YarraBUG

On this weeks program Chris talks to Kia Matley from Melburn Durt about upcoming Bike Film Night on 28 October 2025 which is a collaboration with Melburn Durt, Little Projector Company, Fifty Fifty and Bite-Sized Rides.The details: BYO camp chair, some food and non-alcoholic refreshments and join us at 7:45pm on Tuesday 28 October, at Balam Balam Place for a night of outdoor (but undercover!) cinema.We also chat about adventures, film selections, snacks and plans including Melburn Durt's upcoming 10th anniversary, the Radical Adventure Riders bike packing gear library at Off Course Off Course Bike Shop and Kia speaking at Cycling Wild Ikara Expedition Recap – A guide to the Flinders Ranges and beyond at 6:30pm - 9pm, Wednesday 22 October at Inner North Brewing Company.Local news includes a recap of last weeks Ride2Work Day and get ready for next weeks Critical Mass ride on 31 October 2025!Program musicB I K E, H O N N ETour de Velo, Jon Brenner

Faith and Val are joined in the studio today by our guest Robbie Webb. We all share our bike moments before taking a brief look at some news. We discussed the proposed e-bike ban in a previous episode and sadly there is no good news on this front. Bicycle Network are calling on people to contact their local MPs and keep up the campaign to make sure the efforst to keep train travellers safe don't compromise transport accessibility. You can read what you can do here. Robbie tells us about their epic trip around the world, why they set off on a bike to circumnavigate the globe and how they came to establish the record as the "First openly transgender person to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle" (pending).We talk about the politics that loomed and has since made many parts of this trip difficult if not impossible for transgender people,  and the contrast with the experience on the road with the people they met along the way as well as the realities of just keeping pedalling day after day.  

On this weeks program Chris speaks with Karen Hovenga and Ellen Sandall, Greens State MP for Melbourne about  Wellington Street and Macaulay Road active transport infrastructure issues.Local news includes Bicycle Network Member Night - 50 Year Celebration, 6pm, Wednesday, 8 October, next Richmond Repair Corner, Sunday 26 October, National Ride2Work Day, Wednesday 15 October and keep an eye on local Biketober events across Victoria this October.During a glorious Saturday morning in Darling Gardens, Clifton Hill, Chris and Karen chat about Lets make Wellington Street safer: we strongly suggest Option 1 Bicycle Street for both stage 3 and 4 as it reduces traffic and improves local walkability as well as cyclability, and has more trees, similar to the existing Canning Street route in Carlton, one of Melbourne’s best known cycling corridors that’s safe, peaceful, enjoyable and effective.Survey is open to Monday 13 October 2025Read about existing modal filters, the “Bicycle Street” option for Wellington Street is b

Faith and Val are joined in the studio on a stunning spring morning by Alsion McCormack, CEO of Bicycle Network. We spend far too long sharing our bike moments before moving on to the current consultation on the Wellington Street improvements. Open until Monday October 13th the project looks at ways to improve the street and make it safer for vulnerable road users. Make sure you check it out, particulalry if you need to ride soth from Darebin or Merri-bek or the northern parts of Yarra. Discussion turns to Bicycle Network and its 50th year celebrations in 2025. Alison takes us through its inception as the Bicycle Institute of Victoria in 1975 to the presnet day, some of the changes the organisation has made along the way and the direction they are taking in looking to the future and the next fifty years. One of the recent campaigns BN has run has been about the proposed bans on people travelling with e-bikes on trains. Alison reminds us about the E-Bike Expo this coming weekend in Brunswick where vistors will

On this weeks program Chris interviews Sally from Streets Alive Darebin about ongoing issues with risky St George's Road intersections, crossovers and connections.We discuss historial changes, including 2009 change from a roundabout at  Northcote to signalised intersection, working on building a direct connection to Merri Creek Path, Northern Pipe Trail connections to the north, safety issues with crossovers to central median path as it's a major tram route and the premier cycling route in the north of Melbourne with over half a million cycle journeys a year.Streets Alive Darebin are calling on Kat Theophanous: Member for Northcote and Gabrielle Williams: Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport and VicRoads to fix the southern intersection at Charles and Merri Parade to improve safety for cyclists, and all road users, connecting to the shared median path heading north.Join Us for Critical Mass St George's Road: meet State Library, 5.30pm Thursday 25 September 2025 (Gran

