News: September 2009

17
Sep

WCC are calling for submissions on their Draft Waterfront Plan. Who would like to coordinate a submission? The waterfront is a key bicycle route, and part of the Great Harbour Way. We need to ensure that a cycling corridor is preserved and enhanced along the waterfront. Any other points that people feel should be made?

September 17, 2009
AlastairS
17
Sep

Photo: Paul Joseph. Excellent news for Buenos Aires locals, expats and green travelers that want to know the city. In order to put some order to the chaotic traffic, the government is building 62 miles of bike lanes by 2011, 15 of which should be ready by the end of this year. As the existing bike lanes have never been respected by cars and buses, the new ones will be physically separated from the streets (why this is extremely important can be seen on the post The case for separated bike lanes). More details about the plans in the extended. There are currently some bike lanes in Buenos Aires, but they are placed in recreational places, and the ones placed in big streets are not properly separated from traffic. At the same time, according to data from the government published by Clarin newspaper, 60% of the trips people have to do in the city are less than three...

September 17, 2009
Alex admin
17
Sep

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...

September 17, 2009
Alex admin
17
Sep

Dear members and fellow cyclists The Lake Rd cycle lanes are under threat again.  Responding to a group of Devonport residents who wrongly believe the cycle lanes cause motorist delay, North Shore City Council is reviewing whether the cycle lanes should be removed. We need to send a strong message to North Shore City Council to let them know the cycle lanes MUST stay.  Please help us by signing the on-line petition, and forwarding this email to your friends and colleagues, especially if they live on the Shore.  You could also add the petition link to your Facebook page, send a tweet, or anything else you can think of to get the word out. Sign the petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lakeroadcyclelane/  (Please note that after you’ve signed, a donation page will pop up but donating to i-petitions is entirely optional and you can just click out of the page...

September 17, 2009
KirstenS
17
Sep

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...

September 17, 2009
AlastairS
16
Sep

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) invites you to step into a time machine with an entertaining snapshot of transport issues in the Wellington region, nearly 40years agowith the movie screening of –  “Notes on a New Zealand City”September 22nd 12.15 – 1pmNew Zealand Film ArchivesNZ Film Archives 84 Taranaki StEntry by koha We hope the movie will offer some insight in to the past of transport planning in New Zealand, while providing some thought provoking ideas for the future. Please circulate this email throughout your workplaces.    “Notes on a New Zealand City” (42mins) - Produced by the New Zealand National Film Unit in 1971 for the Ministry of Works this documentary questions the changes the motor car has brought to the way of life in Wellington and the surrounding suburbs; the challenges facing public transport, the pressure...

September 16, 2009
AlastairS
16
Sep

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...

September 16, 2009
Scorcher
15
Sep

http://www.worldometers.info

September 15, 2009
ribell
15
Sep

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  

September 15, 2009
AlastairS
14
Sep

Motorway traffic in Auckland is declining, public transport use is at a 25-year high and growing, and oil production is expected to peak within 10 years. So we're building more motorways. Simon Wilson asks why. Metro magazine article PDF download below

September 14, 2009
Alex admin
14
Sep

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...

September 14, 2009
Alex admin
14
Sep

Portland’s new (and first-ever) cycle track has been installed on SW Broadway near Portland State University. (Photos © J. Maus) Making good on a promise to install a “high-profile” cycle track, Mayor Sam Adams will join Portland State University President Wim Wiewel, BTA executive director Scott Bricker and City of Portland staff to formally introduce a new kind of bikeway today. The cycle track runs from SW Clay to SW Jackson and the project cost the City around $80,000. People riding bikes on that stretch will now be separated from moving motor vehicle traffic by parked cars and a 3-foot, striped “buffer-zone” will protect them from car doors. From above. The new lane is 7-feet wide. PBOT was able to open up the 7-foot traffic lane specifically for bicycles on SW Broadway after an analysis of motor vehicle traffic volume...

September 14, 2009
Alex admin
14
Sep

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,...

September 14, 2009
Alex admin
14
Sep

Students are coached for the cycling proficiency test known as Bikeability at Queens Mead Primary School, Braunstone, Leicestershire. Photograph: David Sillitoe Significant numbers of children face active official discouragement and even bans against cycling to and from school, cycle campaigners have warned as a new academic year gets under way. As state pupils in most of the UK returned for the new term over the past week – those in Scotland went back earlier – most travelled to school in cars, on buses or on foot. Just a tiny minority did so on a bicycle, despite rising levels of obesity and inactivity. Many would actively like to ride but are prevented from doing so by a mixture of parental worries and school policies which range from warnings about safety to effective bans through a refusal to allow bikes to be kept on school grounds, campaigners say. Debra Rolfe from...

September 14, 2009
Alex admin
14
Sep

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...

September 14, 2009
Scorcher
11
Sep

From Jennie Henton jsgallagher@paradise.net.nz Hi Cycle Aware In view of the Copenhagen conference on climate change this December a number of organisations like Oxfam and Avaaz members and are setting up events on Sept 21 to wake up the world leaders. Avaaz members have registered more than 350 September 21 Climate Wake-Up Call events in 54 countries. Would you be interested in organising with me a cycle to work event in Wellington on Mon 21 to demonstrate to world leaders that a huge and growing global movement will accept nothing less than a fair, ambitious, and binding climate treaty strong enough to avert catastrophic climate change. So you know, The Global Wake-Up Call is a joint effort of the TckTckTck Campaign, named for the "tck"ing of a clock as time runs short. Through TckTckTck, Avaaz is working closely with groups like 350.org, Oxfam, and Greenpeace; with the...

September 11, 2009
AlastairS
11
Sep

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...

September 11, 2009
Scorcher
11
Sep

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-...

September 11, 2009
Patrick
11
Sep

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-...

September 11, 2009
Patrick
11
Sep

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-...

September 11, 2009
Patrick