"Major cycling infrastructure projects overseas have brought significant long-term benefits in terms of tourism. Here in New Zealand the success of the Otago Central Rail Trail has shown how a traffic-free route for cycling and walking can have big benefits for the local economy, creating jobs and new business opportunities," says Glen Koorey, CAN's Co-Chairperson.
CAN, New Zealand's national organisation for transport, recreational and touring cyclists, is already involved in a new project to kick-start a national cycling and walking network. Planning has already started on this project, financially supported by the Hikurangi Foundation, and involving the national pedestrian advocacy organisation Living Streets Aotearoa.
It is also one of the initiatives included in the implementation plan for the national walking and cycling strategy, Getting There - on foot, by cycle.
Comments
Fun-tastic news!
Fun-tastic news!
Great idea and a pleasant
Great idea and a pleasant suprise and well done that Key man. Building up existing cycle ways/lanes/routes into district, regional and eventually a national network would be the way to go. This would ensure local needs are met while creating a tourist-friendly network. Need to ensure a national cycleway has optimal benefits for local users. Get local cycling advocacy groups involved in advising and planning the routes.
Good value for money
Good value for money
Excellent! As a nationwide
Excellent! As a nationwide project it needs to be nationally funded and nationally driven. Passing each section down to local councils wouldn't work as local council resources already have other priorities. Local input from the cycle groups and liason with council is needed, but action needs to be driven from one controlling body.
It is a great idea. It is
It is a great idea. It is absolutely necessary that the powers that be do some homework on the route that the cycleway will take. I hope that CAN wil be involved so that any projects that are planned can be taken into consideration when the organisation that will be given the responsiblity of planning the route will be aware of the work that has already been done. The idea that the route will follow No1 Highway is too simplistic and oportunities will be missed. The visitor attraction will be huge.
Three cheers for the
Three cheers for the cycleway By David Hargreaves - BusinessDay.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4865441a1865.html
Given the number of organisations interested in this, are we clear on how we can coordinate? Is Hikurangi taking a lead role?
Cheers... Bevan
Podcast of interview with
Podcast of interview with Rod Oram on National Radio today is at http://www.radionz.co.nz/__data/assets/audio_item/0006/1878630/ntn-20090...
Robert Ibell
robert@can.org.nz
04-972 2552
Prime Minister John Key in
Prime Minister John Key in the House, 4 March 2009:
"What I can say is that anyone who is engaged in tourism will understand the importance of the environment when it comes to New Zealand and promoting it. I think all New Zealanders do, and they take pride that we are an environmentally friendly country that wants to preserve our environment. That is one of the reasons the Minister of Tourism is very keen on a cycleway from Kaitāia to Bluff."