[bikeqld] Peter's February e-news (fwd)

[Ian Lister]

There's a lot of coverage of cycling in (Toowong Ward Liberal National) 
Councillor Peter Matic's current newsletter - almost half the content. In 
some ways that's even more interesting than the individual items (which 
have mostly already been covered here, I think). See below (non-cycling 
content snipped).

Cheers,

Ian

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Cr Peter Matic <toowong.ward at ecn.net.au>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 15:54:11 +1100
Subject: Peter's February e-news

Cr Peter Matic's

February e-News

Council seeks feedback on mountain biking

As Chair of Environment, Sustainability & Parks, I have just
announced Council has launched an on-line consultation between
February 6 and April 24.

This survey will help establish what people want from green and open
spaces and whether mountain biking would be suitable for these
spaces.

Currently, bike riding is only permitted within Mt Coot-tha Forest on
designated trails.

Council has already heard from parts of the mountain biking community
and environmentalists - this survey is being undertaken to hear from
the wider community.

Sustaining and protecting public green and open spaces will always be
Council's priority, but the challenge will be to balance recreational
facilities with environmental conservation.

The questionnaire will enable Council to find out what activities
people do, and also what they would like to be able to do in these
spaces.

To take part, please visit Council's website on
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

[snip]

Bicentennial shared pathway upgrade

As part of the Lord Mayor's record $100 million investment in bikeway
infrastructure, Brisbane City Council is planning an upgrade of the
Bicentennial shared pathway.

The Bicentennial shared pathway is an important link in Brisbane's
bicycle and pedestrian network.  Each day, it carries more than 4000
pedestrians and cyclists.

Stage One of the project involves upgrades to 400m of existing shared
pathway between  Cribb Street and Park Road, including:

  *  Separating pedestrian and cylist movements
  *  Constructing a 3m wide cycle path
  *  Constructing a 2.5m wide pedestrian path

The project has commenced and is expected to conclude in July 2009,
weather and approvals permitting.

Project works for Stage One will be carried out in four parts, with
each part involving a 100m stretch of pathway that will take an
estimated six weeks to complete.  Partial closures of the shared
pathway are expected during construction and, wherever possible, will
be limited to the 100m stretch of bikeway relevant to the
construction stage underway.

Delays will be kept to a minimum during peak times and traffic
controllers will be present to manage traffic flow throughout
construction.

Please do not hesitate to contact the project team on 1800 727 923
between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday or email on
bikewayprojects at brisbane.qld.gov.au should you have any questions
about the project.

[snip]

Lord Mayor's Bike Hire Scheme Rolls into Action

Brisbane cyclists will be able to access free bicycles at 150
locations from St Lucia to Newstead in Australia's first bike hire
scheme.

Council has signed a 20 year contract for the installation, operation
and maintenance of the innovative new bicycle scheme.

>From March next year, Brisbane residents and tourists will be able to
access one of 2000 bikes, which will be accessible by swipe card.
Subscription to the scheme will cost $55 a year or $25 a quarter
(casual users will pay $10 a day), with the first 30 minutes use free
and the bike docking stations will operat 5am to 10pm every day of
the year.