News: March 2009

2 recent posts from thethinktank@bikecollectives.org - a list serve for bikecollectives (and like minded folks) that can be accessed at: http://www.bikecollectives.org/ =========================================== from:thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org on behalf of jamesbleds0e@yahoo.com subject: carbon bike credits Grey, Thanks for your response, I too have attempted to contact various cap and trade outfits with no response from any of them. You have had more luck. I do not trust the big boys to ever or in time for us to make faster or more dramatic changes to the car based transportation system get us money for using bicycles. The idea I am proposing is a regional, self administered, self funded and self actualized program. I do not want to wait for government or bureaucracy to sanction or fund our various cycle-centric organizations This is a program to collectively do it...

A lot simpler than a "technical"/detailed submission May be a simple email or reply post form with "I support/Don't Support" Can be viewed with some importance by Politicians trying to gauge level of support (sometimes too much importance...) Can be useful to encourage lots of members to submit simple submissions like this (provide them with email address, website, and feedback forms) Staff reporting on numbers and comments varies around the place "Numbers Game" Submissions General Comments A lot simpler than a "technical"/detailed submission May be a simple email or reply post form with "I support/don't support" Can be viewed with some importance by politicians trying to gauge level of support (sometimes too much importance...) Can be useful to encourage lots of members to submit simple submissions like this. Provide them with email address, website, and feedback...

A general guide for Cyclists on submissions   Creating Effective Submissions Submissions are an important part of getting cycling needs heard You don't have to be technical expert or brilliant word smith to be effective (but it helps for some specialist consultations) It is more important to follow a few common rules and add your personal touch Types of submissions 1 Written "Numbers Game" Submissions -adding additional votes of support/dissent to assist decision-makers deliberate 2 Written Technical/Detailed submissions - help agencies produce the best solution Ideas for submissions - cheap things to ask your council for 3 Submissions in Person -sometimes strategically useful (often additional to a written submission, i.e. "speaking to a written submission") What can be submitted on It is important to be aware of all possible issues that may come...

By ROBERT SULLIVAN Published: March 6, 2009 "SOMETIMES, when I am biking, I remember the ’80s, and I shudder. I remember, in other words, when biking was an extreme sport, when, if you were a biker, you had a lot of locks and a lot more nerve." On bike etiquette: being bike ambassadors, giving way to walkers, obeying traffic signals etc http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/nyregion/thecity/08bike.html?pagewante...

From Sustrans (UK): The National Cycle Network offers 10,000 miles of cycle routes, running right through urban centres and reaching all parts of the UK. It is designed to encourage people to start cycling again and to be a safe and attractive resource for families, novices and experienced cyclists. One third of the National Cycle Network will be on traffic-free paths providing a major new amenity for walkers and people with disabilities. On all routes.. Please be courteous! Always cycle with respect for others, whether other cyclists, pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, horse riders or drivers, and acknowledge those who give way to you. On shared use paths... One third of National Cycle Network is on traffic-free paths, such as disused railway routes. These are designed for shared use by cyclists and walkers. They are often suitable for wheelchairs and...

Listen to Rod Oram's interview on the National Cycleway. The item was on National Radio on 3rd March 2009. Updated with links to reports as they come to hand. Listen to Rod Oram's interview on the National Cycleway (MP3 attached below). The item was on National Radio on 3rd March 2009. His points: it need to be a network, not just an end-to-end route; CAN working on Freeway Zero; needs more than $50 million; benefits would be huge for locals and tourists; could include Auckland Harbour Bridge. How the cycleway became the PM's pet project, Sunday Star Times, 2 March 2009 Bruce Sheppard on Stuff: Let's get this cycle way right, 4 March 2009 Axel Wilke on Newstalk ZB, 2 March 2009 Brian Rudman: Don't recycle culture into construction, 4 March, NZ HeraldGarth George: On yer bike - not bloody likely, 5 March, NZ Herald Discussion on Vorb...

This is a letter I received which explains the purpose of the meeting.  This is hugely significant to South Canterbury. Who is the most knowledgeable person to attend the South Canterbury workshop on behalf of Squeaky Wheel? Dear Fiona You are invited to attend a workshop for the development of the Central Canterbury portion of the Canterbury Regional Cycle Network. The planning of a regional network of cycle routes to link districts and provide connections with surrounding regions was identified as a major project in the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2002-2007.  A number of projects have since been undertaken to continue developing this network. In 2008, Environment Canterbury contracted ViaStrada Ltd to assist the Regional Land Transport team with the development of a regional cycle planning map within the framework of the Cycling in...

helpful documents relating to cycle touringHi, These three documents seem rather relevant given the recent enthusiasm from the Government for cycleways, together with the Freeway Zero project that CAN is involved in! National Cycle Touring Routes - Some Thoughts on Where to Go from Here (presentation given by Glen Koorey to the NZ Cycling Conference in 2001, attached here in two formats: the full paper, and a slide show) Bicycle Tourism and Regional Development (a paper by Brent W. Ritchie & Michael Hall) A paper on the economic impacts of the Otago Central Rail Trail (at http://www.centralotagorailtrail.co.nz/reports/Report%202008.pdf ) Cheers, Robert