Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio on 3CR

15/08/2025

📷Thanks to Bicycle Network for the graphics!

📱 The media has been full of articles on e-bikes and an apparent looming ‘ban’ on public transport and trains due to safety concerns with lithium-ion battery fires.

‼️ The issue sits at Federal government level with grey imports, insufficient regulations and resulting dodgy conversions – ‘banning’ e-bikes wholesale across public transport networks will not solve the battery problems or compliance and create major accessibility barriers for many people who use e-bikes as a safe, convenient form of micro-mobility.

🥘 Our inner suburbs have large numbers of gig economy workers, many who travel from middle – outer suburbs via Melbourne’s train network, this ‘ban’ doesn’t mention the impact any restrictions would have directly on gig economy workers, adjacent industries to local hospo industry and Yarra’s local business economy.

➡️ Engage Victoria/Department of Transport & Planning – Make your submission here by 18 August 2025:
https://engage.vic.gov.au/public-transport-regulations

🟥 Proposed Ban on People travelling with E-Bikes on Trains:
https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-advocacy/e-bike-ban-2/

🟥 Conduct on Public Transport Regulations: feedback open to 18 August 2025:
https://www.yarrabug.org/2025/08/04/conduct-on-public-transport-regulations-feedback-open-to-18-august-2025/

‘The draft regulations include new regulations to restrict e-scooters, e-bikes and other battery-powered transport devices on public transport.’

11/08/2025

🎞️ 'Effect of narrowing the bike lane' slide seven from 'Councillor vs. Officer Plans' from Jeremy Lawrence, Streets Alive Yarra Inc., fyi there's a link in our podcast

New 3CR Community Radio podcast: Future of North Richmond - People, Bikes, Cars and Housing forum

🎧 Listen back: https://www.3cr.org.au/yarrabug/episode/future-north-richmond-people-bikes-cars-and-housing-forum

Or find us on , Community Radio Plus app or podcast client of choice

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 - Community Activist (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 City Council meeting on 12 August 2025, please make a submission and attend the meeting if you can.
https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/about-us/committees-meetings-and-minutes/council-meeting-12-august-2025

Read Bicycle Network: Yarra to vote – again – on critical bike route (8 August 2025)
https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/newsroom/2025/08/08/yarra-to-vote-again-on-critical-bike-route/

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 storage and have to either store them in their homes, or experience having them stolen and needing to be replaced.'

Read about Future of North Richmond - Elizabeth St motion sent to Yarra councillors that could help find a solution with a community working group.

Local news includes (ebike) Conduct on Public Transport Regulations: feedback open to 18 August 2025 and previous guests on our show, Leo and Cezary from Two Birders, Two Bikes making their goal with opening of Builecon primary school near Balibo.

https://www.yarrabug.org/2025/08/04/conduct-on-public-transport-regulations-feedback-open-to-18-august-2025/

Program Music

B I K E, H O N N E
Restraint, Tycho

04/08/2025

Faith and Val were joined in the studio 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 discuss the policy and data vacuum within which this decision is being made, the ensuing lack of impact assessment 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. Tune in below to hear the full program.

With no timeframe established for the ban, and even less urgancy once it is in place, there is little hope it will ever be revoked.

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 poli...

01/08/2025

🏙️ Future of North Richmond – People, Bikes, Cars and Housing: come to a forum of community members to discuss what we want Elizabeth Street and the North Richmond precinct to look like in 10-20 years.

🗓️ 6pm – 8pm, Thursday, 7 August 2025
Ground Floor Community Room, 106 Elizabeth St, Richmond

✅ Register to attend at humanitix:
https://events.humanitix.com/future-of-north-richmond-people-bikes-cars-and-housing

💬 We’ll be discussing the likely increase in housing and population, the Elizabeth St bike lanes, and how car parking works in the area now and in the future.

📌 We will have presentations on

🌇 Housing – What sort of housing will we have in 10-20 years

🚘 Cars – What does car parking in North Richmond look like now and in the future

🚴 Bikes – Elizabeth Street Protected Bike Lanes and how they can meet future transport needs.

