Aushiker: Bicycling & Bushwalking in Western Australia

I have just got back from a relaxing six nights in Bali, Indonesia with Anne. We stayed at the Alam Ubud Culture Villas & Residences which is actually in Tegallalang about 20 to 30 minutes drive north of Ubud.

Alam Ubud Villas & Residences

If you are into getting away from it all, if you enjoy the sounds of nature, then the Alam Ubud Culture Villas & Residences is the place for you. It is a small group of 14 villas located on the banks of the Tukad Mas river, so you are surrounded by the tropical forest (no paddy fields) and share the sounds of the flowing river and all that live in the forest with you. (more…)

reads the headline given by the sub-editor to my recently published letter on page 6 of the April 7 2012, edition of the Fremantle Herald. I wrote in support of Mayor Brad Pettitt and the City of Fremantle council as it had in my view received some unfair criticism in terms of cycling infrastructure in the City. Dr Pettitt by the way was recently appointed to the board of WestCycle. An important and strategic move by the Board in my view.

(more…)

The Bicycle Transport Alliance in-conjunction with the Royal Automobile Club of WA (RAC) is holding a forum on Saturday May 5, 2012 or as they quaintly refer to it, a structured day event to provide allow input into a cooperative approach to providing feedback both from cycling groups and all cyclists on the draft Western Australian Bicycle Network Plan 2012 – 2021.

Feedback into the Western Australian Bicycle Network Plan

(more…)

In some ways this paper by Pucher, Dill & Handy (2010) is stating what we already know or suspect but it is important that policy development is evidence based and so I welcome finding this paper examining how infrastructure, programs,and policies impact on participation in cycling. The authors in the paper published in the journal, Preventive Medicine conclude that

most of the evidence examined in this review supports the crucial role of public policy in encouraging bicycling. Substantial increases in bicycling require an integrated package of many different, complementary interventions, including infrastructure provision and pro-bicycle programs, supportive land use planning, and restrictions on car use.

There is clearly a message in this paper for the Western Australian Minister of Transport, Troy Buswell as he develops and finalises the Western Australian Bicycle Network Plan 2012 – 2021 and Western Australia’s contribution to the National Bicycle Strategy.

Preventive Medicine

(more…)

Freo Cycle Chic have released a range of t-shirts promoting their love of cycling in Fremantle, called I {bike} FREO.  They are pretty cool looking t-shirts in my view, so why not share your love of cycling in Fremantle and support Freo Cycle Chic at the same time.

I {bike} FREO Freo Cycle Chic T-Shirts

The I {bike} FREO  t-shirts which are made of 100% certified organic fair-trade cotton sell for $30 delivered by bicycle (how cool is that?) in Fremantle or via Australia Post for an additional charge of $5.00.  The t-shirts come in slim fit/ladies and unisex/male styles. The sizes are S, M, L and XL. For further details on the sizing and how to order your t-shirts please email  [email protected].

Hope to see you around in your I {bike} FREO t-shirt.

Westcycle (they can also be found on Facebook and on Twitter) is the new state coordinating body for cycling in Western Australia. Westcycle is about embracing the competitive recreation and transport elements of cycling.

Westcycle Strategic Plan 2012-2014

Please click through for more details on the strategic focus of WestCycle