cents/km. I did around 4,000km on my bike in 2014 so that equals $567. The combined total minimum driving costs to replace my 2014 cycling = <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>$4,452</b></span>. <span style="color: #cc0000;">So my minimum annual saving by cycling rather than driving</span> is $4,452 - $164 = <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>$4,288</b></span>. See: <a href="http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/Primary/my+car/Operating+Costs">RACV's car owning and operating costs guide for 2014</a><br />
<br />
- If your household owns multiple cars then you can multiply the Total Standing Costs and also factor in that greater car access results in greater mileage and usage (a mythical car-using equivalent of me would actually drive more than 4,000km of local trips a year).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDtxAKuEtM1h0X-1pCc9S2YGNu3qsPG938kG377yzOIGwsE__xnR1aVu7PE1cDJxDeMA1v2DIEEdGpD8yApfFUnjlYGjDcVnYDGL7kn_8o3vQxs-8v_pJ30B6Hw0u072ASraoRgCJMsE/s1600/mrmoneymustache07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDtxAKuEtM1h0X-1pCc9S2YGNu3qsPG938kG377yzOIGwsE__xnR1aVu7PE1cDJxDeMA1v2DIEEdGpD8yApfFUnjlYGjDcVnYDGL7kn_8o3vQxs-8v_pJ30B6Hw0u072ASraoRgCJMsE/s1600/mrmoneymustache07.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/2b4746c0-d490-4156-832a-03281fd4f609/micro_14.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=2b4746c0-d490-4156-832a-03281fd4f609">RACV's car owning and operating costs guide for 2014 - Micro cars (cheapest)</a><br />
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- So let's take that minimum annual saving and accumulate it over 10 years (I've been car free since 2008 and intend to be for as much of my future life as is feasible). It's easy to do this math yourself with your own figures using any online compound interest calculator. I've used the one on the <a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-apps">MoneySmart website</a> and plugged in ultra conservative and simplified numbers. Even so, the 10 year gain is <span style="color: #cc0000;">$51,482</span>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKNaZtnca2edzDQ1hEOopcwJBcJZw-DmXu4jfcfAAQOHHTHagbqvaLc2oBXG_lmtnEFAml-fSWqki5F1-n8PVkQvljtIIGdadEA7F8TIABqNAZpeiiZeOdCkZRpRfr_dB8GOGW5fgPMU/s1600/mycalculatedbenefitsofcyclingfortransport02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKNaZtnca2edzDQ1hEOopcwJBcJZw-DmXu4jfcfAAQOHHTHagbqvaLc2oBXG_lmtnEFAml-fSWqki5F1-n8PVkQvljtIIGdadEA7F8TIABqNAZpeiiZeOdCkZRpRfr_dB8GOGW5fgPMU/s1600/mycalculatedbenefitsofcyclingfortransport02.jpg" height="306" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-apps/compound-interest-calculator">ASIC MoneySmart Compound Interest Calculator</a><br />
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- However, the above was an <span style="color: #cc0000;">absolute minimum</span>. According to official Australian statistics, the average Australian household spends <a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/budgeting/spending/australian-spending-habits">$193/week on transport costs</a> with some households spending well over $300/week. $193/week equals over $10,000/year. If we plug in a household saving of $180/week (from switching to cycling) into the compound interest calculator, then over 10 years we get a saving of <span style="color: #cc0000;">$114,885!</span> The math can't be escaped: using cycling to go car-free will save you a massive amount of money over your lifetime while transforming your life and health for the better. That massive amount of money saved directly translates into freedom to minimise time spent earning money which you then can spend on much more important and enjoyable things in life, including pursuing your own passions and values. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/working-less-and-more-flexibly-is.html">Working less and more flexibly is desirable and a key to going car-free</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-apps/compound-interest-calculator">ASIC MoneySmart Compound Interest Calculator</a><br />
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<b>9. Is earning a high income a valid justification for declining the potential benefits of cycling instead of using cars?</b><br />
- Naturally, the people with the most to gain <span style="color: #cc0000;">financially</span> from reducing their car use and switching to cycling are those earning less than the median income. However, those on high incomes still have much to gain from switching to cycling wherever feasible, <span style="color: #cc0000;">even if they can easily afford not to in purely financial terms</span>. As mentioned above in point #4, cycling for transport is a catalyst that has the potential to reshape much of your life in alignment with both objective values (e.g. improved physical and mental health, greater independence) and your own subjective values (e.g. how you choose to spend the additional free time or take advantage of the opportunities cycling provides).<br />
<br />
- These <span style="color: #cc0000;">non-financial opportunities are far more important</span> than the financial savings for those fortunate enough to be earning high incomes. Indeed, high incomes are not an unmitigated positive, they typically have adverse impacts on people's free time, families, relationships, potential hobbies/skills and mental and physical health. So if you eschew cycling altogether you are also rejecting one of the best tools for exposing and correcting these deficiencies. In short, people earning high incomes have the most to gain from the more important <span style="color: #cc0000;">non-financial</span> benefits of cycling. And they often have the most to learn about the detrimental impacts of being so invested in their jobs, careers, income-maximisation and cars. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/working-less-and-more-flexibly-is.html">Working less and more flexibly is desirable and a key to going car-free</a><br />
<br />
- Let's also be honest about categorical rejections of the value of cycling for transport. The few valid reasons for not cycling for a specific trip (e.g. it takes a lot longer and that directly costs you time you spend with your family) <span style="color: #cc0000;">don't apply to all trips</span>. High income earners always have at least one feasible trip to try cycling and see how worthwhile it really is as a tool for redesigning and optimising their lives. By all means reject transport cycling after you've given it a genuine go, assessed its value as a tool yourself, but then determined there are better tools for improving your life.<br />
<br />
- Finally, as a high income earner myself (per hour in the technology job I am moving out of), I can speak from experience on this topic. I wish I'd started escaping earlier from the seductive trap of devoting so much time and energy to working as an employee just because being productive and well-remunerated are rewarding in a narrow way that accords with social norms and expectations. I wouldn't claim that all aspects of my changes in priorities regarding work and income-maximisation relate to switching to cycling but cycling certainly fits priorities around voluntary simplicity perfectly while I consider being car-dependent antithetical to them.<br />
<br />
- Also, be aware that it's questionable whether you <b>really know</b> why you work and what job you do and that your current priorities are rationally justified and defensible.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://youarenotsosmart.com/2014/11/24/yanss-037-drive-motivation-and-crowd-control-with-daniel-pink/">YANSS 037 – Drive, Motivation, and Crowd Control with Daniel Pink</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
Articles about Mr Money Mustache<br />
> <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/11/mr-money-mustache-spend-like-youre-poor.html">NY Mag: Meet Mr. Money Mustache, the Personal-Finance Blogger Who Wants You to Spend Like You’re Poor</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-retire-early-35-years-early-2014-01-17">Marketwatch: How to retire early - 35 years early</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2013/10/03/how-mr-money-mustache-retired-at-age-30-and-how-you-can-too/">Forbes: How Mr. Money Mustache Retired At Age 30 And How You Can Too</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/meet-mr-money-mustache-the-man-who-retired-at-30/2013/04/26/71e3e6a8-acf3-11e2-a8b9-2a63d75b5459_story.html">Washington Post: Meet Mr. Money Mustache, the man who retired at 30</a><br />
> <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/video/playlist/financially-fit/retired-30-144216321.html">Yahoo Finance: How I retired at 30 (video)</a><br />
<br />
Streetsblog USA<br />
> <a href="http://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/05/22/mr-money-mustache-on-retiring-at-30-by-riding-a-bike/">Mr. Money Mustache on Retiring at 30 By Riding a Bike</a><br />
<br />
Other MMM Posts<br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/02/what-is-stoicism-and-how-can-it-turn-your-life-to-solid-gold/">What is Stoicism and How Can it Turn your Life to Solid Gold?</a><br />
<br />
Simple Economist<br />
> <a href="http://simpleeconomist.com/ride-bike/">Ride your bike</a><br />
<br />
Get Rich Slowly<br />
> <a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/06/27/biking-vs-driving-calculator/">Biking vs. Driving Calculator</a><br />
<br />
Money Crashers<br />
> <a href="http://www.moneycrashers.com/bike-to-work-considerations/">Bike Commuting: Health, Time & Safety Considerations of Biking to Work</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/jul/07/money-save-cycling">How much money (and time) does cycling to work actually save you?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2014/aug/30/save-money-get-on-your-bike">Need to save? Get on your bike</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/242475/Deciding-to-transition-from-car-to-bicycle">Ask Metafilter: Deciding to transition from car to bicycle</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.givemebackmyfivebucks.com/2013/09/09/much-car-costing/">Give me back my five bucks: How much is your car costing you?</a><br />
<br />
Personal Blogs<br />
> <a href="http://www.urbansimplicity.com/">Urban Simplicity</a><br />
> <a href="http://newurbanhabitat.com/">New Urban Habitat</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.velophile.com.au/2013/10/05/how-to-become-an-unimaginably-frugal-bike-riding-superhero%e2%80%8f/">Velophile Australia: How to: Become an unimaginably frugal bike-riding superhero</a><br />
<br />
Books<br />
> <a href="http://simplelives.com.au/">Changing Gears</a>; <span id="goog_1392863516"></span><a href="http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/10/25/greg-foyster-on-changing-gears-and-living-simply/">Crikey article</a><span id="goog_1392863517"></span><br />
<br />
<b>Voluntary Simplicity</b><br />
<a href="http://simplicityinstitute.org/">Simplicity Institute</a><br />
> <a href="http://simplerway.org/">The Simpler Way</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.createspace.com/4907640">Simple Living in History</a> (Samuel Alexander , Amanda McLeod)<br />
<br />
<b>Intentional Living & Intentional Communities</b><br />
<a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/the-helpful-guide-to-living-an-intentional-life/">Becoming Minimalist: The Helpful Guide to Living an Intentional Life</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ic.org/">Fellowship of Intentional Communities</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-23258245943459767042014-12-22T13:21:00.000+11:002015-06-14T11:28:22.003+10:00Working less and more flexibly is desirable and a key to going car-free<b>Summary</b>: Rethinking the purpose and desirability of conventional jobs is the key to eliminating car-dependent or miserable work commutes. Indeed, if you subtract the work commute, many more households could reduce or eliminate their car ownership. Logically then, there is a pathway for many households to follow, whereby reducing the number of work commutes and inflexible work constraints (e.g. being at work each day by a set time) enables alternatives to driving and car ownership to become feasible. This post will provide examples of how working less or more flexibly provides significant opportunities to reduce car ownership/use or make cycling and walking feasible options.<br />
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<a href="https://flic.kr/p/6jCkCp">Flickr CC by 2.0 - Robert Couse-Baker</a><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/commuting">commuting</a> category of this blog.<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/lifestyle%20choices">lifestyle choices</a> category of this blog.<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/why-mr-money-mustaches-biggest-secret.html">Why Mr Money Mustache's biggest secret of financial freedom is to ride a bike</a><br />
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<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Owning and running cars is really expensive, so aim to escape the trap of working more to fund greater car ownership/use - which is often primarily necessitated by more work destinations or trips</b><br />
- This blog provides extensive details showing how expensive it is to own and run a car. These are well-established facts provided by sources like motoring organisations, yet most car owners are blind to the true costs and downsides. Consequently, they see car ownership as a necessity and life-enabler rather than something it is desirable to eliminate in order to achieve a low-cost, healthier and more fulfilling life. Until you arrive at this latter perspective you won't have the motivating reasons to make these changes.<br />
<br />
- As just one example, a study done on commuting costs to the city centre for Australia's main cities concluded the savings were around $3,000 if the car was just left at home and $6,000-$11,000 if the car was sold. Yet, perversely, many households are stuck in a cycle of working more to fund more car ownership/use because of their work commutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99cUEZEavOPLgAf9JGMPpSeOia7GzeST559BiSQi3qoyxrsVDBwU5_E4iwadyqmpih6pwWeqzXjhhhL8RXe96q1thwd9FVTcFNaHy7s2Uiv43mG3fkxkgGzOcj0Ogi8unf0CiibimfDo/s1600/cbdcommuting_oz1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99cUEZEavOPLgAf9JGMPpSeOia7GzeST559BiSQi3qoyxrsVDBwU5_E4iwadyqmpih6pwWeqzXjhhhL8RXe96q1thwd9FVTcFNaHy7s2Uiv43mG3fkxkgGzOcj0Ogi8unf0CiibimfDo/s1600/cbdcommuting_oz1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2013/12/17/how-much-extra-does-it-cost-to-commute-by-car/">The Urbanist / CRC Rail Innovation Southern Cross Uni</a><br />
<br />
- Unnecessary car expenses throughout their lifetime is the most debilitating financial and lifestyle trap affecting most people. It really is a case of people <span style="color: #cc0000;">driving to work and thus working to drive</span> - which is crazy when driving is so counterproductive to their likely, real values and goals. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/why-mr-money-mustaches-biggest-secret.html">Why Mr Money Mustache's biggest secret of financial freedom is to ride a bike</a><br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/the-real-costs-of-commuting-by-car-are.html">The real costs of commuting by car are insanely high</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/spend-85-230week-more-on-housing-if-you.html">Spend $85-230/week more on housing if you get rid of your car</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/my-calculated-benefits-of-cycling-for.html">My calculated benefits of cycling for transport</a><br />
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<b>2. Most people's current jobs are about earning income and this isn't how they'd spend their time if earning money was unnecessary. Hence, you should aim to minimise time spent on work you do primarily for the income - especially if away from home</b><br />
- In 1928 the economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that by 2028 the efficiency of meeting human needs would be so improved that no one would need to worry about making money. In an essay called "Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren," Keynes predicted that people would work about three hours a day, and even this would be more labour than was necessary. For most of the 20th century, it was common for people thinking about the future to envision life without much work being necessary to afford to meet one's needs.<br />
<br />
- This doesn't mean people wouldn't choose to be productively engaged, just that if largely free of having to work for income, they'd choose to focus on their own goals, projects and meeting needs in their local communities. Most would certainly aim to eliminate unnecessary, car-dependent, daily commutes to go work far away for someone else's interests. To simplify the equation: more time spent in income-maximising work away from home = more consumption + more car use = a higher cost of living = being time poor, lacking self-sufficiency and purchasing your needs as a service.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It is an ideal, all the way from Keynes to Scandinavia, that as our productivity increases, instead of matching it with needless consumption, we should pare back working hours and instead spend time with our families, or learning the violin, or … you know … reading. Indeed, this is as close as you'd get to a capitalist vision of utopia, the idea that we'd reach perfect self-actualisation – accomplished, erudite, rested, always available to the people we loved – not by ripping up the system and starting again, but by maximising our efficiency and output.<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/10/women-part-timers-ball-breakers-sexism">The Guardian: Why women part-timers should be full-time ball-breakers</a></blockquote>
- <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/">Mr Money Mustache</a> is a popular blogger about voluntary simplicity and financial freedom who famously retired from needing to earn income at the age of 30. This is how he and his family choose to spend their time:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We spend most of our time at home, a place which I built from the ground up with the valuable helping hands of a few friends. We do our own cooking and cleaning and of course maintenance. Entertaining, creating things, stories and music and hosting a neverending stream of fun guests. Even my gym, workshop, and office are right here in the same spot. None of this is done because this is a cheap way to live, but because it’s a rich and efficient way to get in touch with all the things that make a human happy. We could go out and get faint approximations of these same services by driving around constantly to various cities and manage to spend more, but why the hell would we do this?<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/11/23/not-extreme-frugality/">Mr Money Mustache: If You Think This is About Extreme Frugality, You’re Missing The Point</a></blockquote>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://no%20time/">The New Yorker: No time</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/25/overwhelmed-work-love-play-no-one-time-review-brigid-schulte">The Guardian: Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time – review</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/04/work-more-less-quality-of-life">The Guardian: Why work more? We should be working less for a better quality of life</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/10/15/the-tyranny-of-having-a-real-job/">Mr Money Mustache: The Tyranny of Having a Real Job</a><br />
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<b>3. Income-maximising work is the major cause of undesired trips and car ownership/use</b><br />
- Once you rethink work that is primarily aimed at maximising monetary income, you realise how different your chosen productive activities would be if free of having to maximise income. They'd be based in or around your home and eliminate long commutes and the necessity of family members being car-dependent. Many highly productive activities (e.g. looking after family members, educating children, sharing and exchanging skills) would not involve money and would revolve around home, family/friends and your community.<br />
<br />
- For example, families wouldn't choose to put their young children in childcare for so many days per week if they weren't driven to seek income-maximising work outside of home and that required continuous physical presence for an entire day far from where they lived. Instead, it would be more common to want to work from home or at least close to home and to drop off children nearby for short periods (1-3hrs) when necessary, or take part in shared, neighbourhood child-minding that enabled part-time, flexible, local work. For many people who do computer/indoor work, they would prefer to flexibly schedule this work at or near home when their children are occupied or even asleep. Their preferred schedules would certainly not be a continuous 8+ hour stretch far from home during the prime period their children are awake.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/jobs/12search.html?_r=0">NY Times: Job Satisfaction vs. a Big Paycheck</a><br />
<br />
<b>4. For two-income, two-car families using childcare, there is great potential for significant reductions in working hours by dropping to one work commute per day</b><br />
- This is typically explained with the parent having the lower income (often the woman) staying at home, thus the household saves on childcare and the car-related costs of one commute which often makes up for almost all of the loss in take-home pay. However, if possible, sharing child caring duties is even smarter with both parents working part-time and thus also retaining their careers and financial independence. <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/">Mr Money Mustache</a> explains the standard financial calculations involved:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Right now, you earn $75,000 before tax or 45% of your family’s gross pay. Since you listed take-home pay at $7500, let’s assume you are bringing in $3400 of it. Out of that, the following monthly costs might be byproducts of your job:<br />
Gas and direct/indirect car costs for almost 2000km/month of driving around in a van: $1,000<br />
Parking: $95<br />
Daycare: $1200<br />
Convenience foods and services that show up in your grocery and miscellaneous bills: $200<br />
Total: $2495<br />
This leaves only about $1000 per month of “profit” from your job. So, including commuting and shuttling kids around to child care, you are spending about 250 hours a month to earn $1,000 – or four bucks an hour. If you can think of better things to do than working for well under half of Manitoba’s minimum wage, you should quit immediately.<br />
<a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/12/10/case-study-average-everyday-complainypants-seeks-redemption/">Mr Money Mustache: Case Study: Average Everyday Complainypants Seeks Redemption</a></blockquote>
