Following is the text of Bin the Bike Ban’s submission to the DOI review of the peak-hour bike ban.

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Bin the Bike Ban is a coalition of cycling groups and individuals gathered to overturn the recent Department of Infrastructure ban of bicycles on peak-hour trains. We represent over 500 individuals and have connections to many Victorian cycling groups.

Our position is that cycling and multi-model travel must both be encouraged as part of an integrated public transport model that aims to minimise car use. The benefits include improved public health, reduced road congestion and reduced reliance on oil. We believe that cycling should be supported by all levels of government as a normal, integrated form of transport.

In addition, we feel that the bicycle ban has been poorly managed, with limited consultation and public awareness prior to the ban taking force in January 2008.

We fully support the encouragement of ‘feeder travel’ to train stations with the provision of secure bicycle parking. However, many
passengers need their bicycles at both ends of their train journey — bicycle parking does not totally meet their needs.

Unless otherwise specified ‘carriages’ and ‘trains’ refer to both V/Line and Connex stock.

==Short-term goals (February and March 2008)==

1. Repeal the ban, effective immediately.

2. Widen the consultation process to include participating cycling groups from both regional and metropolitan areas in any future changes proposed by the Department of Infrastructure.

3. Improve communication to rail staff about locker management — existing lockers are not used efficiently due to uncertainties from cyclists about determining use and capacity, and procedures for their hire.

==Medium-term goals (2008–2009)==

4. Develop and disseminate a code of conduct for carrying bicycles and luggage on trains and publicise via pamphlets and posters.
Diagrams/photographs of how to carry bicycles on different types of carriages would be very useful for many cyclists who may not be aware of ways to minimise impacts on other passengers. Potential cyclists would be reassured that carrying a bicycle on a train is a legitimate activity. Clearly mark preferred sections of carriages for carrying.

5. Formalise and implement ongoing consultation with local cycling groups, such as region-based Bicycle User Groups (BUGs) as a necessary component of the decision-making process.

6. Announce any changes to regulations that reduce mobility compared to the current situation a significant period of time ahead of implementation. Install notices at relevant stations for a similar period.

7. Modify existing carriages to incorporate more flip-up seating and install bicycle storage loops/hooks Ensure that any changes do not impact upon existing disabled seating provision.

8. Increase secure bicycle parking at stations where required.

9a). Increase the frequency of V/Line services, including the introduction of partial services that do not run the entire line. b)
Introduce a standard, separate bicycle/luggage container on all services that do not already have one.

==Long-term goals==

10. Adopt an integrated (public) transport policy that encourages multi-modal travelling. Promote cycling as a normal commuter activity and just another form of transport.

11. Make ‘suitable bicycle storage provisions’ a requirement of any future train stock purchases, with the expectation that numbers of passengers carrying bicycles will increase.

Saturday 10am, 26th January. CERES Cafe, 8 Lee Street East Brunswick.

Purpose of meeting:

• Appraise progress and reappraise aims
• Articulate and hash out requests to take to DOI
• Enjoy badgy goodness
• Lycra-off competition*

Photo from the first meeting:

Google map for CERES Cafe:

View Larger Map

* Just kidding. Sorry. ALL THE LYCRA STAYS ON.

We will send in our submission by next Tuesday (29th Jan) and I would expect to have some response back about that late that week.

If you want to contribute to the BtBB statement, please join the mailing list and take part in discussion or else, leave a comment on the website right here.

Alan Bull and Mark Slater protesting against the bike ban. Photographer: Jemina Wilson

ABC Central Victoria: Bike ban protest

ABC Online: Train bike ban sparks protest
Cyclists have been at the Castlemaine and Bendigo railway stations in central Victoria this morning protesting against a ban on bicycles on peak hour trains. The State Government announced yesterday that it is reviewing the ban which is due to take effect on regional services from next month.

Castlemaine environmentalist and cyclist Jill Gibson says better use of luggage areas would allow bikes to fit comfortably on trains. She says cyclists have been handing out flyers and asking people to sign a petition against the ban.

