cycling | MooneeBUG

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.

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 J oin 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.