  Andrew from Neighbourly Ride joins Val on the tandem to chat on the power of the humble bicycle  to bring people togeather, enhance our physical and mental health and bring moments of unexpected joy into our lives. "You have to try very hard not to have fun on a bike."https://neighbourlyride.com/

On this weeks program Chris speaks to Angelica and Alex about community concerns in Brunswick about increased Moreland Road volume, traffic speeds and requirement for more safe infrastructure, especially after man was killed during a hit run incident, while walking a bicycle in the bike lane, on Sunday 24 August 2025. This is the second fatality within six months on Moreland Road.Brunswick Voice: Moreland Road hit-and-run driver remains at largeDetectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit who are investigating the incident believe the car involved was a white 2016 Audi Q5 SUV. It is likely to have visible damage to both its front and passenger side.Angelica mentions the new Safe Moreland Road group and a related Victorian Government Legislative Council petition: Pedestrian and cyclist safety on Moreland RoadAlex speaks about his snap-action protest in respect for the rider, support of getting better infrastructure and safer speeds in the Moreland Road area.Local news includes Victoria's new Speed Zo

Faith and Val are joined in the studio today by Dr Afshin Jafari Research Fellow at RMIT's Centre for Urban Research. We all share our bike moments before taking a look at two local pieces of news.First a reminder that the proposed ban on people travelling with e-bikes is open for consultation until today.  You just have time to have your say! Once you have done that make sure you contact your local MP.Secondly the City of Yarra are looking at changes they can make to the intersection of Scotchmer Street and St Georges Road to improve it. Take a look and give them your feedback. Dr Afhsin Jafari takes us through the elements that make for a safe bike lane including all the considerations about width. These are very relavent in Yarra at the moment with discussion around narrowing the Elizabeth Street protected bike lanes. We also take a look at the different standards used around the world and in Australia, their consistencies and otherwise, and local inconsistencies in building to the guidelines. As new peopl

On this weeks show, Chris has a radio edit of the Future of North Richmond - People, Bikes, Cars and Housing forum held Thursday 7 August 2025 with presentations by Karen Hovenga (see Elizabeth Street, North Richmond housing) and Jeremy Lawrence (see Councillor vs. Officer Plans), that also involves Elizabeth Street protected lanes 'narrowing' and adjacent issues.The next Yarra Council meeting on 12 August 2025, please make a submission and attend the meeting if you can. Read Bicycle Network: Yarra to vote – again – on critical bike route (8 August 2025)It was a good discussion, attended by members of the North Richmond Precinct Community Committee and other local residents. 'We learned that the East and West Carparks, on the housing estate, are not fully utilised (about 50% empty) and that all residents who own a car in their own name can be given a car park permit, as well as any regular support workers.  Residents also discussed the difficulty that they have in owning bikes as they don't have secure storag

Faith and Val are joined in the studio today by Elliot Fishman of the Institute for Sensible Transport to discuss the Victorian State Government's proposed ban on people travelling with e-bikes on trains. We share our bike moments and our first ever sponsorship by Bicycle Network.We discuss the policy and data vacumn within which this decision is being made, the ensuing lack of impact assesment and the ongoing failure of the State Government when it comes to this important part of the transport system. Despite calls from Coroner Audrey Jamison seven years ago for the better regulation of e-bikes little has been done, even after the Morrison government made the importation of more dangerous non-compliant bikes easier in 2021. While the  ban seeks to address the issue of battery fires on trains, especially in tunnels, the ban is imposed on e-bikes whose batteries have never been associated with these fires. The ban will impact people accessing work, addressing shortfalls in the PT system, dangerous gaps in the

