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Perth Recycled Bike ProjectThe Perth Recycled Bike Project (RBP) was conceived in the build up to Students of Sustainability (SOS) conference 2007, with the aim to recycle from donated bikes and parts, one hundred road-worthy slightly modified bikes that the SOS posse can pedal their way around campus and off burning only body fuel. The secondary missions were to donate half of the finished bikes to be sent overseas to villages in need; and keep the other half to be stripped down for spare parts to add to the start of a regular community bike workshop, as well as distributed to keen bandits in the Perth community. The RBP is working out of a communal shed holding DIY bike fixing skill share sessions, the workshops are open to anyone in the community wanting to further their mechanical skills and who have a passion for the possibilities bikes have in our everyday lives. Other events the RBP supports will be a group ride similar to the set up of Critical Mass during the conference day of action. Critical Mass is traditionally a monthly cycle to celebrate cycling and push for cyclists' right to the road. Transport is a hot issue amongst our global warming concerns, and the integration of bicycle and other HPV’s [human powered vehicles], [not human papilloma virus] should be encouraged greatly. Bikes should start being taken seriously, and not just as a novelty. They can be built as crazy contraptions, but also as efficient cargo-capable commuters. Cycling has already grown massively as a mode of transport, with bicycles outselling cars two years running. Due to this sustainable uptake, conditions of current PSP [principle shared path] and cycling paths infrastructure should also be improved to keep up with increased use. We have a decent setup in Perth at the moment, but an increase in use would also demand a better system. Driver education of cyclist law’s is also an issue worth campaigning, as driver ignorance and abuse is a big deterrent for new riders taking to the streets. There are websites which offer valuable information in the world of HPV’s and their issues. Full access to online bicycle paths go: Perth Critical mass history includes partaking in world wide demonstrations once a month enforcing rider rights using colorful, original, spontaneous, non violent action while celebrating the community diversity that bikes create. For more info check out: HYPERLINK "http://critical-mass.info/" http://critical-mass.info/ or http://criticalmass.org SOSers who want to lend bikes at the conference would be wise to bring their own helmets, locks and lights, mostly for off campus bandit action, although some locking chain will be available at a small cost. If you lend a bike from the RBP you will be asked to sign a disclaimer indicating that you will drop the bike into a bike station for repair if you notice there is a problem with it, bike posse will be on hand all conference to help with DIY bike repair and alteration. There will be DIY bike skill share during the workshop times and possibly two other workshops in open space. Sign up early at the conference as places are limited. TransPerth is the train company over here in WA and they advertise to be super bike friendly, with posters encouraging passengers to ride and train to and from work. The only catch being that as part of State legislation, not up to the transit guards, that at peak times you can be fined, see below, (Transperth transit guards have the power of arrest and other police privileges) for taking bikes on trains, making it difficult to ride to and from work. Time |