- There are good reasons why <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/">Mr Money Mustache</a> is one of the world's most popular personal finance blogs. It's because he explains simply, bluntly and consistently why things people take for granted (e.g. having their own car and driving to work) are so damaging to their financial health. See: <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/04/22/curing-your-clown-like-car-habit/">Curing your Clown-Like Car Habit</a><br />
<br />
<b>5. Reducing your cost of living via voluntary simplicity, minimalism, D.I.Y skills and community exchange/sharing</b><br />
- Despite the massive disparity in incomes, most people spend around 40 hours/week in conventional jobs as employees - this is reflective of their simple adoption of social norms rather than individual's assessing how much they need to work and earn to support a certain lifestyle. In reality, almost everyone can reduce their consumption and expenditure, become more self-sufficient, and swap or share within their local community. For more on downshifting, voluntary simplicity, minimalism, and the D.I.Y and sharing economy see: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/how-to-contribute-to-genuine.html">How to contribute to genuine, transformative sharing</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. Once you genuinely desire to work less and more flexibly you will identify many opportunities to do so and thus also reduce your car-dependence</b><br />
- The big challenge for most people is simply to make this switch to actively desiring to reduce time spent as an employee in a conventional job and in income-maximising work. Once you reprioritise your goals around what really matters you will readily start to identify all of the opportunities to minimise time spent working in such jobs and, to the extent that you do need to work, try to flexibly fit that work around your family/friends and priorities. There are many benefits of making this switch, reducing car ownership and usage is just one of them. However, this is a blog about how cycling can improve your life so the rest of this post will highlight common opportunities with the most relevance to eliminating car commutes to work.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Reducing the number of days per week you work a conventional job</b><br />
- I've been working 4 days/week since April 2013. From Jan 2015 I'll be 3 days/week and later this year even less. This is just an average and the precise days or schedule isn't set in stone. Indeed, the greatest benefit of working less than a full-time schedule is that it has the potential to greatly increase the flexibility of which days you work and when you start/finish. Once your work pattern isn't trapped by some organisation/team-wide rules or norms this flexibility can enable you to find ways to eliminate commuting by car - most commonly, by leveraging cycling and public transport.<br />
<br />
- Reducing the number of days per week you work also makes some other options more feasible such as carpooling. This could be difficult or inconvenient if trying to arrange five days a week but is more feasible if only required a few days a week.<br />
<br />
- When doing a part-time job it is vital not to try and pack in a full-time workload. This is a common trap and is either self-defeating (you may as well get paid if you really want to do more work) or leads to exploitation (your colleagues and employer won't complain). See: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/10/women-part-timers-ball-breakers-sexism">The Guardian: Why women part-timers should be full-time ball-breakers</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBRImPINkl-NgWknvsQNAH3feaUgMzvpp2Ri1up7P3GgeFkjFc8zQwqscknhrbdlLDaupDNezXVQX-qCUc0qN5ElL-VX8bbmshm3xJShoaCeVQk6mwMn_L0qQymc9_j5Zy5v_NXPBJ0o/s1600/workinglessandmoreflexibly02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBRImPINkl-NgWknvsQNAH3feaUgMzvpp2Ri1up7P3GgeFkjFc8zQwqscknhrbdlLDaupDNezXVQX-qCUc0qN5ElL-VX8bbmshm3xJShoaCeVQk6mwMn_L0qQymc9_j5Zy5v_NXPBJ0o/s1600/workinglessandmoreflexibly02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/14/daily-commute-slog-joy">The Guardian: Is your daily commute a slog or a joy?</a><br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://simplerway.org/work-and-time">The Simpler Way: Work and Time</a><br />
<br />
<b>8. Reduce or eliminate unpaid overtime</b><br />
- Spending long hours at the office is crazy and I regret the periods of my life that I did so. When you're working a conventional job for someone else's interests, voluntarily doing long hours is a sure sign of an unbalanced life where you're missing out on many important things (family, friends, learning skills, cooking and eating well, keeping healthy, reading, etc). The justification is often "that's what everyone does" or career-advancement but this is a poor excuse. Virtually no-one is highly productive for more than 8 hours at a stretch so doing long hours is generally unproductive time-serving (See: <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2014/12/working-hours">The Economist: Proof that you should get a life</a>). If you're genuinely doing productive work it's feasible to explain to your management that long hours are wasteful and counterproductive. If you're not doing much productive work (thus have little bargaining power) you need to change jobs so that you can get control back over your time.<br />
<br />
- The key connection with the work commute is that early starts and late finishes (driven by voluntarily doing long hours) are a major barrier to commuting by bike and/or public transport.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog/2013/oct/08/long-hours-culture-overworked">The Guardian: Working 9 to way past 5: dealing with a long hours culture</a><br />
<br />
<b>9. Eliminate travel to distant work destinations and multiple locations</b><br />
- A common reason people give for commuting by car is the trip distance or need to travel to multiple locations. There is no conventional job I can dream of that would persuade me to spend 2+ hours each day commuting by car. The time, health and enjoyment sacrifices would simply be too high. Yet many people spend 2+ hours commuting by car to jobs they don't even like and would quit in a heartbeat if they won the lottery.<br />
<br />
- There are ways to eliminate or reduce the need for such travel but it takes some effort or compromises. For example, centralising your work attendance at one location near to home and using technology (e.g. video/web conferencing, desktop sharing) or other methods to avoid travelling to other locations. Or choosing projects/clients at locations that are less car-dependent or allow more cycling/walking. There may sometimes be sacrifices in terms of your role and maximising your income but this has to be offset against the resulting car dependence and lifestyle and health consequences.<br />
<br />
- Many people (e.g. in America) also work multiple jobs purely for income-earning reasons. The travel demands of these jobs then necessitate car-dependence. For such situations, the medium-term escape has to be focused on eliminating the need for multiple jobs or at least difficult commutes to them. If the cost of owning and using cars was radically reduced along with other unnecessary lifestyle costs, the need for these jobs and commutes could often be eliminated.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Telecommuting and working from home</b><br />
- With almost all homes having fast internet and most key workplace systems being available remotely (internet or VPN), there are few remaining technical barriers to much computer-based work being done remotely. Telecommuting simply eliminates the work commute. The major remaining barriers relate to workplace norms and concerns about monitoring actual productivity. The best option is to shift your income-earning work to organisations that already support working remotely and don't require you to be office-bound.<br />
<br />
- For workplaces which don't already support telecommuting, the aim would be to focus on productive work that is tangible and trackable such that your output can be measured even when you're at home. Ultimately, being paid for output not time can be very liberating once you've found many productive, alternate uses for your time. You'll be driven to become as time-efficient as you can in delivering output so that you can free up your time for other things.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog/2014/apr/30/what-happened-to-remote-working">The Guardian: Why aren't we all working from home today?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/working-from-home-yahoo-best-buy-hp-moves">Working from home: how Yahoo, Best Buy and HP are making moves</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.csrwire.com/blog/posts/1194-legalizing-telecommuting-corporate-responsibility-or-environmental-compliance">CSRWire: Legalizing Telecommuting: Corporate Responsibility or Environmental Compliance?</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOpV6zejN5tc7r5-zMTOevMJ3nyo7tT1jJefyinTZG-s_gp6rfm7Atpbu-WvAUAwOKsnLSmshTjY3_7bPSiPlR3NbMkmR2B7phkuVObYuhOHZ__7rI_MBgWvKhMQjdHsY1cxVzm5sbfg/s1600/workinglessandmoreflexibly03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOpV6zejN5tc7r5-zMTOevMJ3nyo7tT1jJefyinTZG-s_gp6rfm7Atpbu-WvAUAwOKsnLSmshTjY3_7bPSiPlR3NbMkmR2B7phkuVObYuhOHZ__7rI_MBgWvKhMQjdHsY1cxVzm5sbfg/s1600/workinglessandmoreflexibly03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mccrindle.com.au/BlogRetrieve.aspx?PostID=342599&A=SearchResult&SearchID=7960415&ObjectID=342599&ObjectType=55">McCrindle Research: Working from home - The benefits and the cost</a><br />
<br />
<b>11. Actively seek work and employers that permit flexibility as to work schedules and attendance at the office. Know and use your legal and employer-based flexible working rights</b><br />
- Flexibility in when you attend work and when you can leave or work from home makes commuting by bike or public transport much more feasible. For example, in winter, if it's raining in the morning, I often start working from home and ride into work when the rain pauses or stops.<br />
<br />
- Being able to work part-days from home or make up time later (e.g. in the evenings from home) is a major advantage in being able to be less car-dependent. It's also desirable to have a workplace that enables you to be free from having to carry a laptop and other work equipment constantly between home and work (e.g. lockers, support for multiple work devices, etc).<br />
<br />
- Many employees are also unaware of (or fail to exploit) the full extent of their legal flexible working rights (slowly increasing) and employer policies.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog/2014/jun/30/flexible-working-on-way-know-rights">The Guardian: Flexible working is on its way – know your rights</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2014/apr/24/flexible-working-career-progression-work-life-balance">How flexible working is good for you - and for your career</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/100-top-companies-for-remote-jobs/">FlexJobs: 100 Top Companies for Remote Jobs in 2014</a><br />
<br />
<b>12. Switching from jobs with car-dependent commutes to income-earning work closer to home or that requires less travel</b><br />
- Income-maximisation is a terribly counterproductive driver of decisions about work but is the current norm. Consequently, one major unexploited opportunity is to switch from a job with a car-dependent commute to one that is closer to home and you can reliably commute to by walking, cycling or public transport. With the car-savings included there may be little loss of net income but, even if there is, there are many benefits to working closer to home and commuting via an active mode (walking, cycling).<br />
<br />
<b>13. Choosing more satisfying, productive work that matches your characteristics and values</b><br />
- Much of the dissatisfaction with conventional jobs, work and commutes is actually best addressed through changing careers and the kind of income-generating work you do. This is a big change but that's also where the big potential benefits come from. Below are some useful guides in considering this critical decision about work, skills and lifestyle.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Pathfinder-Lifetime-Satisfaction-Touchstone/dp/1451608322">The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success - Nicholas Lore</a><br />
> <a href="http://college.usatoday.com/2014/11/12/8-books-that-will-lead-you-to-your-dream-job/">USA Today: 8 books that will lead you to your dream job</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805">Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel Pink</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
Juliet Schor<br />
> <a href="http://www.julietschor.org/2013/10/new-york-times-pieces-on-the-future-of-work/">New York Times piece - After the jobs disappear</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR-YrD_KB0M&feature=youtu.be">YouTube: Visualizing a Plenitude Economy</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/oct/27/bike-blog-going-dutch-lanes">There's more to 'going Dutch' than having a separate cycling lane</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/oct/03/the-reason-fewer-us-women-cycle-than-the-dutch-is-not-what-you-think-it-is">The reason fewer US women cycle than the Dutch is not what you think it is</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2014/oct/15/apple-facebook-egg-freezing-employee-perk">By offering to freeze their employees’ eggs, Apple and Facebook make it clear they don’t know what women want</a><br />
<br />
New York Times<br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/technology/yahoo-orders-home-workers-back-to-the-office.html?hp&_r=1&">Yahoo Orders Home Workers Back to the Office</a><br />
<br />
The Urbanist<br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2013/02/28/why-cant-yahoos-telecommute-anymore/">Why can’t Yahoos telecommute anymore?</a><br />
<br />
New Yorker<br />
> <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/03/18/face-time">Face Time</a><br />
<br />
The Conversation<br />
> <a href="http://theconversation.com/was-egg-freezing-a-perk-too-far-from-facebook-and-apple-33212">Was egg-freezing a perk too far from Facebook and Apple?</a><br />
<br />
Forbes<br />
> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2013/02/25/back-to-the-stone-age-new-yahoo-ceo-marissa-mayer-bans-working-from-home/">Back To the Stone Age? New Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer Bans Working From Home</a><br />
<br />
New Republic<br />
> <a href="http://www.newrepublic.com/article/115927/productivity-taking-over-our-lives">Against the Insufferable Cult of Productivity</a><br />
<br />
McCrindle Research<br />
> <a href="http://www.mccrindle.com.au/the-mccrindle-blog/getting-to-work-infographic">How Australians get to work</a>; <a href="http://www.mccrindle.com.au/BlogRetrieve.aspx?PostID=363485&A=SearchResult&SearchID=7960415&ObjectID=363485&ObjectType=55">ABC News report</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.mccrindle.com.au/BlogRetrieve.aspx?PostID=342599&A=SearchResult&SearchID=7960415&ObjectID=342599&ObjectType=55">Working from home - The benefits and the cost</a><br />
<br />
Research<br />
> <a href="http://www.academia.edu/3732976/Work_Life_City_Limits_Comparative_Household_Perspectives">Work Life City Limits: Comparative Household Perspectives</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog">The Guardian: Work blog</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog/2014/oct/10/work-four-day-week-qualify-solicitor">I want to work a four-day week when I qualify as a solicitor</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian: Sustainable business blog<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/five-forces-shaping-future-work-office">The five forces shaping the future of the workplace landscape</a><br />
<br />
Jacobin Magazine<br />
> <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/01/in-the-name-of-love/">In the Name of Love</a><br />
<br />
Strike Magazine<br />
> <a href="http://strikemag.org/bullshit-jobs/">On the phenomenon of bullshit jobs (David Graeber)</a><br />
<br />
Fast CoExist<br />
> <a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3033844/these-cycling-desks-charge-your-phone-and-your-muscles-while-you-work">These Cycling Desks Charge Your Phone—And Your Muscles—While You Work</a><br />
<br />
Telecommuting Jobs<br />
> <a href="http://www.flexjobs.com/">FlexJobs</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/10/19/the-best-paying-jobs-you-can-do-from-anywhere/">Forbes: The Best-Paying Jobs You Can Do From Anywhere</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.ratracerebellion.com/">Rat Race Rebellion</a><br />
<br />
Wikipedia<br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downshifting">Downshifting</a><br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workaholic">Workaholic</a><br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work%E2%80%93life_balance">Work–life balance</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-36607529667883809322014-12-19T01:54:00.000+11:002015-01-03T18:21:55.277+11:00Why you should campaign and vote to kill bad infrastructure projects<b>Summary</b>: Big, expensive, city-changing infrastructure projects that are likely to fail, blowout in cost/time, cause major adverse impacts or simply miss the opportunity to radically improve the city, need to be killed as early as possible. You can't trust most politicians, bureaucrats, project-connected experts and especially private corporations to deliver the best social outcomes. Citizens need to inform themselves early enough to get directly involved in forcing the best decisions to be made. Urban cyclists often have the most to lose from bad projects as they shred funds that could be spent on cycling infrastructure as well as embed massive obstacles that entrench car-centric urban design. In this post, I'll collate salient articles and examples of these projects and the battles to kill or reshape them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-si3cHwF3VAu11jbeuPfL3hDibiivPYNiYz_LN5ndw180WazDogEZyFl0wGiDSGcBIbdEX2IrqH9Of6yur1WlUk0GBqJ1jvFztcq16qetXTfhJkkex25Qn03jtqyJdel2Pj-PPu9qZs/s1600/whyyoushouldcampaignandvotetokillbadinf01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-si3cHwF3VAu11jbeuPfL3hDibiivPYNiYz_LN5ndw180WazDogEZyFl0wGiDSGcBIbdEX2IrqH9Of6yur1WlUk0GBqJ1jvFztcq16qetXTfhJkkex25Qn03jtqyJdel2Pj-PPu9qZs/s1600/whyyoushouldcampaignandvotetokillbadinf01.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/15762034207">Flickr CC by 2.0 - WSDOT</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/politics%20and%20transport%20futures">politics and transport futures</a> category of this blog.<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/10/why-public-transport-hell-persists-and.html">Why public transport hell persists and why only cycling can free you from it</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. If progressive, educated and politically-active cities like Seattle can end up with terrible mega-projects that refuse to die, so can any city</b><br />
- The trigger for this post was reading some extremely insightful and prescient articles about Seattle's decision to build a high-risk tunnel to replace an existing harbourside freeway when it clearly has the least social benefits out of the options available.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_icesGxxFhD1hWv4Phbrwr47sCtIH5H_lh_nhTmN6fM-LkxHhOLbKsSNHObdEy42bJB2P1Ck51vShgbvC3v8YkSsx53BscLjcauo6t5zROUCl5bCg_xdeATb9X-KCEMVT4IV4A2Is2k/s1600/whyyoushouldcampaignandvotetokillbadinf02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_icesGxxFhD1hWv4Phbrwr47sCtIH5H_lh_nhTmN6fM-LkxHhOLbKsSNHObdEy42bJB2P1Ck51vShgbvC3v8YkSsx53BscLjcauo6t5zROUCl5bCg_xdeATb9X-KCEMVT4IV4A2Is2k/s1600/whyyoushouldcampaignandvotetokillbadinf02.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/4907981806/in/set-72157624760624786">Alaskan Way Viaduct - Flickr CC by 2.0, WSDOT</a><br />
<br />
- The tragic thing is that the key risks, deficiencies and adverse outcomes Seattle is now faced with were known well in advance. The political and bureaucratic decision makers had no excuses and there was a heated and prolonged political battle. Yet the wrong decision was still made as an insufficient number of residents actively campaigned and voted against it, presumably because not enough understood just how bad the tunnel option was. The below articles provide an excellent case study in why citizens need to take responsibility for ensuring these horrendous mega-projects, that are either misguided or serve vested interests, are completely killed off early enough or redesigned for the best social outcomes. The community groups that tried to do so won several battles over the years but got steamrolled in the end.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Read <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/what-could-possibly-go-wrong/Content?oid=4399657">Holden’s story</a> for details, or my long 2010 <a href="http://grist.org/article/2010-12-15-seattle-car-centric-mega-tunnel-cary-moon/">interview with local activist Cary Moon</a>, which comprehensively covers the reasons this thing is a bad idea. In short: There is no plan to resolve the dispute over cost overruns, which are ubiquitous on projects like this; at $4.2 billion, it’s the most expensive transportation project in state history. The tunnel will have no exits — no ingress or egress — throughout the entire downtown core (which makes the support of downtown businesses all the more mystifying). It won’t allow transit, only cars. It will be tolled, highly enough, by the state’s own estimates, to drive nearly half its traffic onto the aforementioned side streets. It will be a precarious engineering feat, the widest deep-bore tunnel in history, digging right between a) Puget Sound and b) the oldest part of Seattle, with vulnerable buildings and God-knows-what buried infrastructure. Also: Pollution. Climate change. It’s the 21st f’ing century. On and on. People said all this and more, in real time, to no avail. One of the people fighting hardest against the tunnel? Visionary mayor Mike McGinn, who spent his term in office warning that exactly what is happening now was going to happen. For his efforts, Seattle voted him out of office. We prefer to hang on to our illusions.<br />
<a href="http://grist.org/cities/seattles-unbelievable-transportation-megaproject-fustercluck/">Grist: Seattle’s unbelievable transportation megaproject fustercluck</a></blockquote>
