The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) has called for urgent action following the deaths of three cyclists this weekend.
CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan says news of the deaths has highlighted the need for New Zealand's roads to be made safer for people cycling and those wanting to take it up.
"There are Government strategies and programmes to promote cycling and cycle safety, but we haven't seen enough changes on the street yet."
"Urgent action is needed. This will require a lot more resources and leadership to make changes."
In 2008 CAN presented a 3,500-signature petition and 9-point plan to the Government calling for action on improving safety for people on bikes.
"Cycling is a healthy sport and a convenient way to get from A to B, but these crashes highlight that
we're not doing nearly enough to make our roads, drivers and vehicles safer," says Mr Morgan.
"We renew our call for national and local government do the following things in the next two years:"
1.Run a national Share the Road promotional campaign telling motorists and cyclists how to co-exist safely on the roads.
2.Change transport planning and funding processes to make sure key problem areas or gaps for cyclists (e.g. Auckland Harbour Bridge, Petone to Wellington cycleway) get fixed - no more delays or buck-passing between various organisations.
3.Spend less on road building and more on encouraging alternatives to driving. More motor vehicles on our roads only make things less safe and attractive for cycling.
4.Promote the use of lower speed zones, particularly 30km/h in residential and shopping streets.
5.Change the tolerance for motor vehicle speed limit enforcement from 10km/h to a maximum of ten per cent of the posted speed limit.
6.Increase the cycling budget in the National Land Transport Programme by a factor of five.
7.Change funding and audit processes to make sure that all roading projects improve the environment for cycling.
8.Change the driver licensing system and driver instruction so motorists are educated about how to take care around cyclists.
9.Fund and promote nationwide roll-out of cycle skills training for children and adults.
Mr Morgan says the Government and many local authorities have cycling strategies and programmes, but actual changes are taking far too long to put in place.
These require much greater resources and the will to act on existing commitments.
The Ministry of Transport's Household Travel Survey 2003 - 2006 shows there are about 1.3 million cyclists in New Zealand (about 30% of the population) making it one of the country's most popular sporting and leisure pursuits.
Patrick Morgan, tel 027 563 4733
Cycling Advocates Network
www.can.org.nz
Comments
news report from the Morrinsville crash
The cyclists who died were Wilhelm Muller, 71, of Morrinsville and Mark Andrew Ferguson, 46, of Waitoa.
A third cyclist, Kay Wolfe, 45, of Morrinsville was also struck by the vehicle, suffering 'moderate' injuries. She is currently in surgery at Waikato Hospital.
The three were part of a group of around 10 Morrinsville Wheelers Cycling Club members on a unofficial club ride when a 23-year-old woman veered into them at around 9.05am on the Morrinsville-Walton Rd.
The vehicle was travelling towards the cyclists when the accident occurred. Mr Muller died at the scene, while Mr Ferguson died later at Waikato Hospital.
The vehicle's driver, who was on her way to work, suffered moderate injuries and had to be cut, by fire services, out of her car.
Police said no alcohol was involved in the crash.
Manawatu news report
Two people have died on the region's road during the weekend.
On Saturday afternoon just before 3pm, a cyclist was killed on state highway 3 near Sanson. It is believed the victim was a 34-year-old woman riding a push bike.
And just before midnight Saturday, a heavily pregnant 42-year-old woman was killed near Opiki, after a north-bound vehicle crossed the centre line and collided with a the woman's south bound car.
Police communications inspector Paul Jermy said the male driver of the north-bound vehicles was critically injured and a passenger in the woman's car was taken to Palmerston North Hospital.
Police have not yet released the dead woman's name. Investigations into the crash are continuing.
Manawatu cyclist killed in road crash is named
A cyclist killed in a road crash at the weekend was training for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.
Patricia Anne Veronica Fraser, aged 34, from Longburn, near Palmerston North, was out training with her best friend for the event which takes place on 27 November and sees riders endure 160km around Taupo Lake. The pair were riding single file along SH3 near Mount Stewart when Patricia was hit by a car travelling in the same direction.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Patricia was married and had three daughters and one son. Her youngest is aged 5 and her eldest is aged 13.
Her family are devastated by her loss and have asked for some space and privacy to grieve.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027
234 8256.
Please view the full news release online at:
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/26030.html
media interviews
I talked to TV3 and Dom Post, Glen talked to TVNZ and NZ Herald.
You can see the 3-minute interview on TVNZ News at 8 last Sunday:
http://tvnz.co.nz/tvnz-news-at-8/tvnz-news-8-sunday-ow-video-2727606
(you'll need Adobe Flash Player to view apparently)
Wait through the advert and the item is about 40% of the way through
"Chapter 1", after the Russian trade deal (I think you can just click at
the appropriate location in the bar below the picture)
Stuff report: Thirteen dead in crashes
A 42-year-old mother-to-be heading home from a Gin Wigmore concert was killed - along with her unborn child - in a head-on car crash during a grim weekend of 13 vehicle-related deaths.
more: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/national-news/4343257/Eleven-d...
NZ Herald story 16 Nov
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10687871&r...
Cycle safety in focus
Three cyclists have been killed and a Christchurch cyclist has been badly injured after a horror period on the roads that has left 12 people dead.
The Chief Coroner is considering holding a joint inquest for the cyclists to determine if driving laws need to change in the wake of the high weekend toll.
Judge Neil MacLean said a coronial investigation into cycle safety was timely.
He was responding to a call by Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Patrick Morgan for action to ensure Kiwi drivers were better educated.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4347700/Cycle-safety-in-focus
Action urged after three cyclists die
The Chief Coroner is considering holding a joint inquest for three cyclists to determine whether driving laws need to change after the weekend's heavy road toll.
Twelve people, including a pregnant mother, her unborn child and three cyclists, died on the roads at the weekend.
Judge Neil MacLean said a coronial investigation into cycle safety was timely.
He was responding to a call by Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Patrick Morgan for action to ensure New Zealand drivers are better educated, especially when it comes to their responsibilities around cyclists.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4347714/Action-urged-after-three-cyclist...
Chief Coroner to be interviewed on Radio NZ Checkpoint
at 5:30pm Tue 16 Nov
I think there has to be more
I think there has to be more emphasis (where possible) on seperating cars and bikes, and combining bikes and foot traffic. I´ve come from Germany recently where there are fantastic bike lanes on the footpath (painted line to seperate). Sometimes the spaces are very thin for both bike and walker, and sometimes there are accidents between the two, but only in extremely rare cases are there actual fatalities. There has been major campaigning over the years to help develop a healthy respect for one another. There are of course footpaths or streets where this isn´t possible.