> A few bits while I have a sec (bored n ill in bed eh)

> *1      Boris<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=cSTBEr5f76s.en_...>
> *

> *2      Craigeburn Line<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=cSTBEr5f76s.en_...>
> *

> *3      Pentridge Blvde<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=cSTBEr5f76s.en_...>
> *

> *4      Federal grants<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=cSTBEr5f76s.en_...>
> *

> *5      US (bike) census<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=cSTBEr5f76s.en_...>
> *

> *1         *White Knight Boris

> I had a chortle reading this article<http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/03/boris-johnson-attack-camden-...>on London Mayor Boris Johnson coming to the rescue of a woman on a pedal.
> The best bit for me was that he was out scouting cycling routes.  Must make
> sure I cc Mayor Tapinos eh.
> *2         *Craigeburn Line

> I went for a pedal last Friday with the amazing Nicholas and Kylie and the
> consultant for the Craigeburn line bikeway proposal.  Seemed like a nice
> fellow and had a bike that appeared well used.  I was surprised that the
> brief for the consultant ended basically at Pascoevale Station and didn’t
> include the other options of straightening the Moonee Track and bike route
> for Pascoevale southerners.  I would have thought it was cheaper to do all
> at once and would mean we get more plans and proposal spade ready.  Anyways
> it is great to see some planning and thinking and progress on the proposal.

> And I am still working on meeting some CityLink folk to talk about the
> bridge over creek and have another session next week to hopefully confirm
> space will be left for us to sneak a bike way through the development at
> Pascoevale station.
> *3         *Pentridge Blvde

> I haven’t heard back from Toby nor council with a response to some
> questions I asked about the bikeway through pentridge blvde a couple of
> months or so ago re the pole on the bikeway, moulded joints instead of sawn
> and a crossing that could have been “at grade” as per ohea but isn’t.
> Grrrrrrr.  I did hear a whisper acknowledging that it is less than perfect
> and that there was some mandate that means it won’t happen again.  I wonder
> how this will work, why it wasn’t done before and how we might evoke answers
> via this forum folk who I understand lurk and know the answers.
> *4         *Federal grants

> The federal bike grants that are part of the stimulus stuff have come out
> and sadly there is nothing for Moreland (see here<http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/images/stories/downloads/VICJobs%2...>).
> I think we applied for funding for some bridges on the Merri and I am unsure
> if we approached our federal member to see if he might help steward it
> through.  I don’t think the BUG were asked for comment, input nor help.  I
> do think we could get a lot more done with better teamwork and I am not sure
> how to improve it other than to keep pointing out missed opportunities and
> what could have been (a sadly negative position – and I despise all this
> grumbling – maybe it’s the flue thingy).
> *5         *US (bike) census

> According to the US Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey (ACS),
> released the other week, 0.55% of American workers use a bicycle as the *
> primary* means of getting to work (not a patch on Moreland eh).  This is
> up *14 percent* since 2007, *36 percent* from the first ACS in 2005, and *43
> percent* since the 2000 Census. The League of American Bicyclists will do
> a thorough analysis of the numbers for various locations. In the meantime,
> you can look up this information for hundreds of communities and all of
> the states using the American Fact Finder<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=...>
> .

> Percent of American who bike to work

> * ***

> *2000 Census***

> *2005***

> *2006***

> *2007***

> *2008***

> *United States** ***

> *0.38%***

> *0.40%***

> *0.45%***

> *0.48%***

> *0.55%***

> Percent Change

> * ***

> *2000 to 2008***

> *2005 to 2008***

> * 2007 to 2008***

> *United States** ***

> *43.40%***

> *35.80%***

> *14.30%***

> NOTES: The ACS numbers are estimated by the Census bureau based on samples
> taken year-round. The numbers in the tables above are rounded, if you
> calculate the percentages based on the rounded numbers, you’ll get different
> values than are presented in the second table.

> Oh and I might pop up to the Hume Bug inaugural meeting next week and join
> Phoung at the combined buggy session.  And whatever happened to Ruth and Rik
> and Toby – haven’t seen much of them now they have these grandiose positions
> L - come back we miss you.

> Regards,

> Paul McKay