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<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/cities/seattles-unbelievable-transportation-megaproject-fustercluck/">Grist: Seattle’s unbelievable transportation megaproject fustercluck</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/what-could-possibly-go-wrong/Content?oid=4399657">The Stranger: What Could Possibly Go Wrong</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/who-to-blame-for-bertha/Content?oid=19894105">The Stranger: Who to Blame for Bertha</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2014/12/12/guest-editorial-we-need-to-stop-trying-to-rescue-this-tunnel-project-and-consider-our-options">The Stranger: We Need to Stop Trying to Rescue This Tunnel Project and Consider Our Options</a><br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/article/2010-12-15-seattle-car-centric-mega-tunnel-cary-moon/">Grist: Seattle's impending car-centric mega-tunnel: a chat with urbanist Cary Moon</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2014/may/what-other-cities-learned-tearing-down-highways?single=1">D Magazine: What other cities learned</a><br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/politics/when-it-comes-to-roads-and-rail-we-force-government-to-lie-to-us/">Grist: When it comes to roads and rail, we force government to lie to us</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. Killing off Melbourne's East West Link & Tunnel was a narrow escape not based in strong, majority support</b><br />
- While Victorian voters ultimately ensured the East West Link project won't proceed by tossing out the conservative Coalition government at a fortuitously timed election, most voters were not strongly against the project. Under different circumstances - for example, the Coalition government having gotten started much earlier in its four year term - it would have been difficult to kill off the project without a much larger section of the state population actively campaigning against it. Several very committed, grassroots community groups proved vital in gradually mobilising sufficient, sustained pressure to force the main opposition party (Labor) to lock itself in to killing the project if elected - which only happened just before the election. This was a narrow escape from what would have been a horror mega-project that consumed much of Melbourne's transport budget and agenda for a decade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietbkaZKhucpPgMTOzm0QTdHshOioXRVx-QZRDr4dACGDrvdwyfN9nDf3WUmMzOaXuRYVA8syyWp5qcxK5yBIuBqsvL7K97R4DsaRtvd1vwsMXlz6RSZNbZ2F3rqEFJq1jdl0Jn-GUcv0/s1600/whyyoushouldcampaignandvotetokillbadinf04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietbkaZKhucpPgMTOzm0QTdHshOioXRVx-QZRDr4dACGDrvdwyfN9nDf3WUmMzOaXuRYVA8syyWp5qcxK5yBIuBqsvL7K97R4DsaRtvd1vwsMXlz6RSZNbZ2F3rqEFJq1jdl0Jn-GUcv0/s1600/whyyoushouldcampaignandvotetokillbadinf04.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></div>
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See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-14/what-is-the-east-west-link3f/5389038">ABC News: The East West Link project explained</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-15/east-west-link-victorian-goverment-business-case/5966938">ABC News: East West Link - Labor accuses Napthine government of 'fraud on epic scale' over road project</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-11/vote-compass-results-show-voters-support-east-east-link/5880648">ABC News: Victoria election 2014 - Almost half of voters support East West Link toll road, Vote Compass reveals</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/12/17/what-can-we-learn-from-the-east-west-link-debacle/">The Urbanist: What can we learn from the East West Link debacle?</a><br />
<br />
- Alan Davies isolates key lessons from this project, principally that a careful cost-benefit analysis must be released up front to inform an accurate public debate on which project proposals should proceed and <span style="color: #cc0000;">which should be stopped</span>. However, the failure to release the East West Link analysis in advance and the very nature of the project, given what we know about the utility of building more road capacity, was sufficient for any engaged citizen to educate themselves as to the counter-arguments and get involved politically to add to the pressure - at least for the analysis to be revealed and scrutinised before steaming ahead. Those who didn't actively oppose this project should now consider the arguments with the facts on the table and, if they now recognise what a mistake this mega-project would have been, remember this experience when the next big infrastructure project is put forward:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Of all the benefits flowing from the Victorian government’s decision to release publicly the business case for the East West Link motorway, one of the most important is the contribution this action can potentially make to improving the public debate around major projects. The documents released by the Premier, Daniel Andrews, show the dangers and the rank stupidity of taking an uncritical approach to multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment decisions. The former Victorian government promised the East West Link would deliver massive benefits for all and sundry. However the public wasn’t allowed to see the analysis purporting to support the claims because it was “commercially sensitive”. But when the numbers were revealed to public gaze by Mr Andrews last Monday, we got a wholly different picture. It turns out that were it to proceed, the costs of the East West Link would exceed the benefits by a large margin. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This sort of disconnect between the glamorous public promise and the hard-nosed reality is no great surprise. There’s no shortage of politicians, boosters, enthusiasts and advocates who relentlessly argue that the sorts of projects they favour should be funded despite what careful and even-handed analysis might show. Their project should proceed, they say, because it’s “visionary”; because it’ll give us “the future we want”; because it’s “nation-building”; because it’ll eliminate “congestion”; because it’ll “save the planet”; or because it fits the biases of those advocating the expenditure of what, it should be emphasised, are public funds. Analysis that might help understand if the net benefits really are as large as the boosters conveniently take for granted, or that might identify alternative opportunities that give a higher social pay-off, is blithely dismissed as the work of boring bean counters.<br />
<a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/12/17/what-can-we-learn-from-the-east-west-link-debacle/">The Urbanist: What can we learn from the East West Link debacle?</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/EastWestTunnelPledge">Facebook: East West Tunnel Pledge</a><br />
<br />
<b>3. Red flag indicators of bad projects</b><br />
- There are several ways to assess whether a publically-funded, city-changing project is the best alternative for achieving social outcomes as opposed to serving narrow, private interests.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; color: black; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Project Red Flag Indicator</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>No comprehensive, independent cost-benefit analysis is available and other key facts and documents are kept secret. When projects aren't in the public interest or the best alternative, proper analysis is hidden or prevented</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Reliably independent organisations and experts advise against the project proceeding either absolutely or without further analysis, rationale or improvement</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Identify who benefits the most, especially financially, from the project proceeding - e.g. infrastructure firms, financiers, land bankers, developers, etc.</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Identify whether the politicans and groups pushing for the project are supported by narrow/private interests that benefit disproportionately</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Projects building infrastructure for cars dismiss or ignore the arguments and evidence that building more roads can't solve congestion problems</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Advertising for the project makes grand claims of benefits that have no genuine evidence and seem too good to be true</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>There is a sudden rush to sign contracts and lock in poison pills (for subsequent cancellation) when the project may be threatened by risk of cancellation (e.g. an election)</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<b>Seattle Tunnel to replace Alaskan Way Viaduct</b><br />
Grist<br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/cities/seattles-unbelievable-transportation-megaproject-fustercluck/">Seattle’s unbelievable transportation megaproject fustercluck</a><br />
<br />
The Stranger<br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/what-could-possibly-go-wrong/Content?oid=4399657">What Could Possibly Go Wrong</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/who-to-blame-for-bertha/Content?oid=19894105">Who to Blame for Bertha</a><br />
<br />
NY Times<br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/us/in-seattle-a-sinking-feeling-about-a-troubled-tunnel.html?_r=0">In Seattle, a Sinking Feeling About a Troubled Tunnel</a><br />
<br />
ReThink81<br />
> <a href="http://rethink81.org/sample-page/seattle-2">Seattle - The Alaskan Way Viaduct</a><br />
<br />
Wikipedia<br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Way_Viaduct_replacement_tunnel">Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel</a><br />
<br />
<b>Melbourne East West Link & Tunnel</b><br />
Wikipedia<br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_West_Link,_Melbourne">East West Link</a><br />
<br />
The Urbanist<br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/12/17/what-can-we-learn-from-the-east-west-link-debacle/">What can we learn from the East West Link debacle?</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/12/02/three-misconceptions-about-the-east-west-link/">Three misconceptions about the East West Link</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/09/21/is-melbournes-east-west-link-dead-in-the-water/">Is Melbourne’s East West Link dead in the water?</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/07/22/is-there-a-case-for-keeping-the-east-west-link-business-plan-secret/">Is there a case for keeping the East West Link business plan a secret?</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2014/07/10/should-labor-repudiate-melbournes-east-west-link/">Should Labor repudiate Melbourne’s East West Link?</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://trainsnottollroads.com.au/">Trains not Tollroads</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ycat.org.au/">Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT)</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.ycat.org.au/?p=7284">East West business case finally made public</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ptua.org.au/">Victorian Public Transport Users Association</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.publictransportnottraffic.org/">Public Transport Not Traffic</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.publictransportnottraffic.org/whats_wrong">What's wrong with the East-West toll road</a><br />
<br />
Social Media<br />
> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EastWestTunnelPledge">Facebook: East West Tunnel Pledge</a><br />
<br />
ABC News<br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-11/east-west-link-could-cost-up-to-24178b-academics-say/5881252">Victorian election 2014: East West Link could cost almost $18b, academics say</a><br />
<br />
The Age/SMH<br />
> <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/east-west-link-labors-sensible-uturn-on-nations-most-expensive-toll-road-20140911-10fipo.html">East West Link: Labor's sensible U-turn on nation's most expensive toll road</a><br />
<br />
<b>Sydney WestConnex Motorway</b><br />
Sydney Morning Herald<br />
> <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/damning-report-into-westconnex-motorway-released-by-nsw-auditorgeneral-20141218-129r7t.html">Damning report into WestConnex motorway released by NSW auditor-general</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/westconnex-turnbull-greiner-criticise-the-very-sad-outcome-20141202-11ydfz.html">WestConnex: Turnbull, Greiner criticise the 'very sad outcome'</a><br />
<br />
<b>Community Transportation Advocacy Groups</b><br />
> <a href="http://www.transformca.org/">TransForm California</a><br />
<br />
<b>Cycling Infrastructure</b><br />
The Stranger<br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/okay-fine-its-war/Content?oid=9937449">Okay, Fine, It's War</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/another-cyclist-has-diedandmdashso-will-the-city-council-finally-fund-bike-safety-improvements/Content?oid=20489599">Another Cyclist Has Died—So Will the City Council Finally Fund Bike Safety Improvements?</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-70956412638012350042014-12-17T16:59:00.002+11:002014-12-17T17:14:53.976+11:00Opportunities, benefits and tips for mixed mode commuting<b>Summary</b>: Mixed mode commuting simply involves combining more than one mode of transport in completing a trip - public transport, cycling, walking and driving. Many people that could gain some benefits from mixed mode commuting don't consider it carefully enough and stick to their existing mode (primarily driving or public transport only). Others struggle with the challenges of mixed mode commuting (connections, parking, flexible bike access). This post will collate opportunities, benefits and tips for getting the most out of mixed mode commuting with cycling as a key element.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJUs08JeliAoS4hpGRsU3liFRUUiWRn2GGPvTf3aOtv2bg-_K-kZpTGHgYOyQCZEHjwi46zfr3psyRayvRMxOcXb75Ca4mchqSFn1K7GvY4-cAPfNUgw3aE9OXIF54w-zP4v3e4ThY8/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJUs08JeliAoS4hpGRsU3liFRUUiWRn2GGPvTf3aOtv2bg-_K-kZpTGHgYOyQCZEHjwi46zfr3psyRayvRMxOcXb75Ca4mchqSFn1K7GvY4-cAPfNUgw3aE9OXIF54w-zP4v3e4ThY8/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode02.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/6QYW2H">Flickr CC by 2.0 - EURIST e.V.</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/commuting">commuting</a> category of this blog.<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/getting-most-out-of-using-bikes-and.html">Getting the most out of using bikes and public transport together</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/the-distance-of-your-common-trips-does.html">The distance of your common trips does matter or you need good connections with public transport</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Many people are dissatisfied with their current commute but are unaware of practical mixed mode solutions involving cycling</b><br />
- This post was triggered by the below article and its reader comments that emphasised how unsatisfactory it is to be wasting your life and damaging your health being stuck in traffic each workday. When "rush hour" commuting is so slow and frustrating on multi-lane roads and cyclists are flying by smiling, it is worthwhile considering how you might improve your commute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAuIzRK5Yq1GfCdFXSLtyW7zo0CafQX-3Dk4KOEOVrQJyrAFF6X8gjooyPQVI6ySQ274aJJoBu0qh4A5SWWuoN5-oP60tvgX-x0ouybPS-RazodmFKurnAuwLyh9LSOB_dTFV4vFu4cs/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAuIzRK5Yq1GfCdFXSLtyW7zo0CafQX-3Dk4KOEOVrQJyrAFF6X8gjooyPQVI6ySQ274aJJoBu0qh4A5SWWuoN5-oP60tvgX-x0ouybPS-RazodmFKurnAuwLyh9LSOB_dTFV4vFu4cs/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode04.jpg" height="314" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-drivers-being-slammed-by-the-citys-11kmh-crush-hour/story-fni0cx12-1227158614947?nk=d3866b882b0d0310ab902ea518127c6b">Daily Telegraph: Sydney drivers being slammed by the city’s 11km/h crush hour</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECWpxf1qBq1OgzKi8bTkDdlkEYz7Drxj9QpcaXYMimhJuF8NQW4jitR0vwP37_E-YMJFehJNZ0LtYFTiLNuZxqMn6IgQqFMauxyG5HEJjUjWqQZn-LlYyNP1Ag5Ro0W8osDAy6dzeFQQ/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECWpxf1qBq1OgzKi8bTkDdlkEYz7Drxj9QpcaXYMimhJuF8NQW4jitR0vwP37_E-YMJFehJNZ0LtYFTiLNuZxqMn6IgQqFMauxyG5HEJjUjWqQZn-LlYyNP1Ag5Ro0W8osDAy6dzeFQQ/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode01.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-drivers-being-slammed-by-the-citys-11kmh-crush-hour/story-fni0cx12-1227158614947?nk=d3866b882b0d0310ab902ea518127c6b">Daily Telegraph: Sydney drivers being slammed by the city’s 11km/h crush hour</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. Your health, happiness and productivity are the main reasons to consider incorporating active modes into your commute</b><br />
- It's common to focus solely on optimising commute time but the real message of stories about all the time wasted stuck in traffic is that many people already spend a large amount of time commuting (more than they imagine) and so saving time is not a legitimate excuse to avoid considering cycling or walking. The real benefits of embedding cycling or walking into your daily commute aren't saving time (in fact, it could take slightly longer) but the health, happiness and productivity benefits.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/8/22/6050439/commuting-biking-walking-transportation/in/5579561">Vox: Biking or walking to work will make you happier and healthier</a><br />
<br />
<b>3. Identify the biggest issues, potential benefits and barriers and focus on resolving them via mixed mode solutions</b><br />
- There are either problems to be solved or unrealised benefits to be obtained so it's important to list the ones that are applicable to you and your situation. These include:<br />
(a) Saving time<br />
(b) Improving your health by embedding exercise into your commute<br />
(c) Replacing at least part of a frustrating, stressful commute with an enjoyable one<br />
(d) Making your commute more reliable, autonomous or flexible<br />
(e) Saving money<br />
<br />
<b>4. Distance doesn't need to prevent cycling you can combine cycling with public transport in efficient ways</b><br />
- If by cycling to public transport you are able to eliminate having to commute by car, the overall benefits will be significant. There may be no or little time and inconvenience penalty and the financial and health benefits are considerable. See: > <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/the-real-costs-of-commuting-by-car-are.html">The real costs of commuting by car are insanely high</a><br />
<br />
- If you drive to public transport currently, cycling instead may ultimately eliminate the need for one car in your household. More importantly, cycling instead of driving is healthier, less stressful and can be much more enjoyable.<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/the-distance-of-your-common-trips-does.html">The distance of your common trips does matter or you need good connections with public transport</a><br />
<br />
<b>5. If the Park-and-ride being full prevents you from using public transport, then cycle there</b><br />
- Park-and-ride facilities at train stations are heavily subsidised and so will often fill up early. However, cycling to the park-and-ride is often a practical alternative and bike parking is rarely full. Even if the most secure or protected bike parking is limited, you can use a cheap, robust bike that is less likely to be stolen and you can afford to leave unsheltered.<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/how-to-prevent-your-bike-being-stolen.html">How to prevent your bike being stolen</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. If there is no decent public transport option for longer trips consider combining cycling with driving</b><br />
- For many people in their current circumstances (e.g. where they live vs where they work), eliminating a car by cycling all the way to work isn't feasible. And often public transport is unavailable, not reliable, inefficient or difficult to connect with. However, there are still benefits to replacing part of the drive with cycling. It is unlikely to save much time but it does enable you to incorporate daily exercise into your commute which has significant health and enjoyment benefits. It can also save you money and hassles with parking. Best of all, you can flexibly opt to do so when it makes most sense (weather is suitable, you have time).<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/built-in-exercise-is-major-benefit-of.html">Built-in exercise is a major benefit of cycling for transport</a><br />
<br />
<b>7. Bike share offers a flexible way to leverage bikes without needing to worry about theft, parking or being locked in. Or leave your own bike locked in the place you need it</b><br />
- The easiest part of many commuter's trips to replace with active transport is often the proverbial "last mile" - the shorter trips typically from transit/parking stations to your destination. These shorter trips are often unnecessarily time-consuming and frustrating if dependent on public transport.<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/getting-most-out-of-using-bikes-and.html">Getting the most out of using bikes and public transport together</a><br />
<br />
- Alternatively, if bike share is unsuitable you can obtain a cheap, simple, durable bike that is not a theft target and leave it locked in the place you need it (e.g. near your transit stop). This can be a practical way of replacing part of your trip with a feasible cycling solution.<br />
See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/07/solutions-for-using-your-own-bike.html">Solutions for using your own bike instead of public bike share</a><br />
<br />
<b>8. Folding bikes enable you to take your bike on public transport and keep it indoors</b><br />
- If the size of your bike is an obstacle to taking it on public transport consider using a folding bike as they can be readily taken on trains, trams and buses. These can be bought new for as little as $300 and can usually fold/unfold in 30 seconds. They are particularly suitable when the bike trip distance is quite short. Several types, such as the Strida, can be wheeled along when folded. Remember you don't always need to carry your folding bike inside your destination, you can lock them outside with a U lock.<br />
> <a href="http://www.stridabikes.com.au/">Strida folding bikes in Australia</a><br />
<br />
<b>9. Public transport can help with hills or when the weather is unsuitable</b><br />
- Often some of the specific barriers to a person cycling can be worked out with mixed mode solutions, such as putting a bike on a bus to get up particularly big hills. Or opting out of cycling when the weather is unsuitable. There are various flexible ways you can make this work.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/05/the-most-common-situations-where-public.html">The most common situations where a public transport alternative helps cyclists</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-maximise-your-cycling-when-faced.html">How to maximise your cycling when faced with hills</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow2OSHjBXNuOe036bouLHV8W51rOnbZbGS-FILuSr8TCTQM3__J4EeWPzpaabqFYsGeFdPwWaKBtHl1_TR1anZZ08_0EggKljGbaP4CDrOQvG3KweZmhDVWQFpsIelbxngJQbpgjWyzU/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow2OSHjBXNuOe036bouLHV8W51rOnbZbGS-FILuSr8TCTQM3__J4EeWPzpaabqFYsGeFdPwWaKBtHl1_TR1anZZ08_0EggKljGbaP4CDrOQvG3KweZmhDVWQFpsIelbxngJQbpgjWyzU/s1600/opportunitiesbenefitsandtipsformixedmode03.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/jUVbwU">Flickr CC by 2.0 - kcxd</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
