The section below is republished with permission from the Going Solar Transport Newsletter #47, 4 March 2008, compiled by Stephen Ingrouille. Going Solar, www.goingsolar.com.au/transport. This newsletter provides an excellent commentary on local sustainable transport issues in Melbourne.

Cycling and the Victoria Government
“Bikes help relieve congestion on the roads and on public transport - they should be the greatest friend to the roads and public transport ministers. It’s not just the verbal support that is lacking for bikes in Melbourne, which is losing ground as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Few dollars are being spent by the State Government encouraging bike use. Anyone who has visited Brussels, Amsterdam or Copenhagen recently would know Melbourne’s bike network is rudimentary at best.”
Ref: Jason Dowling, The Age, 13/1/08

Drive-to-Work Day
“It would be a suitable response to the recent anti-cyclist hoo-ha if the 70,000 Melburnians who cycle each day were to organise a Bike Free Day. They would just need to agree to drive a car to work instead of cycling, thereby claiming an extra 1000 kilometres or so of road space during peak hours. The effect on traffic congestion would be quite noticeable, one would think.”
Ref: Colin Smith, The Age, 20/1/08