John Meekings tracked his running costs for 100,000 km over ten years. Including the initial purchase, the running cost for travel on John's bike has been $557 per year, or 4 cents/km. Here's his story. GT BackwoodsBefore this bike I owned an Avanti road bike. I used that for doing fun rides and cruising in the country. All in all a great bike. When my second son was born we needed a second bike with a kid-seat. A decision was made to upgrade to something that would handle some weight over the back wheel but would still be fun to ride. I checked out several models in different shops but the GT Karakorum stood out for me with a real natural fit. It felt like it was made for me. I loved the powerfull braking, balance and manoeuvrability that the mountain bike had which the road bike never did. Being able to jump kerbs was another bonus.GT Backwoods Ten...
News: June 2009
Jun
Courtesy of Malcolm Law: The following story appeared on the front page of The Hutt News, June 9 2009. "Big boost for cycling budget The city council will bump up its spending on cycleways from $150,000 to $350,000 a year, an acknowledgement of strong public support for improved cycling facilities in surveys and submissions on its 10 year community plan. It's likely a priority for the 2009/10 budget will be work on a River Trail cycleway between Manor Park and Silverstream. At present cyclists are forced to dice with motorised traffic on the highway at that point. $10,000 will also be set aside as the Hutt's contribution to a detailed investigation of the Great Harbour Way, a proposed 5 metre wide cycleway/walkway running from Red Rocks In Wellington, all the way around the harbour to Burdan's Gate." Thank you to all the people who made submissions on the community plan.
Jun
Welcome to the first National Cycleway Update - June 2009 Two Requests for Proposals (RFP) have been posted on the Government Electronic Tender System (GETS). Registration is required to access RFP details. The proposals are for an engineering advisor and one or two tourism business advisors: New Zealand Cycleway Project - Tourism Business Services for Advisory Group (Ref 26215) New Zealand Cycleway Project - Engineering Services for Advisory Group (Ref 26217) Marketing Research A marketing research study has been commissioned to evaluate high level market demand and market segmentation. This information will be used in the feasibility studies for individual projects and to also form the basis of track design. Regards, Cycleway Project Team Email: cycleway@tourism.govt.nz. Website: http://www....
Jun
Temporary role with Living Streets Aotearoa in July 2009 Here is your opportunity to experience life in the busy, exciting Living Streets head office! We are looking for someone to cover essential activities while I am away for 5 weeks from 29th of June till the 4th of August. We require somebody with the following skills: Experience in using Microsoft Office software – spreadsheets etc Experience and comfortable using MYOB Some knowledge of accounting: invoicing, arranging payments etc Some experience using contact databases would be an advantage. An interest in active transport would be a great! Flexible hours – up to 10hrs per week for the first half of the month (or until the accounts are done) and then ongoing admin work about 3 hours per week preferably dropping in every couple of days to check mail etc. Hourly rate $20 Duties will include: General accounts (about...
Jun
TVNZ news is reporting on research by Ben Wooliscroft, Otago University on factors that deter people from cycling: ""We saw petrol being important, workplace facilities, cycle lanes are important as well, but the biggest barrier to people cycling was their fear, essentially, of drivers," says Wooliscroft." also comment from NZTA and BikeNZ
Jun
Wellington's mayor is in favour of ridding the cbd of vehicles and creating a pedestrian mall from Lambton Quay to Courtenay Place but not yet. The idea was suggested by property investor Sir Robert Jones in a speech to the Property Council of New Zealand, in which he challenged the mayor to do something about it. Mayor Kerry Prendergast agreed with Sir Robert but said Wellington was too young for it to happen yet. Sir Robert said statistics showed more than half the world's population lived in cities and it was ludicrous to have a cbd that catered for vehicles over people. He compared the success of pedestrian-only city centres in the world to Canberra and Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. "They were designed around cars and nobody wants to live there." Wellington's cafe culture was "crap" compared to European cities, mainly because there was a lack of pedestrian-only malls...
Jun
New Yorkers are getting on their bicycles and they are doing it in style. Frumpy, unfashionable gear has given way to sophisticated, chic and affordable designs by fashion students as more city dwellers abandon the buses and subways to pedal to work. "New York should have not only the most bicyclists, but the most stylish ones as well," Patti Harris, the first deputy mayor of New York, told a news conference. NYC commuter Promoting bicycling is part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's agenda to create a greener, bike friendly and car-free New York. Following the examples of cycling cities such as Amsterdam and Beijing, New York has built 200 miles of bike lanes in the past three years. An estimated 185,000 New Yorkers cycled to work in 2008, an increase of 35 percent from the previous year. In keeping with the city's efforts to promote cycling, luxury apparel...
Jun
*Mayor of London : News Release*5-6-2009 The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today unveiled proposed routes for the first two of London’s twelve Cycle Superhighways - the corridors for cyclists that are a key part of his policy to stimulate a cycling revolution in the capital.Boris Johnson pledges allegiance to London's cyclists The two pilot routes, which will be up and running in May 2010, are from South Wimbledon to Bank via the A24 and A3, and Barking to Tower Hill via the A13 and Cable Street. The Mayor and TfL are consulting closely with the eight boroughs that the routes will run through.The aim of the Cycle Superhighways is to provide safe, direct and continuous routes into central London from the outer boroughs, making life easier for cyclists and encouraging those who travel into work by other modes of transport to commute by bike, helping to cut congestion...