Wikipedia<br />
> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermodal_passenger_transport">Intermodal passenger transport</a><br />
<br />
Daily Telegraph<br />
> <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-drivers-being-slammed-by-the-citys-11kmh-crush-hour/story-fni0cx12-1227158614947?nk=d3866b882b0d0310ab902ea518127c6b">Sydney drivers being slammed by the city’s 11km/h crush hour</a><br />
<br />
Vox<br />
> <a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/8/22/6050439/commuting-biking-walking-transportation/in/5579561">Biking or walking to work will make you happier and healthier</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-13319693203689168612014-12-02T10:05:00.000+11:002015-04-10T10:05:50.415+10:00How to best improve cycling infrastructure through voting and political involvement<b>Summary</b>: In modern democracies, the conventional way of achieving political change (laws, policy, public projects/initiatives) is through maximising the vote of the parties or candidates most sympathetic to your views. And also by influencing the policies and promises of these parties and candidates, and holding them accountable for commitments if elected. Most people are familiar with the many conventional ways of engaging in mainstream, conventional politics and so I won’t discuss them here. Instead, I’ll concentrate only on highlighting specific issues and opportunities in Melbourne that are not well known but may be worth<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FPiDc79VQMRMfNoT4lL9hyphenhyphendo_YsOzoMF2ieDSNZeeL-S2vvMAk19B-TWQRAw10aLkSQFS8MhyNghdbP33NqZLuXNFgxTlt703oM6XXFtGw3e6kKxLM7ncVeAmE8QA_TTxAQ-ifNHXGM/s1600/votecompass04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FPiDc79VQMRMfNoT4lL9hyphenhyphendo_YsOzoMF2ieDSNZeeL-S2vvMAk19B-TWQRAw10aLkSQFS8MhyNghdbP33NqZLuXNFgxTlt703oM6XXFtGw3e6kKxLM7ncVeAmE8QA_TTxAQ-ifNHXGM/s1600/votecompass04.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/politics%20and%20transport%20futures">politics and transport futures</a> category of this blog.<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/cycling%20infrastructure">cycling infrastructure</a> category of this blog.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Web apps like Vote Compass are becoming more popular guides as to who to vote for. Thus it’s important to get one’s issues into their surveys and ensure the questions are well-designed</b><br />
Australia’s publicly-funded media broadcaster – the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/">ABC</a> – now promotes usage of <a href="http://votecompass.com/">Vote Compass</a> in all State and Federal elections. However, these tools work by selecting a limited number of topical questions relating to policy differences in the forthcoming election. Once those questions are set and the survey opens there is no opportunity to get other questions added or the wording of questions changed. Hence, it’s important to try and get relevant issues onto the shortlist of questions and provide input into the most meaningful and accurate wording of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZfeTIat5ns08VHtOvV8xbx0y6LaKZd_STKeHXil7s0YjrOLszz95H5EzMZvf2CUWIaiqQYJwBHUZQO3VQ5x8h_DE8ET4U2hG7se_RzncVLwEA21PGgvuufe56yL85aeydiY7VFg4LQo/s1600/votecompass03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZfeTIat5ns08VHtOvV8xbx0y6LaKZd_STKeHXil7s0YjrOLszz95H5EzMZvf2CUWIaiqQYJwBHUZQO3VQ5x8h_DE8ET4U2hG7se_RzncVLwEA21PGgvuufe56yL85aeydiY7VFg4LQo/s1600/votecompass03.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/vic-election-2014/vote-compass/">ABC News - Victoria Election 2014 - Vote Compass</a><br />
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<b>2. For web apps designed to guide voting intentions, it’s critical that the correct assessment of political parties’ policies is done</b><br />
It’s great to have your issue included in a voting guidance app but if the simplified assessment of political parties and candidates is incorrect this is worse than if there was no guidance at all. The recent Victorian State election is a great case in point whereby the Liberal and National Coalition (L/NP) was given the highest rating for the question:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How much should Victoria spend on bike lanes and cycling projects?</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bkfSR_-3nTkYrMDNXm0-t5eM7Uzz7Xo5ISpNgLiP-Xqu27hkHK6RgNI6xzrc6rgUADEnkZjm7ocTSl3aVgzTw8WpggcU4ttJo8VoYfhn6oi31Plk8VU40OtaQGFENUqpkn3yKODPmEA/s1600/votecompass01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bkfSR_-3nTkYrMDNXm0-t5eM7Uzz7Xo5ISpNgLiP-Xqu27hkHK6RgNI6xzrc6rgUADEnkZjm7ocTSl3aVgzTw8WpggcU4ttJo8VoYfhn6oi31Plk8VU40OtaQGFENUqpkn3yKODPmEA/s1600/votecompass01.jpg" height="640" width="475" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/vic-election-2014/vote-compass/">ABC News - Victoria Election 2014 - Vote Compass</a></div>
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This rating is driven purely by a single LNP promise to spend $70 million on new cycling infrastructure connected to its $8 billion, car-centric East-West tunnel and motorway project. Of course, there would be $0 of this $70 million actually delivered unless the LNP's anti-cycling, wasteful, counterproductive car project proceeded first. See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/why-you-should-campaign-and-vote-to.html">Why you should campaign and vote to kill bad infrastructure projects</a></div>
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Virtually all cycling advocates and organisations agreed that the East-West Link project was terrible for cycling in Victoria and only those with vested financial interests in keeping both sides of politics on-side (Bicycle Network) were even prepared to countenance taking this cynical, dishonest, last-minute promise seriously. Community-based cycling organisations were not fooled:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We don't seem to care about people getting around anymore, we just seem to care about cars. So Liberals are promising a new bike way or two, let's get this straight - this is a buy off to win back the Cyclist Vote. It is not guaranteed, but is instead an optional extra. The new bikeways are uncosted, they are window dressing and in the West they offer nothing new while removing for many years what is there already. In the East we get to spill into major roads that the cars will not use anymore (like Hoddle St), I mean how stupid can you be? Hoddle St will never reduce in traffic.<br /><a href="http://cycle.org.au/index.php/rambles/words-of-wisdom/154-the-east-west-link-bikeways-announced">Cycle: The east west link - bikeways announced</a></blockquote>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://australian-cyclists-party-victoria.org.au/blog/east-west-link/">Australian Cyclists Party: East-West Link</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/2818/">Bicycle Network: East West Link Stage One</a><br />
> <a href="http://nofibs.com.au/2014/10/02/east-west-link-dominates-vicvotes-transport-forum-reports-takvera/">Nofibs: East West Link dominates #vicvotes transport forum reports</a><br />
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It’s inexcusable for Vote Compass’ political “scientists” to get this wrong as the Victorian LNP has a reliable track record of significantly reducing funding for cycling infrastructure and prioritising cars over cycling, walking and public transport.<br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-slashes-construction-of-cycling-projects-20120521-1z1ed.html">The Age: Baillieu slashes construction of cycling projects</a><br />
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Indeed Vote Compass' actual survey results show that LNP voters are considerably less supportive of cycling infrastructure:<br />
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<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-11/vote-compass-results-show-voters-support-east-east-link/5880648">Victoria election 2014: Almost half of voters support East West Link toll road, Vote Compass reveals</a></div>
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<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
ABC News<br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/vic-election-2014/vote-compass/">Victoria Election 2014 - Vote Compass</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/vic-election-2014/">Victoria Election 2014</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://votecompass.com/">Vote Compass</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-82877620992273097842014-11-26T21:19:00.002+11:002015-02-02T20:34:10.421+11:00Why you shouldn't use Uber or companies like it<b>Summary</b>: Many "sharing economy" boosters love Uber because it's been so successful so quickly, disrupted entrenched monopolies and is trailblazing the changes needed for similar peer-to-peer enterprises to take off. But even if offering valuable, new solutions, not all businesses are worthy of support. Uber is a classic example of a business where profit matters more than people and social consequences. In this post, I'll collate various articles that expose Uber's unethical philosophy and practices, and by extension all profit-seeking transport enterprises with similar priorities. However, real ridesharing and carpooling are important enablers of going car-free, so I will also try and identify the best alternate options available.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEPUKvNOmt1a5hD7HjBIgK7olWS1CVfz2Pj0u4xSBB4DszzL1DzNrmsBj91yy0jGbxdmBi1oaxvD-H68YorOdFW5_t166R1ieKxL-jIrCWe2pgUDaSrzzBQiFbfn9EOQ11dNNLypWd7o/s1600/uber01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEPUKvNOmt1a5hD7HjBIgK7olWS1CVfz2Pj0u4xSBB4DszzL1DzNrmsBj91yy0jGbxdmBi1oaxvD-H68YorOdFW5_t166R1ieKxL-jIrCWe2pgUDaSrzzBQiFbfn9EOQ11dNNLypWd7o/s1600/uber01.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/how-to-contribute-to-genuine.html">How to contribute to genuine, transformative sharing</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/11/transportcamp-melbourne-data-apps-links.html">TransportCamp Melbourne data, apps, links and ideas</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Selected critiques of Uber's philosophy, values and practices</b><br />
- Some articles to read on Uber's revealed philosophy and practices are listed below. A range of articles from many sources are listed in the <b>Further Info</b> section at the bottom.<br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2012/10/24/travis-shrugged/">Travis Shrugged: The creepy, dangerous ideology behind Silicon Valley’s Cult of Disruption</a><br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2014/11/17/the-moment-i-learned-just-how-far-uber-will-go-to-silence-journalists-and-attack-women/">The moment I learned just how far Uber will go to silence journalists and attack women</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The pro-Disruption argument goes like this: In a digitally connected age, there’s absolutely no need for public carriage laws (or hotel laws, or food safety laws, or… or…) because the market will quickly move to drive out bad actors. If an Uber driver behaves badly, his low star rating will soon push him out of business. Laws don’t exist merely to frustrate the business ambitions of coastal hipsters: They also exist to protect the more vulnerable members of society. Back home in London (where such statistics are available), 11 women a month are attacked in unlicensed cabs, and unlicensed drivers are responsible for a horrifying 80 percent of all stranger rapes. If Uber doesn’t have to follow licensing laws, then neither does any Tom, Dick, or Harry who chooses to paint the word “TAXI” on the side of his car, and start offering rides via the Internet. A disruptive CEO will shrug and insist that it’s not his fault that such criminals exist. “Just because there are people who want to rape, murder, or rob you shouldn’t prevent me from making another million dollars,” he’ll argue. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The truth is, what Silicon Valley still calls “Disruption” has evolved into something very sinister indeed. Or perhaps “evolved” is the wrong word: The underlying ideology — that all government intervention is bad, that the free market is the only protection the public needs, and that if weaker people get trampled underfoot in the process then, well, fuck ‘em. Given their Randian origins, we kid ourselves if we think most Disruptive businesses are fighting government bureaucracy to bring us a better deal. A Disruptive company might very well succeed in exposing government crooks lining their pockets exploiting outdated laws, but that’s only so the Disruptor can line his own pockets through the absence of those same laws. A Disruptive company may give you free candy in your 50-dollar cab but, again, that’s only because doing so is good business. If poisoning that same candy suddenly becomes better business (like encouraging New York cab drivers to be distracted by their phones, or putting vulnerable people at risk of attack is better business)… well maybe that’s an option worth exploring too.<br />
<a href="http://pando.com/2012/10/24/travis-shrugged/">Travis Shrugged: The creepy, dangerous ideology behind Silicon Valley’s Cult of Disruption</a></blockquote>
<b>-</b> Note that PandoDaily and Sarah Lacy are <a href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/pandodailys-threatening-email-meltdown-1149039909">not beyond ethical reproach themselves</a> but much of their critique is based on undisputed facts. Whether other aspects of their Uber antipathy are personal will become evident given Uber's most significant adverse impacts also apply to its competitiors like Lyft.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. Uber wants to dominate transport but externalise any adverse impacts and disown responsibility</b><br />
- Putting its philosophy into practice, means a single minded focus on capturing markets and profit while deliberately externalising all adverse impacts and risks. By legally protecting itself from these risks Uber isn't eliminating them it's just ensuring they are not effectively mitigated:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Is Uber the worst company in Silicon Valley? The taxi app company has proved to be one of the most aggressive of the new generation of tech startups – showing a willingness to take “disruption” to new heights. Governments, states, taxi drivers, tax authorities, rivals, even blind people – all have come up against Uber and lost. The company is currently being sued in San Francisco by the family of a six-year-old girl who was killed by an Uber driver. The company claims its driver was not performing an Uber ride at the time, but the family argue he was on the road because he was working for Uber. The company has been sued by the National Federation of the Blind for allegedly refusing rides once the driver saw the passenger had a service dog. Worryingly, Kalanick’s sharp-elbowed approach works, as far as investors are concerned, and it comes as Silicon Valley eyes an ever larger share of the “1099 economy” – self-employed people often engaged in the service industry. Taxi drivers, laundry workers and home cleaners are just the first guinea pigs for a new breed of tech firms looking to make big business out of often low-paid workers. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/18/uber-worst-company-silicon-valley">The Guardian: Is Uber the worst company in Silicon Valley?</a></blockquote>
See also:<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/uber-sued-family-six-year-old-killed-crash-san-francisco">Uber sued by family of six-year-old killed in San Francisco crash</a><br />
<br />
<b>3. Companies like Uber increase the incidence of distracted driving but evade liability for the deaths and injuries that result</b><br />
- The clearest example of this was Uber's response to the preventable death of Sofia Liu caused by an Uber driver.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Uber driver Syed Muzzafar hit Sofia Liu and her family at a green light on New Year’s Eve, killing the girl and seriously injuring her mother and younger brother. Muzzafar has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and gross negligence. Because he did not have a passenger at the time of the crash, however, Uber argues that the company is not liable for any damages, as its drivers are freelance operators, not employees.<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/uber-sued-family-six-year-old-killed-crash-san-francisco">Uber sued by family of six-year-old killed in San Francisco crash</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Uber shares in the profits of its drivers and must share in the responsibility for the harms they cause," Dolan wrote in a statement. "The use of the Uber app. by drivers violates California laws designed to eliminate driver distraction. Drivers are constantly interacting with their mobile devices creating serious risk to both passengers and the community."<br />
<a href="http://sfist.com/2014/01/27/uber_sued_for_wrongful_death_of_7-y.php">Sfist: Uber Sued For Wrongful Death Of 6-Year-Old Sofia Liu</a></blockquote>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.cutterlaw.com/uber-lyft-sidecar-distracted-drivers-and-auto-accidents-whos-to-blame/">Uber, Lyft, Sidecar – Distracted Drivers and Auto Accidents, Who’s to Blame?</a><br />
> <a href="http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2014/01/ride-service-uber-sued-over-girls-death.html">Find Law: Ride Service Uber Sued Over Girl's Death</a><br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Lyft_Pink_Mustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Lyft_Pink_Mustache.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Lyft_Pink_Mustache.jpg">Wikimedia Commons CCby2.0</a></div>
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<b>4. Companies like Uber don't care about their large contract workforces</b><br />
- Despite its claims that it wants drivers to be paid more, its CEO is looking forward to being able to make the drivers obselete (thus their jobs and incomes too). Of course, driverless cars taking over are a <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/10/transport-tech-fantasies-vs-existing.html">tech fantasy</a> but the aspiration is telling.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A day after Google unveiled the prototype for its own driverless vehicle, Kalanick was visibly excited at the prospect of developing a fleet of driverless vehicles, which he said would make car ownership rare. "The reason Uber could be expensive is because you're not just paying for the car — you're paying for the other dude in the car," Kalanick said. "When there's no other dude in the car, the cost of taking an Uber anywhere becomes cheaper than owning a vehicle. So the magic there is, you basically bring the cost below the cost of ownership for everybody, and then car ownership goes away." Asked about what he would tell the Uber drivers who will some day replaced, Kalanick said that day was still a long way off. But it's also inevitable, he said. "I'd say 'Look, this is the way of the world, and the world isn't always great.'<br />
<a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/28/5758734/uber-will-eventually-replace-all-its-drivers-with-self-driving-cars">Uber will eventually replace all its drivers with self-driving cars</a></blockquote>
- The bigger issue with Uber and similar companies is their use of freelance or labour-hire workforces that aren't directly employed and have no rights, benefits or protections as employees of the company. These disposable contractors can be subjected to all sorts of unfair and exploitative practices:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Was my house cleaner — the one I'd hired through a company that has raised $40 million in venture-capital funding from well-respected firms like Google Ventures, the one who was about to perform arduous manual labor in my house using potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals — homeless? To explain why it's possible for a cash-flush tech start-up to have homeless workers, it helps to know that the man I hired through Homejoy wasn't a Homejoy employee at all. That's because Homejoy doesn't employ any cleaners — like many of its peer start-ups, it uses an army of contract workers to do its customers' bidding. To hear Homejoy tell it, it's simply the digital middleman that allows people seeking home-cleaning services to find people willing to do it.<br />
<a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/09/silicon-valleys-contract-worker-problem.html">NYMag: Does Silicon Valley Have a Contract-Worker Problem?</a></blockquote>
See also:<br />
> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2014/10/uber_driver_salary_the_ride_sharing_company_says_its_drivers_make_great.html">Slate: In Search of Uber’s Unicorn</a><br />
<br />
<b>5. Companies like Uber push exploitative deals like subprime loans that impoverish their drivers</b><br />
- As I've explained on this blog (e.g. <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/the-real-costs-of-commuting-by-car-are.html">link1</a>, <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/my-calculated-benefits-of-cycling-for.html">link2</a>), the cost of owning and running a car is massive and underestimated by virtually everyone. The worst thing you can do is to own more cars than you need, upgrade them more often than necessary and to own expensive cars that are costly to run, maintain and repair. Yet these high costs simply represent another wealth-extracting opportunity for rapacious companies that don't care about the outcomes for people, including the people that work for them.<br />
<br />
- Uber exemplifies this ruthless exploitation by pushing its drivers to purchase new, more expensive cars using loans and lease agreements that are often not affordable (i.e. subprime):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The subprime lending market that plunged America into the Great Recession is back and as unscrupulous as ever. Instead of mortgages, this time a bubble has formed around auto loans, and reliably ruthless Uber is in the thick of it. Two "partners" in Uber's vehicle financing program are under federal investigation, but Uber hasn't slowed its aggressive marketing campaign to get drivers with bad credit to sign up for loans. The company has been bombarding drivers in San Francisco with email offers encouraging them to sign up for Uber's vehicle financing program—including one sent days after the latest subpoena. The most recent ones, obtained by Valleywag, open with the image of a car with cash literally flying out of the backseat. Uber promises drivers that it's "Easy to qualify, even with poor credit or no credit history at all." <a href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/uber-and-its-shady-partners-are-pushing-drivers-into-su-1649936785">Valleywag: Uber and Its Shady Partners Are Pushing Drivers into Subprime Loans</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdfJTu5Ewop1KN3indM7CsVOnQoEq4H3wIQ0dAFd2A44be-9_NsOxDYYVGEDWk1rgchuARlEN0HOB3YbdLIPMi1jEPAnjJvYQJeBDjGyum8bRRrLLM7po2P7-IHQNeyY6UkM2vLVTt2w/s1600/uber02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdfJTu5Ewop1KN3indM7CsVOnQoEq4H3wIQ0dAFd2A44be-9_NsOxDYYVGEDWk1rgchuARlEN0HOB3YbdLIPMi1jEPAnjJvYQJeBDjGyum8bRRrLLM7po2P7-IHQNeyY6UkM2vLVTt2w/s1600/uber02.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
