John Mee – Some programmer in Sydney

Flashpoint California. Last week. Tensions continue to rise as the railway system fails to cope with the volume of commuters seeking to combine rail with cycle. Cyclists are left on the platform with their bikes as uncrowded trains pull out. They’re getting increasingly aggressive about claiming an officially sanctioned spot on the train. This guy sees an empty slot for his bike and takes it. The conductor tells him to leave the train. He ignores the conductor and takes a seat. This is what happens at the next station…

There’s already a website for this incident of course… here. And here I was complaining about the poor facilities on our ferries… at least we don’t get arrested – well not yet.

To be judge:
The rule for 16 bikes max. is presumably based on the conclusion that there are 16 slots for bikes and this is the only safe and authorised way for bikes to travel. I think the conductor is unreasonable in denying a bike which can travel in the safe and approved manner to do so. If the conductor is concerned about conforming to the 16 bike maximum he should be passing judgment upon the bike traveling not in a rack.

However the cyclist is not arrested for putting his bike on the train, but for failing to be a submissive citizen and follow orders. Clearly the problem has been escalating for I can’t imagine he’d be so determined to make this stand just on the basis of this one incident. He’s made his point and hopefully the publicity will contribute toward solving the problem. The trauma of being arrested is punishment enough for his defiance.

No penalty. No record. Case Dismissed.

My brother has just started riding his bike to work… in San Francisco.

• The Sausalito Ferry carries about 40,000 passengers a month according to the Report of the General Manager

Sausalito Ferry Bike Room


• The Manly Ferry carries about 470,000 passengers a month I’m guessing from this fact sheet.

  The Manly Ferry Bike Rack
  

The mind boggles. Am I getting this right..?

TEN TIMES THE DEMAND!!

Compare those facilities again.
This is what you want… this what you get… this is what you want… this is what you get…

Now don’t tell that the Sydney CBD is so not-bicycle-friendly that there’s no point in taking it with you. That kind of thinking is exactly the problem. How far you can get from the Quay with a bicycle? An office near Town Hall, Surry Hills, Ultimo, or Pyrmont? Central Station for the Blue Mountains? Darlinghurst for fashion? Kings Cross for a night out? Newtown for freaks? Uni of Sydney or UNSW? Should I continue?

Everyone knows its faster to walk up George St in peak hour than sit on a bus. Mmm… bike?

Are you dreaming of a day when an old lady can roll down to the ferry, sit admiring the harbour with her knitting, then perhaps cruise the botanic gardens, or power up to Newtown for tea with her good friend Betty? I know I am

A flick through minutes of the Ferry Passengers Advisory Committee it looks like they actively encourage people to ride to the ferry. Sydney Ferries are more likely discourage it simply because they can’t cope with the demand?! Can I roll my eye’s now please?

Thanks Andrew for the photo as I don’t actually take the ferry with my bike. I can ride there in about the same time and earn some chocolate. I agree its not nearly as peaceful; but I do like chocolate.