Category: Transport & mobility

Zero Emissions Byron

zero emissions byron

Everyone here who has committed themselves for many years to providing a technical way forward- providing the science, the data the road maps to get us into a honourable and sustainable future knows all to well that the head alone simply isn’t enough.

  • the head of scientific fact
  • needs a heart of community and business engagement
  • and it needs the collective will from community, business and government leadership.

In Australia, Byron Shire has undertaken to try and unite the head of need with the heart of want with the will of action.

Byron Shire has acknowledged this and has committed itself to pursuing the goal to become Australia’s first zero net community-within 10 years.

Using the roadmaps developed by Zero Carbon Australia, Byron shall undertake, alongside partner Beyond Zero Emissions to develop a local roadmap to transform its footprints in the areas of Energy, Waste, Transport, Land Use and Buildings.

This will be in conjunction with the work already occurring within the shire and region.

Using the BZE template, we will build on and collaborate with expert and nationally significant actions of local organisations that include : Sustain Northern Rivers (SNR), COREM (Community Owned Renewable Energy Mullumbimby), ENOVA(soon to be Australia’s first community-owned renewable energy retailer).

And finally, Byron Shire Council has initiated and gained support for an Australian first- developing a Virtual Net Metering trial.

This can all occur, because, in byron, we have a community heart that doesn’t just accept the science of climate change, but insists in being part of the solution to it. The heart of the Byron community sees the value of action. The heart of the Byron community cares about intergenerational justice, and plantary justice.

We see ourselves as empowered, creative, skilled and progressive and, though we have pressing local issues at hand dealing with tourism, dealing with infrastructure, trying to keep the integrity of the community intact this community knows that what we’re hear for is what we leave for those coming after us.

And that we have a role to play to create solutions to our global challenges.

It is a mindset and collective pulse that propels us. And the aspiration to become Australia’s first zero net community is one we relish.

Facebook page: Zero Emissions Byron

Transport & mobility links

This Transport list is maintained by Sapoty Brook. Please email sapoty@beyond-oil.com with suggestions.
We invite you to comment and recommend useful links.

Electric Cars

Bicycles, Trikes, and Scooters (including electric)

  • Go Further Faster on an electric bike.beyond-oil
    Sapoty has Mountain Bikes [2 models], Step Thru Bikes, Folding Bikes, Conversion Kits, and Electric Motor Scooters [Registerable].
    He is also developing a cargo carrying trike called SolarEV.
    Contact: Sapoty Brook, Mullumbimby
    sapoty@beyond-oil.com
    m 0407 213 267
    h: 02 6684 2927
    www.beyond-oil.com

Bicycle Shops

  • Byron Bay Bicycles
    2/Plaza Cellars, 90 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    (02) 6685 6067
    http://byronbaybicycles.com.au
  • Sunrise Cycles Byron Bay
    102 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    (02) 6680 9590
  • Transition Cycles & Fitness
    49 River Street, Ballina NSW 2478
    (02) 6686 6522
  • True Wheel Cycles
    Anglican Church of St Martin’s, 42 Stuart St, Mullumbimby NSW 2482
    (02) 6684 1959
  • Byron Bay Threesome
    2/9 Marvell Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    (02) 6680 7906
  • Byron Bay Bike Shops. Bay Cruisers Pty Ltd.
    69 Shirley St, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481.
    (02) 66807906.
  • COG Cycle & Outdoor Gear
    2/31 Lawson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    (02) 6680 7066
  • Byron Bay Freeriders Bicycle Club
    102-104 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    (02) 6680 9590
  • Vitality 4 Life
    10 Brigantine Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    (02) 6680 7444
    http://vitality4life.com

Taxis and Car Rentals

Public Transport

  • Going Places
    This is an outstanding source of transport information.
    Lists local bus services including timetables. When will they go electric?
    http://www.goingplaces.org.au/
    info@goingplaces.org.au
  • Tweed Byron and Ballina Community Transport
    Head Office Shop 9/14 Middleton St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
    1300 875 895
    Fax: 6685 7027
    Email: admin@community-transport.org.au
    Website: www.community-transport.org.au
  • Premier Motor Service
    Premier has two routes through the Northern Rivers:
    Lismore – Brisbane: Lismore Alstonville, Ballina, Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Tweed Heads, Gold Coast, Brisbane.
    Sydney – Brisbane: Sydney…Grafton, Mclean, Iluka, Woodburn, Ballina, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads, Gold Coast, Brisbane
    Phone: 133 410
    Website: www.premierms.com.au
    Office: 10 Investigator Street, South Nowra NSW 2541
  • Greyhound/McCaffertys Australia
    Route: Sydney – Brisbane – Sydney
    Sydney – Brisbane: Sydney…South Grafton, Ballina, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah, Gold Coast, Brisbane
    Half fare concessions are available for students, apprentices, trainees, Job Seekers, and pensioners (more options available to pensioners).
    1300 473 946
    Fax: (07) 4632 5457
    Website: http://www.greyhound.com.au
  • Countrylink
    Bookings can be made online with a credit card up to 2 hours before the service departs from its origin. If you don’t have a credit card you can still make a booking online and pay by using “Pay It @Post”, providing you book at least 7 days in advance. Email reservations will be accepted up to 48 hours prior to departure.
    (Rail and coach reservations, train arrival & departure times and accessibility help)
    Phone: 132 232
    bookings@countrylink.nsw.gov.au
    Website: www.countrylink.info
  • Byron Night Shuttle
    6687 2104
    Mainly weekends
  • Bat Bus service
    For groups of young people aged 12-25 in the Byron Shire, who need help with transport.
    Phone: 6685 8771
    www.batbus.net
  • Northern Rivers Carpool
    The Northern Rivers Carpool is a free, online service for anyone who wants to save money, meet new people and reduce their carbon footprint while travelling to work or study. The NR Carpool is easy to use. It takes two minutes to join the network and then NR Carpool will search its database and match you with other people travelling in the same direction.
    http://www.nrcarpool.org/
  • Jayride car pooling – ride share lists
    Share empty seats when you drive and make your travel fun and cheap. Find transport by carpool, rideshare, bus, shuttle, relocation cars and more…
    Jayride – Byron Bay carpooling