- Note that all of Uber's competitors that share its philosophy of "profit/growth is all that matters" are just as bad. Uber's biggest current rival is Lyft and its practices are often as bad and sometimes worse:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lyft is just as hungry, if not as cunning as Uber. In May, the company convinced drivers to pay $34,000 for "tricked-out" Lyft-branded Ford Explorers in order to launch a luxury service to compete with Uber. Five months later, Lyft canceled the service, leaving drivers with a weak bailout offer: Lyft will help sell the trucks or give drivers a $10,000 bonus, subject to income tax.<br />
<a href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/uber-and-its-shady-partners-are-pushing-drivers-into-su-1649936785">Valleywag: Uber and Its Shady Partners Are Pushing Drivers into Subprime Loans</a></blockquote>
See also:<br />
> <a href="http://fortune.com/2014/09/18/uber-banks-on-world-domination/">Fortune: Uber banks on world domination</a><br />
> <a href="http://valleywag.gawker.com/lyft-guts-luxury-service-sticking-drivers-with-34-000-1637828788">Lyft Guts Luxury Service, Sticking Drivers With $34,000 Custom SUVs</a><br />
> <a href="http://grist.org/business-technology/the-sharing-economy-cozies-up-to-subprime-auto-loans/">Grist: The “sharing” economy cozies up to subprime auto loans</a><br />
<br />
<b>6. Companies like Uber exist to generate as much profit as feasible over the long run</b><br />
- If Uber's users were ultimately going to save money over the long term by using Uber compared to their pre-Uber transport options then it would be hard to convince users not to keep using them. After all, self-interest typically wins out. However, Uber is a profit-maximising company and will innovate to extend its market and revenues in multiple ways - both obvious and insidious. Surge pricing is a prime example of the use of technology to solve supply and demand mismatches while bumping up profits. Uber customers shouldn't complain, it's what they should reasonably expect - in Uber's free market you need to pay enough to play. Any exceptions to this rule are only made in the interests of long-term profitability not suddenly deciding to abide by customer's ideas of fairness. I would predict that a large proportion of Uber users will spend more on Uber annually than they ever did on their pre-Uber transport options. Hopefully, the service quality and convenience is worth it.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://abovethecrowd.com/2014/03/11/a-deeper-look-at-ubers-dynamic-pricing-model/">Above the Crowd: A Deeper Look at Uber’s Dynamic Pricing Model</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/tech/2014/12/ubers-sydney-debacle-is-all-the-more-reason-for-cities-to-regulate-it/383745/">CityLab: Uber's Sydney Debacle Is Yet More Reason for Cities to Regulate It</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com.au/uber-should-add-a-premium-subscription-model-2014-12">Hey Uber, Here's A Solution To Your Surge Price Woes That Could Make You A Ton Of Money</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKBHX4LgUttXIV10N83YS-adJh1hluCVXpp8yqNmAz5wkEcAQjma9blyVaxt1TEc1ZKtT9GW44vHCCM99qwrSG1YXm5ArXEyz-h3mlTIzuBtBFyCqX5oZlG-4Pc1EH9siGScWVXgGLT0/s1600/uber03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKBHX4LgUttXIV10N83YS-adJh1hluCVXpp8yqNmAz5wkEcAQjma9blyVaxt1TEc1ZKtT9GW44vHCCM99qwrSG1YXm5ArXEyz-h3mlTIzuBtBFyCqX5oZlG-4Pc1EH9siGScWVXgGLT0/s1600/uber03.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>7. Companies like Uber work against democracy, self-sufficiency, diversity, resilience and equity</b><br />
- Neal Gorenflo from <a href="http://www.shareable.net/">Shareable</a> understands the true human and social values and dynamics at least as well as anyone, and applauds true Sharing Cities for rejecting Uber and its ilk:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One nation, one solution, one app uber alles is a failed 20th century dream, not the 21st century reality we need. The future belongs to enterprises that distribute control and wealth rather than concentrating it, and that's not a utopian dream, it's an increasingly practical necessity in order to attact and keep customers in a zero marginal cost world. Venture Capitalist Brad Burnham said as much at the SHARE conference in May as reported by the Wall Street Journal in an article entitled, "Why Uber and Airbnb Might be in Big Trouble."<br />
<a href="http://www.shareable.net/blog/why-banning-uber-makes-seoul-even-more-of-a-sharing-city">Shareable: Why Banning Uber Makes Seoul Even More of a Sharing City</a></blockquote>
<b>8. Best current rideshare alternatives to Uber in Melbourne</b><br />
- The ethical response for individuals to such information should be to not use these company's services. After all, there are many alternatives for getting around; Uber isn't a necessity. The critical step is to delete the app from your smartphone - these deletions are tracked carefully by such companies and their investors.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.cio.com/article/2852553/consumer-technology/five-good-reasons-to-delete-the-uber-app-right-now.html">CIO: Five Good Reasons to Delete the Uber App Right Now</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/fashion/uber-delete-emil-michael-scandal.html?_r=0">NYTimes: To Delete or Not to Delete: That’s the Uber Question</a><br />
> <a href="http://time.com/3595318/uber-sexism-tech-delete-app/">Time: Dismantling Tech’s Sexist Culture Isn’t Easy, But Deleting Uber Sure Is</a><br />
> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23deleteuber&src=tyah">Twitter - #deleteuber</a><br />
<br />
- I will update a list of rideshare and carpool alternatives for Melbourne as I identify them. I have yet to assess how ethical their business practices are, but they can't be worse than Uber. The model enterprise for Australia would be something like: <a href="http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/">http://www.co-wheels.org.uk</a>. "As a Social Enterprise, our primary focus is to help our members & partners to save money, reduce car ownership and create environmental benefit. Because Co-wheels is a Community Interest Company, we reinvest profit into our operations to expand the service." See: <a href="http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/about_us">Co-wheels: About us</a><br />
<br />
<b>Taxi Alternatives / Short Rideshare:</b><br />
> <a href="http://www.ingogo.mobi/">Ingogo</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.gocatch.com/">Gocatch</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.hailoapp.com/">Hailo</a> or <a href="https://www.flywheel.com/">Flywheel</a> when they arrive in Australia<br />
> <a href="http://www.atia.com.au/australian-taxi-apps">ATIA Taxi Apps</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/transport/cars/car-hire/taxi-alternatives-and-apps.aspx">Choice: Taxi alternatives & booking apps</a><br />
<br />
<b>Carpooling:</b><br />
> <a href="http://www.carpoolone.com.au/">Carpoolone</a><br />
<br />
<b>Carshare:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.carnextdoor.com.au/">Car Next Door</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flexicar.com.au/">Flexicar</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goget.com.au/">GoGet</a><br />
<br />
<b>Long Trip Rideshare:</b><br />
> <a href="http://www.coseats.com/">Coseats</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.jayride.com.au/">Jayride</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.shareyourride.net/carpool/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/">Share your Ride</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
Rideshare Companies & Organisations<br />
> <a href="https://www.uber.com/">Uber</a>; <a href="http://blog.uber.com/uberpool">UberPool</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.lyft.com/">Lyft</a>; <a href="https://www.lyft.com/line">Lyft Line</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.side.cr/">Sidecar</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.blablacar.com/">BlaBlaCar</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.carpooling.com/">Carpooling</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.zimride.com/">Zimride</a><br />
> <a href="https://carmacarpool.com/">Carma</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bandwagon.io/">Bandwagon</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.hailoapp.com/">Hailo</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.flywheel.com/">Flywheel</a><br />
> <a href="http://gocurb.com/">Curb</a><br />
> <a href="http://instantcab.com/">Summon</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.ridejoy.com/">Ridejoy</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.wundercar.org/en/">Wundercar</a><br />
<br />
Carshare<br />
> <a href="https://www.car2go.com/">Car2go</a><br />
> <a href="https://relayrides.com/">RelayRides</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.zipcar.com/">Zipcar</a><br />
<br />
> <a href="http://www.compareandshare.com/sharing-economy-directory/">Compare and Share: Australia</a><br />
> <a href="http://transport.startups-list.com/startups/transportation">Startups List: Transportation Startups</a><br />
<br />
Salon<br />
> <a href="http://www.salon.com/2015/02/01/the_sharing_economy_is_a_lie_uber_ayn_rand_and_the_truth_about_tech_and_libertarians/">The sharing economy is a lie: Uber, Ayn Rand and the truth about tech and libertarians</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/18/uber-worst-company-silicon-valley">Is Uber the worst company in Silicon Valley?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/uber-sued-family-six-year-old-killed-crash-san-francisco">Uber sued by family of six-year-old killed in San Francisco crash</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/27/airbnb-uber-taxes-regulation">Don't buy the 'sharing economy' hype: Airbnb and Uber are facilitating rip-offs</a><br />
<br />
Pando Daily<br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2012/10/24/travis-shrugged/">Travis Shrugged: The creepy, dangerous ideology behind Silicon Valley’s Cult of Disruption</a><br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2014/11/17/the-moment-i-learned-just-how-far-uber-will-go-to-silence-journalists-and-attack-women/">The moment I learned just how far Uber will go to silence journalists and attack women</a><br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2014/01/02/uber-driver-hits-kills-6-year-old-girl-is-not-our-problem-still-an-appropriate-response/">Uber driver hits, kills six-year-old girl. Is “Not our problem” still an appropriate response?</a><br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2014/10/22/the-horrific-trickle-down-of-asshole-culture-at-a-company-like-uber/">The horrific trickle down of Asshole culture: Why I’ve just deleted Uber from my phone</a><br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2014/10/06/venture-capital-and-the-great-big-silicon-valley-asshole-game/">Venture capital and the great big Silicon Valley asshole game</a><br />
> <a href="http://pando.com/2014/10/16/uber-faces-deja-vu-as-riders-complain-of-rate-gouging-following-caltrain-fatality/">Uber seeing deja vu as riders complain of rate gouging following Caltrain fatality</a><br />
<br />
Forbes<br />
> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/chanellebessette/2014/11/25/does-uber-even-deserve-our-trust/">Does Uber Even Deserve Our Trust?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2014/11/21/what-are-the-long-term-implications-of-this-latest-scandal-at-uber/">What Are The Long-Term Implications Of This Latest Scandal At Uber?</a><br />
<br />
The Verge<br />
> <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/26/6067663/this-is-ubers-playbook-for-sabotaging-lyft">This is Uber's playbook for sabotaging Lyft</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/7/3300244/uber-taxi-new-york-travis-kalanick-rogue">Uber the outlaw: a rogue startup fights the taxi power</a><br />
<br />
Business Insider<br />
> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com.au/uber-travis-kalanick-bio-2014-1">All Hail The Uber Man! How Sharp-Elbowed Salesman Travis Kalanick Became Silicon Valley's Newest Star</a><br />
<br />
Vanity Fair<br />
> <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/business/2014/12/uber-travis-kalanick-controversy">Man and Uber Man</a><br />
<br />
Medium<br />
> <a href="https://medium.com/@petersimsie/can-we-trust-uber-c0e793deda36">Can We Trust Uber?</a><br />
> <a href="https://medium.com/@petersimsie/the-immaturity-and-arrogance-of-uber-eea64bcfa5bf">The Immaturity and Arrogance of Uber</a><br />
<br />
NYMag<br />
> <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/09/silicon-valleys-contract-worker-problem.html">Does Silicon Valley Have a Contract-Worker Problem?</a><br />
<br />
NYTimes<br />
> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/style/uber-facebook-and-others-bedeviled-by-moral-issues.html?smid=tw-nytstyles">The Slippery Slope of Silicon Valley</a><br />
<br />
The Conversation<br />
> <a href="http://theconversation.com/why-criticism-of-uber-isnt-turning-customers-away-yet-34564">Why criticism of Uber isn’t turning customers away – yet</a><br />
> <a href="http://theconversation.com/is-uber-really-in-a-fight-to-the-death-34680">Is Uber really in a fight to the death?</a><br />
<br />
The Atlantic CityLab<br />
> <a href="http://www.citylab.com/commute/2013/09/real-future-ride-sharing-may-all-come-down-insurance/6832/">The Strange Tale of an Uber Car Crash and What It Means for the Future of Auto Insurance</a><br />
<br />
Shareable<br />
> <a href="http://www.shareable.net/blog/why-banning-uber-makes-seoul-even-more-of-a-sharing-city">Why Banning Uber Makes Seoul Even More of a Sharing City</a><br />
<br />
Others<br />
> <a href="http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/the-smartest-bro-the-room">Modern Luxury SF Magazine: The Smartest Bro in the Room</a><br />
<br />
YouTube:<br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8Kv7Et0OI&app=desktop">Four Things About Uber You Wish You Never Knew</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXt0lG3IRZQ">Riding Dirty: How Uber Takes Drivers and Passengers for a Ride | Nailed It!</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlT-msMY3sI">People HATE UBER?! Here's Why!</a><br />
<br />
Uber and Ridesharing Competition<br />
> <a href="http://stratechery.com/2014/uber-fights/">Stratechery: Why Uber fights</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2014/11/22/in-defense-of-uber-an-unbiased-opinion/">Both Sides of the Table: In defense of Uber</a><br />
<br />
Forums<br />
<a href="http://uberpeople.net/">UberPeople</a><br />
<br />
Sharing Economy<br />
> <a href="http://www.mrteacup.org/post/the-cult-of-sharing.html">MrTeacup: The Cult of Sharing</a><br />
<br />
Recommended Overseas Examples<br />
> <a href="http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/">Co-wheels U.K.</a><br />
<br />
Australian Politicians<br />
Andrew Leigh<br />
> <a href="http://www.andrewleigh.com/smoothing_the_way_for_the_sharing_economy#_=_">Smoothing the way for the sharing economy</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-34623040698742881672014-11-24T01:24:00.002+11:002023-05-08T11:17:52.368+10:00How to use a local sharing site to save money, learn skills and connect with neighbours<b>Summary</b>: Websites that allow neighbours to freely and easily give away or lend goods, services and skills are a great asset for utility cyclists seeking to save money, learn or share skills and connect with their neighbours. In Australia, I recommend <a href="http://www.streetbank.com/">Streetbank</a> as the best site to do this through. It enables genuine sharing, building neighbourly relationships (especially around common interests) and resilient communities. In this post, I'll provide cycling-related examples using Streetbank of how such sharing services can provide valuable advantages for individuals, neighbours and communities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEgManRHb-gSvSgFGHYyjWMksle8fWZG8fJu4JNqnmmLawOFku5P6VjL67SX0T2LB2MUDKCDBOmzoQ2OVmFMNID-EtD7LC1IPpA0L2Xg3IWclD2bOuAxN4GBrxmvqakmhZq3nlejkj-w/s1600/localsharingservice09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEgManRHb-gSvSgFGHYyjWMksle8fWZG8fJu4JNqnmmLawOFku5P6VjL67SX0T2LB2MUDKCDBOmzoQ2OVmFMNID-EtD7LC1IPpA0L2Xg3IWclD2bOuAxN4GBrxmvqakmhZq3nlejkj-w/s1600/localsharingservice09.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.streetbank.com/">Streetbank</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts:</b><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/12/how-to-contribute-to-genuine.html">How to contribute to genuine, transformative sharing</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/community-and-social-bike-fix-locations.html">Community and social group bike fix</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. About local sharing sites and Streetbank</b><br />
- In Melbourne the original neighbourhood sharing site was called The Sharehood. One of the founders summed up the purpose of such sites very nicely:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Sharehood aims to build joyful, sustainable and resilient communities by encouraging people to get to know their neighbours and share time, skills, and resources with them. The easiest way to explain it is <span style="color: #cc0000;">social networking for your neighbourhood</span>. Meet your neighbours online, find out what they’re interested in sharing, contact them, meet up in real life to borrow/lend/help out, or just find out about and attend community events.<br />
<a href="http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/2011/12/08/10_questions_for_theo_kitchener_founder_of_the_sharehood_1/">Collaborative Consumption: 10 questions for Theo Kitchener, founder of The Sharehood</a></blockquote>
- Also see this article on the purpose and value of neighbourhood sharing: <a href="http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12449&page=0">Online Opinion: Sharing is as easy as crossing the street</a><br />
<br />
- The Sharehood migrated its users to <a href="http://www.streetbank.com/">Streetbank</a> in 2013. Streetbank started in London but has since expanded to many other cities. The website is already quite useable and has the potential to develop into a very functional and frequently-used site that unlocks a lot of value for neighbours.<br />
See: <a href="http://www.streetbank.com/faq?locale=en">Streetbank - FAQs</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/streetbankaustralia">Streetbank Australia Facebook group</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StreetbankAustralia">Streetbank Australia Facebook page</a><br />
<br />
- There are other local sharing sites used in Australia, but hardly any have a neighbourhood-building focus. The ones that allow you to sell or rent items for money (e.g. <a href="http://www.openshed.com.au/">Open Shed</a>) are profit-focused. Most of the free ones are purely about recycling stuff people are getting rid of (e.g. <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/melbourneozfreecycle/info">Melbourne Freecycle</a>). I consider Streetbank to be the one most worth using as it is primarily focused on social outcomes. Of the rest, <a href="https://www.tushare.com/">TuShare</a> is probably most useful if simply looking to find bikes or cycling equipment that people are giving away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDfrEA-W0tR8q-69FzOJu7O16sW5j_VJ03jdX2VUTDWUNOpk5w6bg8O3-hti7e_1wYvtO-od59Tac25Y-7_lSsKdrsAZ8MKP2mw8SXF2XAz1v118VXI5nCNhcss7rPFxhOlWtA1Vgddw/s1600/localsharingservice03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDfrEA-W0tR8q-69FzOJu7O16sW5j_VJ03jdX2VUTDWUNOpk5w6bg8O3-hti7e_1wYvtO-od59Tac25Y-7_lSsKdrsAZ8MKP2mw8SXF2XAz1v118VXI5nCNhcss7rPFxhOlWtA1Vgddw/s1600/localsharingservice03.jpg" height="186" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.tushare.com/">TuShare</a><br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="https://www.tushare.com/">TuShare</a><br />
> <a href="http://au.ziilch.com/">Zilch</a><br />
> <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/melbourneozfreecycle/info">Melbourne Freecycle</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.openshed.com.au/">Open Shed</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. Using Streetbank to share bicycle maintenance and repair tools</b><br />
- The obvious, high-value usage of a neighbourhood sharing site is for lending bicycle tools. While cyclists should acquire the essential, regular tools themselves (pump, multi-tool, puncture repair), some infrequently-used tools are more expensive, harder to acquire (e.g. one that fits your bike's components), and may require some guidance as to how to use properly.<br />
<br />
- Naturally one shouldn't assume that tool lenders will also be willing to help you fix your bike, they may just be offering their tools for use. However, some users may offer a degree of assistance or be prepared to swap skills or assistance.<br />
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<br />
- I have now acquired a comprehensive bike tool kit and also a repair stand and have made them freely available on Streetbank for both individuals and for community/non-profit groups. See the details below in point #7.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Using Streetbank to share and learn bicycle maintenance skills</b><br />
- Sites like Streetbank can be used to share skills not just equipment; Streetbank has a sharing category called "skillshare" for this. Below I have indicated the simpler bicycle maintenance tasks I have the tools for and am willing to provide assistance with. Note that this type of free skill-sharing can be driven very much by the motivations of the sharer. I want to help more people to cycle for transport and so am happy to offer my time for free to those who need it most or people in my immediate neighbourhood. Other skill-sharers may accept reciprocity through receiving different skills/assistance or a non-financial thankyou (e.g. a beer or bottle of wine).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaIvL9PG3bm2I_xi4fhOvcgK8veew8me6M_OzJLjwqZHXFu383JHpMUquwTWx6e81dD9aPouTInV-g1myf4nuNsMu37oML0RZ2RmYEb0M329hAD8P4kk7Lalmq_-8Cm3IQ7UzVCxBrgQ/s1600/localsharingservice02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaIvL9PG3bm2I_xi4fhOvcgK8veew8me6M_OzJLjwqZHXFu383JHpMUquwTWx6e81dD9aPouTInV-g1myf4nuNsMu37oML0RZ2RmYEb0M329hAD8P4kk7Lalmq_-8Cm3IQ7UzVCxBrgQ/s1600/localsharingservice02.jpg" height="294" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>4. Using Streetbank to lend equipment that is expensive, bulky or underutilised</b><br />
