e.CAN 179 -The email bulletin of Cycling Advocates' Network, NZ-

e.CAN

Contents:
- CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards finalists announced
- NZ Cycling Conference and CAN Do 2009 - register now!
- Cycle tourism boom at risk if road safety doesn't improve
- Cycling advocates call for stop to cyclist-bashing
- No cell phone use while biking
- New Zealand Cycleway funding process announced
- Cycle, walkways at dead end in Hamilton
- Light will alert drivers to bike riders at Auckland black spot
- UK to get 10,000 secure bike parking spaces at train stations
- Cycling plan to blame UK drivers by default for all crashes
- U.S. cycle retailers value and support bike advocacy
- Weblinks

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CAN CYCLE-FRIENDLY AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

16 October 2009- Finalists in the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2009 have been announced today (in no particular order), as follows:

Avanti Award for Best Cycle Facility Project:

- Nelson City Council for Railway Reserve North Shared Path
- Waitakere City Council for Twin Streams Walking & Cycleway
- NZTA for Electronic cycle / cyclist activated warning signs

NZ Transport Agency Award for Best Cycling Promotion:

- New Plymouth District Council for Wild West Bike Fest (Feb 2009)
- Selwyn District Council for Selwyn Bikewise Month
- Frocks On Bikes, Welllington for Frocks On Bikes

NZ Transport Agency Award for Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Business:

- Transfield Worley Ltd for Commuter Bike Facilities
- Fullers Ferries for Fullers' Integrated Ferry and Bus Service
- NZ Green Bike Trust for Tertiary Hire Bike Programme

ViaStrada Award for Cycle-Friendly Commitment by a Public Organisation:

- Waitakere City Council for Te Atatu Peninsula Cycleway
- Police Nelson & Nelson City Council for Bobbies on Bikes
- Environment Canterbury for Environment Canterbury initiatives

Taranaki Regional Council Award for Cycling Champion of the Year

- Hon. John Key for National Cycleway
- Rod Bardsley for Kapiti Mountain Bike Park
- Bevan Woodward - Auckland Harbour Bridge 50th Anniversary Event

CAN's co-chair Glen Koorey said, "As with last year, we have continued to recognise cycling champions and most notably the Prime Minister, the Hon John Key, is a champion finalist for his determination in driving forward the National Cycleway initiative".

"CAN is keen to see an increase in everyday cycling. These awards recognise initiatives that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. We congratulate the finalists, for working to improve the cycling environment for everyone", said Axel Wilke, co-chair of CAN.

One of our five judges, Warren Lloyd of ViaStrada, said about the 33 entires this year, "I find myself encouraged and inspired bythe great work that is happening around the country and more relevantly, how there is always another 'undiscovered idea' that captures the imagination. I think the CAN awards are great, they are a good way to recognise all participants and in particular reward the stand-out people, ideas, and projects. Keep up the great work."

The prize winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony held in the TSB Theatre, TSB Showplace, Devon Street, New Plymouth on Thursday 12th November at 5 p.m. The Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Nathan Guy (on behalf of the Minister, Steven Joyce) will present the awards to the finalists. Winners will receive a uniquely designed "bicycle-bell" trophy, and a certificate.

Now in their seventh year, the Cycle-Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. The Awards are devised by the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN), the national organisation promoting everyday cycling.

The lead sponsor is CAN and category sponsors are Avanti, NZ Transport Agency, ViaStrada and Taranaki Regional Council. Early nominators were entered into a draw to win a $150 voucher from cycle clothing company Ground Effect.

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NZ CYCLING CONFERENCE AND CAN DO 2009 - REGISTER NOW!

The 7th NZ Cycling Conference is coming to New Plymouth on November 12-13 this year. A packed programme of speakers from New Zealand and overseas has been arranged for this biennial event. And for cycling advocates, the annual "CAN Do" workshop follows immediately after on the weekend of 14-15 November. More details on the CAN Do can be found at http://www.can.org.nz/2009-can-do.

The conference website is just being updated with more about this must-do event, including draft programme and registration info. So go to http://www.can.org.nz/conference/2009 for all the details. See you there!

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CYCLE TOURISM BOOM AT RISK IF ROAD SAFETY DOESN'T IMPROVE

The Ministry of Tourism has released a report showing a National Cycleway could double cycle tourism revenue from $320 million to $640 million per year.

Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) spokesperson Stephen McKernon says unless we address traffic issues New Zealand's potential cycle tourism growth won't be realised.

The report highlights a major barrier to the success of the National Cycleway is the speed and volume of New Zealand traffic, and with this, motorist attitudes and behaviours around cyclists.

"International and domestic cycle tourists both fear New Zealand's poor reputation for cyclist road safety," says McKernon.

