Comments for Transport-impacts.com http://www.transport-impacts.com To get moving in the right direction Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:58:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on L-plate equivalent for cycling? by Rutty Snails http://www.transport-impacts.com/2008/07/29/l-plate-equivalent-for-cycling/#comment-108 Rutty Snails Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:45:43 +0000 http://www.transport-impacts.com/?p=66#comment-108 It would be easier and more cost effective to go with what is available and to piggy back on already existing OH&S training, and the drivers that present the greatest threat sorry to say are tradespeople, so for my money the vests with reflective tape have the saftey message built in. 'L' plates might work but need to be road tested and/or peoples experiences documented. It's a short step away from what is really needed which is a compulsory bicycle competency certificate to obtain a drivers licence. It's done elsewhere and would be the quickest and easiest way to provide universal coverage ensuring drivers are up to speed with road rules and cycling awareness. It could be recommended, but not compulsory, for bicyclists to have the competency certificate. Testing could be part of primary/secondary/tertiary school curricula, employee cycling programs, volunteer organisations, etc., and could be conducted at schools, CARES facilities, motor registeries, bike clubs, bugs, etc. It would be easier and more cost effective to go with what is available and to piggy back on already existing OH&S training, and the drivers that present the greatest threat sorry to say are tradespeople, so for my money the vests with reflective tape have the saftey message built in.

‘L’ plates might work but need to be road tested and/or peoples experiences documented.

It’s a short step away from what is really needed which is a compulsory bicycle competency certificate to obtain a drivers licence. It’s done elsewhere and would be the quickest and easiest way to provide universal coverage ensuring drivers are up to speed with road rules and cycling awareness.

It could be recommended, but not compulsory, for bicyclists to have the competency certificate. Testing could be part of primary/secondary/tertiary school curricula, employee cycling programs, volunteer organisations, etc., and could be conducted at schools, CARES facilities, motor registeries, bike clubs, bugs, etc.

]]> Comment on All the information I can muster by Richard http://www.transport-impacts.com/2008/06/24/all-the-information-i-can-muster/#comment-105 Richard Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:09:45 +0000 http://www.transport-impacts.com/?p=40#comment-105 Jacqui I recently spent 2 months on public transport, mainly bus, due to a minor motorbike accident. I know the area well but found myself a new-comer to public transport - bus stop locations, bus routes, timetables, transfers, ticket optimisation, walk and bus options, two bus options, express buses. I enjoyed it as an adventure and it was a pleasant change to read a book or look at fellow travellers. Cost - very expensive compared to motor bike (but maybe safer) Time - variable, and sometimes very long (longer than walking), mostly pleasant due to novelty Bus Services - generally very good. Few disappointments, timetabling info is there if you search for it. Coverage did not optimise for my trip but was pretty good. Alternatives - Motorbike, fast, cheaper than bus, no sweat, easy to park, fun. - Pushbike, fast (similar time to motorbike), very cheap, sweatty and no showers so some social cost at work, healthy. - Walk, time similar to bus and consistent, free, not best for carrying laptop and heavy paperwork and books, probably a better option if not mid-winter, healthy. - Lift in car, good for when you want to feel loved but expensive on other persons time and carbon costly, good for rain and cold weather. Conclusion: Try a public transport 'holiday' as a change and as a puzzle. Its a new view on your city. Make your mind up afterwards, if you don't stick with it at least tyou have a new option if the car is in for repairs sometime :) Richard Jacqui
I recently spent 2 months on public transport, mainly bus, due to a minor motorbike accident. I know the area well but found myself a new-comer to public transport - bus stop locations, bus routes, timetables, transfers, ticket optimisation, walk and bus options, two bus options, express buses.
I enjoyed it as an adventure and it was a pleasant change to read a book or look at fellow travellers.
Cost - very expensive compared to motor bike (but maybe safer)
Time - variable, and sometimes very long (longer than walking), mostly pleasant due to novelty
Bus Services - generally very good. Few disappointments, timetabling info is there if you search for it. Coverage did not optimise for my trip but was pretty good.
Alternatives
- Motorbike, fast, cheaper than bus, no sweat, easy to park, fun.
- Pushbike, fast (similar time to motorbike), very cheap, sweatty and no showers so some social cost at work, healthy.
- Walk, time similar to bus and consistent, free, not best for carrying laptop and heavy paperwork and books, probably a better option if not mid-winter, healthy.
- Lift in car, good for when you want to feel loved but expensive on other persons time and carbon costly, good for rain and cold weather.

Conclusion: Try a public transport ‘holiday’ as a change and as a puzzle. Its a new view on your city. Make your mind up afterwards, if you don’t stick with it at least tyou have a new option if the car is in for repairs sometime :)

Richard

]]> Comment on L-plate equivalent for cycling? by Rose http://www.transport-impacts.com/2008/07/29/l-plate-equivalent-for-cycling/#comment-97 Rose Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:22:10 +0000 http://www.transport-impacts.com/?p=66#comment-97 Why not simply have an 'L' plate. Everyone already understands what that means... then it wouldn't matter if drivers didn't read an article about it, it is just understood... I think its a great idea, hopefully one that will encourage new cyclist to step out there. Why not simply have an ‘L’ plate. Everyone already understands what that means… then it wouldn’t matter if drivers didn’t read an article about it, it is just understood…

I think its a great idea, hopefully one that will encourage new cyclist to step out there.

]]> Comment on L-plate equivalent for cycling? by jacqui http://www.transport-impacts.com/2008/07/29/l-plate-equivalent-for-cycling/#comment-86 jacqui Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:58:06 +0000 http://www.transport-impacts.com/?p=66#comment-86 I am a bit hesitant to go with an actual "L" as the symbol because it already has a history with learner car drivers and these cyclists are not necessarily "learning" but they are just taking a big daunting step - I thought if any letter should be used - it should be B (as mentioned in one of the earlier comments) - I kind of wanted to incorporate it into the shape of a pedal. Then we could have some cheesy promotion - about taking a "step" in the right direction - with a pedal being a symbol of that "step". I am a bit hesitant to go with an actual “L” as the symbol because it already has a history with learner car drivers and these cyclists are not necessarily “learning” but they are just taking a big daunting step - I thought if any letter should be used - it should be B (as mentioned in one of the earlier comments) - I kind of wanted to incorporate it into the shape of a pedal. Then we could have some cheesy promotion - about taking a “step” in the right direction - with a pedal being a symbol of that “step”.

]]> Comment on Home by jacqui http://www.transport-impacts.com#comment-81 jacqui Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:23:13 +0000 http://www.transport-impacts.com/?page_id=2#comment-81 Just for your information, I wasn't doing anything illegal in this photo. I was in Paris and so helmets were not compulsory. I know I should wear more appropriate footwear but it was summer and I was a poor student. Just for your information, I wasn’t doing anything illegal in this photo. I was in Paris and so helmets were not compulsory. I know I should wear more appropriate footwear but it was summer and I was a poor student.

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