News: July 2009

Image from Cool Bikes Blog Bristol is the first city in the UK to get a pay-as-you-go bicycle rental scheme. Called "hourbike", it has just been introduced on a very small scale across the city. There are four hubs and 18 bikes. The price is right--cheaper than the Velib in Paris--but there are not enough pick-up points yet to make it really work well. The other big problem seems to be that Bristol is a very hilly town. It's controversial; in a recent article in the Guardian there were 100 comments on this subject... Image from Cool Bikes Blog Many of the commenters insist that Bristol was the wrong place to introduce the concept because it has so many steep hills. Others defend Bristol's reputation as "Cycle City" and insist that the kinks need to be worked out, as in any new system. However there are a lot of kinks. Compared to the roll-out in Paris...

CAN Co-chair Glen Koorey is interviewed by Radio Rhema on Tue 28th July '09 about the national cycleway, cycling conference, and other matters cycling. Listen to the attached MP3 file (8:22)

The tourism industry is welcoming the news that as many as seven cycleway projects could be expected to get underway this summer,Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says. In a speech to Local Government New Zealand this morning, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key said the Government has allocatedthe first $9 million of its $50 million cycleway fund, confirming that work on seven projects is expected be underway by November. “It’s great to see that work on these first cycleway projects will be progressing swiftly and that regional communities have come onboard to support so many projects so quickly,”Mr Cossar says. “The cycle routes that have been identified cover a wide regional spread and are located in areas where cyclists will not only be able to experience some of New Zealand’s awesome natural scenery but also learn a great deal...

PM announces first Cycleway projectsPrime Minister John Key has named seven potential cycleway routes that construction could start on this summer.In a speech to Local Government New Zealand Mr Key said the Government had set aside $9 million from the $50 million New Zealand Cycleway Fund for projects earmarked for a ‘Quick Start'.Mr Key said that the first three large regional clusters were formed by 21 Mayors and Chairpersons in Northland, the Central and Eastern North Island, and the south of the South Island. These clusters, along with the Department of Conservation, have recommended a small number of projects they believe can be started this summer."This is a fantastic example of a cooperative approach that will be critical to the success of the Cycleway. I would also like to acknowledge Kevin Hague of the Green Party for his help on this project."The projects that have been...

 Vancouver cycle lane trialMotorists Predicted the Apocalypse...A week ago, the city of Vancouver converted 1 of the 5 lanes of Burrard Bridge into a bike lane for a 3-month trial. This was a controversial move, many motorists predicted the apocalypse and the media, smelling blood, were on the scene to interview angry drivers. But as Gordon Price documented on his blog (choice cuts below), carmaggedon was averted and cyclists, pedestrians and joggers turned out en masse.Photo: Wikipedia, CCThe Globe and Mail reports that "scores of bicycle enthusiasts, pedicab drivers, rollerbladers and parents with jogging strollers were in motion on the newly designated bike lane." And while many drivers were angry (the Vancouver Suninterviewed a bunch), that was expected. Anytime motorists lose a lane somewhere, it's the end of the world for a little while (...

If you suffer from lower back pain, you’ll know that it can really get in the way of living your life. Take time to assess why you’re getting the pain and what you can do about it.The lower back muscles are very strong as they have to hold your spine and pelvis in place, but often they’re worked too hard due to other muscles in the trunk of your body being weak. Try doing the following tests:Test one: Get into the plank position, keeping your abdominals and buttocks tensed, and time how long you can hold the position without your hips lowering or lower back hurting. Less than 60 seconds will indicate a weakness in your core muscles, especially your abdominals.Test two: Lying down, pull one leg up towards your chest while keeping both legs as straight as possible. If you can’t...

Jim Jackson, Chair of The Onehunga Enhancement Society, has asked Cycle Action to get feedback from cyclists on a proposal from the NZ Transport Agency to replace the old Mangere pedestrian bridge. $12m has been allocated for the project, and one of the three options on offer is to use the current temporary bridge further to the east. Jim says the local community is keen on this.Here's Jim's message:Currently there are initial discussions taking place regarding the replacement of the old Mangere pedestrian bridge.The structure is beyond both its structural and economic life and neither ACC nor MCC will take responsibility for it until it is repaired or replaced by NZTA.NZTA have allocated $12m for its replacement and are keen to provide a new structure. As part of the high level bridge construction process MHX have built a temporary access bridge to the east and have asked the...

Any volunteers to represent CAW at this meeting re the Seaview/Gracefield area? Please contact Jasmin ====  Hi Alistair The Council will work with local businesses and the community to come up with a “working vision” for Seaview-Gracefield (S-G) 20 years into the future. This project is part of a programme of vision statements for the three key areas of Hutt City - Petone, CBD and Seaview-Gracefield. A cross-Council team led by Strategic and City Development will be carrying out the work. We would like to invite you "Cycle Aware" to join us in a pre-consultation brainstorming session to look at some ideas and perhaps come up with a few new ones. Would you be able to come to our 'Urban Enhancement' session on 24 July from 8:30am to 10am and perhaps stay on for the 'Connected' session from 10:30am to 12noon. The venue is at Pelorus Trust Sportshouse Hutt Park Road Seaview...

Ultimate cheapskate Jeff Yeager explores green inexpensive commuting options, such as biking. Watch as he scores a used bike at a thrift store and has it repaired for a fraction of the cost of a new bike.http://planetgreen.discovery.com/videos/g-word-online-clips-better-bikin...