Shipra Narang Suri of the UN told the Conference that the world is at an inflection point in development of cities. A majority of the world’s population now lives in built-up areas, so the UN sees that many cities are learning key lessons: Liveability and choice in transport are critical so that cities can function properly and give their citizens a better quality of life.
Transportation experts, mayors, town councillors, advocates for liveable cities, roading engineers, documentary film-makers and of course cycling enthusiasts are among the delegates.
The European Cycling Federation, the peak body for cycling advocacy in Europe, organises the event, VéloCity, and this year it was held in Nijmegen, Holland, a town heralded as ‘the home of cycling’.
Cycling advocates have welcomed a decision by Hamilton City Council to set an ambitious goal for road safety.
"We congratulate Hamilton City Council on adopting a goal of zero deaths from traffic crashes within 10 years,” said Claire Sherrington, Deputy Chair of Cycling Action Network.
The Council has said it is no longer acceptable to have deaths on city streets.”
We think this is a first for New Zealand.”
Instead NZTA continues to require that speed limits be a compromise between safety and efficiency1
This has resulted in New Zealand having the highest traffic speeds and worst rates of road deaths amongst OECD nations.2
Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall unveiled his city’s Active Transport Plan today with a challenge to his Palmie counterpart.
'I know my friend Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith champions his city as having aspirations to be the best place to ride a bike in New Zealand', says McDouall.
Bike Auckland have rolled up their sleeves and produced a better option.
Check out BA's blog post with links to how you can help here.
Advocates say kids, bike lanes and safety are top priorities for cycling
30 May 2017
It's time to raise the bar for cycling, say advocates.
Cycling Action Network spokesman Patrick Morgan is calling on political parties to lift their game in the run-up to the election.
The number one priority? Get kids biking to school, of course.
Kids love biking. But it’s a national shame that only 2% of children do cycle to school. Programmes such as Bikesafe (Auckland) and Pedal Ready (Wellington) show that with encouragement and facilities, this trend can be reversed. The timing is right to roll out a national programme.
See below for more.
Go to nzta.govt.nz/favplaces #nzfaveplaces