Sutherland to Cronulla... one day Congratulations to Sutherland Shire Council on the release of the GTA Consultants report regarding the Sutherland to Cronulla Off-Road Cycleway Route. The preferred route for such a shared path was found to be the “Rail Corridor” route (which is what the community had always supported).

Bike Rego plan goes down in flames The No Parking Meters Party has fallen at the first hurdle in its campaign to persuade the local councils of NSW that they should impose a $50 registration fee on bike riders.

Better cycling in Boorowa Imagine our surprise when we discovered many kilometres of brand new shared paths around the historic little village of Boorowa...

Better cycling in Kiama A big THUMBS UP for Kiama Council for taking the initiative to remark the popular cycling routes in the Kiama Municipality before Christmas.

Another link in the Coastline Cycleway On Friday 20 November, local dignitaries got together to officially open another 4km off road link in the NSW Coastline Cycleway that will eventually extend from the Queensland to Victorian borders.

Dubbo "stimulates" cycling Thumbs Up to Dubbo City Council who have used some of their Stimulus Package Funding grants from the Federal Government to extend a great cycleway along the Macquarie River at Dubbo.

Chatswood Chase End of Trip Facilities Well done to Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre, which has provided well supervised secure bike parking and public showers in their new upgrade.

Windsor get a cycling bridge The RTA's $3 million cycling bridge across South Creek into Windsor was opened to traffic on Friday 12 June.

No to "Greenwash" bike paths Hunter Development Corporation has ignored the advice of local bicycle advocates and used its proposed cycleway in the rail corridor as leverage for getting the green tick of approval. No local bicycle advocate groups wanted the removal of the rail to the city to provide yet another unsafe cyclepath.

Using the back of a bus Thumbs up to Christchurch NZ for using buses to promote cycle safety and the share the road message.

Cycleway over Minnamurra River Thumbs up to Kiama Council for providing a safe shared use crossing over Minnamurra River Bridge and the signage guiding cyclists to Kiama. The path on the bridge has removed another black spot on the Coastal cycle path in the Illawarra.

Finally... funding for cycling in Hawkesbury A Thumbs up for Hawkesbury City Council. After a two year funding drought they have budgeted for $1,000,000 for cycleways in the next ten years including RTA funding.

Unreasonable request I visited the National Maritime Museum near Sydney's Pyrmont Bridge to see an advertised exhibition. Upon arriving by bicycle and being unable to locate bicycle racks, I contacted a staff member who told me there weren't any.

Riveting news from Hawkesbury On Tuesday 13 January Abergeldie the contractor for the $3 million cycling bridge across South Creek at the entrance to Windsor, using two 250 tonne cranes lifted the three sections into position completing the missing link on the Parramatta to Windsor cycleway.

The RTA is committed to making provisions for bicycles in all new major road infrastructure and maintenance work. So what's happened in the plans for the Spit Bridge/Military Road Corridor?

Bike up Riding along our nice new bike paths, I often get confronted by other riders yelling "Bike Up" as a warning to those who follow. Why do they need a warning? Why don't they just keep to the left?

South Creek Bridge started A big thumbs up to the RTA for starting construction of the $4 million cycling bridge across South Creek in Windsor...

Great place for noticeboard! Thumbs up to North Sydney Council for installing a noticeboard at the base of the steps to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway.

Cycling facilities diminished While the RTA are saying they will do something for bicycling in Rozelle, Wests Tigers, in the approved DA for their expansion, claimed that they can build a pedestrian footbridge over Victoria Road to adjacent to Rozelle School without using Dept of Education land.

Awards well won Fairfield City Staff and members from the Western Sydney Cycling Network (WSCN) attended an Awards evening last Thursday for the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards.

No warning of track closure One day recently, John Jeremijczyk went for a ride from his home along Orphan School Creek bike track.

Winners Wear Helmets Thumbs Up to Shellharbour City Council and the Lake Illawarra Police for the Winners Wear Helmets campaign.