“In that flyer we’ll be including contact details for anyone that people might want to contact and a copy of a letter that might help make it easier for them to do some protesting as well if they wanted to,” she said.

ABC Online: Organisers say around 100 people attended the protest. Photographer: Jemina Wilson

Protesters who travelled to Bendigo station from Castlemaine. Photographer: Jemina Wilson.

ABC Online: Jill Gibson delivered a letter to Cr. Keith Reynard outlining concerns about the bike ban. Photographer: Jemina Wilson

ABC Online: Jill Gibson of Mount Alexander Sustainability Group talks with Cr. Keith Reynard. Photographer: Jemina Wilson

ABC Online: Cr. Keith Reynard attended the protest then rode his bike to work. Photographer: Jemina Wilson

Bike ban audio: Carol Skinner and Bronwyn Machin discuss the bike ban

Cyclists across Victoria are stepping up a gear to overturn the bike ban on trains. Connex and V/Line travellers are at loggerheads with transport operators, who say the ban is needed to ease overcrowding across the rail network. Some cycling groups believe the ban was a knee-jerk reaction by the State Government to placate train travellers fed up with cramped conditions.

And the latest Department of Infrastructure figures from a recent passenger survey found that fewer than 100 cyclists carried their bikes on board peak hour trains each day.On Wednesday morning, about 100 cyclists are expected to arrive at Bendigo station to protest against the ban.

Protest organiser Jill Gibson said the ban had already begun to affect regular commuters. She called on Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky to allow bikes back on trains. Ms Gibson said cyclists would take cardboard bicycles on to the train from Castlemaine to Bendigo in a “symbolic gesture”.

“We figure that the number of people wanting to commute and bring their bikes is increasing … there are no limitations on the number of prams allowed on trains,” Ms Gibson said.

On Friday, the City of Greater Bendigo voted to push for Ms Kosky to dump the ban and to initiate and lead a delegation of central Victorian councils to meet with V/Line management to highlight the negative implications the ban will have on regional train travellers.

The facilities development manager at Bicycle Victoria, Jason den Hollander, said the organisation recognised the problems of overcrowding on peak-hour services but said the ban could be modified to allow bikes on certain carriages.

Mr den Hollander said more secure bike parking at stations was needed and that folding bikes should be allowed on all public transport. Bicycle Victoria is working with the department to get secure cages built at Eltham and South Geelong stations, which is part of a pilot program.

A spokeswoman for the Bin the Bike Ban lobby group, Brianna Laugher, acknowledged that trains were overcrowded and said cyclists didn’t want preferential treatment.

“If they need to beef up restrictions because of overcrowding that is fine.

“But the peak-hour ban is unacceptable because it removes too much flexibility and perhaps legitimises some antagonism to cyclists,” she said.

Cyclists are banned from taking bikes on peak-hour services in Perth. However, those with foldable bikes can use any service, as can riders with unicycles.

The new rules prevent cyclists taking their bikes on Zone 1 metropolitan trains that arrive in the city between 7am and 9am, or leave it between 4pm and 7pm.

http://www.binthebikeban.org

If you already have a Flickr account, you can join and post images directly to the group pool. If not, you can still email them to us and we will put them up. The 6 latest images from the pool will have little thumbnails at the bottom of the menu on the right. If you use feeds (like RSS) you can subscribe to the latest images feed.

You could put up

• Slogan-like images
• Images showing the peaceful coexistence of bikes and train passengers
• Any other creative variations you can think of etc.

Any offensive images or text will not be permitted, so keep it nice!

How can you help? Let us know:

• Creating cardboard props [beforehand]
• Disseminating information via email/phone (eg. press releases) [beforehand]
• Disseminating information in person (eg. leaflets) [beforehand]
• Using cardboard props [on the day]
• Disseminating information in person (eg. leaflets) [on the day]
• Taking photographs, providing moral support [on the day]

What are your preferred times and places for taking part?

