Bikes and the Baillieu government

A distubing editorial in 'The Age' today regarding cylcing in Victoria

"...More than 11.5 million bicycles were sold in Australia over the past decade - 2 million more than cars. The Government, rather than having abandoned a moribund policy, should have found ways to improve it, making things safer and more desirable for cyclists."

I couldn't agree more. I also find it particularly disturbing that many environmental initiatives have either stopped or wound back with the Baillieu government. Cattle grazing in national parks, talking of opening up Wilson Promontory to development. Expanding Melbourne *cough* green corridor. 

Even though Ted Ballieu is mentioned in the media as a 'moderate' people who vote in the middle may not be thinking this is the case. I'd be a bit worried if I was him with a one seat majority.

Cargo Bikes, inital investigations

Christina and myself are exploring the option of a Dutch style cargo bike. So I thought I'd check out the local bike shop in Cowes.
Their first response was what is a Cargo Bike? I told them to look up google. After that they went on to tell me the reasons not to get a Cargo Bike. There are no seats for the Children... (rubbish) they are unstable... Towing a trailer is a better choice....(We already have one)
I was disappointing that they had such strong opinions considering that they had never heard of a Cargo bike prior to me walking in; let alone never ridden such a bike! I'm unsure how they could have formed such opinions without even given such a bike a go or at least read a review. All the reviews which I have read have been positive.

On reflection I wouldn't go to this shop for the obvious reasons. I wish people could just be honest and say I don't know anything about these bikes.