News: August 2009

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) announced today (28/08/2009) details of an $8.7 billion investment in New Zealand over the next three years through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).  However BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner says the announcement is a mixed bag for cyclists, and a much stronger commitment to cycling is critical to improve transport options in NZ. "New Zealand is bucking international trends by pouring increased investment into road infrastructure, while providing few solutions for increasing cycling and walking as a form of transport. Investment in cycling infrastructure in NZ needs to catch-up to international standards." NZTA Chair Brian Roche said the key challenges New Zealand face with land transport were improving the efficiency of key transport routes, easing severe congestion in key urban areas, and improving safety and access to markets, employment and...

Results from the 2009 Summer Cycle Survey carried out by the Centre for Recreation Research are available for download here: http://www.crr.otago.ac.nz/pubs.aspx The conclusions are as follows: This research provides information about use trends and perspectives towards Dunedin’s cycleway system. 109 respondents, both users and non-users of the cycleway system, returned the questionnaire. The information gathered included cycleway use frequency, barriers to use, safety concerns, motivations, and general thoughts on cycleway improvements. First, for the purpose of this research, a definition was developed to clarify the term ‘cycleway’ in order to provide a context of understanding for the respondents. Then, profiles indicated that the majority of respondents were over the age of 35, with most of the cyclists being...

BOSTON — In a city known for its aggressive drivers, flummoxing street layout, confusing rotaries and overall rudeness on the road, what is a cyclist to do? Cyclist battles on the urban highway Nicole Freedman, the city’s "bike czar," said, "The grand plan is to change the culture, which is an incredible task." Start pedaling, some say. Boston, long known as a minefield for bicycle riders, is feverishly working to shed that reputation by creating bike lanes, installing bike racks, restoring bike paths and urging residents to switch from horsepower to pedal power. Plans to link the city’s existing bike paths and create a bike-share program are also in the works. One already exists for city employees. “The grand plan is to change the culture, which is an incredible task,” said Nicole Freedman, a former Olympic cyclist who was hired as the city’s “...

From Tom Halliburton, CAW rep on Hutt Road Safety Advisory Committee: Attached the minutes from last week's Hutt Road Safety Advisory Committee meeting which I attended. I raised two points: 1/  Education of drivers for a 1.5 metre passing distance 2/  Consideration should be given in the design of cycle lanes to the strategies cyclists must follow at the end of the lane. The road transport representative commented that the 1.5 metre passing distance would create issues for heavy vehicles in some situations, and a useful discussion followed.  I also mentioned my personal dislike of the Greater Wellington campaign telling cyclists to "just obey the road rules" and not to hog the road.  I thought that both of these points encouraged bad behaviour by drivers, and discouraged cyclists from owning the lane when this is the safest option. The second item I raised is due to the number...

Ghost Bikes: A Memorial to Cyclists Whenever we write about bike/car "interactions" we get a lot of complaints that cyclists bring much of this upon themselves by blowing through red lights and stop signs, and generally cycling aggressively. While convalescing after being hit by a truck, Dr. Chris Cavacuiti of the University of Toronto had some time to study the statistics and concluded otherwise. He is interviewed by Bet McIlroy in the U of T's Experience Research: Another U of T Professor was not so lucky. Who causes accidents—cyclists or drivers? While there is a public perception that cyclists are usually the cause of accidents between cars and bikes, an analysis of Toronto police collision reports shows otherwise: The most common type of crash in this study involved a motorist entering an intersection and either failing to stop properly or proceeding...

 From http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ideas We’ve heard a lot lately about John Key’s so-called Great Rides Cycle Way. A network of cycle tracks aimed squarely at the recreational and tourism markets. But the vast majority of cyclists, both in this country and abroad, do most their riding in cities and towns. So how do you create truly cycle-friendly cities? What is it about Copenhagen that sees 55 percent of its residents commute by bicycle? And what needs to change in New Zealand cities to stop the decades long decline in those cycling on a daily basis? Ideas interviews: Bicycle Culture Consultant Mikael Colville-Anderson; Wellington City Councillor Celia Wade-Brown, and: BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner.

I don't regularly ride through this intersection, but had the chance yesterday on the way to the Regional Active Transport Forum. Some points I noticed below - any other comments from people who use the route? - coming from Wellington on the shared cycle/walking path on the south side of the Hutt Rd, the natural line to cross the intersection to get to the on ramp to SH2 (the red line on the attached image), joins the green strip after the detector pads, so it's likely that a cyclist won't set off the warning sign. - when the warning sign is set off, the light on the post where cyclists enter the onramp glows red. I think this means that the warning sign for motorists is activated, so in fact it's a good time for cyclists to cross the on ramp. However intuitively this means "stop" so cyclists will be confused by this. - crossing from the traffic island at the end of the Hutt...

CAN CYCLE-FRIENDLY AWARDS 2009- GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN! Nominations have just been opened for the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2009 in five categories: 1. Avanti award for best cycle facility project; 2. NZ Transport Agency award for best cycling promotion; 3. NZ Transport Agency award for cycle-friendly commitment by a business; 4. ViaStrada award for cycle-friendly commitment by a public organisation and 5. Taranaki Regional Council Award for cycling champion of the year Kiwis are being asked to put forward their favourite cycling projects or cycling champions for the Awards. Projects need to have been undertaken or completed between January 2008 and June 2009. Awards will be presented at the NZ Cycling Conference 2009, on Thursday 12th November. Winners will receive a uniquely designed "bicycle-bell" trophy, and a certificate. 'Early bird' nomination...

Invitation from Barbara Branch Councillor, Hutt City   I would like to invite you and your organisation members to a hear a special 'keynote' speaker - Steve Henry, who we have been very fortunate to persuade to speak in Lower Hutt for one night only.  Steve was the most inspirational speaker at a recent Local Government NZ conference held in Christchurch earlier this year.  All the delegates who attended from all the community boards were impressed with his ideas and vision for interacting with local communities, including businesses and also councils to encourage eco friendly and sustainable development.  I am sure that this would be of great interest to your group - and it is FREE!   The meeting is to be held at the Lower Hutt Little Theatre on Tuesday, 15th September 6.45pm for a 7pm start.  I would be delighted if you, and anyone that you think would be interested in the future...