- We have a bicycle trailer that is only used for ferrying our pets around (rarely) or when I need to carry heavy or bulky items (e.g. cartons of beer). The rest of the time it sits unused in the garage. For people who similarly only need a bike trailer occasionally being able to borrow one for free from a neighbour is very useful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAN5yS2acLvSTyAmnzgBQyOcL-E-wBO-pE8VpGQHSvUp6TKgwnnUBnHOEooo3tk5rAzI_PCDP8yY1ASBQs7Q98r4Vr0VHhW9bUkS8FJso3EItvqDeh35_Rg7TCLDGzoHImOZgCFSFmqg/s1600/localsharingservice01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAN5yS2acLvSTyAmnzgBQyOcL-E-wBO-pE8VpGQHSvUp6TKgwnnUBnHOEooo3tk5rAzI_PCDP8yY1ASBQs7Q98r4Vr0VHhW9bUkS8FJso3EItvqDeh35_Rg7TCLDGzoHImOZgCFSFmqg/s1600/localsharingservice01.jpg" height="276" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
- Similarly, I own a car bike carrier which is also rarely used (but extremely handy when we do use it). These bike carriers can be quite expensive and are hard to source at short notice - for instance if planning a trip away and wanting to take your bikes. It doesn't make sense for every household to own one of these sitting unused 98% of the time. Streetbank allows me to freely offer something quite valuable to anyone close enough to collect it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXrAmS-QGOwNr-C-or6NL-n3SsMWxpyWUcdKhQ8F7lBCL1qlXW6OWzRVyQpSPU_41ck4m6LM1Gk7y1R8Z5pvYNI4iV3DeWQKOGhUrcXZJB47ena6r6qIzzBq4ZiSduQwTV0ZrZOSVKSQ/s1600/localsharingservice05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXrAmS-QGOwNr-C-or6NL-n3SsMWxpyWUcdKhQ8F7lBCL1qlXW6OWzRVyQpSPU_41ck4m6LM1Gk7y1R8Z5pvYNI4iV3DeWQKOGhUrcXZJB47ena6r6qIzzBq4ZiSduQwTV0ZrZOSVKSQ/s1600/localsharingservice05.jpg" height="186" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>5. Using Streetbank to borrow duplicate equipment you only need when family/friends are visiting, for social purposes or as emergency loans</b><br />
- Occasionally we have family or friends visiting Melbourne and I would often like to go cycling with them (or lend them a bike) but naturally don't have a range of spare bikes on tap. Hiring bicycles from bike shops in Melbourne is also ridiculously expensive ($30/day) and thus we don't rent them. Meanwhile I'd estimate 50% of our neighbours have spare, unused bikes in their homes. Sites like Streetbank are the perfect solution for such circumstances and in future will be my go-to option.<br />
<br />
- The existing rental market also let me down when my bike was stolen and I was without a decent bike for 2 weeks till I replaced it. It would have cost me around $200 to rent a bike for 2 weeks which is absurd given my new bike cost $380. With Streetbank you could get a short-term, loaner bike for free. This is incredibly useful. I can think of a few essential things that may break down or become unavailable that it would be valuable to loan for free on Streetbank till you replaced or repaired them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox-2mupkWaANiJFALoRzH3HnJ1oa9KvvoYaFNirBVInN4vIhBrkNS40gY19ixeQg2TCQrwOxBzx7HU60ESsEQiARtkoHuJnfSW7i0SlMX5uTcG2fyrEoUcVd5Rfu_0z0fG8ji-FxLozA/s1600/localsharingservice06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox-2mupkWaANiJFALoRzH3HnJ1oa9KvvoYaFNirBVInN4vIhBrkNS40gY19ixeQg2TCQrwOxBzx7HU60ESsEQiARtkoHuJnfSW7i0SlMX5uTcG2fyrEoUcVd5Rfu_0z0fG8ji-FxLozA/s1600/localsharingservice06.jpg" height="168" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>6. Recycling spare, unsuitable or unutilised equipment that has limited recovery value</b><br />
- Streetbank also fills the conventional purpose of recycling ("freecycling") unused spare equipment and parts. Cycling is a chief example of a consumption area which generates a lot of unused and spare parts over time as needs change, upgrades occur or due to purchasing mistakes. For example, I bought a $70 comfort saddle recently on special for $25 which my girlfriend rejected (for style reasons!) and it cost me $18 to post back to the retailer. That will be on Streetbank next time. It would be fantastic to make more unused equipment freely available to those who could benefit from it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXbkfLt_dR_-FTCoGAqfVWf4N-HTqp1MqMTncped7nGCN81DWIsGnhYASpXuPzNfbwjSMWiVbLgCo9EZeObYsTFwoNaP1oKI0ApdFqyCIng13P8DT3FkoD_RVvWypkgfgEA1UMjAfAog/s1600/localsharingservice07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXbkfLt_dR_-FTCoGAqfVWf4N-HTqp1MqMTncped7nGCN81DWIsGnhYASpXuPzNfbwjSMWiVbLgCo9EZeObYsTFwoNaP1oKI0ApdFqyCIng13P8DT3FkoD_RVvWypkgfgEA1UMjAfAog/s1600/localsharingservice07.jpg" height="222" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>7. Collaborative purchasing of expensive or comprehensive equipment for neighbourhood use</b><br />
- Often it just makes sense for people to have efficient access to an entire range of quality tools/equipment in one place. Unfortunately, the cost can be prohibitive and even if a single household could afford the entire kit, it often doesn't get purchased because the level of usage doesn't justify it. I think neighbourhoods would greatly benefit from shared tools that have broad usage and can be collaboratively purchased or receive post-purchase small contributions.<br />
<br />
- The cycling example I have in mind is a neighbourhood bike fix-it shed equipped with a complete bike mechanic tool kit. These kits are typically too expensive to be justified for individual household use only but the potential payoff is huge if made available to many neighbours. The perfect scenario would be a bike mechanic (amateur or trained) who was interested in acquiring a complete, high quality tool kit but found the cost prohibitive. Neighbours could contribute financially and in return the bike mechanic could provide some technical assistance on bike fixes.<br />
<br />
- I have now purchased a complete bike tool kit and a bike repair stand that I have <a href="http://www.streetbank.com/things/65557?locale=en-GB">listed on Streetbank</a> and will make freely available:<br />
(a) For use in my garage and rear laneway in Fitzroy North.<br />
(b) For loan to community and non-profit bike kitchens/sheds where desired and transport is feasible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARI-fv-0r6xwzeDwImt0QUUXaPna43WPG7geuvPJdW7Xb-LyqDDPZK4MIvSyEL-lxYazcJxzIPyadfe_GAo3mSjeZY767qFFyqU_9AN5tFZi3UwXxVwgJSG85vCbwNKjTQwlbfCaiEx0/s1600/localsharingservice12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARI-fv-0r6xwzeDwImt0QUUXaPna43WPG7geuvPJdW7Xb-LyqDDPZK4MIvSyEL-lxYazcJxzIPyadfe_GAo3mSjeZY767qFFyqU_9AN5tFZi3UwXxVwgJSG85vCbwNKjTQwlbfCaiEx0/s1600/localsharingservice12.jpg" height="270" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.streetbank.com/things/65557?locale=en-GB">Streetbank: Bike Tools, Repair, Maintenance, Skills (Adrian)</a><br />
<br />
- The two items I purchased are:<br />
<a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67053&id=300995">Bike Hand: Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit (YC-748)</a><br />
> Available from: <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bikehand-complete-bike-bicycle-repair-tools-tool-k/YC-748">Cycling Deal for $139 (free postage)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67046&id=300463">Bike Hand: Bicycle Repair Stand (YC-100BH)</a><br />
> Available from: <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bikehand-cycle-pro-mechanic-bicycle-repair-stand-r/YC-100BH">Cycling Deal for $99 (free postage)</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28Tzo-CjdkOnkc0cwlR18KN-ZmD_JFEITxP5VrahdjYWTxd6GypALaJHr6n-zSfbDPbtDinHbsnlhdDjYhbxe0nY1YO_SWijvZZ6yUpgd_Z2tz8maPW4A-ZopgP3Ip4So9tMVMrjo72I/s1600/localsharingservice10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28Tzo-CjdkOnkc0cwlR18KN-ZmD_JFEITxP5VrahdjYWTxd6GypALaJHr6n-zSfbDPbtDinHbsnlhdDjYhbxe0nY1YO_SWijvZZ6yUpgd_Z2tz8maPW4A-ZopgP3Ip4So9tMVMrjo72I/s1600/localsharingservice10.jpg" height="554" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67053&id=300995">Bike Hand: Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit (YC-748)</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgz1oQPoDyiy-JcGstdwhlDG7fPupc3Y0MqrVZpxuiBFl6B1S130qUMkR7n5tnsJCb00xNpsv-6UMVCGskHNxG_Nrz9CfRrNRW7AwrYbpp5l7YXF0xgeHHrWs6YT466eIKDMVvoQ759g/s1600/localsharingservice11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgz1oQPoDyiy-JcGstdwhlDG7fPupc3Y0MqrVZpxuiBFl6B1S130qUMkR7n5tnsJCb00xNpsv-6UMVCGskHNxG_Nrz9CfRrNRW7AwrYbpp5l7YXF0xgeHHrWs6YT466eIKDMVvoQ759g/s1600/localsharingservice11.jpg" height="524" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67046&id=300463">Bike Hand: Bicycle Repair Stand (YC-100BH)</a><br />
<br />
- For reference the complete list of SKU codes for the tools contained in the kit are listed below with links to their specific product pages if available. This makes it easier for those wishing to use bike repair tools to determine if the tools available will fit their bike and components.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bikehand-bicycle-bike-chain-brush-tool-kit-with-ha/YC-791">chain scrubber (YC-791)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.mrcyclingworld.com.au/freewheel-turner-chain-whip">freewheel turner (YC-501A)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bikehand-bike-bicycle-professional-cable-cutter/YC-767">cable cutter (YC-767)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.brownjersey.com.au/shop/products/show/id/194">chainring nut wrench (YC-271)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67064&id=301088">chain scrubber (YC-790)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67063&id=301275">hub cone spanner 13mm (YC-658-13)</a><br />
- hub cone spanner 14mm (YC-658-14)<br />
- hub cone spanner 15mm (YC-658-15)<br />
- hub cone spanner 16mm (YC-658-16)<br />
- hub cone spanner 17mm (YC-658-17)<br />
- hub cone spanner 18mm (YC-658-18)<br />
- hub cone spanner 19mm (YC-658-19)<br />
- <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bike-bicycle-chain-remover-tool/YC-324SC">adjustable chain remover (YC-324SC)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67058&id=330290">tire lever set of 3 pieces (YC-311)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67050&id=346413">crank puller (YC-215CB)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67052&id=301059">Spoke wrench 0.127''=3.2mm (YC-1A-1)</a><br />
- Spoke wrench 0.130''=3.3mm (YC-1A-2)<br />
- Spoke wrench 0.136''=3.5mm (YC-1A-3)<br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67063&id=301277">pedal remover (YC-156A)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67049&id=301010">cartridge B.B. tool (YC-26BB-2A)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67049&id=301006">Bottom Bracket wrench (YC-27BB)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67049&id=301006">Dust cap wrench (YC-27)</a><br />
- Grease<br />
- 8mm/10mm spanner (YC-151 8-10mm)<br />
- 9mm/11mm spanner (YC-151-9-11mm)<br />
- patch kit (YC-123)<br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67057&id=301299">chain wear indicator (YC-503)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67049&id=301268">8 notch cartridge B.B. (YC-28BB)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67051&id=301003">freewheel remover (YC-126-2A)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67063&id=346400">Headset wrench 30/32/36/40mm (YC-153)</a><br />
- <a href="http://www.bikehand.com/style/frame/templates8/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2265&name_id=97347&content_set=color_1&rid=67063&id=301301">ball-end hex key wrench 1.5/2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8/10mm (YC-623)</a><br />
- flat/philips screwdriver (YC-611)<br />
- <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bikehand-bike-t10-t15-t20-t25-t27-t30-t40-t45-t50/YC-633">T25</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.streetbank.com/">Streetbank</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/streetbank">Streetbank on Facebook</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StreetbankAustralia">Streetbank Australia on Facebook</a><br />
<br />
Neighbourhood Sharing<br />
> <a href="http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12449&page=0">Online Opinion: Sharing is as easy as crossing the street</a><br />
> <a href="http://theconversation.com/sharing-if-its-so-good-why-dont-we-do-more-of-it-6345">Sharing: if it’s so good, why don’t we do more of it?</a><br />
<br />
Freecycling<br />
<a href="https://www.freecycle.org/browse/AU">Freecycle - Australia</a><br />
> <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/melbourneozfreecycle/info">Melbourne Freecycle</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.tushare.com/">TuShare</a><br />
> <a href="http://au.ziilch.com/">Zilch</a><br />
> <a href="http://friendswiththings.com.au/">Friends with Things</a><br />
<br />
Neighbourhood Social Networks<br />
> <a href="http://www.housenet.com.au/">House Net</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/">Collaborative Consumption</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/directory/">Directory</a><br />
<br />
Sustainable Consumption<br />
> <a href="http://makewealthhistory.org/">Make Wealth History</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ecoinnovationlab.com/">Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://storyofstuff.org/">The Story of Stuff Project</a><br />
> <a href="http://storyofstuff.org/blog/its-time-to-replace-more-with-better-2/">Blog: It’s Time to Replace More with Better</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/australian.communitygarden">Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/">Transition Network</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/stories/kerry-lane/2012-06/bicycle-vehicle-transition">The Bicycle: a vehicle of Transition?</a><br />
> <a href="http://transitiondarebin.org/">Transition Darebin</a><br />
> <a href="http://transitiondarebin.org/project-seedbank/transportation-ideas/">Transition Darebin - Transportation Ideas</a><br />
> <a href="http://transitionbrunswick.wordpress.com/">Transition Brunswick</a><br />
> <a href="http://transitionyarra.wordpress.com/">Transition Yarra</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.communityfinder.net/">Community Finder</a><br />
<br />
City of Yarra<br />
> <a href="http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/environment/community-participation/">Environment - Community participation</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Environment/Environment/Community-participation/sustainability-groups/">Sustainability groups</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Community/Neighbourhood-houses/">Neighbourhood Houses</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.innernorthfoundation.org.au/">Inner North Foundation</a><br />
<br />
Permaculture<br />
> <a href="http://www.veryediblegardens.com/">Very Edible Gardens</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.permablitz.net/">Permablitz</a><br />
<br />
Grattan Institute<br />
> <a href="http://grattan.edu.au/home/cities/cities-for-people/">Cities for people</a><br />
> <a href="http://grattan.edu.au/report/social-cities/">Social cities</a><br />
<br />
Bike Fix<br />
<a href="http://www.velophile.com.au/2014/02/17/bicycle-repair-tools-demystified/">Velophile Australia: How to - Bicycle repair tools demystified!</a><br />
<br />
Other<br />
<a href="http://theconversation.com/green-hypocrites-behaviour-change-in-a-consumerist-society-13002">The Conversation: Green hypocrites? Behaviour change in a consumerist society</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/08/hype-commerce-thrillist/">Wired: The Newsletter That Became a $100M Business Selling Stuff to Dudes</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-63189132266933392162014-11-23T00:54:00.005+11:002014-11-23T16:06:56.226+11:00How to deal with windy conditions and still get around by bike<b>Summary</b>: Windy conditions can be as big a deterrent to getting around by bike as heavy rain. However, experienced cyclists have ways to either avoid riding into the wind (at least the worst of it) or, when unavoidable, make cycling as efficient and safe as is feasible. This post explains some of the most common methods daily cyclists use to deal with the wind.<br />
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<a href="https://flic.kr/p/dsT65X">Flickr CCby2.0 - Martin Mutch</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/comfort">comfort</a> category of this blog.<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2013/12/how-to-avoid-getting-wet-when-riding.html">How to avoid getting wet when riding</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/how-to-maximise-your-cycling-when-faced.html">How to maximise your cycling when faced with hills</a><br />
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<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Plan your trips (especially long ones) around the worst of the windy conditions</b><br />
- Many trips (e.g. shopping) can be planned flexibly around the weather. Just as you wouldn't take a lengthy optional trip if there was heavy rain forecast you can plan trips around the worst of the windy conditions. You simply need to consult the most accurate weather forecasts for your area that advise when the windiest conditions will be. Most of the best sites can be accessed both online and via smartphone apps. Note that some sites/apps may present accurate wind forecasts more usefully and useably than others. Of the Melbourne ones I reviewed, I found <a href="http://wind.willyweather.com.au/vic/melbourne/melbourne.html">Willy Weather: Melbourne - Wind</a> to be the most useful presentation of forecast wind conditions over a single day and also across multiple days.<br />
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<a href="http://wind.willyweather.com.au/vic/melbourne/melbourne.html">Willy Weather: Melbourne - Wind</a><br />
<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://wind.willyweather.com.au/vic/melbourne/melbourne.html">Willy Weather: Melbourne - Wind</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.weatherzone.com.au/vic/melbourne/melbourne/detailed-forecast">Weatherzone: Melbourne - Detailed forecast</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/au/melbourne/26216/hourly-weather-forecast/26216">AccuWeather: Melbourne - Hourly forecast</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/watl/wind/index.jsp">BOM: Forecast Wind</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. Choose times that are calmer or provide more tailwinds than headwinds</b><br />
- The catalyst for this post was a 34km round trip I took to go shoe shopping on a Saturday. I ended up riding 17km into a strong ~32km/hr headwind from 2-3pm which just happened to be the worst possible time to be riding north! If I'd left at 10am the headwind would have been only 20km/hr and I would have had the peak northerly winds as a tailwind on my way home. Or I could have made the trip on Sunday or another weekend when the winds were more favourable.<br />
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<b>3. In a city with consistent high wind patterns choose where to live and common destinations with the wind in mind</b><br />
- In some cities there are patterns to the regular winds in some seasons. As a random example, northerly winds being more common on summer mornings and southerly winds being more common in the evenings. If I was commuting a medium/long distance to work and, based on choosing to live on one side of work or the other, could be getting the best of the winds, that would definitely influence my location decisions. Transport advantages are a key consideration in choosing where to live, work/study and optional destinations, so if you want to maximise your cycling possibilities, getting the benefits of wind patterns is very worthwhile.<br />
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<b>4. Ride with others and share the headwind or let the weaker riders draft more</b><br />
- It's well established from very scientific analysis that drafting (aka wheel sucking, slipstreaming) saves a lot of energy and is much more efficient for the entire group if rotating the front position. Naturally cycling commuters don't need a whole team taking turns but it does help if riders struggling with high winds are able to sit behind stronger riders. Riders of similar strength can take turns in front. Most strangers won't mind if you draft them safely and, if undesired, they can always ride away or wave you past.<br />
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<b>5. Use a bike that is light, efficient and enables more aerodynamic riding positions</b><br />
- Sitting up straight with your arms spread wide into a strong headwind is unenjoyable and extremely inefficient, especially for longer trips. You don't need to get drop bars and tuck your body like a professional Tour de France racer. However, narrower handlebars are preferable to wide ones and handlebars that allow you to stretch out (thus take a more aerodynamic position) are even better. Personally, I recommend bullhorn handlebars. A bike that is the right size for your body and riding positions will also allow you to comfortably maintain an aerodynamic position - for example, keeping your knees closer to the tube and narrowing your profile.<br />
<br />
- Minimising the drag (wind resistance) of your bike is also worthwhile - the more streamlined its profile the better. For example, some types of bike storage have much more drag than others (e.g. panniers compared to narrow racks). The efficiency of your bike can also be optimised (effort required to maintain a speed). For guidance on optimising the efficiency of your bike see: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/08/designing-better-utility-bike-in.html">Designing a better utility bike in developing cycling cities</a><br />
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<b>6. Use aerodynamic riding positions and develop skills handling strong headwinds and cross winds</b><br />
- There are several riding techniques you will naturally develop or can learn which relate to best handling winds. The most important technique is be able to adopt as aerodynamic a position as is comfortable when faced with strong headwinds.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you’re not convinced about going aero then consider the current world hour records: 49.7km on a ‘standard’ road bicycle, 56.375km on a time trial bike in the extreme ‘Superman position’ and – wait for it – 90.598km on a fully faired recumbent bicycle. That’s getting on for double the speed of a standard road bike, and it’s all down to aerodynamics, not extra power.<br />
On the bike itself, the general rule is the flatter you make your torso, the better. Going lower - up to a point - will bring your head down so it shelters your upper torso, and reduce drag further by shrugging your shoulders and tucking your head in.<br />
