Welcome to April!

We’ve got a heap of exciting news “straight from the workshop to you”. In this edition

• special offers on Allegro and Gazelle bikes still available until the end of the month
• Australian made bike gear… great local products
• dates of upcoming bike maintenance trainings
• reduced pricing on the Gazelle Innergy electric bikes announced
• our range of Kona bikes grows… again!
• gearing up for the darker months: increased range of lights (battery and dynamo!) and mudguards
• staff news: Quentin starts his Cert III
• This month’s controversial poll! VECCI: “Should it be mandatory for all cyclists to obtain some form of ‘bicycle license’?”
• finding stolen bikes
• extracts from Yarra BUG’s latest newsletter
• the latest news from around town from BikeFun

Happy and safe cycling!
Cheers,

Bill and the crew

Special offers on Allegro and Gazelle bikes still available until the end of April 2010

Allegro: Derailler gear or hub gear bike package deals including:

• Ortlieb Back Roller Classic panniers
• RackTime rear rack
• S-Sun high power light set

Sweet! But what model bikes?? And what price??
City 2 (24 speed flat bar city bike, Sora gears): $1100 ($350 total discount).
Onya 8 (8 speed hub gear, flat bar city bike): $1300 ($550 total discount)
Bicycle Victoria has just published a 4.5 out of 5 review of the City 2 in its latest edition of the RideOn magazine.
Check details at http://www.humanpowered.com.au/wp/?p=1459

And Gazelle: purchase a Gazelle city bike, we’ll throw in a Basil pannier bag and Gazelle AXA lock at no charge. Sweet! You choose the model from the Gazelle Bicycles range of city bikes (including the Chamonix, Medeo, Fuente, Basic, Toer Populair, Innergy electric and more). You choose a Basil Preston Shopper single bag, Basil Mirte Shopper single bag or Basil Blossom Postman single bag.

Check details at http://www.humanpowered.com.au/wp/?p=1763

Australian made gear

We’ve spent a lot of time hunting around for Australian made bike parts and accessories. And it’s been successful. This post on the web site covers the gear available from the local market. This includes Velocity wheels, Ron D Swan pannier bags, Cycle Underground chainrings, Brisbane Outdoor toestraps and bags plus more.

The post also talks about Australian owned bike brands using offshore manufacturing (including KNOG and Allegro).
We’re keen to hear of any other brands to add to the post or carry to support local bike businesses.
Read the full post at http://www.humanpowered.com.au/wp/?p=1888

Bicycle maintenance training: these dates are special

Due to “ongoing popular unprecedented demand” here’s the low down on bike training @ Human Powered.

• 14th April 6.30pm: Intermediate training
• 12th May 6.30pm: Introductory training
• 19th May 6.30pm: Intermediate training

Full details of the course content, pricing, how to book and heaps more at http://www.humanpowered.com.au/wp/?page_id=1582

Electric bikes: Gazelle Innergy reduced in price

The guys at Gazelle have just dropped the price of the Innergy electric bike. It was $4450 and has been reduced to $3950 (wow)!
“The Gazelle Orange Innergy is a revolutionary bike. The Dutch bike of the year for 2009 is currently the most sophisticated E-Bike on the market. The Gazelle quality and electric assistance is the perfect combination.”
More details and videos of the Innergy in action at http://www.gazellebicycles.com.au/gazelle-2010-collection/orange-innergy.html

Staff news: Quentin starts his Cert 3

We’re pretty keen on the TAFE bicycle mechanic training program that’s been restarted in the past couple of years. Greg Hallihan of Bicycle Training Australia has put a LOT of effort into getting a high quality
training system running and the results are already visible in the Melbourne bicycle repair industry.

Lewis is in his second year of the Certificate 3 in Bicycle Mechanics course. Bill and Joel both have their certificates and Quentin will be starting this week.

The training provides a formal framework for skills and learning in the bicycle industry and we strongly support it. The training runs through NMIT’s Fairfield campus (surprisingly convenient!) and requires 1 day per month contact. Although the course is only available to mechanics currently working in the industry, Greg does run some shorter courses for those interested in a Foot in the Door. So to speak. Some details are available from http://melbournecommunities.org.au/bta.html

Increased range of Kona bikes… again!

With the surprising popularity of the Konas, we’ve increased our range once again. If you come in now you’ll see on the floor:

• Dew City in all sizes
• Dew in all sizes – the reference in affordable commuting – (including discounted 60cm ’07 model!)
• Dew Plus – upgrade from the Dew in components, mechanical disc brakes – in 58cm (discounted ’09 model!)
• Smoke – chromoly frame, 24 speed, heavier duty that the Dew – in 18″
• Africabike – step through, 3 speed hub gear, rugged and simple
• Worldbike in 18″

We’ll continue to increase the range but help us with your input on the models you’d like to see here!

Gearing up for the darker months: increased range of lights (battery and dynamo!) and mudguards

Just a quick note to mention the range of winter gear we’ve got in at the moment. The range will increase but already we’ve got a really good
range of lights and mudguards including:

• the Planet Bike range (see http://www.humanpowered.com.au/wp/?p=1816) including the Cascadia mudguards (top quality and spare parts available)
• B&M Lumotec dynamo headlights (with rears to suit coming soon)
• the KNOG range including Frogs, Gekkos, Skinks etc
• wide range of mudguards including Serfas and Soma Eurotrip
• Shimano and Schmidt dynamo hub options available – give a call or drop in over the next month as our range of dynamo options grows

Controversial! VECCI poll “Should it be mandatory for all cyclists to obtain some form of ‘bicycle license’?”