Electric car conversion

I am embarking on a long desired project of converting a petrol powered Daewoo Matiz car to an all electric vehicle (EV)
Many people think electric cars are the transport of the future as fossil fuels run out however point out that ev’s still have to be charged from the mains and unfortunately most of our power is generated by coal fired power stations. However power stations are much more efficient at converting fossil fuels (coal) into energy (electricity) (about 80%) A petrol or diesel engine is only about 30% efficient with the rest of the energy going into waste heat and partially burnt toxic gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide. Electric motors have been improved so much that they can 96% efficient and of course they are vibrationless quiet and long lasting with zero emissions requiring no maintenance or oil changes or tuning. The conversion will probably never pay back my investment ($20000 or so) but if petrol becomes rationed or scarce then it will be a viable alternative.

For the technically minded
I chose this small car because it is a hatchback which is suitable for battery placement in front of the rear wheels as the weight distribution has to be within 10% of the original car. Also it weighs less than 800 kg and does not have power steering. Converting the car to battery power only, means removing the engine, exhaust system, radiator, petrol tank, fuel pump and lines, alternator, water pump, fanbelts, radiator fan and hoses. Next stage is installing a motor and associated controller and inverter and many other gadgets like a vacuum pump to, make the power brakes work. I will need a sophisticated 3 phase ac motor for efficiency and to enable a reliable regenerative braking system which charges the batteries when you brake to a stop or descend a hill. It’s a bit like using your engine in a low gear to slow a normal car except that it generates electricity which recharges the battery. The combination of the normal brakes and regen braking will be tricky to setup but there are steep hills around my place so I really want this system.

I will fit enough batteries & size the motor to give a range of about 100 km and cruising speed of 90 kmh.
I hope this car will be a shown at sustainable living and transition town events.

If anyone reading this has done an ev conversion or is mechanically minded and wants to be involved please contact me
Peter Wadams ph 02 66805007

Electric Vehicles

Transport is a major contributor to green house gases. Some scientists consider it is even more significant than coal fired power stations. This is because coal fired power stations also emit particles into the atmosphere which reflect incoming heat from the sun. Transport fossil fuels emit far less particles.

An independent Swedish research institute has confirmed that peak oil occurred about 2007. The drop in oil supplies is immanent and is expected to occur at the rate of about 5% per annum. The enormous dependence of transportation, industry, and agriculture on oil derived liquid fuels places an additional sense of urgency for transition of the transport sector. When the old industrial economy starts to collapse and people lose their jobs it will be much more difficult for everyone to make this transition. So the time to prepare is NOW.

There are three main options for carbon neutral transport:

1. Biofuels will only be sustainable if they can be created without using significant agricultural resources.

2. Hydrogen will only be sustainable if energy-efficient means of splitting water become commercially viable.

3. Electric vehicles are viable now and range limitations are being removed by improved battery technologies, fast charging stations, and battery swapping stations.

Of course, it is always assumed that the electric vehicles are charged from renewable energy sources such as “Green Power” from the grid. Future “smart grid” technologies will utilise the grid connected vehicle batteries to smooth the load on the grid.

Both public and private transport, including industrial and agricultural vehicles, must be quickly transitioned to mainly electric power.

Electric trains are the obvious most efficient means to transport freight and people over medium to long distances. Australia should start building a fast trains network. However it is conceivable that air transport could be made sustainable if liquid biofuels can be used.

Private electric vehicles can be cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. The initial cost of the vehicle can be substantially reduced by amortizing the battery cost over the life of the battery. Then the initial cost and running costs can both be less than a conventionally fueled vehicle.

Electric cars will come into the market over the next few years, but their introduction needs to be a lot faster to help avoid dangerous climate change. Electric motor scooters and electric bicycles can be affordably introduced much faster.

Electric two or three wheel vehicles can be fast, very economical and, with high visibility and defensive driving methods, safe. Electric bicycles can also be used on bicycle paths and do not require a licence, registration, or third party insurance.

I am making available electric scooters and electric bicycles at very affordable prices that enable people to save money on local transportation costs (www.beyond-oil.com). Petrol cars can then be kept for longer distance, bad weather, or load carrying journeys. Electric scooters capable of freeway speeds are now available.

You are welcome to come and have a test ride on an electric bike or scooter: phone Sapoty 0407 213 267 or 02 6684 2927.