Bikes Ep. 3 ( Road Sharing )

The City of Melbourne is committed to becoming a cycling city, with a safe and easy bicycle network for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Share Our Streets is the City of Melbourne’s road safety program which encourages all road users in Melbourne to show courtesy and respect to make their journey around the city safer and more enjoyable – for everyone!

Share Our Streets addresses issues specific to the City of Melbourne’s unique urban environment such as how to use shared spaces, the impact of distractions and car-dooring.

Around a million people use our streets every day. There are some simple things you can do to move around the city safely.

Tips for using shared spaces

When you’re riding a bicycle
◾Ride at a slow speed, especially in shared and busy areas.
◾Indicate to others when you’re about to pass – ring your bell or say ‘passing’.
◾Give way to people walking.

When you’re walking
◾Stay to the left.
◾Mobile phones and headphones can distract you – be alert to what’s going on around you.
◾Look out for people riding bikes when you change direction.
◾Always remember to look up and around when crossing the street and walking along the footpath.
◾Keep to the crossings where possible and only cross on green.

Until April 2015, the Share Our Streets teams will be at busy locations across the city encouraging all road users to be alert, cross when green and look out for each other.

Bikes Ep.2 [baskets]

I love seeing bikes all over Melbourne in all colours and fashion. The ones with pretty baskets never fail to make me pull out my camera to add them to my collection of bike photos.  Which one do you like?

I wish I am brave enough to ride a bike in the city and along the Yarra river. I guess I need a good level of stamina to tackle the slopes and confidence to ride alongside the trams and cars as well as watch out for pedestrians in every corner of the city! If I ever get myself on a bike and be a part of the ever growing cycling population in Melbourne, I will want to look stylish with a cool helmet and a nice basket, as well as gloves to keep out the cold and chic bike fashionwear ! I might get a friend and try out the blue rental bikes which are available along Swanston St, Fed Square and Southbank.  I will let you know when i do and share with you the my first cycle experience in Melbourne !

We Will, We Will, Move It !

Main Street – Swanston St

Swanston Street  – the heart  of Melbourne since the time surveyor Robert Hoddle drew up his blueprint for the city in 1837. Named after Captain Charles Swanston, who owned the Derwent Bank of Hobart,  the first bank to open for business in Melbourne in 1838.

For more information and timeline, go to: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ABOUTMELBOURNE/HISTORY/Pages/Streetsandroads.aspx#swanston

In the pictures:

CrossCulture Church of Christ ( formerly Swanston St Church of Christ), 333 Swanston St, by architect Charles Webb, built in 1863

State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, by architect Joseph Reed, opened in 1856

Melbourne Central Tram Stop No.8

Melbourne Town Hall, 100 Swanston St, by architect Joseph Reed, completed in 1870, the hub of Melbourne’s cultural and civic events

Peter Savva, who runs Flowers Round the Hours, outside Melbourne Town Hall, for 25 years now

St Paul’s Cathedral, built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were held in 1836.

Manchester Unity,  by architect Marcus Barlow, constructed in 1932

Statue of Matthew Flinders, 1774-1814,  the first to circumnavigate Australia and identify it as a continent,  by sculptor  Charles Web Gilbert,  erected in 1925

Sculpture by Loretta Quinn, named ‘Beyond the Ocean of Existence’, 1993

Horse drawn carriages along Swanston St- a great way to see the city

Selling Points

The way to sell on the streets of Melbourne !

Bikes Abound ! Episode 1

Melbourne is a cycling city with dedicated bike lanes. The city also has a bike share scheme where you can hire bikes for short distances. Cycle to uni, or to work, leisurely or for fitness… gather your friends and explore this beautiful city on wheels !