McKernon says, "The report considers $640 million a conservative figure for revenues from the National Cycleway. This shows how much potential there is for economic growth through cycling. Kiwi cycle tourist numbers have nearly doubled in the past five years, and international cycle tourist numbers could also increase rapidly if the National Cycleway is developed and marketed carefully. The $50 million price tag is a small price to pay for a huge, ongoing gain."

McKernon comments, "It's pretty simple. Either we improve motorist attitudes and behaviours, or we miss major opportunities to enjoy New Zealand by cycle and to capture the ongoing economic benefits."

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CYCLING ADVOCATES CALL FOR STOP TO CYCLIST-BASHING

5 October 2009- The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) is calling for a stop to cyclist-bashing on the roads and in the media.

CAN's call comes after four cyclists were injured last week on Auckland's Tamaki Drive when a car failed to stop at a stop sign. Public and media response to the crash frequently featured abuse of cyclists.

CAN spokesperson Stephen McKernon says, "Cyclists often endure verbal abuse from motorists simply for being on the road. A segment of the motoring public also says cyclists break the Road Code and are a nuisance, and so conclude that cycling is dangerous. When a cyclist is injured or killed, this abuse is amplified by ill-informed media and callous public comment. These extreme views imply that cyclists deserve to be injured or killed".

There are about 1.3 million cyclists in New Zealand, compared to 2.5 million motorists, and most adult cyclists are also motorists. Given the high numbers of cyclists, crashes involving them are actually rare. Statistics show that for every cyclist in a crash, there are about 13 motorists in crashes. And motorists are the direct cause of over 70% of crashes involving cyclists.

McKernon says, "The evidence shows cycling is the safer mode, both in terms of numbers of crashes and their costs to the community. It also indicates cyclists are no more of a nuisance on the road than motorists. We need to challenge ill-informed and abusive views of cycling when expressed by transport decision-makers, media or motorists".

"Transport decision-makers may also assume this abuse equates with informed public opinion and voting patterns. In fact, neither is true," says McKernon.

"Cycling is one of New Zealand's five most popular activities and is here to stay. A third of our MPs are openly pro-cycling, including Prime Minister John Key. Leisure cyclist numbers are growing steadily," says McKernon, "and we have the opportunity to switch leisure cyclists to commuters, where significant economic and environmental savings can be made, and great social benefits gained. Even a small switch to cycle commuting can have big effects.

"We can only gain if motorists and cyclists must learn to share our roads safety. Ill-informed cyclist-bashing does not foster a culture of responsible road use and decision-making. It also prevents us from enjoying the benefits cycling offers the community as a whole."

CAN supports Cycle Action Auckland's proposal this week to discuss provision for cycling with Auckland City Council, and the Council's subsequent forum on cycling in Auckland. CAN calls for these discussions to move from cyclist-bashing to working together with respect for mutual gain.

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NO CELL PHONE USE WHILE BIKING

1 November 2009- Today, the cell phone ban while driving comes into force. Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) congratulates the government for this road safety initiative.

CAN has long been asking for such a ban. "We have made submissions to Government for years on this topic, as it's such a no-brainer. If you want to get the road toll down, then this is one of the really simple initiatives", says CAN technical adviser Andrew Macbeth. Our policy on the matter can be found on our website.

CAN co-chair Axel Wilke points out that the changes to the road rules also include cyclists. The Road User Amendment Rule talks about 'drivers of vehicles' in relation to cell phones, and the relevant definitions include cyclists and bicycles. "As long as your cell phone has a speaker phone facility, it's very easy to build your own hands-free set, as in our example", Mr Wilke says (see photo at http://can.org.nz/media/2009/no-cell-phone-use-while-biking).

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NEW ZEALAND CYCLEWAY FUNDING PROCESS ANNOUNCED

15 October 2009- The much anticipated funding process for Phase Two of the New Zealand Cycleway project was announced today by the Ministry of Tourism.

General Manager, Ray Salter, says there are three stages to this process with consideration of the merits of each proposal being assessed at each stage before moving to the next. They are:

- Stage one: Concept Proposal
- Stage two: Feasibility study and
- Stage three: Business Case.

For more info:

http://www.tourism.govt.nz/Our-Work/New-Zealand-Cycleway-Project/New-Zealand-Cycleway-Funding-Process/

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CYCLE, WALKWAYS AT DEAD END IN HAMILTON

21 October 2009- More than half of Hamilton's planned cycle and walkways have been scrapped or put on hold after the NZ Transport Agency cut $3.2 million in funding over three years for the projects.

The bad news was delivered to the Hamilton City Council's transport committee yesterday, along with bus fare increases also due to the reduced funding.

The committee was told 25 cycle and walkways, to be developed between 2009 and 2012 under the council's long-term council community plan, were now on hold indefinitely because of the pulled funding.