Report-A-Hazard Website Thumbs up to those four councils who have "signed up" to the Report-A-Hazard website.

Upgrade to cycling in Drummoyne/Rozelle LBUG and BayBug have been lobbying the RTA and the Minister for Roads (with help from MPs Verity Firth and Angela D'Amore) to include an upgrade of the bicycle route through Drummoyne and Rozelle as part of the Victoria Road Upgrade Project.

Non-existent submission A report in the Sydney Morning Herald by FOI journalist Matthew Moore reports on the extraordinary activities of the NRMA.

Macquarie Rivulet Bridge cycling improvements Thumbs Up to Lylea McMahon the Member for Shellharbour, for showing her commitment to cycling by lobbying the minister for roads and local RTA officers for improved cycling safety on Macquarie Rivulet Bridge on the Princess Highway north of Albion Park Rail.

Bicycle manners I am a cyclist as well as a runner and a walker. I am constantly concerned at the lack of etiquette shown by cyclists when they share a path with runners/walkers.

Blue Mountains priorities Blue Mountains City Council has prepared a very comprehensive bike plan. It's a great piece of work and all staff and community members who poured their time and dedication into it are to be warmly congratulated.

Cyclists short changed The State Govt have allowed Boral to bulldoze about 50 metres of the Canal path at Prospect without providing the funds for a cycle/pedestrian bridge to span the gap that the road cutting will leave.

"MIssing link" gets funding At the beginning of July, the Minister for Transport announced the approval to bring forward funding of the 'missing link' between the path along Old Prospect canal reserve and the paths inside new estate in Pemulway.

Scepic to convert I was a sceptic when PushOn was first remover from Australian Cyclist but I'm now convert and I simply copy PushOn to my PC to read at my convenience and only print sections as required. Please keep it up and help reduce our environmental footprint.

Clearing a path for pilgrims? Removal of Sydney's only existing CBD bike lanes has been decreed to ensure smooth traffic flows during World Youth Day, and there is little change they will be put back.

A big “THUMBS UP” for Di…! Thank you Di Fielding, for helping to make Ride2School a great success this year and ensuring its success in the future!

Consumer magazine gives cycling advice Popular consumer magazine CHOICE has recently included a cycling feature. Titled "Getting around on a bike" the online article looks at includes general information about cycling for transport and hints on how to find your way around and keep safe on the roads.

165 Volunteers Thank you to the 165 Volunteers who gave up their time to help us run the 2008 Gear Up Girl Challenge!

Cycle sales scam In the last few weeks a number of Newcastle Cycleways Members have received emails from a US based shop, supposedly selling runout bikes at cheap prices. According to the net, it is a scam and everyone should beware.

Wombat Hill I've lost count of the number of submissions that I've sent to National Parks, only to have them ignored. Bikes don't damage wilderness and especially when it's not wilderness at all but legal fiction wilderness

One thumb up and one thumb down I agree that the new green lanes are a good step forward for cycling-they should be on every cycle route. They are a vast improvement over the more usual practise of removing the cycle lane markings across intersections. The story however fails to note that the lanes between intersections on Lilyfield road are generally unusable and dangerous.

Councils teach cyclists to be dangerous Narrow on-road "bike lanes" cause cyclists to get used to fast cars passing them too close. Any wonder on shared walking/bike paths that some cyclists pass people too close and too fast? They are only doing what the council and RTA have taught them.

A great solution Thumbs Up to Great Lakes Council for finding a great solution.

Leichhardt implements bike strategy Thumbs Up to Leichhardt Council for supporting and getting on with the new Bike Strategy.

No funding for Kurrajong cycleway A big thumbs down to Hawkesbury City Council who refused to include in the budget $50,000 for the completion of the Kurrajong cycleway.

Wells Street Redfern Thumbs Up to the City of Sydney for completing this raised threshold and shared zone in Wells Street Redfern,

Stanmore Station ramp first class Thumbs Up to Marrickville Council for the work done so far from Petersham to Stanmore as part of the Councils 2007 Bike Plan.

