Bicycle activities and Port Adelaide
Just returned from a meeting in Port Adelaide (Port Adelaide Environment Forum), the SA Government Architect, Ben Hewitt provided a presentation re current activities occurring in relation to future development of Port Adelaide. Yes I know, the plans and consultation have been happening with regular monotony for many decades. The optimistic feeling now however, is that this is the time to get it right, after the unmitigated disaster that has occurred in the recent past. Recent development around the waterfront in Port Adealide has left many people disillusioned.
So, what has this got to do with cycling?
Well, perhaps there is a window of opportunity to have a grassroots type of community event/happening in the Port that could celebrate the advantages of cyling as a form of transport and the role that bicycles and cyclists play in creating sustainable and well functioning cities.
Recently a friend acquainted me with the term "ciclovia", has anybody any experiences in relation to ciclovias? http://www.pps.org/blog/using-ciclovia-to-plan-your-streets/
Port Adealide was once a thriving centre, second only to the City, unfortunately it has lost its way in recent times. I am not sure if this might be a workable activity for Port Adelaide or not, but the time may be right to convince decision makers that a bicycle related Community event (small budget) could be a positive activity related to Urban Renewal.
Any ideas out there that you would like to share?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
Not about an event but ideas to encourage council to incorporate cycling infrastructure in the redevelopment.
The Port and Semaphore have some historic buildings. Has / did have attractions like a market, Maritime Museum, Lipton Tea House, very old hurdy gurdy, old Semaphore library building, etc. How about good cycling infrastructure to attract tourists? A map provided by council for self-guided tours? Or encourage someone to start a tour by bicycle for profit?
The ACC has released its draft Integrated Movement Strategy with emphasis on Active Transport like cycling. Yet to read it, but could have some ideas that you could use to be persuasive with Port Adelaide Enfield Council.
Could talk about improved ambience when less vehicle noise and air pollution. That exercising and cycling residents tend to be fitter and healthier, which is good for community wellbeing and a well functioning city. Residents who replace some car transport with Active Transport will have more money to spend on other things, e.g. house renovations so income for local stores that sell home products, and suburbs looking nice with increased rate money for council.
Check out these links to referenced data sheets for some ideas.
Download from The Cycling Promotion Fund
www.cyclingpromotion.com.au –> Resources –> Research Publications
1. Health Benefits of Cycling – 1_TheHealthBenefitsofCycling.pdf
2. Environmental Benefits of Cycling – 02_TheEnvironmentalBenefitsofCycling.pdf
3. Travelling by bicycle is faster than you think – Info_Sheet_3_travelling_by_bicycle_is_faster.pdf
4. A bike can save you money – BFA_Fct_Sht_SaveMoney_Web.pdf
5. Cycling is Good for Communities – BFA_Fct_Sht_GoodForCommunites_Web.pdf
6. Bicycles are good for Business – Issue_Sheet_6_Bicycles_are_good_for_business.pdf
7. Economic Benefits of Cycling for Australia – CPF_CyclingBenefits.pdf
8. Bicycles belong on the road, registration free – Info_Sheet_5_Bicycles_belong_on_the_road.pdf
9. Cycling and Safety – BFA_Fct_Sht_Safety_Web.pdf
10. Bicycle Sales 2008 – For the last ten years in Australia, bicycle sales have exceeded new car sales – CPF_BicycleSales2008.pdf
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
Port Adelaide?
Lock up your bike ;)
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Permalink Reply by Kevin White on -
Actually its not too bad around the Port, the place is largely deserted so not much chance of loosing your bike
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Permalink Reply by Brian Jenkins (BJ) on -
Interesting post David. The Semaphore precinct around Semaphore Road already has the closest we've come yet to a cycling boulevard in Adelaide. For those who haven't been there, there is an on-road bike lane on both sides, and for a distance, off-road bike only lanes as well - separate from where pedestrians walk. Numerous bike lock-up bars spread throughout the shopping area. A Bicycle Institute member who's local has been telling me the Council have not had a formal opening. He would like to see the next Cargo Bike come'n'try day there (some time away to the next one, have only just had the first). Connecting all this up to the Port would open up the area for local cycling - there's space that could be used.
An event would be a good idea. Do you have any contact with the local BUG? Coincidentally, I'll be down that way on Sunday morning, the AC Winter Ride goes to Semaphore. I'll be spending a while just riding around.
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Permalink Reply by Gemma K on -
Port Adelaide Cycling Club has run a few criteriums on Semaphore Road as part of the fair there. Unfortunately the traders put a stop to that. Love to hold some events back in the actual Port, like we used to occasionally.... PACC as a club has grown enormously, sadly there's not much to do there other than ride through on the way to Semaphore for cake each Sunday morning.
Keep us in the loop if PACC can help
Gemma (new PACC vice-pres ;-)
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Permalink Reply by David Case on
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Thanks Gemma, I really enjoyed watching the cycling events on Semaphore Road, as I know many others did. People move on, Traders change, maybe once again soon we can welcome your club and other cyclists back for another event. Do you mind if I pass your club contact details on to the people from Govt that are currently putting their attention to Port Adelaide Renewal?
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Hi Brian, Thanks for your post and comments. Yes, I know Semaphore fairly well, during the late 1990s many people worked together with the then cycling section of the Dept of Transport to get the Coastal Way installed along the foreshore area in Semaphore and the section through the dunes at Largs North. I have been a Member of the Port Adelaide BUG since about 1995. As with many community groups membership ebbs and flows, the energy within the group is marvellous, as witnessed by the cycling improvements along Semaphore Road. As I have been away working in Regional areas and Interstate for the last decade, I can't take any credit for latest round of improvements.
The reason I was wondering about Port Adelaide and the potential for a cycling related activity is that the Premier attended a meeting in the Port in January. I believe that the time is finally here for development to occur that respects community and has the potential to offer a much different outcome then the last lot of buildings (as in earlier photo). Thought a ciclovia or similar event might be a great idea.
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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David, why haven't you started a web page on AC for Port Adelaide BUG? A way to encourage more members with more minds to discuss things, plus disseminate info.
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Hi Heather, Thanks for your input, as I said I have been away for a decade, I feel it might be a bit rude to be back for such a short time and begin organising others. I am taking things a little slowly as I work through what I am going to do next with my life, just enjoying being back in Semaphore and using a bike for daily travel.
Anyway, back to potential cycling related events and activities in the Port.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin White on
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I cycle this area regularly, most of the time I ride through the port to get to Semaphore, which has the best cycling infastructure in the state, the local authorities should be making a song and dance about how much they've done and encouraging other councils to follow their model. As for the port itself there are many attractions in the area which could easily be connected by cycling trails, there has been some attempt, but only for a short distance. Out at Mutton cove there is a great series of paths around the re-vegetated area but it's poorly publicised and difficult to access. There is already guided walks taking in the heritage sites, how about a series of cycling trails and free loan bikes from the fishermans wharf area with maps to hilight the attractions of the region.The local council and state government have a golden opportunity to integrate cycling with the new developement I hope they don't loose it.
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Permalink Reply by Specialised Roubaix on -
Mention Colombia & I think of drugs and death. I watched the ciclovia film in Colombia and experienced a vibrant friendly city. Loved the fit looking "Bikewatch" volunteers in their uniforms. Would be a great initiative in Adelaide - but do we have the population density to give it vibrancy, or would there be a lot of empty streets? Bogota Colombia has 7.3 million people.
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