Bookfest Bike Ride

Two friends of mine were suggesting an 'expedition' into Lifeline's bookfest (a twice-yearly mammoth bargain sale of donated books to raise money for the wonderful community work that Lifeline does).


I suggested bike-riding in. It's a fun riverside ride into the convention centre, and there's convenient bike parking, right outside the front doors.

It was a great day, and we grabbed a few books (for as little as 50 cents!). But the highlight (for one of my friends) happened on the way in. Having not cycled for a months, she was having a great time back on her bike.

"I had forgotten how much fun riding is".

Bikeway Talk

Riding into West End, i wasn't sure if the bikeway was fully operational (after the floods). So i asked a nearby cyclist coming off the bikeway "How far have you come? Is it open all the way through?".

He pulled over and told me everything i wanted to know (and a little more). We had a little chat about bikes - and went our separate ways. A nice little experience that never really happens in cars.

Credit Card Please

I noticed the new 'pay and display' type of parking meters have a slot for credit cards. When did parking get so expensive that you need a credit card to pay for it?

Oh, and yes i do realise these have been around for some time, but being car-free i have no real reason to look at parking meters much :)

Knowing I'm Safe

I got a call from my mum during the recent flood here in Brisbane. Just to check i was ok. Amongst other things, she made the comment "At least when i see cars being washed away, i know that's not you".

Gold Coast Comparison

For my trip to the Gold Coast, i decided to compare the emissions of driving to that of taking the train. Apart from creating 8 times less greenhouse gas, it was probably also cheaper, with a trip down costing me just $6.93. As an added bonus i got to read a fair chunk of a book i've meaning to read for ages.


Try it youself, at the Queensland Rail Emission Calculator.

2011 Public Tranport Prices

It's getting to that time of year when public transport prices in Brisbane are increased. From Jan 17, these will be the ticket prices.


There are some other ticketing changes aimed at keeping the costs low for seniors, encouraging off-peak travel, and phasing out paper tickets. Interestingly, they have also released the price schedules through to 2014.

NCYC

Hosted an elective called "Green and Godly Transport" at a Christian Youth Conference this week. It was a really good chance to meet some people keen to put their faith into action in the way they get around. Apart from all the environmental and community stuff, i've also kind of wondered how motorist road-rage mixes with the whole "love your neighbour" thing. ;)

Cycling Rules

If you're looking to check up the Queensland rules of the road (as they relate to riding your bicycle) i found them here.

Letterbox Chat

Arriving home today, i was checking my letterbox when a local jogger bails me up to talk electric bikes. Apparently it was the first time he had been able to catch-up to someone riding one, to have a chat.

He is interested in getting one, and was after the perspective of someone who had ridden one a bit.

I think i was able to help him out, explaining how it took the yucky sweatyness out of riding (which is especially handy when commuting in summer). Probably what had most effect was that i was standing there, having just ridden 6-7kms on a humid 27 degree day, wearing trousers and two layers of shirts - and i wasn't yucky, nor particularly out-of-breath.

Yay for electric bikes!

Damp But Happy

To say there was a bit of rain around Brisbane today would be very much the understatement. The slippery roads caused an accident or two, which apparently was the cause of the city wide gridlock.


As i rode home, I didn't know the cause of the gridlock, but was feeling more than a bit pleased with myself as i cruised past kilometres of stationary traffic. (I try not to be smug, but it's really difficult ;)

About 20 minutes of riding and i was home. Sure, i was a bit damp (there were still showers about) but 5 minutes after getting home i was warm and dry. Meanwhile those poor motorists are probably still out there, watching their fuel tank slowly empty itself.

ps. i'll have to remember this story the next time someone tells me that driving a car is gives them 'freedom' and 'independence'. :)