Show Motorists Your Butt As a motorist I’m astounded at the lack of consideration shown by us as cyclists to making ourselves visible to motorists from behind, while we go to great length in selecting cycling shirts that make us look cool in the coffee shop and for that magazine cover photo. Unfortunately when it come to making ourselves seen from behind we cover our most visible feature, yes our butts, in black Licra to blend in with the Road, even many of our favourite cycling shirts don’t have bright lower panels or pockets.

Better access to Edgecliff Station Woollahra Council has completed great work to gain quiet back-street access to Edgecliff Station for local bike riders wishing to shop or commute and connect up with the Eastern Suburbs trains to the City and beyond along the Cronulla line.

Yarra Bay Cycleway A marvellous cycleway has just about been completed by Randwick City Council that connects Bicentennial Park, Yarra Bay (on Botany Bay next to La Perouse), with the Chifley and Matraville suburbs.

Has this potential cycle route been destroyed? THUMBS DOWN go to the State Rail contractors who appear to have inflicted considerable damage to a potential cycle route along the old disused Cawley Road corridor through Garrawarra State Conservation Area between Waterfall and Heathcote stations.

Secure bike parking in Manly Thumbs Up to Manly Council for providing new bike parking facilities. The recent conversion of 5 spaces in one of Council's main carparks to accommodate 72 bikes, has been widely applauded by most in the community.

Cycling in Fairfield A huge thumbs up to Fairfield Council for having the best, most interesting and extensive cycling network in the whole Sydney area. One can cycle for hours on dedicated cycle paths that actually go somewhere, with links to the 'world class' M7 bike path.

Tour de Kids The Tour de Kids is a Ride for Life. It is an annual weeklong cycling fundraiser. Money collected is donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation and several smaller charities to brighten the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families, throughout Australia.

Southern Highlands could do better John Holstein travels extensively throughout NSW and is in a good position to compare the attitudes towards cycling and facilities provided in different town and cities around the state. He reluctantly decides to give Wingecarribee Shire (Southern Highlands) a Thumbs Down.

Junee on the right track Thumbs Up to Junee Shire Council for their new shared pathways.

Tour de Hills a great success The recent Tour de Hills has rasied over $30,000 for charity.

Kerb Ramps at Robert Street (White Bay) A belated thumbs up to Leichhardt Council for construction of kerb ramps (lDecember 2006) on the very popular foot/bicycle path on Robert Street, alongside the White Bay Power Station, in Balmain.

New Bridge Links Rushcutters Bay Park The City of Sydney, Woollahra Councils and State Government have jointly funded a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the stormwater canal at Rushcutters Bay Park.

Five Island Cycleway Peter Burgess has concerns with the RTA's design of the Five Islands Cycleway in Lake Macquarie.

Well Behaved Pedestrians Riding to work each day from Balmain I would like to say how impressed I am with the way the majority of pedestrians walk on the right side of the joint cycleway/footpath. We can often be negative about pedestrians getting in the way of cyclists but I feel we don’t give enough credit for those that show consideration.

Bus shelter blocks shared path Thumbs down to the new bus shelter/billboard constructed outside the old White Bay Hotel on Victoria Road.

Falcon St, Nth Sydney Share Path Bridge Once again the RTA has turned a positive proposal for pedestrians and cyclists into a public relations disaster. Carolyn New from Bike North explains the situation.

Promoting cycling in schools The Cycling Promotion Fund have sponsored the development of a lesson plan with strategies and tips for integrating bicycles into the primary school curriculum.

Cycling more popular than football and cricket Russ Webber has collated the 2004 statistics (ERASS) for the 21 most highly participated in sports and activities on a state-by-state basis.

