Perth Voice Interactive

NEIGHBOURING mayors might cruise around in Mercs, but Vincent council has voted to give its mayor use of a $3000 electric bike.

Vincent hasn’t traditionally provided a mayoral vehicle (instead it reimburses the cost of travel), but Cr Josh Topelberg suggested an electric treadly as Vincent’s pretty small and has an “excellent network of bicycle routes”. He says it’ll support the city’s travelsmart initiatives (which aim to get people out of their cars) and set a good example.

Mayor John Carey’s a fitness nut so pedalling about the place will be no trouble: the electric motor will ensure he doesn’t end up sweaty for meetings, and he promises not to turn up in lycra.

“I’ll be getting around to functions, I’ll need to have a jacket and shirt,” he sighed. “It’s also setting an example that at Vincent we are frugal. We have a ban on travel, we don’t have a clothing allowance, we’re a very frugal council.”

by DAVID BELL