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		CSIT RTW Bulletin #4: Mon Jul 5 1999
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***** If you would like to make a contribution to these bulletins, *****
*****    please send it to me by email by the end of the month 	   *****


RE: GRAB RAILS - DO THEY GRAB YOU?

In my diatribe of last month, I forgot to mention that a friend of mine
was maimed (he will never have normal use of his right arm again) about
15 years ago by a night-time collision with a grab rail on the south
side of the Lake.  Some similar factors to my favorite rail at AIS:
coming down an incline, a slight dog-leg in the setting of the rails... 
Last time I went past, it was still there; I wonder who else it has
claimed?

Anyway, I'm told by Pedal Power that my Hazard Reports I sent in
have been passed on to the Dept of Urban Planning.

POWER ASSISTED BIKES:

These are pedal bikes with small motors; the idea is to get a power
boost coming up inclines and hills, so that your range can be increased
(especially important if you are commuting), while still getting much of
the benefits of exercise, fresh air (esp.  this time of the year!), easy
parking and low running costs. 

Markus was looking into these last month.  I passed on his enquiry to
Pedal Power, who said that the bike shop in Dickson sells these.  Markus
from his own research reported the following:

``I had a look at the bikes at the Canberra Mower Centre (Belc.) on the
weekend.  They're from Rotary Bikes, and are ideally sold as a bundle
with their bike, although they do suggest you can get them in kit form. 
Kits start around $1000, complete (mountain) bikes around $1500-$2000. 
They come with high-class shock absorbers, 30cc motor, various levels of
gears (from 1 to 18), centrifugal clutch, control lever and throttle on
the handlebars (similar to a motorbike), dynamo for lights and look
pretty slick.  The vendor suggested around 30km/h, and the literature
suggested about 100km/1.5l without any human input.  I didn't get any
weight info, but it's a pretty small bundle.''

In this month's Canberra Cyclist (the PP mag), there is an article on
ZAP electric bikes (www.zapbikes.com) - a 10kg 400 watt motor with
battery, cost ~$1100, available at the Dickson bike shop. 

RTW SURVEYS:

Many thanks to those (most of us) that have returned them.  They have
been sent on to Elaine now. 

REPORT ON RTW WINTER SOLSTICE LUNCH

I went along Friday of the week before last - nice weather.  Not a few
very keen cyclists were there; I thought I was making a decent ride in
from north Belconnen, but most people I met came from further: Holt,
Chapman, and even a lady coming in from Waniassa (``I wouldn't live any
closer cos' I'd miss the ride'').  Anyway, it was reasonable fun, even
though I missed out on getting anything from the prizedraws :-(. 

UPCOMING PEDAL POWER EVENTS:

I've put July's calendar up on our NoticeBoard.  Most events are on
weekends or morning, so that virtually counts me out (family
commitments). 

Well thats it for the time being. Happy cycling! -Peter.

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    RTW: sponsored by Pedal Power, HealthPact & (ACT) Heart Foundation
		 oooooooo Be Active for Life ! oooooooo
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