Chris O'Neill 35 St David's Rd Haberfield (02) 9716 6363 con7981840@aol.com 13 March 2004 Heather Gidding Committee Member AshBUG C/- PO Box 466 Summer Hill NSW 2130 RE: AshBUG QUESTIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES. Dear Heather, Thank you for your letter and its questions. By way of introduction, may I state that I have always ridden bikes. I was three when I had my first which, strictly-speaking, was a tricycle, or a dinky as we called them. You probably don't want an autobiography, but let me state I currently own a Repco Evolution bike purchased from one of your leaflet sponsors, Concord Sports Store. Since my family and I moved to the Inner West eight years ago, we have purchased several bikes from that store. With reference to your particular questions: 1. The liveability and sustainability of Ashfield Municipality has been under constant attack for cyclists and pedestrians through over-development for years, especially with the current State Labor Government medium-density and high-rise strategy which was designed to stop the spread of Sydney (it hasn't). The consequent increase in traffic has lead to great pressure to create massive road networks. I am currently the Vice-President of the Haberfield Association which was created more than twenty years ago by interested residents to promote the residential character of that suburb through its heritage values. The Haberfield association endorses the Ashfield & District Historical Society in its attempts to create Conservation zones in other parts of Ashfield, the creation of such zones an effective method to promote the residential status of the neighbourhood. I represent The Haberfield Association at METAG committee meetings. METAG, the M4East Tunnel Action Group, as you may be aware, was formed after the RTA Christmas announcement that the Concord traffic mess was to be moved to become the Inner West mess. Any project which will improve the liveability and sustainability of this Municipality will receive my strong support. 2.Council should fulfil this role through going beyond warm-fuzzy brochures extolling the virtues of cycling and construct real and viable proposals. Maintenance of roads through removal of cycle hazards like potholes etc is necessary,though expensive. 3I ride infrequently because it is too dangerous and hardly relaxing to ride a bike in this neighbourhood. Parramatta Rd is at one end of my street and Ramsay Rd at the other. Early on a weekend it is possible to ride a bike to Hawthorne Parade and around the Bay; although this reinforces the leisure aspect of cycling. Cycling as a mode of transport is not easy. Dropping the speed limits to thirty kph could make the roads safer for cyclists (and pedestrians). The RTA plans could seriously impact on the Bay. 4.I am unfamiliar with the budget and what constraints operate on its dispersal. I have never noticed a Roads to Recovery sign on a bike or shared pathway. 5. If the distances aren't too great, then cycling from A to B or even C can be more effective than driving. Most drivers listen to the radio and listen for traffic reports to determine their likely duration stuck on the roads. One accident or simply a vehicular breakdown cause instant and widespread traffic jams. If we feel confident about safety, then we are more likely to give cycling to work a go. 6.This question reminds me of the very cleverly-designed bike track constructed some ten years ago in Campbelltown for very young riders. There were working traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, mini-roads, everything in a fun and safe setting. This was a very practical way to teach road safety and manners to children. Most children are attracted to bikes and most adults don't need to be told the benefits of cycling - they need to be informed where they can ride safely. I would promote the benefits of cycling mostly, I think, by stealing or borrowing your ideas! But we need to consider the concomitant issue of vehicles and promote cycling (and public transport) as viable alternatives to travel by car. 7. I would support the review of Ashfield's 1986 Bicycle Plan, and the adequate resourcing of a new plan and its implementation. I admit I haven't read this, though I have tried to view it on the Ashfield Council website; without success on my Windows operating system. I recall years ago visiting Shanghai and wondering how a city of 12 million could possibly move; then seeing millions of pushbikes on the road and extremely few vehicles, mostly buses and trucks. The city was extraordinarily quiet. When bikes outnumber cars, then the roads are truly safe ! Sincerely, Chris O'Neill