City Trip - Part 2

On the way home from the social function, i was making my way along the bikeway, when i see a couple of ladies leaning over the railing. I stopped to see what was going on.

Turns out they we feeding a few possums who make their home in the trees next to the bikeway. Of course, with the construction of the new traffic bridge and overpass, the bikeway has been moved and the area of trees by the riverside has been reduced.

Anyhow, it turns out that these ladies pop by every now and then (for about the last 12 months) to give the possums some food. Apart from helping out the possums as they raise their young, it is also an enjoyable activity for the ladies. One told me that at the end of a bad day at work, feeding the possums gives her a great feeling.

It was great to meet these people (and their possum friends) and it's just another one of those things i would have missed if i was speeding by in a car.

City Trip - Part 1

I try to be somewhat humble. I may not be doing too well, but i try.

However, as i was riding into the city late this afternoon (about 5.30) for a social function, i couldn't help but feel a bit smug - as i rode along the riverside bikeway at about 2-3 times the speed of the inbound car traffic. I'm no a super-athlete, and my bike is not the best, but i could still easily outpace the tuesday afternoon crawl.

RACQ

When i saw these status posts on my facebook, i did feel sympathy for my friend.


But i was also reminded that having a car is not necessarily all it's cracked up to be.

Bicycle for 6?

On the weekend i saw this creation being ridden (or driven?) around. It operates like two bikes joined together, with each half being a 3-person version of a tandem bike. The front person has a steering wheel instead of handlebars.


Shortly after this photo was taken i saw it carry 9 people (though only 6 could pedal). I'm not sure that i'm really advocating this as a major form of transport - can't really think of that many applications for it. But the creativity certainly caught the eye - and the imagination.

"Joys" of Car Ownership

Was on facebook this morning, and spotted these two 'status updates' from a facebook friend.

Another Electric Bike

Since my friend entered the world of electric bikes, i've been seeing a few of them around. It's hard to get a good look because they zip by (compared to me chugging along) but i think the one i saw today was the City Cruiser.


I reckon they look fairly stylish, and you hardly even notice the battery tucked away under the seat.

2010 Fares

The 2010 fares for Brisbane public transport have been released. The price difference in price between paper tickets and go-card travel has increased - in an effort to encourage people to get into the go-cards.


For more information, check out the press release and the current fares.

Highway From Hell

This is from Edward Burtynsky's "Oil" series of photographs. Reminded me of the Age of Stupid quote that we seem to be designing our communities to be impossible to navigate by any method other than the car (the most polluting form of transport).

Dumped Pumps

Was cycling around the inner city a while back (test riding some electric bikes) when i came across this sight:


Apparently it's some sort of petrol pump graveyard - where dozens of these things go when they are no longer new and shiny enough to adorn petrol stations.


One would hope that they get recycled into something useful, rather than just being left to rust in peace ;)

Ironic Ad

I guess no-one can sue them for false advertising. Although, really, any car can "stop traffic" - especially in peak hour when this was taken (during stopped traffic). It could only have been more ironic if the car in front of the bus was the same as the car being advertised.