Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by heather on January 30, 2012 at 16:33

Kasey, this is the group Vote For Cyclists, so fine to post here. This group was started during the last SA local council elections, but expect candidates will be approached when next full State or Federal elections.

There is another candidate Gary Johanson who has been an elected member of Port Adelaide Enfield Council. I met him when I attended a public meeting for the road safety campaign of Towards Zero Together in 2011. I now cannot recall his views. There is an article in today's Prospect Indaily at http://www.indaily.com.au/?iid=58840&sr=0#folio=001.

I am a member of several BUGs (Bicycle User Groups) where I cycle often. There is a Port BUG, which I would join if they had a page on Adelaide Cyclists. I do not know how to contact them.

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on January 30, 2012 at 16:56

I have emailed Gary for his position. I will attempt to email all the candidates. Should I receive replies. I will post them here.

My emailed Question:
Dear sir,
I am a voter in our electorate of Port Adelaide. I am also a cyclist, both for pleasure and for commuting purposes.  I am weighing up who to give my vote to on 11 Feb12 and I realised that I don't know the positions of the candidates on cycling and the funding/provision of cycling infrastructure  with the view to improving cycling participation as a valid means of transportation/leisure activity in this city. Could you please furnish me with your position on this. I am a member of the Adelaide Cyclists web-forum and its sub-forum 'Vote for Cyclists, which was set up during the last local council elections to endeavour to get as many elected officials who looked favorably upon the provision of cycling infrastructure elected to office. Should you reply to this email. I will post not only my question, but your answer to that forum. I will provide you with a link to the forum so that you can see your contribution and any discussion that generates.

kind regards

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on January 30, 2012 at 17:17

regarding Port Adelaide,
I have emailed the above question to:
Gary Johansen - Ind.
Justin McArthur - Greens
Grant Carlin - OneNation
Bob Briton - Communist party Aust
Susan Close - ALP
Steven Humble  - Lib Democrats
NB...I have been unable to find an email contact for Sue Lawrie  - Ind. True Voice

Should I receive any replies, I will post them here unedited in the order in which I receive them.

Cheers - gotta love democracy eh:)

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on January 30, 2012 at 17:19

Interestingly, Steven Humble has this link on his page very relevant to the forum question regarding helmets also going gang-0busters today (30Jan12)
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/blogs/cycling-tips/change-of-tu...

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on January 30, 2012 at 17:21

From Susan Close(ALP):

Hi Kasey, good to hear from you.  

I am absolutely a big supporter of cycling - as you say both for pleasure and commuting, and also because the more cycling-oriented a city is, the more human-centred it is.  

I have been in discussions recently with the Government about ensuring that the Link, at the top of the Lefevre Peninsula is properly made accessible for cyclists, and I will be pushing for proper cycle paths to facilitate commuting to the city from all points of the Port Adelaide electorate.  I thought one of the strengths of the 30 Year Plan for Adelaide was that it did seem to recognise the need for an integrated transport plan that had cycling (and indeed walking) as an essential part of city design.

I would be very pleased to hear from cyclists about what priorities and opportunities for improvement they see.

Kind regards

Susan

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on January 30, 2012 at 20:27

From Mr Stephen Humble (Liberal Democratic Party)

-----------------
Hi Kasey
I often ride myself doing short utility trips, sightseeing, work commuting etc.

Getting more people moving by bicycle as opposed to driving not only creates a demand for cycle friendly infrastructure it reduces traffic congestion and eases pressure to expand motor traffic infrastructure this would alow more of the budget to justafiably be directed towards infrastructure like dual usage paths. Being a bike user myself I will be outspoken in reminding parliment of the potential saving and benefits to all by supporting the rights and needs of all people not just motor transport users especially in light of the 850 million being spent on the literally over the top south road superway.

Though originally well intended mandatory bicycle helmet laws act as a deterrent to bike usage. Data and surveys show significant negative effects on bike usage with no clear effect on safety for adult riders.
This nanny state law urgently needs to be reviewed, as adults we must be able to make our own decisions as is the case in 98% of other countries. I feel many benefits to lifestyle, health the environment and our wallets would result from a repeal of mandatory bike helmet laws an idea conspicousley absent from debate.

A notable side effect of bicycle helmet laws is that people seek alternatives like mobility scooters as evidenced by comments in this article.
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/invasion-of-the-scooters-20100225-p4nr.html

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on February 2, 2012 at 17:52

Reply today from Mr Bob Brton - Communist Party of Australia

Hi Kasey,

Thanks for the question and apologies for the delay in replying. I haven't ridden my bike for a few years but there is still a keen cyclist inside me. Your email has pricked my conscience. I rode with the Outer Harbour vets for a few years but got discouraged by being soundly thrashed by guys twenty or more years older than myself! In the 90s I rode with a group via the Great Ocean Road to raise money for humanitarian aid to Cuba, which was doing it very tough at the time. So I understand your passion.

When I was riding I found wheel traps (drains, gaps in bridges, etc) very dangerous and annoying. I found public transport poorly equipped for cyclists wanting to do the commute to work via train and bike. There is little provision of safe places to store bikes near public transport (or elsewhere for that matter). Bicycle lanes taper into nothing at inopportune, dangerous places. These are some of the things I would want fixed as a cyclist.

I would also like governments at all levels to work to calm traffic and promote the sharing of the road. I don't personally like the idea of separate tracks for bikes (except for leisure and for the use of kids) because they encourage an attitude among some motorists that cyclists should get off the road and use the bike paths. I would love to hear your views.

Thanks again for the question and the opportunity to explore these issues. The Party believes public transport and bicycles are essential elements for urban planning as we tackle big issues like climate change and diminishing non-renewable resources. Cuba has taken a very progressive stance on this issue as part of its Energy Revolution. We could all learn from them. Speaking of learning, I would be guided by grassroots organisations like the Bicycle Users Groups and other cyclists in formulating demands and more detailed policy.

In solidarity

Bob Briton
Communist Party of Australia candidate for Port Adelaide

Permalink Reply by Kasey VP on February 3, 2012 at 17:01

From Mr Gary Johanson - Independent

Dear Kasey,

 

Thank you for your email re cycling.

For your information my father, who was born and raised in the Port, was a keen cyclist who raced in events around Adelaide. In my office at Council, I have one of my father’s trophies that he won from the Port Adelaide Cycle Club back in 1936, I also have his two old, original timber racing rims which are very rare these days, so you can see that cycling runs in my family.

I personally have many bikes, although not a lot of spare time to use them. I have a Cannondale mountain bike, several collapsible bikes including one I just purchased with an electric motor in it.

Last year I arranged via the Belgian Consul for a South Australian Veteran rider to stay with the Consul’s parents in Belgium for the world titles that were held there.

I have also been working on an idea to have a major cycle race around the historic wool sheds in the Port, across the bridges and along the beach front.

I have also been lobbying to get a dedicated cycle path down the middle of Port Road ,in the median strip, as this would be much safer for cyclists instead of them having to take their chances along Port Road , hence removing the threat posed by passing motor vehicles.

I would also like to see dedicated cycle paths link areas such as Mawson Lakes to the Port and the city, hence I fully support the construction of dedicated cycle paths that are not shared with motor vehicles.

Cycle paths need to be designed as stand alone for all new subdivisions and main road developments to make them an integral part of the transport infrastructure, and wherever redevelopment occurs, for them to be built in there as well.

I trust this answer assists you.

--

kind regards

 

Gary Johanson

 

Independent for You