I decided to write a short committment for Bicycle Victoria to let their members know what I stand for in terms of transport of the two-wheeled variety. Here is what I said:
"As a Greens candidate, it’s a fundamental part of my platform that people rely less on their cars and more on alternative means, including walking and riding their bicycles. As such, I would advocate for a Council-wide linkup of bicycle paths, more secure bike parking areas, the inclusion of bicycle lanes where possible and bicycle-friendly ramps around our famous Frankston foreshore. Every weekend, cyclists ride through our municipality on the Nepean Highway enjoying a casual ride or a serious race. Linking up a bike path with our municipal neighbours on the Mornington Peninsula would help with the safety of these cyclists. I would advocate for the implementation of a special lock-up “bike zone” at Frankston station, providing a safer and more secure area for residents to “Bike and Train” into the City for their daily commute. I will also commit more Council funding to school-aged education programs within the City so as to encourage more students to use their bikes to get to and from school or around Frankston."
Preferences closed today. In the interests of transparency, here are my preferences:
1. Jaymz Stevens (of course!)
2. Robert Thurley
3. Barry Priestley
4. Christine Richards
5. Alistair Wardle
6. Brian Cunial
7. Judy Wachendorfer
8. Henryk Kay
9. Wayne Woods
10. Suzette Trewhitt
My posters are out in the City today, so keep your eye out for them. You may have come across this blog because of them. If so, welcome and please feel free to leave a comment or an e-mail to let me know what you think of my campaign or issues you feel strongly about.
Showing posts with label bicycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bicycle. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Riding around Town
From today onwards, you may see me around Frankston riding my new (used!) bike. I'm the guy with the Greens stickers on his helmet.
I think it's important to walk the walk, and since I am running on a "less reliance on cars" platform, I will not be using my car in this campaign (except if my wife and children are attending events or shopping with me, or it's my turn to pick up the kids!). I think that for short trips it is quite easy to invest in a bicycle or, even easier, to walk to the local shops! I understand that for longer trips, it's almost impossible to walk (public transport, perhaps?). For those with young children (like myself), it can be very difficult walking to the shops. Have a go anyway!
Alongside this, we need to increase public transport. The Frankston railway line needs to be extended to Baxter, and Councils (as well as communities) need to band together to lobby State Government to increase the number of services and the quality of these services (rail and bus).
Another idea I have is for an inner and outer loop situation, where we can link up stations towards the end of certain lines (Frankston, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, and so on). The inner loop (which is not so much a Frankston issue) would link up stations such as Caulfield with East Malvern and across to Box Hill. Don't get me wrong. These are major works and require more thought and process than what i've outlined here (tunnels or no tunnels? Stations in between these outer loop stations?) but I think it is a credible idea.
Ideas are important and the most realistic ideas are going to come from one source : the community for whom these ideas are required. That's why I am, on this election campaign, going to link up with community groups at meetings and find out what ideas THEY have. Let's give the community a true, genuine ear on Council. It's about time!
I think it's important to walk the walk, and since I am running on a "less reliance on cars" platform, I will not be using my car in this campaign (except if my wife and children are attending events or shopping with me, or it's my turn to pick up the kids!). I think that for short trips it is quite easy to invest in a bicycle or, even easier, to walk to the local shops! I understand that for longer trips, it's almost impossible to walk (public transport, perhaps?). For those with young children (like myself), it can be very difficult walking to the shops. Have a go anyway!
Alongside this, we need to increase public transport. The Frankston railway line needs to be extended to Baxter, and Councils (as well as communities) need to band together to lobby State Government to increase the number of services and the quality of these services (rail and bus).
Another idea I have is for an inner and outer loop situation, where we can link up stations towards the end of certain lines (Frankston, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, and so on). The inner loop (which is not so much a Frankston issue) would link up stations such as Caulfield with East Malvern and across to Box Hill. Don't get me wrong. These are major works and require more thought and process than what i've outlined here (tunnels or no tunnels? Stations in between these outer loop stations?) but I think it is a credible idea.
Ideas are important and the most realistic ideas are going to come from one source : the community for whom these ideas are required. That's why I am, on this election campaign, going to link up with community groups at meetings and find out what ideas THEY have. Let's give the community a true, genuine ear on Council. It's about time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
