News: August 2008

The 2008–09 funding round is now open for the Walking and Cycling Micro-Fund. Start on your application now! The Walking and Cycling Micro-Fund is run jointly by Living Streets Aotearoa and Cycling Advocates’ Network. The Fund provides opportunities for organisations to apply for funding of up to $1000 towards events, promotions and initiatives which promote walking and cycling as a transport option for short trips. The New Zealand Transport Agency provides the funding. Closing date: 17 October 2008 Download the attached Walking and Cycling Micro-Fund guide Download the attached Walking and Cycling Micro-Fund application form, fill it in, and email it to lily.linton@livingstreets.org.nz Lists of successful walking and cycling projects are available at http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/pdf/SuccAppl2007.pdf For help contact Lily Linton, Ph (04) 385 8280, Email lily.linton@livingstreets.org...

Dan Burden (http://www.walkable.org/) lobbies for cities to be more walking/cycle friendly. (duration: 21′49″) Dan was keynote speaker at Living Streets' recent conference. Follow the link to hear the interview.

National cycling organisation Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) today called for the Government to boost funding for cycling. CAN Secretary Robert Ibell said the Government�s announcement of an extra $27 million of state funding for public transport showed a commitment on the part of Government to boost alternatives to private motor vehicle use. CAN wants similar attention to be paid to the use of bicycles as a means of transport. CAN noted that figures from the last census suggest that the same number of New Zealanders bike to work as take the train or bus. �Despite the existence of national and regional government support for public transport, public transport�s share of journeys to work is currently no higher than the bicycle�s� Mr Ibell said. �At three percent, cycle commuting figures in NZ are low by international standards, but this reflects decades of car-centred planning and...

Delegates from around New Zealand are gathering in Lower Hutt tomorrow (Friday) morning for the fifth NZ Cycling Conference. This is the first NZ Cycling Conference held since the release of NZ's National Walking and Cycling Strategy, and delegates are looking for ideas and inspiration as they begin to implement the visions of the strategy. After a welcome from Hutt City mayor David Ogden and official opening remarks from Associate Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven, the keynote speaker Troels Andersen will take the conference on a tour around his home city, Odense in Denmark. Mr Andersen is the manager for a ground-breaking project which has seen Odense become the 'Cycling City' of Denmark. The conference concludes on Saturday evening, and will include the annual CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards presentation on Friday night. ENDS. For further information, contact Stephen Knight, Advocacy...

Cyclists today expressed outrage about a Land Transport Safety Authority rule change that allows visibility from car side windows to be reduced by half. �This rule change will lead to increased injury and death among cyclists because car drivers will be less able to see them�, said Dave Kelly, spokesperson for national cycling group the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN). Cyclists believe the rule change has serious implications for their safety. CAN�s concerns were raised in its submission on the rule, but these appear to have been ignored by the LTSA. The rule change lowers the required visible light transmittance (VLT) for front side vehicle windows from 70% to 35%.�When checking for cross-traffic, motorists sometimes fail to see cyclists before pulling out, turning, or opening their car doors� Dr Kelly said. �This is a common cause of crashes between motorists and...

The national organisation for bicycle tourists and commuters, the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), today lent its support to Nelson MP Nick Smith's call for a mountain-bike track through the Kahurangi National Park. CAN spokesperson Robert Ibell said Dr Smith's proposed $3 million mountain-bike track linking Karamea and Collingwood would tap into a fast growing interest in cycle touring in New Zealand. "A dedicated mountain-bike trail through the Kahurangi National Park would give cyclists access to an area of great natural beauty, with far less environmental impact than a road. A track such as this would lure cyclists to the area, providing a boost to the local economy," Mr Ibell said. CAN predicts that cycle tourism will become a major earner of tourist dollars for New Zealand. "Like backpackers, cycle tourists travel light but spend up large on accommodation and adventure...

Mad about cars, or just mad about cars? Need a good reason to leave the car at home? This Thursday you'll have two. The rising cost of petrol make alternatives to your car look more attractive. Not only that, Thursday is Car Free Day, an event being celebrated worldwide. In NZ, if you're getting on your bike that day you might be the lucky recipient of an apple. Members of the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) will be joining others in encouraging people to try a new way of getting to work or school. In many centres cycle commuters will be rewarded for their transport choice with an apple. "If they've already had breakfast, students might want to keep their apple to fuel their journey home. Or give it to their teacher," said CAN's campaign secretary Robert Ibell. For further information, contact Secretary: Adrian Croucher, Tel: 09-376-3787 can@actrix.gen.nz Or contact your local CAN...

"Cyclists are good for the NZ economy. We should value their contribution to society instead of discouraging them", says the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) chairperson, Jane Dawson. "Increasing the number of journeys done by bike should be one of the Government's priorities. It would have benefits for the health budget, overseas debt, rates, and the cost of providing goods and services." CAN, which is the national body for commuting, touring and family cyclists, is pleased that many government agencies have got behind Bike To Work Day this year. CAN hopes that the Minister of Transport will use National Bike Week as an opportunity to set NZ on a cycle-friendly path. Congestion is increasing in many places in the country, and the time spent by commercial vehicles stuck in traffic increases the cost of goods and services. "Creating an environment where children can easily bike or...