🗨️ Then we will open the floor to a moderated discussion and question time. Please register for a speaker ticket if you would like to speak.

Ideally, we would have translators for Vietnamese and Mandarin speakers.

Please contact us if you can help with communicating with these members of our community.

30/07/2025

New 3CR Community Radio podcast: Talking about the Boroondara E-Bike Library + more!

🎧 Listen back or find us on , Community Radio Plus app or podcast client of choice:
https://www.3cr.org.au/yarrabug/episode/talking-about-boroondara-e-bike-library-more

On this week's show Chris chats to Rochelle Anderson from Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre about the new City of 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 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.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/public-transport-regulations

Gipps Street news: apparently the ramps + works will be finished by December 2025!

Yarra news: with the ongoing Elizabeth Street protected lanes campaign, there are some things we can’t get done on our own at the local council level and that’s where you come in, please contact Melissa Horne MP, Roads Minister and Gabrielle Williams MP, Public and Public and Active Transport Minister.

Future of North Richmond – People, Bikes, Cars and Housing: come to a forum of community members to discuss what we want Elizabeth Street and the North Richmond precinct to look like in 10-20 years.

6pm – 8pm, Thursday, 7 August 2025
Ground Floor Community Room, 106 Elizabeth St, Richmond

We’ll be discussing the likely increase in housing and population, the Elizabeth St bike lanes, and how car parking works in the area now and in the future.

Register: https://events.humanitix.com/future-of-north-richmond-people-bike

21/07/2025

In today's show Val, Faith and Andrea Bunting shared memories of John Englart and his work and play with Rides Against Uranium, Critical Mass naarm - Melbourne, Merri-bek BUG and Climate Action Merri-bek. We barely scratched the surface of his legacy but remembered his capacity for collating and sharing knowledge and analysis along with his infectious sense of fun and engaging manner. John's family are inviting everyone who knew him to celebrate his life with them on Monday July 28th and you'll find all the details at the link in the podcast notes.

Click on the link to listen in.

https://www.3cr.org.au/yarrabug/episode/remembering-john-englart-1955-2025

16/07/2025

Vale John Englart 1955-2025

We are saddened by the news that John Englart aka Takvera, has passed away. John has been a key activist in many sustainability and active transport related groups, including Climate Action Merri-bek, Merri-bek BUG, Extend Upfield Bike Path to Upfield, Critical Mass naarm - Melbourne and many more in naarm Melbourne and across Australia. He was also a prolific writer (a "citizen journalist") on climate and sustainable transport issues and a generous sharer of knowledge. John has been a guest on the Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio Show on many occasions as well as other programs on 3CR Community Radio .

Historian, activist, anti nuclear campaigner way back in the 70s, tireless advocate for safe cycling everywhere. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and everyone, a lovely man who will be really missed. And cuddles to to his beloved Indiana Jones & Juliet. Rest in power John.

https://www.instagram.com/takvera/
https://takvera.blogspot.com/
https://www.flickr.com/people/takver/

15/07/2025

‼ 'Designs for Elizabeth Street have been released under Freedom of Information, showing how the street can work for everyone' ‼

‘There’s something for everyone in the design plans for Elizabeth Street, released under Freedom of Information, including car parking on the north side of the street. Unfortunately, these plans won’t be proceeding because they were never shown to Councillors, and instead Council resolved on 22 April 2025 to drastically narrow the bike lanes and buffers in favour of adding back car parking. Now that they’re in the public domain it’s up to Council to look at them and to choose to adopt them – it should be on the agenda for the August 2025 council meeting.’

Read more 1: https://streets-alive-yarra.org/journal/something-for-everyone-on-elizabeth-street/

2025 – Update 1: the saga so far – Elizabeth Street protected lanes remain under threat, refer to point 3 below and it now appears the lanes will be voted upon at the next Yarra Council meeting on 12 August 2025.

Read more 2: https://www.yarrabug.org/yarra-for-safer-streets/

There’s something for everyone in the design plans for Elizabeth Street, released under Freedom of Information, including car parking on the north side of the street.

