News: July 2009

July issue of Stepping Forward, the NZ Transport Agency’s newsletter on the implementation of a three-year transport planning, programming and funding cycle in New Zealand.NZTA This edition covers the following topics:• NLTP update: Interim funding approved• Progress with the development of the first three-year NLTP• The NZTA's investment direction• A closer look at 'assessment criteria'• New procurement manual holds good news

Work is yet to begin on the Government's $50 million national cycleway, but one tourist reckons he has found a good place to start.STRESS-FREE RIDING: : Hawaiian tourist Douglas Rompasky has Airlie Rd, near Plimmerton, to himself. Douglas Rompasky, from Maui, Hawaii, has been cycling around New Zealand since November and last week rode from Peka Peka to Plimmerton without having to use State Highway 1.With a bit of signposting, the easy jaunt along coastal side roads and the existing Ara Harakeke cycleway between Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay could easily be turned into one of Prime Minister John Key's "Great Rides", he said."Ninety-eight per cent of it is just side roads and then there's a little park [Otaihanga Park, near Waikanae] that you cross through. It's kind of marked on the map, but on the roads it's not really well marked."He had not taken his bike on the beach...

Wellington cyclists are applauding the Wellington City Council's decision to invest nearly $5 million in cycling and walking. Wellington City Council’s new 10-year plan includes $4,750,000 to invest in a cycling and walking network, including the proposed Great Harbour Way. Cycle Aware Wellington chairperson Illona Keenan says it is a responsible decision by the Council. “As the price of petrol creeps up more people are looking to reduce their dependence on driving.” “Making it easier to get around on bikes and on foot is a step towards making Wellington a more resilient and sustainable place.” “Cycle Aware Wellington's next priority is getting bike racks on buses, as they have been trialling in Christchurch.” For further information, contact Illona Keenan, Cycle Aware Wellington About CAW Cycle Aware Wellington (CAW) is a voice for everyday cyclists...

Minutes SW Meeting 7 July 2009 5.30pm-7.15pm Present: Ron, Max, Liz, Fiona Apologies: Wally, Jon Bike Parking outside TDC Its going to happen! Jannie (Mayor) said "why not?" after SW oral submission presentation at LTCCP. Jon to contact TDC about the time line and detail about the design and position of the bike stands. Need to ensure it is best practice. Question is it better on the area by the door? Bikeparking outside library too! LTCCP and RLTP highlights and challenges Report back from Liz including a powerpoint presentation she did Learnings for next time: Send a copy of submission to TDC staff that SW interacts with (e.g. Simon, Daniel, Bill).  Still can do this now (Jon...

Cyclists are to blame in less than a third of accidents with motor vehicles, police figures show.A four-month operation targeting the behaviour of cyclists and motorists aims to improve cycle safety in Canterbury, particularly around schools and cycle lanes.Three fatal and 95 serious injury accidents were among Christchurch's 538 reported cycle crashes in the past three years.Senior Sergeant Stephen Burgerhout, of the police strategic traffic unit, said motorists were largely at fault in more than half the accidents involving cyclists nationwide.Cyclists were primarily to blame in only 27 per cent of accidents, he said."Undoubtedly, every motorist in Christchurch will have a story about poor behaviour by a cyclist, but by the same token every cyclist will have number of stories about poor driving behaviour by a motorist."We don't want to apportion blame, but in every case bad decisions...

Here are some photos taken recently showing that they are nearly there: Shared pathway road barrier #1: Waiwhakaiho River Bridge black spot fix nearly finished. Shared pathway - western exit back on SH3 Shared pathway road barrier showing recent damage: The new barrier showing an impact from a vehicle already. The posts for the barrier are around 350 mm in from the kerb edge. The vehicle that did this would have given anyone on the shared path a great fright. One can see earlier photos that show the situation that lead to NZTA agreeing to put in the barriers prior to making the two footpaths shared pathways at: Cycling Access over Waiwhakaiho Bridge on SH3 .

Health & Active Transport Alliance formed CAN and Living Steets Aotearoa have formed an alliance with several health NGOs:  Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), the National Heart Foundation (NHF) and the Cancer Society of NZ (CSNZ). Contact is also being maintained with Diabetes NZ. Both NHF and CSNZ support walking and cycling for their health benefits. This alliance will look to join forces where appropriate to lobby for increased investment for cycling and walking at a national level. Some excellent co-operation has already been happening: For example, the Cancer Society joined the Getacross team in their lobbying over cyclist and pedestrian access to the Auckland Harbour bridge. From CAN's perspective, the new dimension in this initiative is the agreement between CAN/Living Streets and the health NGOs to communicate and work together. Each organisation will...

Wellington City Council’s new 10-year budget includes $4,750,000 to invest in a strategic cycling and walking network – including the proposed ‘Great Harbour Way’ and a cycle-walkway alongside the Porirua Stream through Tawa and along Middleton Road to Glenside. The City Council’s Transport and Urban Development Leader, Cr Andy Foster, is delighted. “This is putting our money where our mouth is. It’s developed from the Regional Strategic Cycling Network agreed by Greater Wellington last December, and from the city’s first-ever walking and cycling plans adopted last November following extensive and very supportive consultation. “We’ve agreed to put $250,000 in this year, and $500,000 in the following nine years to create safe attractive routes into Wellington City from Porirua and Hutt City, and around the harbour. “Safety is absolutely vital to encourage people to walk and...

Practical and sustainable, it's an ideal material for frames, but bamboo may take a while to become the next big thing     Calfee bamboo racing bike The panda jokes are now a long way from my mind. I'm standing astride a bike crafted from an armful of bamboo cane, about to push out into rush-hour traffic.As a material for a bicycle frame, it makes more sense than it sounds. In Asian countries it's often used as scaffolding, and even to reinforce concrete, so it's certainly strong. But the important part is that it's also incredibly springy.Next time you're on your bike, find somewhere away from traffic and look down at your frame when you set off. Most people don't realise that bikes are not rigid, they warp and bend slightly when you ride them. The largest of my bikes flexes so much when I corner hard that I can actually feel it distort underneath me.As well as such...