Cycle Safe Bathurst Newsletter No.1 - August 2020
Hello and this is to introduce Cycle Safe Bathurst’s first newsletter.
You are receiving this email because you filled out an online form in May indicating that you were interested in joining our group dedicated to improving the infrastructure and other factors that go into making Bathurst a safe and enjoyable city for active transport. Our particular emphasis is obviously on safety but many of the solutions that we are working hard to achieve are designed to improve conditions within the city of Bathurst for cyclists and pedestrians without impacting unduly We are an incorporated body with no joining fee – membership is designed to allow you to be aware of our activities. If you wish to be more involved then feel free to contact us to join our committee.
We meet the third Wednesday of each month mostly by Zoom.
The current Committee has been formed – they are:
President: Geoff Hastings
Vice President: Mark Windsor
Treasurer: Megan Rickard Bell
Secretary Wendy Hastings
Committee Members: Rob Barlow, Bill Miller, Carly Sewell, Renee Covington, Jim Blackwood, John Howe, Murray Jewkes, Peter Simons, Peter Wilson, Simon Coomans.
What are we about?
We are about three main aims:
1.Contribute constructively to evidence informed decisions about local safety priorities and infrastructure related to cycling. Do this by researching best practice and contributing to local and state government infrastructure initiatives.
2.Promote a culture that encourages safe cycling and cooperative road use. By media presence and local initiatives.
3.Build partnerships with groups and individuals interested in active transport who can assist meeting aims of 1 and 2 .
What is the Problem?
Active transport, including cycling, is a major leisure activity in Bathurst. In doing this healthy and social activity, members of our community have been killed or injured. Bathurst could be a much safer and more friendly place, especially within the CBD, for community members and visitors who choose to ride a bike. There is a detailed Bike Plan that was commissioned by the Council in 2011.
Virtually no recommendation has been implemented. The Vision 2040 Council document has the re assessment of the 2011 bike plan as the centre piece of its active transport initiatives. We want to ensure this happens, implementation is scrutinised and we contribute constructively to its development.
Activities so far
Meetings once a month since April we have established a committee and constitution
We have become an incorporated body – Cycle Safe Bathurst Inc
A website is being developed
We are starting to develop contacts with appropriate decision makers to make them aware of our existence and position.
Membership drive – it costs nothing to join. Members are just asked to give us an email address so we can be in contact on occasions. There is no requirement to do fund raising or give up time in other ways. Your interest and perhaps an reading an occasional form email or completing an online survey is all we ask.
Initial contact with Council.
