The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Wednesday.
Local news
$70 million bike infrastructure injection announced
The biggest bike infrastructure expansion in recent Melbourne memory will bring more than 10km of new trails, bridges, separated lanes and other improvements to the city’s bike network.
Riding to work reduces staff absenteeism by up to 80%
With National Ride2Work Day next Wednesday, 15 October, Bicycle Network General Manager of People and Culture, Liz Joiner, talks about the benefits of having a workforce on wheels—including staff taking less sick leave.
Cadel says farewell to Europe
Aussie cycling champ and Tour de France winner Cadel Evans has bid farewell to the European racing scene after competing in his final race on the Continent, Il Lombardia. It’s not the last fans will see of him though, as he’s heading back home to take part in the Australian road nationals, the Santos Tour Down Under and his own event, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, early next year.
Sandy Bay Project: Stage 2 complete
The second stage of Hobart’s Sandy Bay bike infrastructure project is now complete, with the footpath between the Casino and Marieville Esplanade having been widened to allow riders and pedestrians room to share the space.
International news
Paper panniers
A pair of Viennese architecture students have designed a nifty cardboard pannier, the Packtasche, which doubles as a shopping basket. The Packtasche folds for easy storage, is light and comfortable to carry and, being made of cardboard, is a cheap and cheerful alternative to more expensive panniers.
Boston backs bikes
The roads in Boston, Massachusetts, are now a little more bike friendly, thanks to a new ordinance introduced by Mayor Marty Walsh that requires all trucks using the city’s roads to be fitted with side guards that prevent riders being pulled under the vehicle in the event of a collision. Mayor Walsh is also calling for trucks to be fitted with better mirrors to reduce blind spots.
Kansas cracks down on bike bullies
Kansas City, Missouri, has passed a new ordinance to protect bike riders and other vulnerable road users from driver harassment. Under the new legislation people can be fined $500 or face up to six months in gaol for “intimidating or injuring” vulnerable road users. Similar legislation exists in a handful of other cities; however, while these laws are a step in the right direction, unless incidents are caught on camera, victims may find it hard to prove their case.
Health
Spring is in the air
While longer, warmer days make spring the perfect time to get out on the bike, those who suffer hay fever may beg to differ. Pollen counters, Ed Newbigin and Simon Harberle explain why hay fever strikes harder in some years than others and predict what’s in store for the remainder of the season.
Video
Drapac Professional Cycling’s Jonathan Cantwell Shares his Ride2Work
Only one week to go until National Ride2Work Day! To celebrate, Drapac Professional Cycling‘s Jonathan Cantwell showed off his ride to work. Share your ride to work on 15 October by sending in your commuter footage. Ride2Work will release a mash-up video after National Ride2Work Day. Time to get out the GoPro!
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