Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Whats the deal with Bike Victoria?
Hello from Sydney,
Sorry about this but i'm a bit of an outsider looking in.
Up here we get a fair bit of publicity on behalf of Bike Victoria, i occasionally read and hear about them saying a lot of stuff, often even speaking on behalf of NSW advocates.
They cop a fair bit of criticism up here, mainly about their support of vulnerable road users (cyclists) getting penalised as much as motorists (non vulnerable road users) for flirting with the road rules. I often get the feeling that the general cycling public up here percieves Bicycle Victoria as a non pro cycling institution.
Somebody on Sydney Cyclist made a comment that got me wondering...
"Bicycle Victoria is partly funded by the Victorian govt and has become a govt mouthpiece.
What is the point of having a cyclist organisation then?"
Thought i'd hear it straight from the horses mouth.
Is what this person said true?
What do the cyclists of Victoria think about this?
Sorry about this but i'm a bit of an outsider looking in.
Up here we get a fair bit of publicity on behalf of Bike Victoria, i occasionally read and hear about them saying a lot of stuff, often even speaking on behalf of NSW advocates.
They cop a fair bit of criticism up here, mainly about their support of vulnerable road users (cyclists) getting penalised as much as motorists (non vulnerable road users) for flirting with the road rules. I often get the feeling that the general cycling public up here percieves Bicycle Victoria as a non pro cycling institution.
Somebody on Sydney Cyclist made a comment that got me wondering...
"Bicycle Victoria is partly funded by the Victorian govt and has become a govt mouthpiece.
What is the point of having a cyclist organisation then?"
Thought i'd hear it straight from the horses mouth.
Is what this person said true?
What do the cyclists of Victoria think about this?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by melbcyclist on -
Well I am sorry but I think they are dickheads.
They have no idea that increased utility bicycle use is the way to solve may issues in our city.
School, shops, station etc., type of trips are what will make our city more livable.
They think that the implementation of Albert Street cycle lane is OK. They think that the Melbourne City Councils latest bright idea for a $25.6 million redevelopment of Swanston Street is OK as well. That little effort will be a huge long tram stop platform, about 25% of the length of Swanston St., where people on bicycles and people waiting for trams have to share the same space!.
BV does not represent, nor may even be aware of the increased use of a bicycle by normal people for normal use, in such areas as the Cities of Port Phillip, Darebin and the star - Yarra.
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Permalink Reply by David Roche on -
I am a candidate too
I agree with Steve's postion - Ratbug Bug's! . (Sam's too - hope to see you around)
There are so many interest groups and growing "tribes" around legitimate and different interests no one group can well represent them all. The same thing happens with co-operatives and many community interest groups - try and constrain a growing and increasingly diverse group into only one mould and their energies turn inward, into tearing themselves apart. Many of you will know this from seeing how your riding groups have morphed, changed, splintered and reformed over the years. BV can't be all things to all people however - Viva la difference - and hence Viva ratbag bugs!
However BV can and should have an essential role in co-ordinating, facilitating and pulling things together in a way most BUGs and smaller state cycling organisations can't. Basically doing what those organisations can't
BV has grown to a stage where it is the 500 pound gorilla and can't be a ratbag bug anymore - but should work with them, support them, and co-ordinate for common interest - and show vision to help pull them and government and communtity along with us. This way it achieves its mission and allows all the cyclists to follow their interests and articulate their needs. Unfortunately it sometimes seems to have a hostile and acquisitive nature to some BUG's
It is at a stage of growth that Greenpeace Australia was 20 years ago. It needs to move from pure passion (and possibly a feeling of ownership) to rebalance to being a visionary, facilitator and representative - it is clearly in a stage of transtion and hasn't fully moved to this.
As for events it does some great things here RTB and GVB are outstanding successes- though some othes have been a little challenged. Basically it should have a the capability to stimulate them and make sure they get run well.
One challenge that BV is postitioned to address is the road/track user versus cyclist antagonism. It's big, long term, challenges some very entrenched groups, and out of reach of small BUG's. It needs addressing through both culture and facilities and will take years of active effort to address even partially. For example - Even the police didn't want to record an incident when a car intentionally clipped me on Beach Road last christmas (and we hear a number of these type of stories in our stores)! We have councils with many members who are still hostile to cyclists and so on.. Changing this is necessary for cycling. It is going to happen though- cycling is here to stay and the cutlure and infrastructure will shift over time - the question is how quickly, and how many cyclists are hurt along the way - and there has already been a number!
I also agree with pay your dues and keep your right to complain
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Permalink Reply by David Roche on
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Sorry - didn't realise how long that had gotten!
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Permalink Reply by harrowagenda21 on -
The CEO has resigned, effective end 2012. Let us hope there will be change and urban commuters will be better supported and government challenged a little more.
http://www.melbournecyclist.com/forum/topics/news-harry-barber-resi...
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