Unfortunately, these plans won’t be proceeding because they were never shown to Councillors, and instead Council resolved on 22 April 2025 to drastically narrow the bike lanes and buffers in favour of adding back car parking. Now that they’re in the public domain it’s up to Council to look at them and to choose to adopt them – it should be on the agenda for the August 2025 council meeting.

https://streets-alive-yarra.org/journal/something-for-everyone-on-elizabeth-street/

17/06/2025

📻 New! 3CR Community Radio podcast: The Saga of the Story Bridge in Meanjin Brisbane

🎧 Listen back: https://www.3cr.org.au/yarrabug/episode/saga-story-bridge-meanjin-brisbane

📱Or find us on , Community Radio Plus or podcast client of choice

On this weeks program Chris talks to Kathryn Good from Story Bridge Active Travel 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 Bicycle Queensland: Bike Bus scheduled for Story Bridge and Space4cyclingbne

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 @ Electrify This and a big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to YarraBUG Radio for 3CR 2025 Radiothon!

➡️ Donate: https://www.givenow.com.au/cr/yarrabugradioshow

🎶 Program music
Camp dog, King Stingray
Underneath the Story Bridge, Bob Wilson and the Goodwills
B I K E, H O N N E

22/04/2025

📷BikeWest

New! 3CR Community Radio podcast: Yarra City Council to vote again on Elizabeth Street protected bike lanes (!??!) + Footscray Road bridge finally opens. Talking to Pierre Vairo BikeWest about green bridge & whenever the Veloway & Rainbow bridge will open + more!

🎧 Listen back or find us on , Community Radio Plus radio or podcast client of choice

https://www.3cr.org.au/yarrabug/episode/yarra-council-vote-again-elizabeth-street-footscray-road-bridge-finally-opens

13/04/2025

📧The Age letters: Bikes, cars and space, 11 April 2025

On Tuesday night, Yarra Council decided how much space to allocate to bike lanes and how much to parked cars in Elizabeth Street, Richmond. This loveless-looking street is significant, a major east-west section of Victoria’s Strategic Cycling Corridor, top rating, C1. Sixty-seven speakers, many riders, with a litany of injuries – and some residents, mostly older Vietnamese for whom it’s home, and a Buddhist congregation who wanted parking.

Today, more people, particularly the young, ride because it’s cheap, climate-friendly, convenient, egalitarian, and you don’t need to strap the kids in the car, or search for a park, but it all depends on the level of danger. The wider the bike path, the safer you feel. If it’s too dangerous, you don’t ride. Overseas, cities that have invested in connected and protected cycling corridors have recorded many more riders travelling safely.

Mayor Jolly submitted a compromise, during the voting, trimming the bike lanes to allow for more parking. This is a major bike route. We acknowledge the residents, but the streets belong to all of us. Do we let empty cars sit in public space or allow others to ride along them safely?

Elizabeth Clarke, Richmond

➡️Read more at Yarra deserves better: Yarra deserves better!
https://www.yarrabug.org/2025/04/09/yarra-deserves-better/

13/04/2025

Bikes, cars and space

On Tuesday night, Yarra Council decided how much space to allocate to bike lanes and how much to parked cars in Elizabeth Street, Richmond. This loveless-looking street is significant, a major east-west section of Victoria’s Strategic Cycling Corridor, top rating, C1. Sixty-seven speakers, many riders, with a litany of injuries – and some residents, mostly older Vietnamese for whom it’s home, and a Buddhist congregation who wanted parking.

Today, more people, particularly the young, ride because it’s cheap, climate-friendly, convenient, egalitarian, and you don’t need to strap the kids in the car, or search for a park, but it all depends on the level of danger. The wider the bike path, the safer you feel. If it’s too dangerous, you don’t ride. Overseas, cities that have invested in connected and protected cycling corridors have recorded many more riders travelling safely.

Mayor Jolly submitted a compromise, during the voting, trimming the bike lanes to allow for more parking. This is a major bike route. We acknowledge the residents, but the streets belong to all of us. Do we let empty cars sit in public space or allow others to ride along them safely?

Elizabeth Clarke, Richmond