On this week's show Chris chats to Rochelle Anderson from Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre about the new Boroondara e-bike library trial programme, what's involved, providing locals to try out a top of the range e-bike, the bikes, training, how the Merri-bek e-bike trial went, responsibilities, survey follow up and more.The topic de jour everywhere is e-bikes and safety concerns on public transport, with bit of back history about previous bike bans back in 2008 on V/Line and Connex which stemmed from storage issues and overreach.In short, the e-bike compliance issue sits at Federal government with grey imports, point of sale and dodgy conversions. Concerned about e-bike PT restrictions? Please contact your local state member ASAP and make a submission to Conduct on Public Transport Regulations by 18 August 2025.Remembering John Englart: Family and friends will celebrate John’s life on Monday, July 28, 12 noon – 4pm, at St Mark’s Fawkner, corner of Lee Street and Sydney Road. All who knew John are welcome. Gi

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Andrea Bunting, Secretary of Climate Action Merri-bek. We share our bike moments and take a look at some local news including the death of Brian Dixon, co-founder of Bicycle Network, and the recent suggestion that e-bikes should be registered as motorbikes. We remember our friend John Englart who passed away suddenly last week and his incredible legacy as an activist and campaigner for sustainable transport and climate action.John was a member, and often committee member, of Merri-bek BUG since 2007 and Convenor of Climate Action Merri-bek since 2013.  But his history as an activist and campaigner goes back decades; participant and organiser in the Rides against Uranium in the 1970s and '80s, Critical Mass rider since the1990s, writer, publisher, diligent documentor of campaigns and activism, he also found time to be a beloved friend, father and partner. Vale John Englart 1955-2025. A celebration of John's life will be held on Monday July 28th 12-4pm at St Mark's Chur

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Mathew Peckham and we all share our bike moments, including the 2025 Melburn Roobaix and installation of a long overdue prioirty crossing on the Inner Circle Trail at Alfred Crescent. We note the improvement to the City of Melbourne bike lane budget since last week. while also noting it still won't deliver the projects in the Transport Strategy. Mathew tells us about a crash he suffered on a protected bike lane in the CBD when a distracted pedestrian stepped in front of his bike. Mathew suffered injuries that prevented him from working for a significant amount of time and have left him with ongoing health issues but was disappointed to discover that despite having paid registration and TAC insurance premiums for decades, his crash wasn't covered becasue there was no motor vehicle involved. We chat about the changes made to TAC over the years to better adapt it to provide no fault support, and the social contracts we have where we pool resources to ensure everyone is l

On this weeks program Chris catches up with Cr Sophie Wade from City of Yarra about local walking and cycling initiatives, her recent European trip that illustrate how London, Paris, Rotterdam and many European cities are providing active transport options for their citizens, including micromobility, bike hangars, 30km/h zones, school zones, allocating road space to people and smooth transitions on paths and surfaces, and returning home, talking about that now infamous 8 April meeting at Yarra Council, on to positive stuff such as upgrades to Wellington/Johnston Street intersection, design work and upgrading Wellington, Gipps and Langridge Streets.Local news includes Sundays Melburn Roobaix roll that showed the glorious biodiversity of cycling in this town, Victoria Walks: talking walking and driving and Nick Reeces predictable backflip and weird 'safety' pivot over protected lanes despite a overwhelming public response supporting safe infrastructure.Today is final day of 3CR radiothon - a big THANK YOU to ev

Fresh from a brief technical gremlin wrestling session Faith and Val warm up the mikes by sharing their bike moments. We check in on our Radiothon fundrasing target and remind everyone of the different ways they can make a donation to keep 3CR and Yarra BUG Radio on air! If you'd like to make a donation you can do so here: https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/yarrabugradioshow Every litlle bit helps! We recap events at the Future Melbourne Commitee's Draft Budget submiissions hearing last week where 179 people registed to speak to their submissions to the CoM budget, particularly the bike lane budget. With over 1450 submissions calling for the bike lane budget to be increased to the levels of the last term, it was a long night! You can watch the meeting here You can read more about the City of Melbourne bike lane budget (including a detailed analysis of the spin around bike lane funding) here. Bicycle Network are calling on everyone to email Councillors and ask them to increase the funding. We finish up with a remin