Estimated requirements

• Active partipants: at least a dozen?
• Supportive types: at least 10?
• Press releases: released at least Friday 8th??
• Prop construction: weekend 9-10th

From Mount Alexander Sustainability Group
Bring your symbolic bike made from cardboard to Castlemaine station and tell your cycling story with others. Come share a cuppa and then board the 7.49am peak hour train service to Bendigo to get the message across to V/line that they must withdraw the ban.

We expect 100 or more cyclists and supporters to be gathering in Central Victoria! See link for ideas. Cardboard can be found at bike shops or the tip. Go recycle to cycle!!!!!!

Bin the Bike Ban action meetings: V/Line’s decision to ban bikes on peak services has been covered extensively in the media. At a meeting at MASG on 14th January, 20 cyclists agreed to ask V/Lline to:

1. reverse the current ban, and
2. open the doors to ongoing discussion and consultation on public transport, commuting and bicycles.

The action plan includes:

1. Emails, letters, petition and deputations to local and state Government reps and departments.
2. Invite a V/Line representative to a public forum/consultation on the issue.
3. On going long term campaigning and meetings to look at the longer term issues and discussions with V/Line and Public Transport officials.

The group will be meeting again at MASG, 6.30pm, Monday 21st January.

Background
Your support and committment is being sought on this issue which goes a long way to finding immediate to long term solutions to addressing ongoing environmental/sustainable transport. Transport is about 15% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and about 17% in Central Victoria.

If a person who normally cycles to the station in Bendigo, trains and then cycles in Melbourne, now has to drive all the way, then that would create an additional 28 tons per year, approx, and for someone commuting by car between Bendigo and Castlemaine it would be about 3 tons per year.

Courtesy of Eve, we now have badges.

No self-respecting campaign isn’t complete without these stylish little beauties.

These are just the perfect fashion accessory for any crumpler, pannier or favourite item of attire.

If you want some of these must-have cycling accessories, please contact us to arrange posting, drop off etc.

Hopefully stickers and more Bin the Bike Ban propaganda will be available soon.

Stay tuned!

“Ban blameshifting not bikes with URL”:

• Download the original PNG (width over 1000px)
• Download the 500px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 250px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/banblameshiftingnotbikes-url-250.png" border="0" alt="Ban blameshifting not bikes!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

“Bikes belong on trains with URL”:

• Download the original PNG (width over 1000px)
• Download the 500px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 250px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/bikesbelongontrains-url-250.png" border="0" alt="Bikes belong on trains!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

“Bin the bike ban with URL”:

• Download the original PNG (width over 1000px)
• Download the 500px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 250px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/binthebikeban-url-250.png" border="0" alt="Bin the bike ban!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

And now… square ones!!

“Bin the bike ban square”:

• Download the original PNG (width over 1000px)
• Download the 200px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 100px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/binthebikeban-square-100.png" border="0" alt="Bin the bike ban!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

“Bin the bike ban square with border”:

• Download the 400px PNG
• Download the 200px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 100px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/binthebikeban-square-border-100.png" border="0" alt="Bin the bike ban!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

“Bin the bike ban square with a border AND a URL!”:

• Download the 200px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 400px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/binthebikeban-square-border-url-200.png" border="0" alt="Bin the bike ban!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

Let me know if any links don’t work, I’m going a bit crosseyed from html code…

And now… circles!

“Bin the bike ban circle”:

• Download the 600px width PNG
• Download the 200px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the 100px width PNG
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/binthebikeban-circle-100.png" border="0" alt="Bin the bike ban!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

And finally…
“Bin the bike ban circle with URL”:

• Download the 600px width PNG
• Download the 200px width PNG (displayed above)
• Download the SVG (can print at any size)

Add this banner to your site by copy-and-pasting this code:
<a href="http://www.binthebikeban.org" title="binthebikeban.org"><img src="http://modernthings.org/bikeban/binthebikeban-circle-url-200.png" border="0" alt="Bin the bike ban!" title="binthebikeban.org" /></a>

I know these round ones are a bit crooked, so you’ll just have to think of it as hand-spun charm.