23 July 2009

Simon unveils DECCEW bike fleet

| johnboy
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Simon Corbell has announced a token bike fleet’s unveiling at the Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water (Pronounced “Deck You”).

    The fleet will be used by staff at the department to get around town and will initially consist of five bicycles, more will be added if there is sufficient demand.

    “This is a great way for staff at the department to reduce the carbon emissions generated through their work-related travel,” Mr Corbell said.

    “So many of the meetings take place within close distance to the department’s offices in Lyneham and this project makes good sense.

So would you borrow a fleet bike to jet across town? And if you were so inclined would you already have a bike there instead of driving to work?

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shame on you p1…

you should buff it with yellowcake as well, and make sure the whale oil and fur seal fat is suspended in palm oil infused with bear bile…

Not just any old treadly. Has to be a super-dooper-green-approved-media-friendly treadly.

I only lube my chain with a blend of the finest whale oil and baby fur seal fat.

This is news? ACT government owns five treadlies? I’ve got two, is that a fleet as well?

Not just any old treadly. Has to be a super-dooper-green-approved-media-friendly treadly.

Trunking symbols9:18 am 24 Jul 09

More pandering to the Greens . . .

Previous posts have shown that others have done it already, therefore it’s not ‘ground breaking’ and it is playing catch-up rather than showing what would be considered genuine leadership.

5 is pretty small, but the word fleet refers to the complement vehicles or vessels under the ownership or command of an organisation or commander.

So a fleet can be of any size. The first fleet only had 11 ships, if I recall, which is not much more than 5.

Bikes are obviously quicker over short distances than cars (and cheaper than teleconferencing facilities and more reliable), so I’d give it a go (unless is was rainy or too hot or i forgot my lycra or i couldn’t be bothered). But the emphasis of this ground breaking initiative is the ‘leading by example’.

Any initiative like this is always an easy cheap shot for the sneerers and knockers, who would rather rubbish it than face up to their own unsustainable transport practices.

No-one has ever suggested that they be used to reach the outer edges of Belconnen or Tuggeranong- just for quick, easy trips mainly in inner north Canberra that don’t need cycling clothing and take less time than messing around with car parking or video conferencing equipment. It’s 5-10 minutes max from Lyneham to Civic on a bike.

Simple fact is, these are not the first bicycles operated by ACT Govt, and some Cth departments in Canberra also have them- these have all been going for some years and are a quiet success story, with all the problems listed above already either solved or found not to exist.

I somehow don’t expect to see too many executives in business suits peddling their way to their meetings.

Why don’t they just teleconference?

So much effort and media spin, just to paper over the fact that their staff are utterly incapable of operating the videoconferencing equipment they are provided with.

barking toad6:29 pm 23 Jul 09

Heard one of the plebs from DECCEW on our ABC spouting how much this will do to reduce greenhouse gases. Probably be better if they pissed off all the wasteful, meaningless meetings.

mmmm and what about the nits with all that helmet sharing – or will all staff be issued with official stackhats?

Can you imagine all those high-level meetings with all those sweaty people

I am curious about how they factor travel times etc into this? And appropriate bike clothing, and its appropriateness at meeting?

Because if I worked there I wouldn’t mind being paid for a hours ride across town to a meeting, then paid to ride back afterwards. Especially if the alternative would be a ten minute drive. Of course I would have to ride very slowly so that I don’t arrive at the meeting all sweaty.

i’m guessing that taking your own bike, like your own car, might have implications in the event of any compensation claim for incidents arising, which the ‘fleet’ obviates..?

and ‘yes’ to the question of would i use one if it were available to me… ; )

This was done by other ACT Government sections years and years ago. Even so, it’s good they’re finally playing catch-up.

Will employees of this Agency get TA if they bring a couple of these along to the next RA Bike Crawl?

It will be all fun and games until someone gets hit by a truck!

I remember when the first got this fleet together, there was 3 bikes 10 years ago.

I guess adding another two to the ‘fleet’ warrants a media release and a bit of a party.

Mike Bessenger3:41 pm 23 Jul 09

Those who want to ride a bike don’t need to borrow a bike.
The whole fleet think has failed in many countries and will fail here too.

I don’t know if 5 constitutes a fleet, just yet (there are more to come, apparently). Bring on the Segways!

Simon’s been watching the Hollowmen

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