<a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/au/road/gear/article/technique-aerodynamics-on-a-budget-29471/">Bike Radar: Technique - Aerodynamics on a budget</a></blockquote>
- Other riding techniques and skills include:<br />
(a) Not wasting energy battling the strong gusts of wind. It is inefficient to try and maintain the same speed. Instead, wait out the gusts and maximise your efforts when the headwind is lowest - this is a far more effective use of your energy.<br />
(b) Change where you grip the handlebars to narrow your profile facing the wind.<br />
(c) Drop down enough gears to maintain the same cadence rather than grind it out and hurt your knees and back.<br />
(d) Wear clothing that isn't too loose and doesn't catch the wind.<br />
See: <a href="http://www.cptips.com/windrde.htm">Cycling Performance Tips: Riding into a Headwind</a><br />
<br />
- I don't think urban cyclists need racing bikes, aero bars, lycra, aero helmets, shaved legs or extreme riding positions to ride regularly into headwinds (I have none of those things). However, advocates of "sit up" cycling on inefficient bikes who imply cycling efficiency and aerodynamics don't matter at all for urban cyclists are wrong. Such advocates simply don't ride much into strong headwinds. There is a large spectrum of inexpensive, practical possibilities between sitting up straight on a heavy "Dutch" bike and riding like a world time trial champion (see Tony Martin below).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/eepaul/7693834782" title="Tony Martin in London 2012 Olympic men's time trial by Paul Wilkinson, on Flickr"><img alt="Tony Martin in London 2012 Olympic men's time trial" height="266" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7693834782_b562ca843a_z.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<a href="https://flic.kr/p/cHSV2Q">Flickr CCby2.0 - Paul Wilkinson</a><br />
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<b>7. Cycle only one way and take advantage of the tailwinds</b><br />
- On longer trips, the barrier isn't windy conditions per se, it's facing an inevitable headwind for a lengthy period. However, it's often possible to combine cycling with public transport or choose not to ride if a very strong headwind pops up. For example, I've taken my bike on a train to a destination 40km away and then rode back home with a very strong tailwind - it was very enjoyable. Obviously the choice of which direction to ride was deliberate, not left to chance. If you commute to work by bike you could also treat strong headwinds like heavy rain and use public transport to opt out of certain trips. This isn't weak, it's smart. Cycling isn't an all or nothing affair; you should focus on reaping the benefits not struggling for no reason.<br />
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/02/getting-most-out-of-using-bikes-and.html">Getting the most out of using bikes and public transport together</a><br />
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<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/technique/six-ways-to-bear-a-headwind.html">RCUK: Six ways to beat a headwind</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cptips.com/windrde.htm">Cycling Performance Tips: Riding into a Headwind</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics1.html">Exploratorium: Cycling aerodynamics and wind resistance</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/au/road/gear/article/technique-aerodynamics-on-a-budget-29471/">Bike Radar: Technique - Aerodynamics on a budget</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-65576225837258317952014-11-21T02:12:00.002+11:002014-11-26T11:20:41.242+11:00How to use and contribute to Melbourne cycling safety data<b>Summary</b>: Cycling crash and black spot maps and other safety visualisations capture a lot of attention but rarely provide individuals with accurate, self-explanatory means to determine the safest routes or best mitigate actual risks. This post will collate the various data, maps and apps for Melbourne and provide guidance on how individuals can best get value from this data and also contribute to improving cycling safety.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crowdspot.com.au/project/cyclestories/">CrowdSpot: Cycle Stories</a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/safety%20and%20health">safety and health</a> category of this blog<br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/where-are-melbournes-real-cycling.html">Where are Melbourne's real cycling danger spots?</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/01/the-facts-about-cyclist-deaths-on.html">The facts about cyclist deaths on Australia's roads</a><br />
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<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. What cycling safety data is collected for Melbourne? How complete is it?</b><br />
- I've collected the main, ongoing collections of cycling crash, incident and safety data below. The biggest limitation of cycling crash data collection in Australia is that incidents are captured only if police attend and file a report or a police report is filed later. Thus safety risks and incidents that don't cause serious crashes are typically not captured. Even incidents when an ambulance attends are not captured unless police are involved.<br />
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See:<br />
> <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crash-stats">VicRoads: Crash Stats</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crash-stats-data-extract">VicRoads: - Crash Stats - Data Extract</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety">VicRoads: Cyclist safety</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/bike-rider-safety">VicRoads: Bike rider safety</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bitre.gov.au/statistics/safety/fatal_road_crash_database.aspx">BITRE - Australian Road Deaths Database</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.crowdspot.com.au/project/cyclestories/">CrowdSpot: Cycle Stories</a> (crowdsourced)<br />
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Some of the best uses of the data that is collected are as aggregate statistics of the major causes of cyclist casualties which can provide some insight as to common risks:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Bicycle crashes are most common (61%) at intersections.<br />
12% of bike rider casualties occur when a driver or rider who is turning right fails to give way to an oncoming vehicle travelling straight through.<br />
10% of bike rider casualties occur when a driver or rider fails to give way at a cross section.<br />
10% of bike rider casualties occur when a driver opens their door into the path of a bike rider. This is much higher in inner Melbourne.<br />
9% of fatal and serious injury to bike riders occurs when it is mainly the rider coming off the footpath.<br />
8% of fatal and serious injury to bike riders occurs when it is mainly the car driver emerging from a driveway.<br />
See: <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/bike-rider-safety">VicRoads: Bike rider safety</a></blockquote>
<b>2. What maps/visualisations, apps and analysis of this cycling safety data currently exist?</b><br />
- I will collate the existing, accessible maps/visualisations below. However, the main limitation with most maps is that they don't chart the crash rate (accounting for route popularity) thus these maps mostly tell you simply where cyclists currently ride rather than where the elevated risk is. They do confirm that the vast majority of cycling crashes occur at or near intersections though.<br />
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(a) <a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/">Monash University: City Science</a> has created data visualisations based primarily on the <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crash-stats">VicRoads: Crash Stats</a> from July 2008 to July 2013.<br />
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> <a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/MelbourneBikeCrashMap/index.html#index">Melbourne Bike Crash Map (2008-2013) - Monthly crashes</a><br />
> <a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/MelbourneBikeCrashMap/index.html#map">Melbourne Bike Crash Map (2008-2013) - Map</a><br />
- Provides a useful map of Melbourne bike crash data (July 2008 to July 2013) with filters for Fatal crashes, Serious injuries and Time Window. It also helpfully integrates Strava data showing where cyclists most commonly ride (skewed somewhat to recreational and experienced cyclists).<br />
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(b) <a href="http://www.triprisk.com.au/#">Trip Risk</a><br />
- Provides crash statistics from July 2007 to June 2012 for walking, cycling and driving based on<br />
specific routes between user-selected points. Unfortunately, the route can't be refined but the breakdown of the crash data (Time of day, Day of week, Age, Crash type) is interesting.<br />
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(c) <a href="http://www.crowdspot.com.au/">CrowdSpot</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.crowdspot.com.au/project/cyclestories/">Cycle Stories</a><br />
> <a href="http://cyclestories2014.crowdspot.com.au/">2014 Cycle Stories Map</a></div>
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- A purely crowdsourced map of cycling crashes and incidents which allows for extremely useful details of how each crash happened.</div>
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- There is plenty to learn from many of these crashes. If you ride regularly on the same route (e.g. your work commute) it would be very productive to review the details for all crash spots on your route so that you can learn about the risks and take specific precautions. For example, here is a common black spot on a popular commuting route that can readily be minimised by deliberately slowing down on this downhill stretch and ensuring there are no cars turning or pedestrians crossing:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23nrBBoyI3K2SxMi3OkXROVALKeo0yDeMEhBinAMMDzAOB56tU3ZQe9xoqvE-2yqzrVPsjRzSWl68jQRVmUoeGNuJ9B8qqIysczTeY5Lx68I16fLC8fGrjyOSmHuztKk5amR4xO-rEB4/s1600/cyclingcrashdata09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23nrBBoyI3K2SxMi3OkXROVALKeo0yDeMEhBinAMMDzAOB56tU3ZQe9xoqvE-2yqzrVPsjRzSWl68jQRVmUoeGNuJ9B8qqIysczTeY5Lx68I16fLC8fGrjyOSmHuztKk5amR4xO-rEB4/s1600/cyclingcrashdata09.jpg" height="194" width="640" /></a></div>
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- I've used CrowdSpot data extensively to provide specific advice on how to mitigate common cycling crash risks in these posts:</div>
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> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/where-are-melbournes-real-cycling.html">Where are Melbourne's real cycling danger spots?</a></div>
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> <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/improving-brunswick-st-and-st-georges.html">Improving Brunswick St and St Georges Rd south of Merri Parade</a></div>
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(d) The Age: Black spot map</div>
<div>
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/data-point/cyclists-get-warning-on-danger-spots-20130521-2jz6f.html">Cyclists get warning on danger spots</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/data-point/bicycleBlackSpots">Melbourne's cycling black spots map</a></div>
<div>
- These black spot maps suffer from various deficiencies, particularly: (a) When they don't account for route popularity; (b) Because they reflect past crashes only and not improvements making cycling safer in the high-crash areas and (c) Because some types of crashes are either entirely avoidable or can be significantly reduced (e.g. dooring).</div>
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<div>
- However, the biggest issue with most maps of crashes or danger spots is that they don't tell people the recommended safe routes that they should ride, which is what they really want to know. For example, simple perusal of the cycling crash maps will indicate that Sydney Rd (especially between Albion St and Brunswick Rd) is a black spot. However, these crash spots don't indicate to novice cyclists that the adjacent Upfield bike path is a very safe and recommended alternative. Or that Royal Parade (the continuation of Sydney Rd) is also safe enough. On the map below you can see the routes with many crash spots versus the green recommended routes (including off-road and bike boulevards) that I have marked up.</div>
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See: <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/09/melbourne-map-of-key-cycling-transport.html">Melbourne map of key cycling transport routes, infrastructure and destinations</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbXmw_k3UzTpiCIOszC66OkUGloiGWbzfOqe5f5HbuK_n5NSxmnSFwxW2aPfaSbad-YUwVOxEfGEFaXSbV3vxNLsVgmd2pYk71UO6A6Sr4svzVhSwxCs_aMkTxC7582uauSiBQ_egEbA/s1600/cyclingcrashdata10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbXmw_k3UzTpiCIOszC66OkUGloiGWbzfOqe5f5HbuK_n5NSxmnSFwxW2aPfaSbad-YUwVOxEfGEFaXSbV3vxNLsVgmd2pYk71UO6A6Sr4svzVhSwxCs_aMkTxC7582uauSiBQ_egEbA/s1600/cyclingcrashdata10.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></div>
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(e) <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/programs/1006/">Bicycle Network RiderLog</a> vs <a href="http://www.strava.com/">Strava</a></div>
<div>
- RiderLog is a smartphone app that logs ride data in a similar way to Strava but uses it for bicycle infrastructure planning. It has only been available for iPhones till now but Android and Windows versions are coming in December 2014. Given the historical lack of making the collected ride data available in useful, transparent ways online (like <a href="http://labs.strava.com/">Strava Labs</a>) I recommend transport cyclists use Strava to log their rides.</div>
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<b>3. Useful insights from aggregate cycling crash statistics and visualisations</b><br />
- Generally I find the simplistic crash maps don't deliver very useful insights for individual cyclists seeking safer routes and to minimise risks from known dangers. However, there are a few exceptions.<br />
<br />
- Using the Time Window filter on the <a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/MelbourneBikeCrashMap/index.html#map">Melbourne Bike Crash Map (2008-2013) - Map</a> to choose the peak work commute periods (e.g. 7am - 9:30am) does indicate that there may be some higher risk areas on popular cycling commuter routes to Melbourne CBD - I've highlighted some of these sections below. When combined with actual experience and reviewing specifics from CrowdSpot data you would conclude that there are some relatively higher risk spots on the very popular St Georges Rd route that are worth paying attention to. However, the section of Sydney Rd (and Sydney Rd generally) is worth eliminating from a regular commute if feasible (e.g. using the Upfield bike path), though Royal Parade is quite safe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wp4H1-lI8hdwII0vOgqgPaM0xZwQoiNNVkl0d1j5o5oZo8gle6doFMiJvRgEdRg5aibVewkc3l96C8v4fcTSC0B0xyisRvjInCa5SSfoYb28pZivmMTjiJeLxlyVByyxyibl7O3fvZ0/s1600/cyclingcrashdata06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wp4H1-lI8hdwII0vOgqgPaM0xZwQoiNNVkl0d1j5o5oZo8gle6doFMiJvRgEdRg5aibVewkc3l96C8v4fcTSC0B0xyisRvjInCa5SSfoYb28pZivmMTjiJeLxlyVByyxyibl7O3fvZ0/s1600/cyclingcrashdata06.jpg" height="632" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
- Conversely, much critical data lacks detail and useful context on such maps. For example, filtering the fatalities on such maps provides little insight into areas of high risk as there is insufficient information about the crashes, circumstances and causes of the fatalities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24o6t6LGSkI8mQroElown_LEuXyCKGvAjoxunY1EPUwwYM_m93Rid_bSCSGyAj4LTOXQ-68kScG6g0HRfx3wgrB3QufRQIVKSNOYnE_-KhuGD4nmzGpuw_WT87bvXuq0anI38oBoOA-A/s1600/cyclingcrashdata01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24o6t6LGSkI8mQroElown_LEuXyCKGvAjoxunY1EPUwwYM_m93Rid_bSCSGyAj4LTOXQ-68kScG6g0HRfx3wgrB3QufRQIVKSNOYnE_-KhuGD4nmzGpuw_WT87bvXuq0anI38oBoOA-A/s1600/cyclingcrashdata01.jpg" height="530" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>4. Pursuing serious injuries and fatalities with the police and state/local government is the most effective way of achieving significant change</b><br />
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- In terms of media attention, political responsiveness, systemic government accountability, funding and achieving real change, a single high-profile fatality or serious injury that is effectively pursued is worth 1000 emails and crowdsourced contributions. Even police reports or submissions to government about improving cycling safety typically have limited traction unless linked directly to fatalities or serious injuries.<br />
<br />
- The tragic death of James Cross due to being doored on Glenferrie Rd in Hawthorn in 2010 is a perfect example of this. Cyclists and cycling safety advocates campaigned for years before this to reduce dooring risks and fix "door zone bike lanes" with little action from the state or local governments. Dooring was generally treated as a trivial issue by government and police in the larger road safety universe. The death of James Cross is what really changed the response to dooring and is the context for broad action across Melbourne in creating safer new bike lanes or improving existing ones.<br />
<br />
- The aggregate <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crash-stats">Crash Stats</a> safety data has little to tell us about such incidents. Below is the crash data point for James Cross' incident. These data points and maps tell us nothing about the crash specifics or even in aggregate which routes have the highest risk of dooring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU7dFchj6WXVSe0bYmbaM2aLDBrePH38Ea-HKqoz-PsTX7kNKevonvpb9-XDV5j7PkBLIbHCjfGEgP9dulFrfZFVXUMnGQpFTmpeIaY8A3ccxi2-YPZ5ffHIycVpEABydLTVBhizS0IE/s1600/cyclingcrashdata04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU7dFchj6WXVSe0bYmbaM2aLDBrePH38Ea-HKqoz-PsTX7kNKevonvpb9-XDV5j7PkBLIbHCjfGEgP9dulFrfZFVXUMnGQpFTmpeIaY8A3ccxi2-YPZ5ffHIycVpEABydLTVBhizS0IE/s1600/cyclingcrashdata04.jpg" height="322" width="640" /></a></div>
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- You can see from the actual standard crash metadata collected why these aggregate crash statistics have such limited value. The crash data recorded for the death of James Cross is below. Reading it alone, one would assume James had a direct accident with a truck rather than being doored and flung into the path of a truck.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLH-JQMUUdKyvq8vD88kJV0COAcQGSbwH6cRluzjr-XAM5yqTPlIateFWOitCgMJmSVSvcnOcxoM7MjjYRYaO4BF6uW_iqTXBkQkYoc-sjklW7QkvDFSDDNuuA5lHycrtjJiOcoPjI8g/s1600/cyclingcrashdata05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLH-JQMUUdKyvq8vD88kJV0COAcQGSbwH6cRluzjr-XAM5yqTPlIateFWOitCgMJmSVSvcnOcxoM7MjjYRYaO4BF6uW_iqTXBkQkYoc-sjklW7QkvDFSDDNuuA5lHycrtjJiOcoPjI8g/s1600/cyclingcrashdata05.jpg" height="128" width="640" /></a></div>
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- It's hardly encouraging for individuals to spend their precious time/effort filing police reports for each minor dooring (or near dooring) when even if their data point was recorded it is likely not going to be used to achieve safer cycling. The sheer weight of dooring reports isn't going to drive rapid improvement even after James Cross' death. After all, VicRoads now provides alarming statistics about dooring but still puts the onus on drivers and cyclists rather than safe cycling infrastructure:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One of the biggest risks to bike riders is car doors being opened into their path. The bike rider may swerve out further into the road or collide with the car door, often with serious consequences. Between 2007 and 2011 there was an average of 38 serious injuries per year as a result of car door and bike rider collisions. There has been one fatality in the last five years. This is eight per cent of all bike rider serious injuries and fatalities.<br />
<b>Advice for riders</b><br />
Look out for drivers and passengers getting in and out of parked cars.<br />
Be vigilant when riding alongside parked cars and ride out of the car door zone (if possible and safe to do so).<br />
If you are riding on a length of road with a marked bicycle lane, you must ride in the bicycle lane unless it is impracticable to do so.<br />
In places where there are a lot of parked cars, slow down.<br />
Wear bright coloured clothing and use lights at night or in conditions of low light.<br />
<a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/car-doors-and-bike-riders">VicRoads: Car doors & bike riders</a></blockquote>
- It's clear that the most efficacious approach is to persistently follow up serious injuries and fatalities until systemic improvement is achieved. Those serious injuries don't have to be your own, they could be friends or just residents of your community. All cyclists faced with dangerous "door zone bike lanes" should be holding VicRoads, local and state governments and politicians accountable and mention James Cross and any serious dooring injuries of people they know. The same applies to all of the other common types of serious cycling injuries.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
James Cross was the 13th cyclist to be killed on Victorian roads in the past two years but the first recorded death by ''dooring''. The inquest on his death in March last year heard that the driver, Ellen Richards, 60, had looked in the driver's side mirror before opening the door about 12 centimetres. Mrs Richards said she did not see the cyclist who struck the door as it opened. Coroner Heather Spooner said Cross' death was entirely preventable. ''It has highlighted a very significant public safety hazard, particularly in high-risk areas where car dooring is responsible for many injuries to cyclists,'' she said. Cross' death has now become a rallying point, provoking action. Reforms are being planned to make Melbourne safer for cyclists and to change motorists' behaviour towards riders. Moves include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Bicycle Network Victoria has asked the police Chief Commissioner to ensure drivers involved in dooring incidents are charged and fined.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>VicRoads will launch a campaign in early 2012 aimed at encouraging ''understanding and respect between cyclists and drivers to share the road safely and mindfully'' with a focus on dooring.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>RoadSafe Action Group (a partnership of four inner-city councils) will begin Operation Doorknock in 2012 to encourage drivers to adopt new safety techniques when getting out of parked cars.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Amy Gillett Foundation is lobbying state and federal governments to include bike-related safety issues in driver training and licence testing procedures.</li>
