CAN Do 2010 Local group updates 2: Waiheke, Manawatu, Dunedin, Whakatane

CAN Do 2010 Local group updates 2: Waiheke, Manawatu, Dunedin, Whakatane

Cycle Action Waiheke

Presented by: Tom Ransom, Cycle Action Waiheke

  • The group works with whoever will listen to them! Have had success with a local roading engineer.
  • Didn't get National Cycleway funding, but the process brought a lot of people on board with the idea (e.g. engineers, Fullers Ferries).
  • Map of cycling in Waiheke being launched, funded by Fullers, who are also putting a safety message on the back of buses. They are keen on bike racks on buses.
  • Links with businesses are fruitful, and Cycle Action Waiheke have been making the most of last year's CAN Award to Fullers.
  • Did adult cycle skills training with Patrick Morgan.
  • There is pressure for a local one-lane gravel coastal road to either be upgraded as a road or made car-free, and public opinion is slightly favouring the latter.

Cycle Aware Manawatu

Presented by: Julie Dalziel, Cycle Aware Manawatu

  • Has been working on cycling training, and developed relationship with Sport Manawatu. Have done instructor training, and adult skills training, with funding from Sport Manawatu, an environment trust, and CAN.
  • Made submissions, particularly on the Regional Transport Strategy.  Cycle Aware Manawatu heard the cycling funding had been cut from the Draft Annual Plan after NZTA money was reduced, so they turned up at the council meeting and lots of cycling items were put back in - councillors found new ways to do things more cheaply.
  • Having meetings in a cafe, and advertising them in the local paper.
  • A local frustration is Te Awe Awe Street, where the solution may be to use an off-road path.
  • Future: doing more cycle skills training which will be managed by the Regional Council; becoming incorporated; and updating their website.

Spokes Dunedin

Presented by: Hank Weiss, Spokes Dunedin

  • Involved in Regional Land Transport Strategy review (waste of time: they did what they wanted to), and the Otago Regional Council stocktake.
  • Also the North Dunedin Neighborhood Accessibility Plan (involved at early stage, which was good), and Dunedin cycling review (following on from the City Cycling Plan, which achieved none of its objectives).
  • Dunedin has a 30 km/hr area in the central city.
  • Spokes Dunedin are promoting e-bikes.
  • In April, were involved in webinar, which linked with Portland, Oregon - great opportunity to get people together, and then discuss the issues afterwards.
  • Had a visit from Martin Wedderburn (about good street design) and Alistair Woodward (his presentation is on-line, generated good discussion).
  • Local issue about John Wilson Memorial Drive, deciding whether to re-open it to cars or not.
  • Did a 'harbour hazard' ride, to highlight the problem areas.
  • Have links to the Tunnels Trail - see it as part of encouraging more people to ride.
  • Dealing with university campus cycling ban (caused by cyclist-pedestrian crash).
  • Future: campus cycleway ride (partnering with new people, e.g. environmental society); webinar in March; e-bike publicity; training in 'complete streets' programme.

Cycle Action Whakatane

Presented by: Pip Wonacott, Cycle Action Whakatane

  • The local council sent Pip to this CAN Do.
  • The group maintains a website.
  • In Bike Wise Week they showed a couple of biking films.
  • Make submissions to council - their transport department thinks people are too lazy to cycle!
  • There are good regional plans, but they don't seem to communicate the plans to the consultants who do the work.
  • The Opotiki section of the National Cycleway is happening.