Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
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Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:02 am
Pedal power the way to be green, fit and free
Tony Abbott
October 18, 2008 12:00AM
CYCLING is many things but it's not always convenient. A bike can't keep out the rain and won't run a ghetto-blaster. It's easier to park than a car but also likelier to be missing a wheel when you come back, if indeed it's there at all. This is undoubtedly one of the more dispiriting moments in the life of a cyclist. At such times, a cyclist's thoughts turn to revenge and London mayor Boris Johnson's call for sharia law to be introduced for bicycle theft.
But the cyclist's travails don't end there. It's hard to ride in a suit and not many offices have shower facilities. Johnson manages with aplomb but, then, London in midsummer is more akin to Sydney in winter. And where is the briefcase or change of clothes supposed to fit? British Conservative leader and bike commuter David Cameron was pilloried when he had a government car follow him to the office with his suit and papers for the day.
Undaunted, he has persisted. After all, for a pollie, it's not all downside. Apart from emphasising his youth, it has helped to show he's fair dinkum about being green. Indeed, in London, bike commuting has increased 83 per cent in the past six years, no doubt helped by the congestion charge that Johnson's predecessor levied on cars entering the city centre.
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For the past 11 years, I've been involved in the Pollie Pedal, an annual long-distance charity bike ride for MPs. On one of the early events, the number of cars required to allow a handful of politicians to promote cycling as an alternative form of transport numbered at least four: a lead car, a rear car, a support vehicle and, on the day, a police escort. These days, the police are less involved and more participants (not necessarily MPs) mean fewer support cars for each rider.
It's easy to understand Australians' love affair with their car. A car goes to your destination when you want it to. By comparison, using public transport usually means putting yourself out in some way. Australia's relatively low-density cities are unlikely to develop public transport systems to match the Paris Metro or London's Tube.
But jump on a bike and not only can you flaunt your social conscience but you set the destination and the timetable. The bike is a freedom machine for people who'd rather not pay for petrol and like being fitter than their contemporaries. The disdain motorists express for cyclists is secret envy.
Cycling is the fourth most popular physical activity for Australian adults, after walking, swimming and aerobics. More than 400,000 Australian adults cycle more than twice a week, but it's mostly for exercise rather than transport. Although bike commuting has increased by 22 per cent since 2001, less than 1 per cent of journeys are by bike. In relatively flat Melbourne, where bike commuting is up 42 per cent since 2001, there are still only 20,000 people riding regularly to work.
Turning cycling from a recreational activity into a regular form of transport will take new thinking from planners and employers. Brisbane City Council has catered for the need to store cycle gear and work clothes by installing 200 bike racks and lockers, which all were in regular use after six months.
A bigger issue is the perception of danger associated with cycling on busy roads. Cycling advocates say the risk of hospitalisation is seven times less than from playing football. To some, this is not a reassuring statistic. With a consistent 2 per cent to 3 per cent of all road deaths, cycling is much riskier each kilometre than driving. But keeping fit through cycling makes it an overall benefit to health. A long-term Danish study showed that cycling to work (for three hours a week on average) reduced all-cause mortality by 40 per cent.
What's really needed is better bike infrastructure. Many councils mark bike lanes on suitable roads. It should be a planning requirement that all new main roads have enough width to create a shoulder for bikes. This makes more sense than separate bike tracks, which often have worse gradients.
Tony Abbot.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby brett.hooker » Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:20 am
It is well known that he is a fitness fan and what could be better than a potential future PM who is on the record as pro cycling!
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby The 2nd Womble » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:12 am
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby ldrcycles » Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:04 am
My thoughts exactly.The 2nd Womble wrote: This makes more sense than separate bike tracks, which often have worse gradients.
Tony Abbot.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby rkelsen » Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:53 am
It'd cost too much of the redneck vote, especially now that they have Clive Palmer to vote for. Look at the numbers Pauline Hanson managed to get in 1998... If she didn't give preferences to the L-NP, they wouldn't have been able to form a government in that year.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby Ken Ho » Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:57 am
As much as a I want to see recognition for bikes etc, a national leader can't afford to get bogged down on single issues like this. This is more suited to be driven by a backbencher like Fleggy has done recently.
I am happy for Bbs to keep his eye on the big issues and win the main prize.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby g-boaf » Tue Jun 11, 2013 12:27 pm
If I see him - I'll ask about his thoughts on it. He's sometimes around the area where I work.The 2nd Womble wrote:Just noticed its from '08 Maybe its time to hold Tony Abbot to account again. Love him or hate him, he will most likely be our next PM.
Presumably they'll take power and have the ability to make these things happen. So he might be a good one to talk to.
Personally, I don't think Palmer has much of a chance. Too many quirky plans and ideas... Titanic Mk.II, green groups supported by CIA, etc.rkelsen wrote:I'd love to see him come out and say all of this stuff in the mainstream media before the next election, but he won't.