Bike aware pedestrians Victoria Wilkinson writes: "Years ago I spent a couple of weeks in Copenhagen. Lots of bike riders there as you probably know. And dedicated bike paths! With their climate you'd not expect it. Hardy, healthy Danes! Interestingly, my hosts informed me that from a very early age they are taught not just taught to look for traffic when crossing the road but bikes also - with a cute little ditty (and it works in English) "Look Left, look right, look bike" It works almost as well the other way round for us "Look right, Look left, look bike". I have no idea what young kids are taught these days but I reckon this a good one."

Steps on a Cycleway? The latest news heard back from TIDC (Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation) is that they are planning STEPS on the approach from Frank Channon Walk to Albert St near Chatswood Station. This is part of the works for a future regional cycleway from Chatswood to the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as a major pedestrian route to the station.

Loss of cycle access! Thumbs down to Thiess John Holland and the RTA for closing cycle access while constructing the road and cycle path east of the Lane Cover River bridge for up to 6 months. Even worse was that they only provided 2 days warning.

Things a non-cyclist might not understand I ride my bike year-round as my main means of transportation. My bike is not a toy. I don't aspire to be Lance Armstrong. I'm not too poor to afford a car. I choose a bicycle because its healthier for me, and healthier for the city I live in. I'm not riding in the middle of the lane to slow you down or thwart you. I'm just trying to do the same thing as you - get from point A to point B safely.

Crazy Guy on a Bike If you're interested in bicycle touring (anywhere in the world!), want to plan or even just dream about riding away from it all on your trusty steed, then this is the website for you. This is a free website for hosting bicycle touring journals, forums and resources. The content is contributed by people from all over the world. You can browse the journals, or register and then create your own. Also check out the forums (message boards) and resources (a database of links, businesses and other useful info). See the site map for a more complete overview of the features.

Cycle link completed in Bathurst Thumbs up to Bathurst Regional Council for the completion of the Morrisset Street cycle link. This newly completed section creates a safe off road environment for cyclists, joggers and family groups to enjoy. The construction of this concrete section now completes a full off road cycle path to several residential estates and outlying villages.

Report a Hazard Website Operational In an Australian first, Goulburn Mulwaree, Wingecarribee Shire and Wollondilly Councils have worked together to develop an online hazard reporting website to increase road safety.

Submission to NSW State Plan Many members and supporters of Bicycle NSW will know that the State government recently produced a draft state plan and sought feedback on the draft from the community. Bicycle NSW has responded and a copy of our 3 page submission and the covering letter to the Premier is available for download.

Find a place for your bike in the city Thanks to City of Sydney's "rings on posts" find a place to leave your bike in the middle of Sydney is not so difficult.

A Smoother Ride for Cyclists Cycling is a vital element of the transport systems of many of the world’s most liveable cities. Recognising its importance, the City of Sydney has developed a 10-year cycle strategy.

Have your say on Cycling Policy Peter Shmigel, Liberal Candidate for Balmain, has developed an on-line survey to allow cyclists to have their say on possible future cycling policy in NSW.

Or should that be Thumbs Down? Depending on your point of view, this cyclist gets a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down.

NRMA books sparks bicycle signage Thumbs Up to Warrumbungle Shire Engineer, Kevin Tighe, for obtaining and having erected bicycle route signs for the "Coonabarabran Cottages Ride" as published in the NRMA Great Cycling Rides in NSW. This will greatly assist visiting tourists to fully enjoy this ride.

Bicycle Parking at Macquarie Uni Thumbs up to Macquarie University for installing several new spiral bike racks. Currently staff are lobbying for new facilities and paths within the Uni. Those involved include Doug Stewart, John Kyriazis and Ian McAllan. For further information contact Ian at ducula@tpg.com.au.

Major road works lack cycling facilities In March, Norman Monshall, Chair of the Manly Bike Committee wrote to the RTA on behalf of the Manly Bike Committee, asking why major road works at Wakehurst/Warringah Rd and Wakehurst/Frenchs Forest Rd, French Forest (now completed after a year long project) failed to incorporate any bike facilities.