EXPO SEMINAR PROGRAM
These sessions are all complementary to attend. There is limited spaces so please arrive early to the preferred session as will be on a first come entry basis.
Friday 25 November
12.00pm Urban Living with Electric Vehicles: What, Why, When of EV Transport (at a micro level)
Synopsis: Australian Electric Vehicle Association Members have been building, buy and driving electric vehicles since 1973. Our members have decades of lived experience with electric transport – the what and why of EV – and are prominent players in the drive (pun intended) to electrifying Australia’s transportation sector – the when (or what next).
Speaker Michael Day, National Treasurer, Australian Electric Vehicle Association
Michael Day
BIO: Michael Day is National Treasurer of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, has an Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering and 15 years’ experience in the design and conversion of electric vehicles for himself and others.
Apart from having a compulsion for electric vehicle projects Michael has a passion for creating awareness, and dispelling myths about EV ownership.
AEVA is the oldest continuously active electric vehicle owner’s association in the world having formed in 1973. Its purpose is to create greater awareness of electric vehicles, encourage the rapid transition to electric transportation, and to be an official source of information on EVs in Australia.
1.00pm What to consider when purchasing an e-bike?
Synopsis: There are some important considerations to be made before you purchase an e-bike. Peter will address many of these including:
- Does the bike meet Australian Standards
- What insurance should be considered
- What are the speed restrictions
- How far do e-bikes go before they need re-charging
- How long do batteries last
- Are batteries reliable and safe. What should I consider in terms of regular maintenance
- How long do batteries last; can they be exchanged/recycled
Speaker Peter McLean, CEO, Bicycle NSW
Peter McLean
BIO: Peter joins Bicycle NSW with extensive experience as a CEO at other Not for Profits and peak bodies, including Keep Australia Beautiful and Can Too Foundation. In those fields he has driven outcomes which positively impact the environment and communities, working with governments to gain their support for key initiatives including the introduction of key environmental legislation and regulations. He has rapidly grown programs such as the Ocean Swim Program which have improved supporter and member engagement and delivered improved financial sustainability.
As well as holding a Bachelor of Environmental Management, Peter honed his business skills and expertise by completing an MBA, sub-majoring in law and public relations.
Peter has been an avid cyclist for decades, having competed seriously as a young rider to NRS level and competed in mountain biking at a national level. He has been a commuter and recreational rider for many years and is now teaching his young daughters to ride. Peter says “I’m really excited about the opportunity to join the great team at Bicycle NSW and actively engaging with advocacy, our Bugs and members.”
Saturday 26 November10.30am Rail Trails for NSW: Are We There Yet?
Synopsis: As modern roads replaced rail as the easiest and most cost-effective way to ship produce, farmers and other shippers grew to rely less on trains. In NSW and elsewhere, governments and private operators progressively shut down rail operations, especially in rural areas.
Other jurisdictions repurposed many of these lines into trails for use by the community at large, for walking, horse riding and cycling. NSW however, was burdened with legacy legislation which prevented thousands of kilometers of moribund rail corridors from being redeveloped, while costing millions of dollars to maintain.
The process to address these issues is finally bearing fruit.
Speaker Sam Reich, Regional Representative for Sydney Metro and the Hunter Region, Rail Trails Australia
Sam Reich
BIO: A geologist and mining consultant with over 40 years of experience, Sam has occupied a wide variety of senior roles within the mining industry, in both Australia and the United States.
He is also a cyclist for travel, fun and fitness, and a passionate advocate for improved public amenity for what we call “active transport”, including walking, cycling, the mobility disabled, etc. This also leads to his strong interest in modern urban design and better cities initiatives.
He is President of the Newcastle Cycleways Movement BUG, and is a committee member and regional representative for Rail Trails Australia.
11.15am Why e-cargo bikes are the next evolution in urban transport
Synopsis: This seminar is about e-cargo bikes and the definition, and how they can move people and cargo, what it will take for them to become mainstream, and how they can fit into everyday life.
Speakers: Benjamin Carr, Co-Founder, Bob Barrett, Head of Marketing + Brand, and Rachel Ware, Community Manager, Lug + Carrie
Benjamin Carr
Bob Barrett
Rachel Ware
12.30pm – 1.00pm – How an Octogenarian Cycled Across Australlia to Deliver Safer Streets.
Synopsis: One of the great benefits of modern e-bikes is their capacity to keep older people riding, helping them stay active and connected.
But despite their rapidly advancing technology, their improved power assistance and the greater distances they can cover between charges, few people would seriously consider riding an e-bike from one side of Australia to another.
But that’s exactly what septuagenarian – soon to become octogenarian – John Stace has set out to do.
With his 80th birthday looming next year, the retired WA doctor liked the sound of an 80-80-80 challenge: 80km per day for 80 days to traverse the continent before his milestone birthday. Come and listen to his journey and see some amazing photos.
Speaker John Stace
John Stace
BIO: With his 80th birthday looming next year, the retired WA doctor liked the sound of an 80-80-80 challenge: 80km per day for 80 days to traverse the continent before his milestone birthday.
“The vision statement I was giving to people is I was going for a bike ride to see my grandkids … in Sydney more than 4,000km away,” he joked.
John set off from Perth in September, driven by his personal challenge and a broader ambition to help bring better streets for everyone to cycle, walk and live.
2.00pm – 4.00pm – Workshop: How healthy is your street?
Synopsis: Do you want to find out how to make your local neighbourhoods a healthier place to live, work, and play? Join Lucy Saunders, founder of Healthy Streets UK and learn how to measure the health of your streets and ensure your neighbourhood is healthy and easily accessible for everyone to enjoy.Speaker Lucy Saunders, Founder, Healthy Streets
Lucy Saunders
BIO: Healthy Streets was developed by Lucy Saunders through her research on the interface of urban spaces and human health. She is a unique combination of public health specialist, urbanist and transport planner. Lucy works with organisations across the world adapting her Healthy Streets Approach to each context. She also collaborates with kind and brilliant people to create exciting new things that help to improve population health. The success of this Approach is its wide-reaching resonance across political, special interest and professional divides. Lucy uses this Approach to engage, influence and coordinate a wide range of stakeholders around a coherent vision. She is a skilled and engaging presenter and teacher who has inspired and trained hundreds of practitioners, advocates and politicians around the world.