Memorial Ride 15 April 2014
Are you as angry as I am about cycling deaths?
Let's take action.
With your help, CAN is arranging a series of actions to protect the 1.5 million NZers on bikes. We will call on all political parties to pledge to act on the Cycling Expert Safety Panel's report, due in Sept. Their first meeting is Tuesday 15 April.
These rides celebrate the lives of those people lost to us while cycling and to push for change to ensure these deaths stop.
Will you join us on a #MemorialRide? ..
Check back for details.
Confirmed rides
Wellington
When: Tue 15 April 1pm
Where: Parliament Buildings, Molesworth St
Then ride along waterfront to Wharewaka on the lagoon.
Route: Parliament - Aitken - Mulgrave - Thorndon Quay - Featherston St - Whitmore - waterfront to Wharewaka. All over by 2pm.
Our aim is to let our councils and govt know that the 1.5 million people who ride bikes in NZ expect them to protect us. That means investment in protected cycle lanes, traffic calming, safer speeds, and education for all road users.
Contact: Patrick Morgan 027 563 4733
Hamilton
When: Tue 15 April 5:30pm
Where: The Base, Cnr Te Rapa Road & Avalon Drive, Hamilton
The ride will leave from the Mitre 10 MEGA Carpark and proceed to Garden Place via Te Rapa Rd, Ulster St and Victoria Street. Gather from 5:30PM to set off at 5:45. Arriving in Garden Place around 6:10 for speeches.
Golden Bay
When: Sunday13 April 4pm
Where: Pupu Springs turn off, Birds Hill, SH60
Contact: Victoria Davis tel 027 220 8299
Comments
Expert Panel announcement
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/3223/news.html
memorial rides and CAN strategy
While I can see the tactical reason for these events, emphasizing the perception that cycling is dangerous works against CAN's aim of "more people on bikes, more often". Perhaps at these events we should also pay tribute to the 62 people killed in motor vehicle accidents this year, and make the point that if more people can overcome the perception of danger and switch to making some trips by bike, the safer our roads (and our planet) will be.
Perception of cycling as 'dangerous'
Hi Alastair
You make a very good point about not wanting to reinforce the perception that cycling is dangerous, which of course in absolute terms it isn't. I couldn't agree with you more there.
Sadly, there is still a tiny minority of absolutely tragic deaths, and every single one is one too many, and most are avoidable. So I will support raising awareness of those and acknowledging the wonderful people lost, only in the hope that we can make it even safer. I wouldn't want to sit by when people are killed if there is anything we can do to learn from the mistakes that lead to those deaths.
The good thing is there are way more events that celebrate the healthy, safe and exhilarating side of cycling, so on balance I guess that's about right.
Nelson Event
Silent Protest (15th April, 8am - 8:30am, Boat Shed, Rocks Rd.)
The deaths of two cyclists in recent days is very upsetting. The situation where cyclists are forced into vulnerable and dangerous situations on our roads is unnacceptable and avoidable. CAN is coordinating memorial rides with advocacy groups in several cities around New Zealand and in support of this BNB is organising a silent protest along Rocks Rd.
"This ride is to celebrate the lives of those people lost to us while cycling and to push for change to ensure these deaths stop."
Join us from 8am on 1th April (Next Tuesday morning) to form a line of cyclists (with your bike, preferably with lights flashing) along the railings from the Boat Shed leading South towards Tahunanui. If possible, wear something white but also wrap up warm.
Politicians can no longer ignore cycle safety - news release
News release from Cycling Advocates Network and BikeNZ
11 April 2014
Politicians can no longer ignore cycle safety
Following recent cycling deaths, cyclists will rally at Parliament on Tuesday 15 April.
Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Patrick Morgan says many people are angry after the deaths.
Student nurse Sharla Haerewa was riding in a Christchurch cycle lane, had lights and high vis.
Teacher Jocelyn Goodwin was riding in a Palmerston North cycle lane on a training ride.
"Clearly we aren't doing enough to protect the 1.5 million New Zealanders who ride bikes," said Mr Morgan.
"We'll ask political parties to commit to taking quick action on the Cycling Safety Panel's report."
He says the Safety Panel will consider protected cycle lanes on busy roads, traffic calming, and effective education for all road users.
"Although the report is due in September we want to know what political parties think before the election."
Brian Broad, Interim CEO at BikeNZ, says even one cyclist death is one too many, and the tragic incidents of the last few weeks further highlight the need for immediate change.
"BikeNZ is committed to cycle safety, and strongly support CAN's memorial rides that are likewise committed to bringing about vital changes to infrastructure and road user behaviour."
He says cycling is on the rise in New Zealand, as both a sport and a cost-effective form of transport and recreation. Dedicated cycling infrastructure, along with education for motorists and cyclists, will help foster an improvement in understanding between road users, and create safer journeys for everyone.
Mr Morgan says, "Less than one percent of the transport budget is spent on cycling. That needs to change in order to protect people who cycle."
The Safety Panel meets on Tuesday in Wellington.
There are also rides and gatherings around New Zealand.
Updates at http://can.org.nz/memorial-ride and at #MemorialRide
Patrick Morgan
CAN - Cycling Advocates Network
Tel 027-563-473