On this weeks program Chris talks to Kathryn Good from the Story Bridge Active Transport Alliance about the sudden footpath closure earlier in 2025 apparently due to Cyclone Alfred, difficulties with any answers being given, poor communication from Brisbane City Council, poor detour arrangements, discovering reports about the bridge being being at risk of further damage from the elements and vehicles, who will foot the maintanance or restoration costs, planned court actions, petition to Brisbane City Council, organising bike bus for users safety and where changes to transport planning in cities like Paris and London has lead to fantastic outcomes for active transport. Also see Bike Queensland: Bike Bus scheduled for Story Bridge and Space4Cycling Brisbane.Local news: Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece has an attempt at appealing to Melbourne's cycling community, Bike Melbourne and Bicycle Network local campaign to restore City of Melbourne active transport budget, how to stay warm on the bike tips from Sarah @ E

Our 2025 radiothon show has a bit of everything with Val, Chris, Steve and Nik in the studio, Dr Moss Cass' contribution to community radio, the Great Ride of Return, bicycle moments, the rebirth of Critical Mass since 2022 and how it has changed, including local advocacy mobilisation in response to Yukako Fukuharas tragic death on King Street in May 2022 and that Melbourne City Council on June 2022 meeting. Her name was Yukako: Yukako was a kind, funny and joyful woman from Japan who dreamed of improving her English in Melbourne and was living that dream until her life was tragically cut short in a bicycle accident with a truck on King Street in the CBD on her way to school on May 17th 2022. Nik talks about what happens next with Melbourne City Council on 17 June 2025 and bicycle infrastructure funding and Val reading Mulga Bill riding his new bike into Deadman's Creek. Givenow to Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio!Celebrate everything you love about community and bike riding by supporting Your Station, Your Vo

On this weeks program Chris chats to Hiroyuki Yuzurihara about his world cycling journey that started as a homage to his grandfathers attempt to write a novel seventy years ago, his adventures, reasons for traveling, what he's experienced, how he's found Melbourne, the kindness of strangers, meeting new friends and what’s coming next. You can catch up with Hiro on threads, buy me a coffee and more.Local news includes last Fridays Critical Mass: Big City Lights ride, Save the City of Melbourne’s Bike Lane Budget: make a submission by 5pm, Monday June 2025 and 3CR 2025 Radiothon: Your Station, Your Voice!Donate here to keep Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio & radical community radio on airProgram musicShonen Knife, Cycling is funAvicii, Wake me up

Faith and Val are joined in the studio by Nik Dow of Bike Melbourne. We share our usual bike moments before turning to the Draft City of Melbourne budget currently out for consultation. Nik explains that Despite Mayor Reece's commitment during the 2024 elections to “maintain investment in bike lanes over the next four years at the same level as the previous term of council”, the draft budget shows a huge cut to funding.The City of Melbourne is proposing to spend more on Christmas decorations than it will on building new protected bike lanes and will fall significantly behind in its aims to build 50km of new physically protected bicycle lanes by 2030 on local roads. City of Melbourne is proposing to spend $1.5M in comparison to the City of Sydney spending $13M in an area twice the CoM. With such a small investment the schedule for buidling the nwtork of 50km of new protected bike lanes by 2030 can never be met. You can make your submission to the Draft Budget here. (The section for the first text box is "Bike

On this weeks program Chris interviews Dr Afshin Jafari, Lead researcher and RMIT Research Fellow about new research (Melbourne cycling infrastructure plan risks getting stuck in low gear if feeder networks not considered) that shows that state and local governments should connect and build more dedicated bike lanes to make the existing Strategic Cycling Corridors a viable transport option.'In this study, we developed a city-scale agent-based simulation model for Greater Melbourne to evaluate changes in travel mode share from cycling infrastructure modifications. We clustered bicycle riders into five demographic groups: Maverick Males, Motivated Adults, Conscientious Commuters, Young Sprinters, and Relaxed Cruisers, estimating mode choice parameters for each group.'RMIT: Understanding the impact of city-wide cycling corridors on cycling mode share among different demographic clusters in Greater Melbourne, AustraliaNews includes City of Melbourne and Yarra Council draft budgets, with reduced funding for active