Attendees:
In attendance:
Hon Harry Duynhoven
Robert Ibell (CAN)
Jane Dawson (CAN)
John Willmer (Bike NZ)
Megan Beecroft (MoT)
David Eyre (MoT)
Iain McAuley (MoT)
Russell Bates (Office of Hon Duynhoven)
Apologies – Hon Annette King
UPDATE (25/09/2008): See attachment (below) containing the Minister King's Possible Responses to CAN 9 Point Plan.
Minutes of meeting
CAN/Bike NZ indicated the meeting was a result of the two recent accidents involving cyclists and motorists. CAN/Bike NZ believe these accidents could have been avoided if key recommendations it has long been advocating had been adopted – CAN/Bike NZ want to know why these recommendations haven’t been adopted. There is a general sense of frustration within the organisations that key measures endorsed by them are not being adopted by government. However, CAN//Bike NZ do recognise that this government has been proactive in the area of cycle safety and investment.
The Minister discussed the huge infrastructure deficit the government inherited in 1999. The government over the following years has spent a large amount of money on public transport, roading, rail etc to help bridge the gap. The Minister emphasised that this government has vastly increased spending on walking and cycling from $1 million in 2002 to this year’s budget of $18 million. The Minister cited one example in his own electorate where a walking and cycling initiative was funded including the extension of the coastal walk/cycleway.
There was general discussion on cultural differences in Denmark, Germany and France and how these countries regard cycling as a mode of transport compared to New Zealand. A change in attitude is needed.
There was discussion about the Ngauranga to Petone cycleway and the need to make this safer by completing the cycleway. CAN/Bike NZ wants this addressed but believe part of the problem is the number of authorities involved in the issue (including Wellington and Lower Hutt City Councils, Transit, Ontrack and Greater Wellington). CAN/Bike NZ believe there is a degree of “buck passing” between the various agencies.
Two key issues for CAN/Bike NZ:
More spending and improvement in infrastructure
Improved road safety behaviour. (E.g. via changes to the Road Code and a “share the road” campaign).
Again, CAN/Bike NZ acknowledged the government’s increased funding to cycling but said that as a percentage of the NLTP it’s still round 1%.
CAN/Bike NZ believe that building more roads sends the wrong message to the public and results in even more vehicles on the roads. To improve overall safety for cyclists there needs to be a decrease in the number of vehicles on the roads and a decrease in motor vehicle speeds.
CAN/Bike NZ said the government has several good strategies including the NZEECS, Getting There, uNZTS and the Healthy Eating Healthy Action plan but the problem is they feel the resources required to realise and bed in these strategies has been greatly underestimated.
Pros and cons of the use of cycle helmets were discussed. CAN would like to see a review of this rule (this is not a priority for them).
Discussion of CAN’s 9 point plan followed. The Minister said the government was broadly supportive of the majority of the plan and that many of the recommendations were being progressed already,
CAN/Bike NZ asked the Minister how it could encourage a greater level of buy in from senior officials at MoT including the Chief Executive. Megan said the Ministry was committed to the walking and cycling strategy and noted that resources were being pooled from several policy teams within MoT to progress the objectives of the strategy. Iain went on to say that Land Transport NZ officials are looking at the merits of developing a nation wide “share the road” campaign.
CAN/Bike NZ also said a training programme for cyclists would make a difference to safety. They did point out that there are only two places in the Road Code that mention cyclists (one as a 'hazard') - this needs to be amended.
CAN/Bike NZ would like cyclists’ needs more seriously built into roading programmes. For example, increasing the FAR ratio for cycling projects and giving a “realistic values for the health benefits of cycling”.
School bus safety was discussed including the trial in Timaru with flashing lights and its impact on motorist’s behaviours around school buses.
CAN/Bike NZ is intending to present their petition to Ministers in August. The Minister suggested the steps of Parliament as a suitable place to present the petition.