Life Cycle [OnRoad] 2012 is full!

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Saturday July 30, 2011 - Friendly Freo

Ride Organiser: Robert Hind
Organiser's email: Robert@robert-hind.com
Organiser's mobile telephone no: 0417 934 502
Ride style: Social
Terrain: Mainly Flat
Estimated Distance: 65 kms+
Start Point: Maylands, Narrows - North Side
Start Time: Maylands 8:00, Narrows 8:30

Terry has suggested old familiar "Friendly Freo" with the usual obligatory coffee stop (in Fremantle). We'll have the usual Maylands Railway Station start at 8:00 am then hook up at the Narrows. The ride will start from the Narrows Bridge (North Side - where the bike path goes under the freeway bridge) at 8:30 am.

Only 29 places left!!

 
Life Cycle for CanTeen [OnRoad] 2012 only 29 places left!!

Saturday July 23, 2011 - Heritage Trail - Mountain Bike Ride

Ride Organiser: Terry Dowling morgan4four@yahoo.com.au
Organisers mobile tel: 0414 730 970
Ride style: Social
Ride type: Mountain Bike - non technical
Terrain: Steady Climb then Good descent
Estimated Distance: 45kms
Start Time: 8:30am
Start Point: Darlington Tennis Courts

We'll do the easy mountain bike ride on the Heritage Trail. We'll meet and start at the tennis courts in Darlington then ride down the track to Pechey Park then up the track North of Great Eastern Highway up to Sawyers Valley. This a fairly easy, steady climb. We'll cross the highway and return on the south side with a finish at Darlington for coffee / food.

For those of you who haven't done much mountain bike riding this is an excellent way to get accustomed to MTB rides. 

Please respond to Terry as I'm unlikely to ride (away on business and not expected home until the early hours of Saturday morning. 

Robert

RAC Cycling Survey

Kim Griffith forwarded this survey and tells me it only takes 2 or 3 minutes to complete:

To help identify the issues facing cyclists and the areas where money could be invested to improve the cycling experience for Western Australians, we invite you to complete the RAC’s cycling survey.

The cycling survey is now live at rac.com.au/bike Please feel free to pass this onto all of your contacts.

With the increasing popularity of cycling in Western Australian, the RAC is investigating the current issues facing cyclists and the barriers that prevent people from getting on their bike.

More people are choosing to ride for a variety of reasons such as avoiding traffic congestion, better health, reducing parking costs and to reduce environmental impacts.

Local counts show bike riding is surging, with between 10,000 and 13,000 cyclists riding into the city every weekday during summer and spring, according to the Department of Transport.

But as the popularity of cycling has grown, the number of injuries to cyclists has also increased dramatically. In the decade to 2009, the annual number of deaths and serious injuries for cyclists increased by 56 per cent.

Cyclist safety and accessibility hasn’t been a funding priority in WA and there is much that can be done to protect and encourage those who choose to travel on two wheels.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said cyclists are increasingly at risk on WA roads and something needs to be done to address this issue.

“The challenge is to provide the appropriate infrastructure to ensure cyclists are safe on the roads and to address the barriers that prevent more people from riding,” Mr Brown said.

“Cyclists know what has to be done to improve the cycle path networks in WA and the hot spots that are continuously a risk for riders and this is their chance to speak up.”

The Sunday Times are running an article on cycling safety on Sunday.

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards Marianne

Marianne Carey
Road User Coordinator
The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc)
832 Wellington Street
West Perth WA 6005
p 08 9436 4524
f 08 9436 5030 
e:  marianne.carey@rac.com.au

Satuday July 16 - Friendly Freo

Ride Organiser: Robert Hind
Organiser's email: Robert@robert-hind.com
Organiser's mobile telephone no: 0417 934 502
Ride style: Social
Terrain: Mainly Flat
Estimated Distance: 65 kms+
Start Point: Maylands, Narrows - North Side
Start Time: Maylands 8:00, Narrows 8:30

We're planning the old familiar "Friendly Freo" with the usual obligatory coffee stop (in Fremantle). We'll have the usual Maylands Railway Station start at 8:00 am then hook up at the Narrows. The ride will start from the Narrows Bridge (North Side - where the bike path goes under the freeway bridge) at 8:30 am. 
 
We'll look for an opportunity to discuss Road Rules?

Cycling Safety Forum ... continuing the discussion

As a cyclist who has had my fair share of accidents I'm very well aware of my own mortaility and the risks we take. It is good to see an increased amount of attention to cycling safety and I think we as a group have a duty to ourselves, our fellow group cyclist, other cyclists and the cycling movement in general to contribute to improving cycling safety.

In regards to Mark Esvelt's earlier message on the same subject...

Of the highlighted points there are two (points 2 & 3) that have been on my mind recently.

must not be more than two bicycles abreast on a road. When riding abreast, the two bicycles must be no more than 1.5 metres apart.

There are times when, even if we are riding two abreast, we must look like a dog's breakfast to cars following us because we don't sit in a straight line (or two parallel straight lines). This in itself isn't so much of an issue until we have cars wanting to pass. I'm of the opinion that we might want to think about how we can contribute positively to motorist / cyclist harmony by adopting modified behaviour when there are cars behind us. Perhaps on the call of "car back" we should drop to single file where safe and allow cars to pass. Riding as two neater parallel lines might also help...but can add to the risk.