Jun
HEARING LTCCP 26TH MAY 2009 Access to safe and sustainable Transport between Otaki and Peka Peka. The Draft Choosing Futures Community Plan 2009 states: “The Council is concerned with improving linkages between communities, especially pedestrian and cycling, in order to improve local choices and reduce reliance on vehicles.” The Regional Cycling Plan (adopted December 2008) states: “The NZTA is the road controlling authority responsible for managing the state highway network. Their role in implementing this cycling plan is to carry out improvements to the cycling network where appropriate and feasible on or across the state highway network, and to assist and advise TA’s make improvements broadly parallel to state highways. This will primarily be the urban and peri-urban environment...
Jun
Industry Training Courses Do you know the answers to these questions: * What are FOUR ways to count cycle numbers? * What is the IHT 5-Step Hierarchy for Cycling? * What are FOUR reasons for increasing the width of cycle lanes beyond the desirable minimum of 1.5 m? * What signs/markings should you use on a shared path? * What are the SIX Elements of Intersection Continuity for cycling? If you are not sure of the answers to all of these questions, then take a Fundamentals of Planning & Design for Cycling course from ViaStrada.
Jun
Though it sometimes might not seem so, living in cities is a pretty green thing to do. Two prime reasons being that average home sizes are smaller and transportation distances are generally shorter, both leading to lower levels of resource consumption and energy usage. But that doesn't mean that every city is a green oasis. Lots could use some sprucing up, even if all the basic amenities are taken care of. Here are some of the top programs I wish every city would do to make urban living even greener:1. Make More Pedestrian-Friendly Areasphoto: Matthew McDermottIf there's a person in the world that doesn't like good pedestrian infrastructure, nice outdoor plazas, and a pleasant walking environment, I haven't met them. I'm pretty sure that person doesn't exist. But just because your city was built post-automobile addiction pushed pedestrians to the fringes, doesn't mean your city...
Jun
Though it sometimes might not seem so, living in cities is a pretty green thing to do. Two prime reasons being that average home sizes are smaller and transportation distances are generally shorter, both leading to lower levels of resource consumption and energy usage. But that doesn't mean that every city is a green oasis. Lots could use some sprucing up, even if all the basic amenities are taken care of. Here are some of the top programs I wish every city would do to make urban living even greener:1. Make More Pedestrian-Friendly Areasphoto: Matthew McDermottIf there's a person in the world that doesn't like good pedestrian infrastructure, nice outdoor plazas, and a pleasant walking environment, I haven't met them. I'm pretty sure that person doesn't exist. But just because your city was built post-automobile addiction pushed pedestrians to the fringes, doesn't mean your city...
Jun
BIG DOLLAR VALUES OR REQUIRE COMMITTEE TIMECommunity TrustsE.g. Community Trust of WellingtonGaming TrustsE.g. NZ Community Trust, Lion FoundationLocal Council grant schemesTournamentsE.g. invite teams/clubs from out of your regionContra/ exchange of servicesE.g. free van hire in exchange for pamphlet drop or washing vehiclesHire venue out for functionsE.g. member birthdays, reunions, weddingsOrix car leasing cash backsSee www.cmsport.co.nz/club-offersEffective financial managementEnsuring money is well managed will help save money E.g. Xero, Club Manager, MYOBAdvertising spaceE.g. sell sign space at club venue / name loungeFacility SharingE.g. hire your venue to a hobby group who meet regularly (e.g. cards groups)Business House Leagues / Social LeaguesMay need to alter sports’ rules etc. for...
Jun
Click on edit to add your thoughts, or use the comments box below. CAN Annual Report 2009 questionnaire for local CAN Groups Cycling advocacy group name: 1. Members and meetings How many members in the core group? Does the group meet regularly? How often? Yes, Who have you had along to speak to the group at meetings? 2. Activities, events, projects What activities has the group been involved in? What events and projects have you run? Bike Wise events Family Fun Day Festivals (can't remember the name e.g. econ) Opening of Atawai Pathway 3. Media What media coverage have you had? Links to stories/video would be great. Tamati Coffey Breakfast TV Active...
Jun
You can find them here: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/CouncilDocuments/PlansAndStrategies/Communi...
Jun
l.Get a Good Lock Invest 10-20% of the cost of your bike on the lock. The hardened steel D-locks are highly recommended. Use two locks: a D-lock and a chain and the robber needs 2 different kinds of tools to get them off. 2.Lock it Properly Put the lock through the frame and the wheels and lock it to something you make sure is firmly attached to the ground and is immovable. Leave as little slack in the chain as possible. Don't leave the padlock lying on the ground where it can be whacked open. Remove anything removable: Saddles, bags, lights, pumps and water bottles are all easily stolen. Replace quick release levers, and even regular bolts, with less accessible fixings so that wheels, seat posts etc can't be removed as easily. 3.Consider the Value of your Bike That means, the more valuable it is, the more the thieves will want it...
Jun
http://www.energyboom.com/us-bike-sales-higher-car-sales-2009?utm_source... So far so good - or more like bike sales not suffering as bad a scar sales. Either way it is great news!
Jun
Usual time, location is at Shell Todd Oil Services, Joanne is away. Last month's minues are at: http://can.org.nz/candocument/north-taranaki-cycling-advocates-minutes-m...