</ul>
James Cross' parents, both doctors, hope that lessons can be learnt from their son's death. ''The message we want to give is one of driver awareness and mutual respect,'' says his mother. ''Drivers must be absolutely aware and careful every time they get into and out of a car, and councils and government have a responsibility to make roads and bike lanes safer through road infrastructure and driver education. These problems aren't going to go away. They need to be addressed before another life is lost,'' she says.<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/cyclists-death-a-catalyst-for-change-20111125-1nzbz.html">Cyclist's death a catalyst for change</a></blockquote>
- Nevertheless, the types of improved cycling infrastructure and safety improvements have to be evidence-based and actually improve safety and convenience for cyclists. Spending a little money in just the area of the fatality or serious injury to do something different (not necessarily significantly better) is not the desired outcome. If you depend on cycling for transport you need to identify the best, feasible solutions (not settle for bandaid/token measures) and persistently advocate for them - particularly with your local and state government politicians.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Garry Brennan, of Bicycle Network Victoria, cautioned that the lane was ''experimental'' and could create confusion. ''We are concerned that drivers could assume that bikes are only permitted to ride in the coloured half of the bike lane, and drivers might mistakenly think they are free to open doors across the section of the lane that is not coloured,'' he said. ''Glenferrie Road certainly needs better bike infrastructure, but at this stage there is no evidence to suggest that this proposed design will be effective.''<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/trial-hopes-to-shut-the-door-on-bike-accidents-20131009-2v8qg.html">Trial hopes to shut the door on bike accidents</a></blockquote>
See:<br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/cyclists-death-a-catalyst-for-change-20111125-1nzbz.html">Cyclist's death a catalyst for change</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/national/reflecting-on-a-tragedy-20111125-1nzd7.html">Reflecting on a tragedy</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cyclists-plead-on-dooring-penalties-20120523-1z5sz.html">Cyclists plead on 'dooring' penalties</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/trial-hopes-to-shut-the-door-on-bike-accidents-20131009-2v8qg.html">Trial hopes to shut the door on bike accidents</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-push-for-increase-in-bike-dooring-fines-20120213-1t17w.html">Greens push for increase in bike 'dooring' fines</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2014/04/on-road-cycle-lanes-good-bad-and-ugly.html">On-road cycle-lanes. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (mostly bad and ugly)</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Further Info:</u></b><br />
The Age<br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/data-point/cyclists-get-warning-on-danger-spots-20130521-2jz6f.html">Cyclists get warning on danger spots</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/data-point/bicycleBlackSpots">Melbourne's cycling black spots map</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/data-point/blogs/the-crunch--data-point/melbournes-bicycle-black-spots-how-we-did-it-20130521-2jxx0.html">Melbourne's bicycle black spots: how we did it</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/cyclists-death-a-catalyst-for-change-20111125-1nzbz.html">Cyclist's death a catalyst for change</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/national/reflecting-on-a-tragedy-20111125-1nzd7.html">Reflecting on a tragedy</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cyclists-plead-on-dooring-penalties-20120523-1z5sz.html">Cyclists plead on 'dooring' penalties</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/trial-hopes-to-shut-the-door-on-bike-accidents-20131009-2v8qg.html">Trial hopes to shut the door on bike accidents</a><br />
<br />
The Guardian<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/datablog/ng-interactive/2014/oct/10/-sp-bike-accidents-mapped-five-years-of-cycling-crashes-in-melbourne?CMP=soc_567">Bike accidents mapped – five years of cycling crashes in Melbourne</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/jun/23/cycling-accidents-rising-in-australia">Cycling accidents rising in Australia</a><br />
><br />
<br />
BTA:<br />
> <a href="http://btawa.org.au/2011/11/22/dooring-death-charge-blocked-by-senior-police/">Dooring death charge blocked by senior police</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://data.vic.gov.au/">data.vic.gov.au</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crash-stats">Crash Stats</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crash-stats-data-extract">Crash Stats - Data Extract</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/bicycle-volumes-vicroads">Bicycle Volumes</a><br />
<br />
Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE)<br />
> <a href="http://www.bitre.gov.au/statistics/safety/">Safety Statistics</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.bitre.gov.au/statistics/safety/fatal_road_crash_database.aspx">Australian Road Deaths Database</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.crowdspot.com.au/">CrowdSpot</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.crowdspot.com.au/project/cyclestories/">Cycle Stories</a><br />
> <a href="http://cyclestories2014.crowdspot.com.au/">2014 Cycle Stories Map</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/data-point/CrowdSpotCycleMap">2013 Cycle Stories Map</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/">Monash University: City Science</a><br />
> <a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/MelbourneBikeCrashMap/index.html#index">Melbourne Bike Crash Map (2008-2013) - Monthly crashes</a><br />
> <a href="http://monash.edu/research/city-science/MelbourneBikeCrashMap/index.html#map">Melbourne Bike Crash Map (2008-2013) - Map</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.triprisk.com.au/#">Trip Risk</a><br />
<br />
VicRoads:<br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety">Cyclist safety</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/bike-rider-safety">Bike rider safety</a><br />
> <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/cyclist-safety/car-doors-and-bike-riders">Car doors & bike riders</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bikemaps.org/">BikeMaps.org</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.commutebybike.com/2014/10/24/new-crowdsourced-bike-safety-map-bikemaps-org/">Commute By Bike: New crowdsourced bike safety map</a><br />
<br />
International Bike Crash and Safety Maps and Statistics<br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/interactive/2013/nov/16/interactive-map-britain-cycling-casualties">The Guardian: Interactive map: Britain's cycling casualties</a><br />
> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/nov/15/road-safety-across-world-compare">The Guardian: Road safety across the world: how does it compare?</a><br />
<br />
Other Cycling Maps and Visualisations<br />
> <a href="http://www.rideable.org.au/">Rideable</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442955856643993050.post-50259600652890499722014-11-13T23:32:00.000+11:002015-04-07T13:16:21.211+10:00How to source cheap bike parts and accessories in Australia<b>Summary</b>: Buying bicycle parts and accessories is unnecessarily expensive if you are forced to purchase them when not on sale and from a typical bike shop which has high costs to recover. I buy consumables (e.g. brake pads, chains) in bulk on special and wait for clearance prices on more expensive equipment. In this post, I'll provide details of some of the parts and accessories I've bought - prices, websites and tips on acquiring decent quality equipment cheaply.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GId5UH-sqRmd1BKYe2nfzIHOk3Wtylsxtx1n1Qf-UlmQObUofIDySTLzoXNf85ONlt0u1fEXOz8ZLHPNLMfCP5l1SZ83C1Obh0VsXXeuQ_ZzRSNjUK83R0SkMMOTU06x1j_40FXvqJI/s1600/howtosourcecheapbikeparts01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GId5UH-sqRmd1BKYe2nfzIHOk3Wtylsxtx1n1Qf-UlmQObUofIDySTLzoXNf85ONlt0u1fEXOz8ZLHPNLMfCP5l1SZ83C1Obh0VsXXeuQ_ZzRSNjUK83R0SkMMOTU06x1j_40FXvqJI/s1600/howtosourcecheapbikeparts01.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Related Posts</b>:<br />
> See the <a href="http://www.betterbybicycle.com/search/label/buying%20a%20bike%20and%20gear">buying a bike and gear</a> category of this blog.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Main websites I use to source parts and accessories cheaply</b><br />
(a) <a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/">Cell Bikes</a> - Has regular clearance sales and specials. Overstocked items also get discounted significantly to normal prices. The online store is based in Sydney but you can now get free delivery to the Fitzroy North store. Ships within 2-3 business days.<br />
<br />
(b) <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en">Chain Reaction Cycles</a> - Has a very large range of parts and accessories so can find things like spokes here which are hard to find cheaply on Australian sites. There is often free delivery to Australia. Prices on items not regularly discounted significantly in Australia are much cheaper. For example, I always buy my Schwalbe tyres and tubes from here. Delivery takes around 2 weeks.<br />
<br />
(c) <a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/">The Bicycle Depot</a> - Often has very low (even below cost) prices on surplus stock it is clearing for other vendors. When it has big clearances I often stock up on parts and tools which I could always give away to one of the bike sheds I volunteer at or to friends.<br />
<br />
(d) <a href="http://www.graysonline.com/">Grays Online</a> / <a href="http://oo.com.au/">oo.com.au</a> - These online clearance businesses have merged and the same products are listed on both. As they get rid of other's surplus stock, items on sale or auction can often be had below cost. Note that for some recent listings I have found the same items at <a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/">The Bicycle Depot</a> for $1 less.<br />
<br />
(e) <a href="http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/">Bike Exchange</a> - While this site doesn't list many clearance/sale items, it is Australia's biggest and best aggregator site and is always worth checking for comparison prices and to find the stores with the most competitive prices for certain equipment.<br />
<br />
(f) <a href="http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/">The Bicycle Store</a> - Regularly has low prices on some types of parts (chain rings, chains, etc).<br />
<br />
(g) <a href="http://www.pushys.com.au/">Pushys</a> - Regularly has brand sales and clearances particularly on accessories. My <a href="http://www.pushys.com.au/fiction-skate-helmet-large-pearl-white.html">Fiction skate helmet</a> often sells for as little as $15 here.<br />
<br />
(h) <a href="http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/">Cycling Deal</a> - Limited range of sale items but the discounts can be significant.<br />
<br />
(i) <a href="http://www.reidcycles.com.au/">Reid Cycles</a> - Often has rushed and poor service and assembly is often lacking but may be a decent option for acquiring well-known components cheaply in a physical Melbourne bike store.<br />
<br />
(j) <a href="http://www.ebay.com.au/">eBay</a> - I personally don't use it much but some types of ultra cheap parts may be worth trying out this way. For example, solar-powered bike lights and similar electronic equipment that can be had extremely cheaply on eBay.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Cheap sources of consumable parts</b><br />
Below are the links to where I've most cheaply and reliably sourced consumable parts from:<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Item</th><th>Cost</th><th>Notes</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>40mm Brake pads (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/361733">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$1/pair</td><td>- Clearance; bought 8 pairs for $8<br />
- My last Shimano pair from Cell Fitzroy North cost $12</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Brake cables and casing (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/373344">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$1 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 6 for $6</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Derailleur cables and casing (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/374480">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$2 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 2 for $4</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>KMC Single speed chain 1/2 x 1/8 x 112L (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/301125">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$5 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 4 chains for $20</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>21-24 speed chain 1/2 x 3/32 x 116L (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/302165">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$7 each</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Rim tape - Hochdruck 16mm (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/519372">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$3/pair</td><td>- Clearance; bought 2</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Rim tape - Schwalbe 20mm (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/schwalbe-rim-tape/rp-prod36337">Chain Reaction Cycles</a>)</td><td>$3.50/pair</td><td>- Regular discount</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Schwalbe road tubes (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/schwalbe-road-tube/rp-prod26727">Chain Reaction Cycles</a>)</td><td>$8.50 each</td><td>- Regular discount</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/schwalbe-durano-plus-road-tyre-smartguard/rp-prod128939">Chain Reaction Cycles</a>)</td><td>$37 each</td><td>- Regular discount</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Bike chain lube - Rock N Roll 118ml (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Rock-N-Roll-4oz-Bike-Chain-Lube">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$10 each</td><td>- Special; bought 2</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Puncture repair kits (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880162">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$1 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 2</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Spokes (<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/spokes?sort=pricelow">Chain Reaction Cycles</a>)</td><td>~$2 each</td><td>Not yet bought</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>3. Cheap sources of other bike parts, accessories and tools</b><br />
Below is a list of other equipment I've acquired cheaply for eventual replacement or for my volunteer bike fixes.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Item</th><th>Cost</th><th>Notes</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Rear mudguard - Zefal Swan (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Accessories/Mudguards">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$12</td><td>- Clearance; bought one for future use/gift</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Wired cycle computer - Ventura XIV 14 function (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/244525">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$7 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 2</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Kryptonite Evolution Mini U-Lock (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Kryptonite-Evolution-Mini-3-25-x-5-5-U-Lock">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$71</td><td>- Special price</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Multi tool - 18 function Le Tour (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880925">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$6</td><td>- Special price</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Spoke wrench - 3.2/3.3/3.4mm (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880336">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$6</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Stem for 25.4mm handlebars (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/404236">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$10 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 4</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Bottom bracket 1/2" torque wrench (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/881003">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$10 each</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Freewheel sprocket remover with chain (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880421">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$6 each</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Cassette sprocket remover for Shimano hyperglide (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880081">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$6 each</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>7 speed cassette 14-28T (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/700178">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$7</td><td>- Special; bought 2 for workshop</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Shimano-compatible 8 speed cassette 11-32T (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/700177">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$13</td><td>- Special; bought for workshop</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Shimano Chain CN-HG40 6/7/8 Speed (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/SHIMANO_CNHG40_CHAIN_678SPEED_HG">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$12</td><td>- Special; bought for workshop</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>36 piece Super B bike tool set (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880056">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$99</td><td>Clearance; bought one for loans/workshop</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Mountain bike handlebar grips - Bike Ribbon Katana grips (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Ribbon-Katana-Grip">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$7</td><td>- Clearance; bought one for future use/gift</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Rear bike rack (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/440196">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$15</td><td>- Clearance; bought one for future use</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Crankset remover for square axles (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880551">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$4</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Chain rivet extractor tool for Shimano hyperglide (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880099">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$4</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Road saddle - Ventura universal (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/250166">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$4</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Chain wear indicator tool (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/880446">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$3</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Mini pump with holder - Ventura (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/470150">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$3</td><td>- Clearance; bought 2</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Freewheel half ball 18T (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/700181">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$2 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 5 for $10</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Platform pedals (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/311007">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$3/pair</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Axle track nuts for rear and front hubs (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/329908">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$2 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 4 for $8</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Stem spacers 1.1/8" 10mm (<a href="http://thebicycledepot.com.au/products/390403">The Bicycle Depot</a>)</td><td>$1 each</td><td>- Clearance; bought 8 for $8</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Floor pump with universal valve - Tioga (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Accessories/Pumps-and-CO2/Floor-Pumps?order=onlinecustomerprice:asc">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$7</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Lightweight full-fingered gloves - Cell (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Clothing/Gloves/Long-Finger?order=onlinecustomerprice:asc">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$5</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Universal Car Bike Carrier - Bike Rider (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Rider-Carry-ALL-Universal-Bike-Carrier">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$50</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Single speed spanner 15mm - Tobe (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Accessories/Tools?order=onlinecustomerprice:asc">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$5</td><td>- Clearance</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>4. Bike parts and accessories I've yet to find regularly cheap sources for</b><br />
- For the below parts, I haven't found places to save a lot of money. If you know of any, let me know.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#0033FF" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #f8f2f2; border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #d6a2a2; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px;"><th>Item</th><th>Cost</th><th>Notes</th></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Handlebar bar tape (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/BEST-Value-Bar-Tape">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$15</td><td>Hard to get your desired colour without paying standard price</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Bullhorn handlebar 25.4mm (<a href="http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Cell-Handlebar-Bullhorn-25-4mm-42cm">Cell Bikes</a>)</td><td>$35</td><td>Full price. Could not easily find a local supplier with a special</td></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com