Critical Mass went really well.
Great turnout, 4 people from the Merri-bek council and the local state MP came along and spoke, and state candidates for the election this year (For Greens and Labor) also came along.
Christian from Sydney Rd Accessible Tram Stops also spoke about the need for accessible tram stops.
We also had someone from Better Buses for the West speak (sorry I forgot their name).
Beers and pizza at the Edinburgh Castle afterwards.
Someone on reddit got a good photo of the ride going up Royal Parade.
https://www.reddit.com/r/melbourne/comments/1su9i97/about_a_hundred_cyclists_blocking_traffic_up/
The Age did an article on the campaign for bike lanes on Sydney Rd and Critical Mass.
Sadly it doesn't mention the complementary campaign for accessible tram stops on Sydney Rd.
No Paywall: http://archive.today/PfgEs
@jessta I agree, installing accessible tram stops in Sydney Road is necessary and overdue. The ideal time is when designing and building protected cycling lanes, because this leads to an integrated and safe solution.
Looking at the proposed "detour cycling routes" offered as alternatives in 2028 during the temporary shutdown of Upfield bike path, it appears that the government is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Those "best" solutions are awful for usability, speed, connections, not to mention the amenity of residential streets. I agree with Bicycle Network chief executive, Alison McCormack. I don't foresee a high rate of adoption. And, arguably, that's bad for everyone.
The argument from conservatives that they don't want to remove a few car parks to save the lives of cyclists because "it's bad for business" is untrue. It's been proven by research time and time again in many places around the world. The demand that the government "listen to all stakeholders" fails to recognise that we've been through all this before, and yes they had their opinions heard last time around. It's just a time-wasting distraction, and the longer we wait, the more cyclists are going to get injured or killed by people driving cars dangerously.
The obvious and intelligent option is for the government pulls their finger out and gets to work quickly to build protected bike lanes on Sydney Road
#Melbourne #Cycling #CriticalMass #AusPol #VicPol #SydneyRoad
(From #MerriBek BUG/Bicycle User Group)*
Earlier story from Alex Darling at the ABC - couple of years ago. Alex was the first reporter to use all the data available about car parking spaces and how people actually get to Sydney Road currently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5EB9ukdKZw
* Formerly Moreland BUG https://www.morelandbug.org/ (35 years old)
Jesse
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