Hi everyone, welcome to this month’s MooneeBUG Newsletter.
MooneeBUG Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended our February meeting at the (slightly noisy) Union Hotel. It was great to have representation from Merri-bek-Bug, and see how many people were keen on advocating for improved cycling in Moonee Valley. The location for our next meeting is Strangelove’s Wine Bar, 7PM on Thursday the 7th of March.
The next meeting will focus on putting together some plans for the year, and also talking about some advocacy priorities to ensure our messaging is clear.
Please RSVP to the next meeting by replying to this email or hit attending on Facebook.
Moonee Valley Council News
Moonee Valley Council have given us updates about works on the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail, see the post on our website here. Frank has provided valuable feedback to the project manager on a range of topics from the perspective of an experienced cyclist to ensure the projects have the best outcome and this feedback has been well received – great work Frank!
Council also noted at their first meeting of the completion of the Walking and Cycling strategy, which we have summarised on our website.
We have also had questions asked at council meetings about bike lanes which received positive responses. I encourage anyone to ask questions at Council meetings to keep safer streets and active transport on the Council Agenda.
Watch the discussion on the Walking and Cycling Strategy or ask a question at the next meeting
Bicycle Network Super Tuesday Bike Count
The Bike Count is coming up on March 5, and collecting data about how many people cycle is crucial for advocating for improved services.
It would be awesome if BUG members sign up to this to provide commuter counts in their local area. It’s from 7AM-9AM so could sneak in late to work!
Even if you don’t volunteer, make sure to cycle on that morning and encourage your friends so you’re counted in the data
Critical Mass bike ride on this Friday (24th Feb)
Critical Mass is a group bike-ride that changes route every month, with a theme of advocacy for active transport, and raising awareness about cycling safety. The ride meets at the State Library on Friday and leaves at 5:30 PM at a very leisurely pace. This month is being organised by BikeWest, a cycling advocacy group centred around the inner-west of Melbourne.
RSVP on Facebook or just turn up I’ll be there.
Active Transport @ Moonee Valley Festival
Moonee Valley Sustainability’s Active Transport group has a stall at the Moonee Valley Festival at Queen’s Park on 24th of Feb – go visit them to talk about cycling in the area and fill out their survey on active transport. For those that can’t make it, go ahead and take the survey now.
Moonee Valley City Council last voted last week to note the completion of the Moonee Valley City Walking and Cycling Strategy 2012-2022. While the council noted various achievements, there wasn’t much detail provided about what was accomplished and what hasn’t. (See the meeting minutes here, or a recording on YouTube here)
Importantly, Councillor Rose Iser successfully proposed an amendment to evaluate the past strategy, consult with organizations like MooneeBUG, use data to inform planning, and emphasize the importance of active transport.”
Moonee Valley was very different in 2012 when the strategy was envisioned. Escooters didn’t exist, it was 5 years before oBikes would come to Melbourne, and the first Moonee Valley Cycling and Walking Strategy 2004 was still in place (older draft strategies were never adopted).
The strategy, which spanned over 106 pages, including specific implementation plans, aimed to improve the walking and cycling infrastructure in Moonee Valley. Key recommendations included (among others):
Image: Proposed Zebra crossings at the Epsom Road/Ascot Vale Road Roundabout (Image from the Strategy)
While it is clear that many projects have increased the amenity of shared user paths, in particular, the Moonee Ponds Creek trail, and portions of the Craigieburn Cycling corridor have been built, there are still challenges. The Craigieburn cycling corridor, in particular, is subject to many crossings of state roads, and Moonee Valley still lacks safe arterial cycling routes. The on-road cycling network remains fractured.
Image: Monee Ponds Creek Trail – Dark underpass that has had lighting installed.
Measuring the success of the strategy is important, and it would be helpful to have more information on what has been achieved and what still needs to be done. While the council has noted the completion of the strategy, a more detailed report on the progress and challenges would provide a clearer picture of the state of walking and cycling infrastructure in Moonee Valley.
The strategy provided clear metrics for success, such as in the below sample, so it is quite unclear why Council was unable to report on them at the end of the strategy. I hope that it isn’t because they won’t like the answer!
It appears that instead of another active transport strategy, the council is developing a holistic, 10-year Integrated Transport Strategy for the 2024/25 financial year, which will include public transport, cycling, walking, micromobility, taxis, and of course roads and parking.
There is a real risk that cycling doesn’t get dedicated treatment in this strategy the way it has in the past, however anecdotally the past strategies have not been successful, so combining the transport landscape may result in cycling benefiting from the increased funding and planning as local roads are considered in the same space.
Happy New Year
Hi Everyone, My name is David (That’s me in the yellow) I’ve been living in Footscray, Essendon, and now Moonee Ponds for about five years and I love the area, but know that we have to shape our world to better and I hope you can help! (Or just open this email!)
MooneeBUG Meeting
I wanted to kick-off the year with a meeting at the Union Hotel in Ascot Vale at 7PM on Tuesday 6th February for those that are interested to discuss plans for the year, ways we can partner with council, vicroads, and other stakeholders, and potential projects to champion.
Please let me know by reply or hit attending on Facebook.
Facebook Page / Group and Mailing List Confirmation
For those that have been a member of the mailing list before this year, please fill out this form to let us know whether you live or work in the valley – this enables us to confidently say our membership represents X number of local residents. People outside the Moonee Valley area are still most welcome!
Please Like our Facebook Page and Join our Facebook Group
My ask: Help grow our profile (and leverage) making sure you like our page, and then forwarding this email to someone else that cycles in Moonee Valley!
BikeSpot
BikeSpot is a way to get meaningful data about dangerous, unsafe, or unsuitable cycling facilities. There are only two weeks remaining for for BikeSpot, and it is really easy to add spots on the map.
My ask: To help advocate for better cycling facilities, please find the time to add 5 spots (good or bad) on the map. Maybe the narrow bike path, the pothole, or the shared path with a dead-end.
MooneeBUG 
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