Riders must only travel in single file on all paths, though they can travel two abreast on a road.

I think we should for the purpose of safety adopt this

Comments on the Cycling Safety Forum

Mark Esvelt referred to a recent article from the Cycling Safety Forum and highlighted some "Interesting facts that we should consider."..

Road Rules & Penalties

Western Australian road rules are contained within the WA Road Traffic Code 2000, which can be viewed on the State Law Publisher website.

The Drive Safe guide aimed at learner drivers, but available to any driver in WA, provides a good overview of the key road rules and their penalties.

The road rules largely mirror the Australian Road Rules (ARRs), which were approved by all state and territory Transport Ministers in 1999. An electronic copy of the most up to date Australian Road Rules is available on the National Transport Commission website.

From time to time amendments to the Road Traffic Code 2000 are made. These can reflect amendments to the model ARRs that have been agreed nationally or amendments that are specific to WA needs.

Legislation governing drink and drug driving, licensing offences, hoons and serious offences such as dangerous and reckless driving are contained within the WA Road Traffic Act 1974.

Cycling road rules

Most rules applying to motor vehicle drivers/riders also apply to cyclists riding on a road. There are, however, a few rules that only apply to cyclists. Cyclists: must have at least one hand on the handlebars while in motion. must wear an approved helmet while in motion (unless exempted). must not ride within two metres of the rear of a motor vehicle, over a distance of more than 200 metres. must not hold onto another moving vehicle or be towed by it. must not be more than two bicycles abreast on a road. When riding abreast, the two bicycles must be no more than 1.5 metres apart. must use the correct hand signals to turn left or right and to stop. can use the left lane of a roundabout when turning right, provided they give way to all exiting traffic. must not ride in a pedestrian mall. cannot overtake on the left side of a motor vehicle if that motor vehicle is moving and indicating to turn left. Children under 12 may ride on any footpath unless a "No Bicycles" sign has been erected. Riders 12 years of age and over are not permitted to ride on a footpath. They may, however, ride on shared paths. The following guidelines facilitate the sharing of footpaths and shared paths: Riders must keep left on shared paths and footpaths unless overtaking. Riders must give way to pedestrians at all times. At path intersections you must signal your intention to turn, and give way to motor vehicles entering or exiting an intersecting road. Riders must only travel in single file on all paths, though they can travel two abreast on a road. Animals must not be tied to a moving bike. Slow down when passing pedestrians — remember they are slower and can be unpredictable. When approaching pedestrians from behind, always ring your bell about 30 metres before reaching them. If they are aware of your presence with plenty of time to spare, they are less likely to make sudden sideways movements. Be particularly careful where a shared path crosses a busy road.

Avon Descent - Fundraising Morning Tea - Sunday August 7

For the last couple of years a few of us have enjoyed The Rotary Club of Balcatta's Fundraising Morning Tea to view the Avon Descent and made the event the destination for our weekly ride.

It is a very pleasant way to support Rotary (Terry is a member of the Club), who have also supported Life Cycle for CanTeen, and spend part of the day. From personal experience I know it can be very profitable (if you manage to clean up on all the raffles ...as I did one year!!).

Click here for more information... 

Life Cycle for CanTeen [OnRoad] - almost half full

Amazing...http://onroad.lifecyclewa.com/2011/07/onroad-almost-half-full-already.html

Cycling Safety Forum

The Road Safety Council addresses road safety for cyclists through its Safe System approach – safe road use, safe roads and roadsides, safe speeds and safe vehicles. 

To address the increasing trend in serious crashes in cycling, the RAC, on behalf of the Road Safety Council, has begun the process of looking at the issues and solutions surrounding cycling safety.

The first Cycling Safety Forum was held on Saturday 14 May 2011.  This facilitated forum featured prominent Australian speakers who specialise in vulnerable road user safety.  Below is a copy of their presentations.

The first forum looked at teasing out the issues for cyclists and the second forum that is planned for late 2011 will delve into the issues and list solutions that may be applicable for Western Australia. 

If you click on the link below you will be able to view the excellent presentations from speakers on the day.

http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/Demographic-Pages/I-am-a-Cyclist-%281%29/Cycling-Safety-Forum.aspx
 

Saturday July 9, 2011 - Jenny's Armadale jaunt re-scheduled

Ride Organiser: Jenny Aramini
Organiser's email: Jenny.Aramini@lifecyclewa.com
Organiser's mobile telephone no: 0401965089
Ride style: Social
Terrain: Fairly Flat
Estimated Distance: 70 kms apprrox
Start Point: Maylands, Narrows - South Side
Start Time: Maylands 8:00, Narrows 8:30

Jenny's Armadale ride didn't happen last weekend due to the weather and those who rode repeated the Pt Walter ride...so the Armadale ride is re-scheduled for Saturday, July 9.

1. Jenny's suggested route for the Armadale ride is
2. Narrows to Riverton Bridge, via South Perth foreshore, Douglas Ave, Hayman Rd, Lawson St, Centenary Ave
3. bike path to along south side of river to Nicholson Rd
4. Spencer St, Corfield Rd, Lake Rd, Armadale Rd to Dome or Gloria Jeans in Armadale
5. Armadale Rd, Lake Rd, Ranford Rd to Roe Hwy
6. bike path along Roe Hwy to Kwinana Fwy and then Fwy bike path to Narrows