BREAZE

If you read my first blog here I wrote about the lack of adequate bike parking at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre, despite the $4.5 million being spent on the centre upgrade.  I filled in a feedback form and when I received the reply that they weren't planning to put bike parking in as part of the upgrade, I followed it up and asked to speak to the Centre Manager.  I made my case as to why I thought it would be a good idea to install modern, secure bike parking.  (I also cc'ed BalBUG in my letter, as a matter of courtesy)

So, after all that, here's the result!  :)

I have since found out that many sites needing bike parking have been identified by BalBUG, the Aquatic Centre was one of them.  So if your workplace, school, shopping centre or recreational venue has no place for you to park your bike, follow it up.  Find who is responsible for infrastructure and write them a letter, phone them up, get in contact with them and tell them that in order for more people to be riding their bikes, one thing they need is good, secure parking at their destinations.

When I filled in the feedback form to the Aquatic Centre I thought no-one was aware of this stuff.  But they are, see the excerpt from the "Ballarat Bicycle Strategy" commissioned by the Ballarat Council, below.  Hospitals, schools, businesses and the Ballarat Council need to hear as many voices as possible asking for good, safe infrastructure for cyclists here in Ballarat.

Page 20 of the City of Ballarat "Ballarat Bicycle Strategy" JULY 2008 says:

"5.6 Bicycle Parking
The lack of secure parking facilities for bicycles is a barrier to potential cyclists and should be addressed at a number of key facilities and amenities. Particular attention should be given to those located adjacent to bicycle routes. It is recommended that as a minimum, the following amenities have secure bicycle parking facilities:
- Schools and universities
- Public transport stations and interchanges
- Recreational facilities (swimming pools, gymnasiums, sporting venues)
- Community facilities (churches, libraries, community halls, venues for social groups)
- Workplaces
- Retail premises"

(The "Ballarat Bicycle Strategy" is a comprehensive and interesting read, it's downloadable from the City of Ballarat website here: "Ballarat Bicycle Strategy 2008")