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Voice Ocean Grove
March 29 - April 11, 2017
CAM'S IRONMAN QUEST, PAGE 3
OCEAN GROVE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
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Allan O'Donoghue and his group of cyclists are pleading for a bike rack on The Terrace. 166452
Just rack us up By Justin Flynn A group of Ocean Grove cyclists are pleading with City of Greater Geelong for a bike rack on The Terrace. The group, which cycles every day and meets outside Mint Cafe on The Terrace, is forced to leave their bicycles on the footpath or hang them from trees. They say it inconveniences pedes-
trians, local shopkeepers and themselves. The group says that two designated car parks outside the cafe could easily accommodate a bike rack, while still leaving enough space for two parked cars. The car park often has three cars parked there, even though it is only designated a two-car parking bay. “It is a problem with pedestri-
ans getting through and we don’t want that,” group spokesman Allan O’Donoghue said. “We don’t want to disrupt people and if we did have a bike rack, it would make a huge difference. It’s wanted by the shopkeepers just as much.” The group is often described as a ‘Men’s Shed on wheels’ given the large number of participants aged over 65 that take part in their morning ride,
finishing with coffee at Mint Cafe. “It’s important for our physical and mental health to be able to do this,” Mr O’Donoghue said. “And really anyone from the general public could use the bike rack as well. It’s not just for us.” The group has approached council and Mr O’Donoghue said early discussions had gone well, but had stalled recently.
“We can see that there are a lot of things in this community that would take priority over this, but it would be well used,” he said. “We’re not on a witch hunt to council. They have measured it up and the first stage has been done, but it’s taking a little longer than we’d hoped.” City of Greater Geelong was contacted for comment, but did not respond at the time of going to print.
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