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Tassie Bike News Bites

Would you bus/bike to Derby?

Transport Tasmania are seeking feedback on proposed new services from Launceston to Derby via Bridport on weekends before 14 June.

While the proposal is to cut the number of services during the week, they are also putting on a return service on Saturday and Sunday.

If you think you or your children would use the service to get to Derby to ride, let Transport Tasmania know that bike racks on those buses that could be booked in advance are essential.

You can fill out the feedback form at www.transport.tas.gov.au/…/have_your_…/feedback_form.

Improving the Huon riding experience

Huon Valley Council is looking for ideas for tourism in the valley and is holding three community workshops as part of its search.

If you think bike riding can be better promoted and more facilities provided, get along to have your say:

Cygnet Town Hall
14 May 2019, 5–7.30 pm
Huonville Council Chambers
15 May 2019, 5–7.30 pm
Geeveston Community Hall
16 May 2019, 5–7.30 pm

There is also an online feedback form you can fill out if you cannot make it to the forums.

Tasman Bridge accidents not the government’s fault

Anyone who has tried to ride across the Tasman Bridge knows what an obstacle course it can be with wind, other users and equipment sticking into the pathway: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-campaigns/tasman-bridge/

One rider came off his bike recently when his wheel got stuck in a gap in the pathway as he was trying to avoide the maintenance gantry sticking into the pathway.

He made a complaint to the Department of State Growth which is denying any responsibility for accidents as the pathway was not intended to be for people walking or cycling, even though the government now allows and directs people to the pathway.

If you’ve had an accident on the bridge and would like to support this rider who is currently arguing with the state government about its responsibility to users, then please send us:

  • Your contact details
  • What happened to you
  • Any photos
  • Approximate dates.

We’ll put together a log of accidents for him to use in his argument with the department, so you have to be comfortable with your name being used.

The government is yet to make changes to the bridge in response to the 2016 Coroner’s Report which recommended changes to the pathway,  including moving the gantries, to prevent suicides.

Betties the newest cycling club in Tasmania

The Shredding Betties launched themselves as the state’s newest cycling club last weekend in Hobart and the north-west on International Womens Mountain Biking Day.

The group originally started as a support network for women and girls wanting to get into mountain bike riding and are taking the next step by forming a club with chapters across the state.

The club will keep putting on skills training and social rides for riders of different abilities as well as helping riders to compete.

You can contact the club via Facebook or the Mountain Bike Australia website.

Hobart Council news

Hobart's Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is opening up her schedule to be available for a chat so if you have a burning bike issue get along to the Town Hall and tell her about it.

The first session is this Friday at 1 pm and others are scheduled for:

- Wednesday 22 May, 1–2 pm 
- Saturday 1 June, 11 am – 12 pm
- Saturday 15 June, 11 am – 12 pm.

Hobart Council has also voted to investigate a full upgrade of the “99 steps” walkway from Liverpool Street down to McKellar Street, West Hobart to include a bicycle channel alongside the steps during the development of a City Laneways Strategy and Action Plan.

McKellar Street connects to the Hobart Rivulet Path and a bicycle channel would allow West Hobart riders to walk their bikes down to use the path.

And the council is holding a mountain bike tracks working bee on Sunday 19 May from 10 am until 3 pm, concentrating on the Rivulet Track and starting work on the new Drops Track.

The Drops Track work will focus on armouring and drainage and is suited to experienced Track Care participants while the Rivulet Track work will be building benching, berms and edging and is open to everyone.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1206048689573521/