News: September 2009

Cycling scheme to boost tourism Tourism bosses hope the scheme will prove to be another attraction A mass bicycle hire scheme, said to be the largest of its kind in the UK, has been officially launched in Blackpool. The £1m initiative, funded by Cycling England, Blackpool NHS and the council, is aimed at boosting tourism and its profile as a cycling destination. Modelled on the popular Paris scheme, it involves a number of stands located around the resort's promenade, pleasure beach, and in local parks. The number of available bicycles will gradually increase to 500 by May 2010. They will be located at 100 bike hubs across the resort, making it the largest scheme in the country. Similar, but smaller-scale, schemes currently operate in areas including Reading and Bristol. According to tourism body...

CAN is having a planning weekend19-20 Sept - what do CAW members think CAN should be doing? is too much energy going into internal organisation, and not enough into campaigns? how do we attract new advocates? How well does CAW communicate with CAN and other advocacy groups? How do we capitalise on the National Cycleway etc etc... Please post a comment...

The Ministry of Tourism has released a report showing a National Cycleway could double cycle tourism revenue from $320 million to $640 million per year.  Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) spokesperson Stephen McKernon says unless we address traffic issues New Zealand's potential cycle tourism growth won't be realised.  The report highlights a major barrier to the success of the National Cycleway is the speed and volume of New Zealand traffic, and with this, motorist attitudes and behaviours around cyclists.  "International and domestic cycle tourists both fear New Zealand's poor reputation for cyclist road safety," says McKernon.  McKernon says "the report considers the $640 million a conservative figure for revenues from the National Cycleway. This shows how much potential there is for economic growth through cycling. Kiwi cycle tourists have nearly doubled in the past five...

WCC is consulting on future plans for Wellington - how will cycling fit into the 30 year plan? Initial feedback due 9 october. Is there a volunteer to prepare a CAW submission? Also drop-in sessions: Thursday 17 September 5.00pm - 7.00pm, Committee Room 1 Wednesday 23 September 12 noon - 2.00pm, Committee Room 1  

Auckland Networker Living Streets Aotearoa is looking for an experienced community development networker to replace our staff member in Auckland who will be away for five months.  We are looking for someone with the ability to support and develop our groups in Auckland City, North Shore, Waitakere, and Manukau, to motivate and enthuse volunteers, and to establish and maintain effective networks and relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in the Auckland region. This is a half-time (20 hours/week) fixed term contract position from 5th October 2009 to 19th February 2010 based in our Auckland office in Freeman's Bay, and involving working flexible hours, and travelling around the Auckland region.  To apply, please send a CV and covering letter, with referees, to lizthomas@livingstreets.org.nz by 5pm on Thursday 17th September. For more information visit: Living Streets...

Image credit: ibuyeco Parking Day Parking Day has been going since 2005, and TreeHugger has always been excited about this way to temporarily reclaim space from cars and use it for the common good. Others were less impressed, calling Parking Day Activists "enviro-nuts", and even describing them as "so punchable". Now we'll see how the Brits take to the practice of paying for parking space, only to use it for recreation - Parking Day is coming to Britain. Considering the fact that the UK is the birth place of World Naked Bike Ride, the ibuyeco Parking Day should be tame by comparison. Having said that, it would also be interesting to see how greenies take to privately sponsored activism - albeit sponsored by a green business: "Brought to Britain by eco car insurance provider ibuyeco and US art collective Rebar, PARK(ing) Day UK is the first official,...

New Zealand’s cycling market has the potential to more than double the amount of money tourists spend annually – from $320 million to $640 million. That’s according to a new market research report released by the Ministry of Tourism today. New Cycleway Research Report now available New Zealand’s cycling market has the potential to more than double the amount of money tourists spend annually – from $320 million to $640 million. That’s according to a new market research report released by the Ministry of Tourism today. The report says this estimate is heavily dependent on New Zealand getting the product (cycle tourism) right, providing safe trails with good support services and amenities - including accommodation and information –and investing strongly in marketing the entire experience. General Manager, Ray Salter, says the report provides a number of key findings that give certainty to...

Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) is calling on all cyclists to hit the roads on Tuesday 22nd  September 2009 as part of a global event where people take a holiday from their cars. CAN calls on people to go by cycle, foot, bus or train instead of driving - starting with just this one day.Since its earliest incarnations in the 1970s and ‘80s, WORLD CARFREE DAY has grown into a massive global celebration of human-centric communities and people-powered transportation. The day reminds people that cycling is healthy, convenient, quick, cheap, stylish, very social and lots of fun. World Carfree Day 2009 could turn out to be the biggest yet.As the world tunes in to the fact that the climate is heating up, this is the perfect opportunity to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of oil-hungry...

Here's some great opportunities for cycling advocates. We have a new govt with new transport priorities - where does this leave people who like to get around by bike? *1. Come to the 7th New Zealand Cycling Conference* http://can.org.nz/conference/2009 for programme and registration. *Communities, Connections and the Economy in focus at cycling conference* Now, more than ever, cycling has the potential to play a key part in the economic development of New Zealand. The 7th New Zealand Cycling Conference aims to bring together a wide range of people who share this vision and can make it happen. 12-13 November, New Plymouth We are subsidising one or 2 CAN members from each group. You need to apply to Patrick Morgan by 25 Sept. *2. Cycling Advocate's Network annual workshop: CAN Do*, 14-15 Nov, New Plymouth. http://can.org.nz/2009-can-...