News: October 2009

A study of over 2000 NZers on the factors that motivate them to commute by bike. See pdf article attachment or follow links at: http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/papbyrecent.dtl (22 Oct 2009)   

Recently, while checking in on the Craigslist Missed Connections (for the blog, I swear, for the blog!) I happened upon the following post: MC with bike partner/mentor - 25 (Williamsburg) [original URL: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mis/719927591.html] Reply to: pers-719927591@craigslist.org Date: 2008-06-14, 4:37PM EDT Posting here since I don't think people read the platonic section and everyone loves missed connections. I am a 25 year old female, just bought my first road bike (!) and it should be ready to roll next Monday (getting fixed up this week). I am looking for someone to ride with at least a few times, from williamsburg to battery park (or at least to the east river green path) so I can get the hang of it since I am a little nervous, esp. about getting off the w'burg bridge in traffic and finding the green path. I am just trying to avoid doing...

Brumby launches bikes into mainstream 24 March 2009. Commuting to work in Melbourne is set for major change now that bike infrastructure will have equal status in the planning and building of Victoria’s transport network. The era of discrimination, where bike riders were lucky to get a few left-overs when roads were built, has officially ended with the government’s announcement of the Victorian Cycling Strategy. (2.2 MB download) “This is a history-making document,” Bicycle Victoria CEO Harry Barber said. “For the first time in Australia bike riding has been formally recognized as part of the core transport system.” Mr Barber was commenting on the release of Premier Brumby’s $115M blueprint for future bike infrastructure investment. The release of the transport strategy follows 13 months of frank discussion between Bicycle Victoria and the state government....

Here's What the NYC DOT Has Been Doing to Help Cyclists It's always great to see cities that are making real efforts to encourage people to cycle. The benefits can be enormous: Healthier people, fewer cars on the road, less air pollution, a more human-scale city that attracts more tourists, etc. In the video below, various officials from New York City's Department of Transportation explain the thinking behind various types of new bike lanes in the city (on the left, buffered, and completely separated). NYC bike lanes video Via StreetFilms

Hi All, One of this year's Cycling Conference keynote speakers, Phillip Darnton from Cycling England, is scheduled to be interviewed on Kim Hill's radio programme on 24 October. Check out National Radio  for updates. And check out the Cycling Conference website for more info on Philip Darnton - he's got some really inspiring examples of cyclist-friendly towns, and cycling skills training programmes. Fantastic news, and many thanks to Patrick for his work on this! Cheers, Jane

Cycle Lanes: Safety under Scrutiny Oriental Bay, Wellington Latest research has shed doubt on the benefits of cycle lanes, often thought to be a key incentive for novice cyclists. It would appear that, in the absence of a cycle lane, drivers show more care and consideration when overtaking. If there is a cycle lane, drivers tend to treat it as the only space cyclists need and leave less room when overtaking them. Many cycle lanes are not even the recommended width (2 metres recommended, 1.5 metres minimum), so they are often too narrow, and may present obstacles such as drain covers, pot holes and rubbish. Cycling England says: “Cycle lanes can provide benefits for cyclists but they should not be considered to be the default solution for on-road facilities, especially when this results in them being too narrow, badly sited or not continuous.” DfT Guidelines...

10:32AM Friday Oct 16, 2009 A 62-year-old North Shore doctor has died from head injuries after he was knocked off his bicycle in a hit-and-run northwest of Auckland on Wednesday. Ian Graham Robinson, from Mairangi Bay, was riding with a friend, a fellow doctor, near Helensville, northwest of Auckland, when hit by a white Toyota utility. Dr Robinson never regained consciousness after the incident on Peak Rd and died in hospital last night. The driver did not stop and police have appealed for information. Dr Robinson and his friend were riding about 25 metres apart on a straight stretch of road, police said. Sergeant Mike Colson said the friend saw the impact but the only description he could provide of the vehicle was that it was a white or cream 1980s style Toyota utility vehicle with a rear deck with a fibreglass hard cover. It appeared to be old and...

Mikael at Copenhagen Cycle Chic Globe and Mail journalist Gary Mason visits a city where they really do put bikes ahead of cars; it is city policy in Copenhagen. He interviews Andreas Rohl, suggesting that the bicycle program manager's job is to "ponder the daily question: How can he make life hell for the car drivers of this Scandinavian capital." But Mr. Rohl never actually says that, it's just Mason playing to his poor, suffering "war on the car" audience in Toronto. But Rohl does admit to trying to make a commute on two wheels more attractive than four. "This is what we work on a lot," said Mr. Rohl, an every-day cyclist who does not own a car. "It's all about normalization: making the experience of getting in and around the city on a bicycle as normal and hassle-free as possible. "We have reached the point where riding a bike is a far better mode of...

Kia ora tatau On 22 August, over 150 of you came out to support safer cycle lanes in Wellington and the 350 movement, promoting cycling as a low carbon form of transport. (photo attached) Cycle Aware Wellington (www.caw.org.nz <http://www.caw.org.nz>) is organizing another huge cycle ride bringing awareness to these two very important causes – and, of course, because cycling is fun, fast and free! This time, we are drawing attention to the Great Harbour Way, Wellington’s beautiful coastline, and the necessity for a safe cycle route connecting Eastbourne, Hutt City and Wellington City.  So mark your calendars for Saturday, 24 October, oil your chain, grab your helmet, water bottle, patch kit, sunscreen and let’s ride! Apologies if you've received this communication multiple times but please do forward this email to your networks, friends and lovers of 2-wheeled transport...