Merri-bek BUG

Today is the Moreland cycling count day where we work with council to count cyclists at 30 different locations throughout Moreland. You might see some volunteers counting so feel free to clap and cheer and if you have a spare minute maybe asking if they would like a ‘convenience break’.

The next BUG meeting will be held on Thursday, February 23rd at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel (681 Sydney Road, Brunswick).

We invited Gavin Anderson along to give a presentation on his cycling holidays in England. He rode along the National Cycling Route Number 4. Hampton Court and Windsor were a just a few attractions he saw along the way. For a sneak peak you can have a look at his photos here.

The meeting starts at 7.30 pm and will finish around 9.00 pm. Food and drinks can be purchased there. We meet at the little dining room out the back. Members and guests are welcome!

News from Nicholas Elliot at Moreland Council:

Just a quick note to let you know that the De Chene Reserve Bridge that was damaged in the Xmas Day flash flood, has been reopened for pedestrians and cyclists. Cross with Care. The damaged hand rail will be repaired on Monday (Jan 23rd) – until then barricade tape has been placed across the gap.

The other bridge that was damaged, in the Edgars Creek park land near Ronald Street, will remain closed until it has been repaired. Repairs will start next week.

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This is just a quick reminder for the get together on Friday.

When: Friday, December 16 at 6.30 pm

Where: Bridges Reserve, meet at the bike parking area in front of the Coburg Leisure Centre (access via Russell Street)
So feel free to come along and enjoy some music, food and drinks at the Coburg Night Market.

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Christine Campbell, the MLA for Pascoe Vale, attended the AGM on Thursday night. Among the items that she talked about was an acknowledgement she gave the BUG, Council and individuals who have worked on various bike infrastructure projects within Moreland.

From Hansard on October 26, 2011 (PDF):

Moreland Bicycle User Group

Ms CAMPBELL (Pascoe Vale) — Congratulations to the Moreland Bicycle User Group (BUG) for its great work in promoting healthy and clean-energy transport. Its work assists all Moreland cyclists, from those for whom it is their principal transport to those who enjoy being recreational cyclists. Its website and email communication keeps everyone informed of current and future events. Thanks to Julia Mischke, whose emails keep us informed, and to all those at the Moreland BUG committee for their commitment. Thanks to those who work at Moreland City Council and dovetail in with local cyclists, particularly the infrastructure team headed by Nerina di Lorenzo, who has completed the ‘shovel ready’ plan for the final link of the Upfield shared pathway. Thanks to Sebastian Motta, whose work has addressed safety width and beautification around the Western Ring Road, which has been widened. When partnership, hard work and a comparatively small amount of funding all combine, sustainable and healthy cycling transport occurs.

The next big project is the Craigieburn rail corridor bike path, which is the next project for the Moreland BUG. The Moreland BUG, Moreland City Council and the Department of Transport all require action to bring this great idea to fruition. Because of the work by Moreland
City Council’s infrastructure team, detailed designs are available for Department of Transport staff when they are ready to action a rail corridor project. Congratulations to Cr Kathleen Matthews-Ward, whose vision and persistence taught us that it was possible, and to Paul McKay and Rod Overall, who showed up the pitfalls and solutions.

Update: this work is now scheduled to start on Monday 24th October.

News from Simon at Council:

If you ride along the Merri Creek Trail in East Brunswick please be aware of the following works.

Contractors will be pruning trees near the ACES facility in East Brunswick (between CERES and Albion Street – Melways 30 B6).

The contractors will be pruning trees to remove dead wood and improve tree structure. The works seek to address branches overhanging the ACES facility and the Merri Creek Path.

Most of the works will be away from the path but there will be times when the contractors require vehicle access to the path to remove timber and branches.

The works area will be clearly signed and contractors have agreed to avoid obstructing the path during peak times to minimise disruption to regular path users.

It is expected the works will commence on Monday 17th October (Today) and take about 1 week to complete. This estimate is dependent on good weather.

If you have any queries about these works please call 9240 1111 or email:

info@moreland.vic.gov.au
Attn: Lori Arthur Natural Resource Management Officer
Moreland City Council

News from north of the border…

Banksia Gardens Community Centre in Broadmeadows is seeking enthusiastic community members to form a small sociable volunteer team to establish a bicycle recycling and repair hub.

The Broadmeadows Bicycle Hub is a volunteer-run bicycle recycling and repair centre. As well as teaching and supporting local residents to repair and maintain their own bicycles, it will also recycle old bikes and sell them at heavily discounted prices. The aim is promote cycling in the Broadmeadows community to provide more access and mobility options as well as healthier lifestyles.The initiative will rely on forming a small sociable volunteer team to manage and run the hub.

Full training will be given and ongoing support will be provided by the CERES Bike Shed and Banksia Gardens Community Centre. We will be hosting a Volunteer Information Evening on Wednesday 9th November from 6:30-8pm at Banskia Gardens Community Centre (71-81 Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows). We will provide food and drink on the evening as well. Everyone welcome.

Ride to Work Day is on Wednesday the 12th of October 2011.

To acknowledge the day, Moreland City Council is hosting a Ride to Work Day community breakfast in Victoria Mall, Coburg (Melways 29, H1) between 7:30 and 9:00 am on the day.

If your commute to work doesn’t get you past Victoria Mall, check out the BV website to find a Ride to Work Day breakfast near you.

And don’t forget to register at https://ride2work.com.au/rtw/. One lucky registrant can win a signed and framed Cadel Evans BMC jersey as a reward!

If you are thinking about riding to work into the city on that day but are not sure how to do it you can meet up with BUG member Ross Millward who is happy to accompany you. Just send an email to committee@lists.morelandbug.org to take up his offer.

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The Moreland BUG’s Annual General Meeting is coming up and will be held on Thursday the 27th of October 2011 at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel (681 Sydney Road, Brunswick).

The meeting starts at 7.30 pm and will finish around 9.00 pm.

The ordinary business of the Annual General Meeting is:

1. Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting
2. Present the financial report
3. Elect the new Committee of Management
4. Other business

All BUG members (which includes all subscribers to this email list) are welcome to consider nominating for a position on the BUG committee.

The following positions are open for nomination:

• Convenor
• Deputy Convenor
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• 3 x Ordinary Members

For a description of the roles and duties associated with each position, please see the BUG’s Constitution or feel free to contact the current office bearers if you have any questions (treasurer@morelandbug.org ; secretary@morelandbug.org ; deputyconvenor@morelandbug.org ; convenor@morelandbug.org).

Nominations must be made in writing to Julia (secretary@morelandbug.org) by October 20 and must be signed by 2 other members of the BUG(which Julia can help organise).

Please note that nominations will also be accepted on the night of the AGM!

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The next Moreland BUG meeting will be on Thursday 25th of August. The meeting will be held at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel (corner of Sydney Rd and Albion St, Brunswick) in the back function room.

The meeting starts at 7:30pm and ends at 9:00.

Food and drinks can be purchased there. Members and guests are welcome. See you there!