Committee chairman Dave Macpherson said Hamilton would suffer as a result of the reduced subsidy, which last week forced Environment Waikato to increase bus fares across the board.

Mr Macpherson linked the funding cuts to the $300m Waikato Expressway between Auckland and Cambridge, which the Government is fast-tracking.

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LIGHT WILL ALERT DRIVERS TO BIKE RIDERS AT AUCKLAND BLACK SPOT

22 October 2009- A warning light alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists will be added to an accident black spot on Auckland's Tamaki Drive after a safety meeting with cyclists and residents yesterday.

The safety forum - set up by city transport chairman Ken Baguley after four cyclists were hit by a car at another intersection on Tamaki Drive last month - generated dozens of suggestions for ways to help cyclists and motorists share the road more safely.

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UK TO GET 10,000 SECURE BIKE PARKING SPACES AT TRAIN STATIONS

28 September 2009- The daily misery of hunting for a space in the railway station car park and being charged up to 20 pounds for the privilege will soon be over for thousands of commuters - if they switch from petrol to pedal power.

The Government will announce today that it is creating 10,000 additional secure cycle spaces at stations as part of a commitment to "put cycling at the heart of transport policy". Hundreds of stations will get cycle stands monitored by CCTV cameras or with cages accessible by swipe cards. Ministers have not yet ruled out reallocating spaces from cars to bikes.

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CYCLING PLAN TO BLAME UK DRIVERS BY DEFAULT FOR ALL CRASHES

20 September 2009- UK Ministers are considering making motorists legally responsible for accidents involving cyclists or pedestrians, even if they are not at fault.

Government advisers are pushing for changes in the civil law that will make the most powerful vehicle involved in a collision automatically liable for insurance and compensation purposes.

The move, intended to encourage greater take-up of environmentally friendly modes of transport, is likely to anger some drivers, many of whom already perceive themselves to be the victims of moneyspinning speed cameras and overzealous traffic wardens.

Many will argue that it is the risky behaviour of some cyclists - particularly those who jump red lights and ride the wrong way along one-way streets - that is to blame for a significant number of crashes.

However, policy-makers believe radical action is required to get people out of cars and onto bicycles or to walk more. Only 1%-2% of journeys are at present made by bike.

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U.S. CYCLE RETAILERS VALUE AND SUPPORT BIKE ADVOCACY

9 October 2009- More than 80% of bicycle retailers in the U.S.A. who responded to a recent Bikes Belong survey said bike advocacy makes bicycling easier, safer, and more widespread. 60% of the respondents said advocacy leads to more sales in their stores.

Nearly 80% of the retailers said that they are members of an advocacy organization, either locally or at the state or national level, and 59% said supporting bike advocacy is even more important to them now than it was five years ago.

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WEBLINKS

- Journey Planner: a new online cycling and walking journey planner tool for Wellington:

http://www.journeyplanner.org.nz/

- Bicycle beats helicopter: a new twist on the 'commuter challenge' bike vs. car vs. public transport race, this time in Sao Paulo:

http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/bicycle-beats-helicopter.html

- Let's do it in the middle of the road: an innovative new cycleway in New York:

http://bikeportland.org/2009/09/24/a-look-at-nycs-cycletrack-on-steroids/

- Chinese bike acrobatics: more from the impossible cycling department:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oerSsjmUcf4

- Why a bicycle is like a vacuum cleaner- how to get more people cycling:

http://bikeportland.org/2009/10/30/want-to-be-like-copenhagen-think-about-vacuum-cleaners-and-raging-bulls/

- Like a bicycle needs a fish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71JcgvFoL2w

- Are you covered? How to dodge magpie attacks while cycling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHreVKgOT4

- The end of the road: a stylish hearse-tricycle service in the US:

http://www.greenmuze.com/green-your/celebrations/1661-bicycle-hearse-funeral.html

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ABOUT CAN

Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) is New Zealand's voice for cyclists. We want to see cycling become an everyday activity in NZ. CAN's membership includes experienced cyclists, advocates, engineers, planners, local and regional councils, bike shops, and local advocacy groups throughout the country.

To find out more about CAN, go to our website, http://www.can.org.nz.

ABOUT e.CAN

e.CAN is distributed approximately every 1-2 weeks to CAN members and other interested people. CAN members also get our bi-monthly magazine, ChainLinks.

To check back issues of e.CAN, go to http://www.can.org.nz/ecan .

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If you're getting e.CAN via a local 'Friends' Yahoo group (e.g. Friends of Cycle Aware Wellington, Bike Taupo), and you want to unsubscribe, use the 'unsubscribe' link at the bottom of this email.

Comments

The Cycling Advocate's

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