Transition Darebin

Moving house on two wheels: Darebin Bike Move #1

27 July, 2009 at 2:52 am transitiondarebin 2 comments

Move over Man with a Van! Bicycles are going to be a critical technology when conventional oil goes into decline, but the challenge will be: how do we move really big stuff around? Enter the Bike Move as a reminder of the capability and versatility of the humble push bike. On Saturday 25th July 2009, a group of courageous Darebinites moved Russell’s entire personal effects from East Brunswick to West Heidelberg (through but not as originally planned within Darebin!). This 15 km trip took us a few pleasant hours, via a scenic route along backstreets, through parks, along the creek and past a storage facility where we picked up more (yes, more!) of Russell’s stuff.

Bike movers ready to go!

Trailers on the trail

Russell takes in the scenery while pedalling his futon and frame, filing cabinets and bookshelf up the hill!

What’s the best part of a bike move? Is it the how-much-stuff-can-I-fit-on-my-bike challenge? Is it the smiles and waves from amazed pedestrians and drivers? Or is it the house warming party at the end?

Perhaps most people won’t ever undertake to move their whole house by bike (although let’s face it, it was pretty fun!), but hopefully this demonstrates that we don’t need a sports utility vehicle to pick up the groceries…

PS. The local paper even did an article about the bike move.

PPS. Check out this fascinating interview of Fatih Birol from the International Energy Association (IEA) by Guardian journalist George Monbiot on the status of conventional oil and its implications for transportation.

Are you a cyclist? Do you live in Darebin? Are you moving house? Get in touch with Transition Darebin and be moved by the power of two wheels!

Entry filed under: Energy, Past Events, Transport. Tags: bike, sustainable transport.