North Taranaki Cycle Advocates

May 4, 2011

MINUTES

Chair: Graeme

Notetaker: Stuart

Present: Doug, Rowan, Graeme, Alan, Stuart, Nathaniel

1. Bike train the trainers (bike skills in schools) training

Rowan reported that NPDC is paying for him to attend a Bike NZ train the trainers workshop June 18th and 19th.

2. Nathaniel - report on visit to Hastings (who received the other model communities grant)

Most of Hastings model communities investment has focused on structural changes rather than education. They've constructed a 3 metre wide carriage way for bicycles connecting Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere. They have also done a lot of cycleway marking (with green paint), making sure the green cycle lane continues through intersections. They are also experimenting with slowing traving by using strategically placed splitter islands in the middle of the road - but these tend to reduce the size of cycle lanes.

3. Bike/Bus workshop

Participants seemed to enjoy it, but it was disappointing that only 4 bus drivers showed up (8 were expected) and that cyclists weren't allowed to drive busses - as this is expectation in most cities. Was also disappointing that no press showed up, though they did insert an article announcing the workshop.

4. Bike/Truck workshop

Agreed this would be scheduled some time in September.

Action points:

• Nathaniel will check with Patrick (who will do the training) and try to get two week window in Sept he can use to approach trucking companies (Hooker, Fronterra).If Patrick not available, will ask Julian to do it.
• Nathaniel will attend a monthly police safety meeting and will try to get commitment that Allen Whaley and hopefully others will attend. He will also speak to them about giving out free bike lights to cyclists they stop for not having them.
• NTCA: will do press release for workshop to try to get more coverage.
• Nathaniel: will do some photos of workshop to increase coverage.
• Stuart: will contact Richard Lowe if Frontera agrees to be involved.

5. Festival of the Bike Lights

Agreed to hold Festival of the Bike Lights Fri June 24th from 5 to 6:30 pm at Huatoki Plaza.

Action points:

• Nathaniel to contact bike shops about having stalls to sell bike lights and reflective gear.
• Nathaniel to email Graeme with funding application to apply for Lets Go funding to buy $250 of lights from each bike shop for police to give cyclists they stop without lights.
• Graeme will contact Bikewise about getting reflective backpack covers.
• Nathaniel will contact BMS club about performing and possibly set up a short race course for kids.
• Stuart will buy 2 reflective vests from Salavation Army.

6. Finances

Current balance $332.50

Discussed applying for corporate sponorship to buy bike lights. Alan says STOS funding committee meets July 26th, and we discussed asking them for $250.

7. Next meeting June 1 5:30 STOS cafeteria.