CAN Do 2009 Local Groups 5: Cycle Action Waikato, Rotorua Cycle Action, Bicycle Nelson Bays, North Taranaki Cycle Advocates

CAN Do 2009 Local Groups 5: Cycle Action Waikato, Rotorua Cycle Action, Bicycle Nelson Bays, North Taranaki Cycle Advocates

Submitted by adrian on 27 November, 2009 - 10:08

Cycle Action Waikato

  • Submitted to councils, but not interested in cycling.
  • (Great photos of Europe, Brisbane!)
  • Draft Regional walking and cycling strategy.
  • Weakness of Cycle Action Waikato is lack of a social side (might look at things like Frocks on Bikes).
  • 55% subsidy for council funding has been cut.
  • "Donkey trail" (National cycleway): 3 projects in the Waikato region.
  • NZTA lost cycle champion to Tauranga.
  • Funding crossing to botanical gardens, repairs to main river trail. Parks and gardens staff don't like bikes.
  • Cambridge bypass: some good off-road access.

Rotorua Cycle Action

  • Group is now two years old- thanks to help from CAN staff.
  • 4 people in main group, 50 people on email, 20 using the website.
  • Website useful for sharing- would like to tailor more to the group's needs now.
  • Critical mass rides: issues with children; spiral into town to increase number of left turns. Got people out and felt safer in a group. Lot of interest in getting kids on bikes.
  • Ride to work breakfast.
  • Bikelove swapmeet- to trade bike stuff.
  • Main emphasis in Rotorua is on mountain biking, one cycle access route to provide way from hotel to MTB trails.
  • Submissions to LTCCP, safer roads.
  • Rotorua in Gear project: BikeNZ aim to get more people on bikes. Cycle education. Rotorua is a trial, plan to roll out to other cities. Bike recycling.
  • Eastside schools project: improving access to schools on East side of town. Time to get all principals on side. 4 schools all connected by residential streets. Heavy traffic at entrances. Previous improvements to arterials, now looking at cycle routes to school.
  • Councillors getting more friendly towards cycling. May influence old-style engineering officers.
  • For the future: West side commuter link through parks and reserves.
  • Membership: trying to pick up recreational/sport people into advocacy.
  • Relationships: council, DHB, iwi, regional linkages.
  • Critical Mass every 3 months.
  • Capitalise on events e.g. single speed world champs.

Bicycle Nelson Bays

  • UpCycle - getting adults back on bikes. Funding from DHB and councils. House44 area in Stoke, low income, little equipment, inappropriate clothing e.g. jandals that broke. But people do acquire enthusiasm. Donated recycled bikes.
  • Nelson City Council (high achievers in the Cycle Friendly Awards), Bobbies on bikes suggested by Bicycle Nelson Bays. Police get a picture of what it's like on a bike.
  • Still have high crash statistics.
  • Top of south cycle route- were already working on it before the National Cycleway proposal. Links needed through the city, could result in traffic calming.
  • Media engagement: 1.5m campaign by BikeNZ people, letters to editor, consulted Anne and Marg Parfitt.

North Taranaki Cycle Advocates

  • Main work done by Graeme & Nathaniel (who works in roading at council)
  • Meetings with Cycling Strategy implementation team, cycle network upgrade.
  • $1.35M funding in LTCCP, but being reviewed.
  • Safer Journeys submission- CAN template was useful.
  • ViaStrada working on intersections.
  • Safe Routes to School, now called "School Travel Plans" ("safe" is not appealing to kids).
  • Redesigning maps to be orienteering-style real maps.
  • Wild West Bike Fest: Wild West blokey bike culture- this year will feminise.
  • HelmArt: 12 children brought in old helmets, became object of art, and then got a new helmet.
  • Movies in the park, encourage cyclists to go.
  • Media coverage: hard to get? Capitalise on Cycling Conference and CAN Do?