Have your say on the VECCI web site by voting in this poll…

http://blog.vecci.org.au/2010/04/01/license-to-spill-is-bicycle-registration-needed/

Finding stolen bikes

Thanks to Melbourne Cyclist for this new web tool for finding stolen
bikes http://www.melbournecyclist.com/group/stolenbikes

And extracts from the latest newsletter from Yarra BUG..

lots of us live in or ride through Yarra regularly so hopefully these items are
interesting….
City of Yarra Bicycle Strategy Launch
The Bicycle Strategy was officially launched on Wednesday 31 March at
the Fitzroy Library. Thank you so much to EVERYONE who contributed to
the strategy – now we all have to ensure it’s implemented appropriately
by 2015! For hard copies of the strategy, please contact the council
(03) 9205 5555 e info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/consultation/Bicycle%20Strategy.asp

Canning/Pigdon Street upgrade
Cast your minds back to 2006, YarraUG made a submission regarding this
rather problematic roundabout.

http://www.yarrabug.org/YarraBUGPigdonCanningSubmissionJune06.pdf

City of Yarra: Improving road safety in North Carlton

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Publications/Media%20Releases/Road%

20Safety.asp
Road safety at the intersection of North Carlton’s Canning and Pigdon
streets will be improved, with a $102,000 project to begin in early
April. Jointly funded by Yarra City Council and the Department of
Transport, the project will alter the intersection to reduce conflict
between cars and cyclists. The intersection will no longer operate as a
roundabout. Stop signs will be installed on both sides of Pigdon Street,
requiring vehicles to stop for traffic on Canning Street. Give Way signs
will be installed in the middle of the intersection, requiring vehicles
to give way to intersecting traffic travelling along Canning Street.

News from Monash-CityLink-Westgate upgrade – Main Yarra Trail Works -
Closure of the Main Yarra Trail, Barkly Ave to Mary St
In order to carry out works on CityLink as part of the M1 Upgrade, a
section of the Main Yarra Trail between Barkly Ave and Mary St will be
closed from Monday 12 April until approximately August 2010. During this
time a detour route will be signed that will take trail users via Barkly
Avenue, Allan Bain Reserve and Mary St The detour provided avoids
heavily trafficked areas and has been used successfully in the past.
Temporary signs will be placed at key locations to guide traffic along
the detour route. Trail users are notified of the upcoming closures via
on trail signage. Information has also been posted on a range of
relevant stakeholder websites. Works requiring the closure of the Main
Yarra Trail will be completed as a priority in order to re-open the
Trail as soon as practicable. For further information on these works or
the Southern Link Upgrade in general, please call our project office on
8420 9500.

Thanks to Yarra BUG for these items. Join the YArraBUG mailing list at

http://yarrabug.org/mailman/listinfo/yarrabug-list_yarrabug.org

And the Autumn BikeFun update as follows….

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Yarra Valley rides – Sunday 11th April
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Just Cycle Yarra Valley is a new recreational cycling event in the Yarra
Valley. 45km and 120km courses and offers live music and entertainment
for all at Rochford Wines. Just Cycle Yarra Valley will raise awareness
and funds for Jesuit Social Services.
To find out more or register for the event, please visit
www.justcycle.com.au.

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Pub Bug – Friday 16th April
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6:00PM Mountain Goat Brewery Cnr North St & Clarke & St Richmond

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Warburton bicycle festival – Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd May
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http://www.warburtoncyclefest.com.au/

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REGULAR EVENTS:

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Darebin Bug Social Rides – Tuesdays and Thursdays
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9:30 a.m. corner plant and union street, northcote. 40 -60 km rides
mainly on bike paths and quiet streets for experienced cyclists. Bring
lunch, snacks and water. Contact Norm on 9484 4767 to confirm start time
and location (usually departs from Jika Jika).

http://www.darebinbug.org.au/rides.html

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Darebin Bug Port Melbourne Ride – Saturdays
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9.30am Meet at Jika Jika Neighbourhood House, cnr Plant & Union Sts,
Northcote. Slow ride suitable for beginners.

http://www.darebinbug.org.au/rides.html

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The Crosskeys Crusiers – Strathmore – Friday rides
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The Crosskeys Crusiers are a group of retired men and women who meet in
the Crosskeys CarPark near the Strathmore station at 9am on Friday
mornings.
The rides are decided each Friday and the adventure begins. Some riders
go till morning tea while others ride till lunch and then home at about
3pm. New members most welcome to chat and share the experience
Telephone Max 93783501 or John 93707829

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Cyclic Bikes to Mountain Goat – Fridays
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6pm sharp Cyclic Bikes, 56 Pin Oak Cres (opposite Newmarket Station)
Ride from Flemington to Mountain Goat Brewery (Richmond). Different
route each week, faster than your average bikefun ride.

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YarraBUG Radio – Every Monday on 3CR
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Broadcasting every Monday at 10-10.30am on 3CR Community Radio 855am

http://www.yarrabug.org/radio

Have an idea, want to be interviewed or have program feedback? We
welcome your contribution, after all YarraBUG Radio is here for you to
help you make your cycling safe, fun and infectious for others. YarraBUG
Radio- streaming live on the web at: http://www.3cr.org.au/3CR_streaming

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Most rides go at a social pace, run rain or shine, and are free (like
the streets themselves).

BikeFun depends on people like you to create events and contribute to
Melbourne’s creative bike community. Organise a ride (or whatever) and
BikeFun will promote it. email details to: bikefun@nikdow.net

To subscribe to the Bike Fun email, send a blank email to:
bikefunmelbourne-subscribe@lists.riseup.net