It'd cost too much of the redneck vote, especially now that they have Clive Palmer to vote for. Look at the numbers Pauline Hanson managed to get in 1998... If she didn't give preferences to the L-NP, they wouldn't have been able to form a government in that year.
His strategists might suggest that he tones down his cycling, or stops altogether as this is unpopular with elements of the public and the mainstream media (who don't like cycling or cyclists).brett.hooker wrote:Great to see...
It is well known that he is a fitness fan and what could be better than a potential future PM who is on the record as pro cycling!
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby The 2nd Womble » Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:22 pm
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby mikesbytes » Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:06 pm
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby The 2nd Womble » Wed Jun 12, 2013 4:55 pm
If it degenerates into a biggest brain free for all sure, lock it, but the intrusion and the strict application of any current rule is a tad rediculous. Advocacy requires political accountability. It's that simple.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby The 2nd Womble » Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:04 pm
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby mikesbytes » Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:55 pm
Haven't banned the thread, have communicated on the request of a reportThe 2nd Womble wrote:Yes we were discussing politics because the thread was of politicians discussing cycling. You want to ban half the advocacy sub forum while you're waving the stick around? Maybe the Qld petition thread? Is it for the purpose of forcing politicians to engage with cyclists after all.
If it degenerates into a biggest brain free for all sure, lock it, but the intrusion and the strict application of any current rule is a tad rediculous. Advocacy requires political accountability. It's that simple.
The 2nd Womble wrote:3...2...1...
OK jokes aside, if everyone is nice then no one will report the thread and everyone can communicate to the cows come home
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby Ross » Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:05 am
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/br ... 6662984008" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby rkelsen » Thu Jun 13, 2013 1:21 pm
Seriously? Who does this stuff? Are people that desperate for friends?Ross wrote:Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.
I'd pay him that much to keep away from me. And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:53 pm
Aaaaaamen!rkelsen wrote:And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby gpz1100 » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:41 pm
Haha funny as ,that just cracked me up when I read it
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby mikesbytes » Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:25 pm
When I rode with him, I dropped him. Didn't know who he was at the timeRoss wrote:Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/br ... 6662984008" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby foo on patrol » Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:48 am
Why would you say that? You can't or shouldn't be adopting that line of thought just because they are a Pollie, because the only way we are going to get reform and infrastructure is through working with them. Doesn't mean to say you have to change your feelings about them just branch off and inject some thoughts and how things can be made better for, the cycling community.rkelsen wrote:Seriously? Who does this stuff? Are people that desperate for friends?Ross wrote:Charity auction - bid to go for a ride with Tony Abbott. The Abbott bike ride has opened at $3000.
I'd pay him that much to keep away from me. And the same goes for every other politician in the country as well.
PS (I think he is a bit of a goose but I respect him for his approach to cycling and raising support for charities and trying to get people to become fitter and for this reason I would work with him, as opposed to against. )
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby brandy234 » Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:08 am
When the inevitable happens and he finds time between repealing taxes and destroying refugee dreams, I hope he does something to improve the lift of the road cyclist.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby lobstermash » Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:08 am
Hopefully someone who can use the one-on-one time for good, not evil, wins the auction.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby gpz1100 » Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:27 am
Sounds like a bit of ass kiss'en there.
In saying that i like abbott,he comes across well and i like the fact he is a cyclist and health nut.i wonder if he had to give up politics or cycling/fitness which won would he choose.
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby rkelsen » Sat Jun 15, 2013 12:03 pm
Politicians are not people of integrity. Just look at all the garbage that happened this week.foo on patrol wrote:Why would you say that?
There are two distinct ways to get action from politicians in this country:foo on patrol wrote:You can't or shouldn't be adopting that line of thought just because they are a Pollie, because the only way we are going to get reform and infrastructure is through working with them.
1. Have money.
2. Join a union.
If you weren't born into money and can't/won't join a union, then you have no hope unfortunately.
But, hey, don't stop believin'...
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby gpz1100 » Sat Jun 15, 2013 12:18 pm
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Re: Tony Abbot mentions cycling. Wow *skeptisism
Postby trailgumby » Sat Jun 15, 2013 12:56 pm
Actually, it comes down to one person, who is not even a citizen of this country.gpz1100 wrote:Lets not forget the media and what scum bags they are.they ultimately decide who runs this country.
Of course, he isn't so crude as to dictate what people write.
He just hires journalists, editors and executives he knows will write what he wants. And they know he only hires those who write stuff that reflects his political views, and he knows they know that so from his perspective, it's all good. And if your views start to develop in ways that diverge fro m his, you get moved sideways. When he says "I don't tell my journalists what to write" he is telling the truth ... he doesn't need to.
Andrew Neill's biography of his time heading up News' UK operations is instructive.
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