Merri-bek BUG

There is a planning meeting tonight (Wednesday, 4 June) to work on the campaigns around:

a) the cycling component of the upcoming Moreland council budget (remember to ask your local councillor why the spend rate on cycling infrastructure in this council is so low compared to other councils; also worth asking them what their stance on cycling will be if they plan to stand for re-election at this year’s council elections), and

b) the state government’s intentions to extend clearway times on Sydney Rd (presumably as part of their visionary plans for celebrating peak oil!)

The meeting will be at 7pm at Paul McKay’s house. Contact Paul or Toby Archer for more information.

The Public Transport Users Association is organising a public forum on transport and climate that may be of interest to cyclists. They are extending a warm invitation to members of BUGs and cycling clubs to attend…

SPEEDING TOWARDS DANGEROUS CLIMATE CHANGE

Public forum: 15 June 2008

Hear what the world’s leading climate scientists are discovering about the speed of climate change, the potential impacts on our way of life, and what we need to do to safeguard our future.

• Sir Rod Eddington has recommended we spend $18 billion on
  transport infrastructure, but says this will have ‘minimal” impact on transport emission trends. Meanwhile transport emissions are forecast to grow by more than 60% over 1999 levels by 2020. Can we do better?

• Government ministers claim freeways offer environmental benefits and getting more ‘clean’ cars on the road is the solution, but are they effective?

Guest speakers include:

• David Spratt – climate-policy analyst and co-author of Climate Code Red.
• Dr Patrick Moriarty – Senior Research Fellow at the Australasian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport.
• Elliot Fishman – policy advisor, Cycling Promotion Fund.

When: Sunday 15 June 2008, 2.30 – 4:30pm
Where: Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Swanston & Collins Streets, Melbourne
RSVP: office@ptua.org.au

More info: http://www.ptua.org.au

The extension of the Upfield bike path is happening, with the first concrete pour happening for the path in the rail reserve at Fawkner Cemetery!