Bike Buddies « The UNSW Bike Club Blog

Bike Buddies

March 23, 2007 — bikeclub

Have you ever wanted to ride to UNSW but haven’t known the way, or haven’t been confident enough? We’re starting up a Bike Buddy program, so you can find someone who rides from your area, and ride with them! It doesn’t have to be a long-term arrangement - it could be as simple as riding together once or twice until you know the route, and are a bit more confident. A Bike Buddy can also be someone who you can contact about bike-related questions.

We make use of the superb website Guttermonkey, which allows you to map a route, and also find people who ride near you.

Find a Bike Buddy

The following riders have volunteered to be bike buddies, so please contact them if you live anywhere nearby (or on the way to UNSW). You can see the route map by clicking on the “ride details” link below.

Chris Moore
Rides from: Marrickville
Frequency: Every weekday
Time: About 7:30am, but prepared to ride later
Email: christophermoore at gmail dot com
Mobile: 0422 521 598
Show ride details @ Guttermonkey

Louise Kolff
Rides from: Darlinghurst/Kings Cross
Frequency: Varies - email and ask!
Time: Varies - email and ask!
Email: louisekolff at yahoo dot dk
Mobile: 0448 426 768
Show ride details @ Guttermonkey

Jacqui Mumford
Rides from: Redfern/Surry Hills
Frequency: Every weekday
Time: Varies
Email: jacqui.mumford at gmail dot com
Mobile: 0411 075 875
Show ride details @ Guttermonkey

Bron Lee
Rides from: Mascot
Frequency: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: Around 8:15am, but flexible
Email: bronislava at gmail dot com
Mobile: 0413 668 916
Show ride details @ Guttermonkey

Michael Bates
Rides from: Malabar
Frequency: Most weekdays
Time: Leaves Malabar 8am, returns from UNSW 5:30pm
Email: z3122282 at science dot unsw dot edu dot au
Mobile: N/A
Show ride details @ Guttermonkey

Become a Bike Buddy

Do you already ride to UNSW? You should consider helping other people by riding with them. If you haven’t already, make an account at guttermonkey.org, and then plot your ride or import it from bikely.com. Make sure you include this page as the website in the ride details. Then, email Chris with your details, or post them here as a comment, and he’ll add them to this page.

Bike Buses

If you want to travel somewhere other than UNSW, there are some bike buses that run around Sydney. Check out bikebus.org.au for the routes.

bikeclub Says:
March 23, 2007 at 5:27 am

I’m up for it. I go from Eddy Avenue to UNSW each day, often around that time. I don’t usually go that way but i can. Does anyone else? Who would be able to lead that kind of thing? Maybe we could start once a week or something??

Angela Johnstone Says:
March 23, 2007 at 6:45 am

Hey bike lovers
i am not use to the whole blogging thing (child from the ’80s and all)…

I have a few additional comments

1. Bus driver: I think other suggestions on the actual route we take would be beneficial. I also think that different people can lead to bus (role of the ‘bus driver’ and choose their own route.
2. Bus route: I think the bus should not depend on one person to lead because I think the responsibility of running of the bike bus should not depend on one person. It should be like a collective where all members have equal responsibility.
3. bike breakfast: I think the breakfast part of the bus could be expensive and a pain to organize everyday of the week, but would be great to have once or twice a week. Like on a Tuesday and Friday or whatever. I was just thinking that if we would have to leave Central before 8am to get to uni in time to set up breakfast, eat and clean up before classes start at 9am. Would people be up for an even earlier start? Alternatively some days we could organize our own breakfast or everyone brings something to share. So we are still eating together but everyone is taking part in the preparation.
4. Meeting time and place: This brings up the issue of meeting time and place. Are people happy with that?

Jaga Says:
March 23, 2007 at 11:30 pm

Greetings Bikelovers,

I live about 5 min’s from UNSW and would be happy to help organize the breakfast in the morning. Maybe collecting the food and kitchen stuff from Bio Sci or Electrical Engineering or the Coop, awaiting the hungry bus riders !

If the bus where to arrive at 8:30am at the Bio Sci lawns would this be enough time for breakfast ?

Cheers Jaga

Maurice Says:
March 24, 2007 at 3:25 am

I think taking turns being bus driver is a good idea so that more people can get experience and confidence in doing it so that it can eventually sustain itself without seeming like a big job for any one person. But it probably shouldn’t be too random - the idea is to have fun but also to protect people who aren’t as confident riding on the road. The person leading needs to know the route they’re going to take before starting. Probably need someone at the back of the bus who is confident as well.

What do you guys think about reflective vests that say ‘UNSW Bike Bus’ (or something a little more creative that gets the message across) screen printed on the back? Would you guys wear that shit? I would…

Angie Says:
April 2, 2007 at 11:01 pm

# Angie Says:
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:36 am e

Bike BUS sounds awesome, Angela!

I’ve been trying to gather the time to finish off a bike at Newtown to use for my travels between central and uni as I don’t want to pay extra for my bike on the train. So atm I can’t do it unless someone has a bike I can leave at Central station?

I’m free to bike bus on Mondays and Thursdays so maybe once I get a good lock I’ll give the other key to perhaps Maurice or Food Co-op so it can be used for the other days.

Haven’t looked at route yet; looks complex but assuming the paths are quieter and not too steep.

As it will be my first time riding from central to uni I def like the idea of going in a group but what about the return trip?
I finish on Mondays and Thursdays at 6pm; hopefully you finish at the same time…

Otherwise, more people should join us so that there is more of a chance you’ll have a buddy on the way home too!

btw, hmm breakfast sounds good! I’m happy to help set up in the mornings once we get more people on board

FOOD peoples! if u bike ride to uni! esp from central

Maurice Says:
April 2, 2007 at 11:03 pm

Okay, we’ve talked a lot, let’s do it now. I’d suggest we take a ride of the route one day so we know where it is and then launch it first week back from the break. Angie could borrow a bike club bike for the moment. How about meeting 8am at central on Thursday morning for a route-find?. Can you make that Angela? any other takers?

Angela Johnstone Says:
April 10, 2007 at 6:19 am

Hi everyone
sorry i was unresponsive last week i was busy writing.

i would like to get the bike bus up and running. Could we have a practice run this week?

Maurice Says:
April 16, 2007 at 6:07 am

okay, so Angela and I are going to try out the bike bus route a couple of times this week and then we’re going to launch it next week, probably around Tuesday morning. It’ll be a bit of an unofficial launch, so please come along and with numbers we’ll be inspired to do a big mail-out, flyers, breakfast on arrival etc. Comment here if you want to come on the launch next week or call either me or Angela.

Jaga Says:
April 18, 2007 at 11:37 pm

Hey Busdrivers and potential passengers,

As i am close to uni i will set up the breaky for your arrival ! All i need is a time and place.
And maybe the cutlery and bowls from last time, do you have these Maurice ?

Angie Says:
April 19, 2007 at 12:21 pm

that’s all great! thanks Maurice, Angela and Jaga. You’re all so passionate and doing many great things!
I’d love to be a potential passenger but Tuesday morn I’ll already be near uni. So I can help out with brekky too and rounding up people to join this launch. Monday week i’d love to borrow a bike club bike, which i can provide two locks for. keep in touch