http://www.visitwangaratta.com.au/contact_enquiry.asp

“To who it may concern.

Has your organisation considered the effect on tourism in your area, due to the newly imposed bicycle travel restrictions on Metlink and V/Line?

Melburnians often use suburban trains, in peak hour, mid-week with their bikes, to connect with early morning V/Line trains at Southern Cross station. Now missing these early morning country trains due to the restrictions imposed by the bans, may often result in a day being wasted, as later trains may not depart till near midday.

Have you got a rail trail or cycling paths in your region? When cyclists come to your local area, they spend money on accommodation, food and other holiday pursuits. The bans on bikes on trains will reduce tourism in your area and result in financial loss to your community.

Perhaps the new Victorian bicycle bans need to be thought through a little more? If you agree, please consider voicing your opposition through your organisation.

Regards

………….”

“Welcoming communities, excellent services and a multitude of lifestyle opportunities make Provincial Victoria an exciting and rewarding place to live.”

I reckon there may well be numerous councils and shires who wouldn’t be pleased about the mixed messages either.

The spot for bikes is very small and not quite as long as a bicycle – you can fit maybe three on each carriage, with the front wheel bent, but if there’s even a single bike then there’s not enough room for any other wheeled items, such as walkers, prams, wheeled luggage that can’t be lifted etc.

You should go and have a look at one, to get the full idea of how they have stuffed up the design.

Recreational bike riding has become important low impact high revenue tourism for areas on good v-line routes from Melb (eg Castlemaine-Newstead etc) and the new train carriages are a backward step.

maybe try to leave wads of them at bike shops where you can tell the people who work there about the meeting so they can pass it on to people who pick up the leaflets

Goodluck with handing them out!

I’m interested with how many non-cyclists take one as well, because I’ve noticed lately non-cyclists approaching me and telling me they think the ban is crap.

I don’t have a printer so I can’t hand them out though, sorry!