Transport
It is important to consider the way you get around, and see if a simple change might make a big difference to your lifestyle. At the Moreland Energy Foundation, we encourage walking and cycling, as not only will you make yourself healthier, you'll see more of your neighbourhood, build community spirit and maybe even find a cafe you've never noticed before!
If a car is the best option for you, it would be a good idea to look around and find one that best suits your needs. A smaller car is almost always a better idea if you're living in the city, though of course you need to consider your passenger needs. Fuel efficiency will play a big role in both your ongoing expenses and the impact you'll be making on the environment.
Check out our guide to Car Fuel Efficiency and Emissions to get a better idea, or look at the Australian government's rating system at Green Vehicle.
Read our Transport fact sheet for more ideas.
Here's a selection of walking and riding resources that can help make active transport, easier, more assessible and fun!
If you would like to add your own, please contact us.
Even with the best of intentions sometimes cycling, walking or catching public transport isn't always practical. We have barriers to time, distance, weather, storage space and passengers. Car sharing is now an option in Melbourne, and if you need access to a car a few times a month or week, it is an option worth considering.
When buying a new car, it is a good idea to understand its fuel efficiency so you can get a better idea of how much it will cost you to run. The Australian government requires all new cars sold in Australia to have a clear label that shows the car’s fuel consumption in litres per 100km travelled and its carbon emissions per kilometre. This is a great way of getting an objective assessment of cars. If you are interested in more detail, check out our fact sheet on Car Fuel Efficiency, or visit the Green Vehicle Guide website.
The Melbourne Bike Share is a step in the right direction. The scheme features half-hour rentals of bikes parked at a number of locations around central Melbourne, for a daily fee of $2.50 or an annual fee of $50. For detailed pricing and other information, visit www.melbournebikeshare.com.au. There was slow uptake initially because no helmets were provided with the bike, and riding a bike without a helmet can incur a fine of $146. You can now buy a helmet for $5 at selected 7-Eleven and IGA outlets in the city. Plus, once you’ve finished, you can return your helmet and receive a $3 refund. One wonders if this development will improve the uptake of the scheme. Or, will it result in non-BikeShare-users getting cheap helmets, with taxpayers paying for the subsidy. The jury is still out.
The Moreland City Council has decided to put its money where its mouth is, and plans to invest $120m in a trailblazing strategy intended to encourage a “renaissance in cycling”. This draft strategy has plans which will widen the network of bike paths to include Glenroy and Fawkner. The Moonee Ponds Creek trail will also receive a much-needed overhaul to connect missing links.
New developments in Moreland include bike cages and car share spaces to make up for limited space availability. This, hopefully, will encourage an uptake among the three car-share schemes now operating in Moreland - Flexicar, GoGet and GreenShareCar. Car-share programs offer paid members great flexibility in the use of cars, from an hour to a couple of days. They are parked at convenient locations around the city and you can check availability of the cars online!
Why not make you next holiday a biking holiday? Bicycle Victoria (http://www.bv.com.au) organises some great riding trips across Victoria. It’s a great way to see the state and meet other passionate cyclists. Go on. Get riding. And, the next time you think of taking your car to go to the shops, walk instead.
Green Guru appears every three weeks in the Moreland Leader.
The Moreland Bicycle Users Group (BUG) is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers who love cycling, and want others to love it too.
Some of the the BUGs objectives are:
- To promote greater and safer commuter and recreational cycling in the City of Moreland
- To liaise with local and state government authorities regarding on-road and off-road bicycle facilities
- To liaise with other bicycle groups for the promotion of cycling
- To provide affordable and accessible membership and activities for all members
- The promotion of cycling in general.
The BUGs activities include: monthly meetings, social events - including recreational rides and movie nights, and running stalls and bike valets at local events and festivals.
Membership is free, and the best way to keep in touch is via the BUG email list. To join, visit The Moreland Bug Website.
Transport is an important part of people’s lives. The choices we make affect where we prefer to live and what activities we do. They also impact on our finances, health and quality of life. The average Moreland resident spends more than $2000 a year on vehicle registration and insurance alone. Taking one car off the road can save you a bundle and reduce carbon dioxide by 3000kg a year. For residents and businesses needing occasional car use, car-share schemes are a great option. They offer members the flexibility of renting cars on an hourly or daily basis. Three car-share schemes operate in Moreland: Flexicar, Goget and Greensharecar. The cars are parked in Brunswick, Brunswick East and Coburg and there are plans to expand the network.
Electric bikes, also ideal for commuting, are available through Moreland Energy Foundation’s Delivering Clean Energy Solutions program. (Please note: as of 24 February 2012, the DCES program is closed and all offers are now unavailable.)
Flights and emissions
So you have a pretty energy-efficient home, try to minimise car use, recycle and buy GreenPower electricity. Pretty low carbon footprint?
Beware - one return flight to Europe could effectively undo all this good work. A long haul flight can cause the same or more greenhouse gas emissions per person than a whole year’s electricity use in your home!
Sustainability Advice is a service of the Moreland Solar City project, part of the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative, led by the Moreland Energy Foundation, in partnership with Moreland City Council, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Sustainability Victoria.
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