Media Statement from Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) Cycling advocates are calling for a ceasefire in the latest skirmish between some drivers and cyclists. A Christchurch businessman has today issued a statement, apologising for his online remarks in which he said he wanted to "nail'' cyclists with his Hummer. Cycling is a great way to get around, and an activity enjoyed by more than a million New Zealanders says Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) Chair, Bevan Woodward. Mr Woodward says, “We all win when cyclists and motorists share the road with care.” “Every person on a bike means there are fewer cars on the road. More bikes means less congestion.” CAN is thrilled to see the latest “Code for Cyclists” produced by New Zealand Transport Agency. “The Code legitimatises cyclists as valid road users at a time when there has been considerable mud-slinging between parties...
News: January 2010
Jan
Background Effective advocacy is an important part of efforts to increase population participation in physical activity. Research about effective health advocacy is scarce, however, the health sector can learn from the experiences and knowledge of community advocates and those who are on the receiving end of this advocacy. The aim of this study is to explore advocacy for active transport from the perspectives of community advocates and representatives from New Zealand City councils. Methods Cycling and walking advocates were identified from the local contact list of Cycling Advocates Network and Living Streets Aotearoa. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with cycle and walking advocates from throughout New Zealand. Advocates also nominated a suitable council officer at their local City council to be interviewed. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and...
Jan
There have been some changes in the team that puts together CAN's "Chainlinks" magazine. The role of main editor has been taken on by Stephen Wood, who up until now has had the role of contributions manager. Claire Pascoe has agreed to take on the role of contributions manager, but as she has a busy month in February on other things, will work up to it slowly. Miriam Richardson, who has been the Chainlinks editor for a few years, is not leaving the Chainlinks team. She will still do the work to lay out the material and produce final copy to go to the printers. In effect, we've split the job that she did before into a part that she will keep doing and a part that Stephen will take over. We're making use of some copy-editors to give articles a bit of a makeover, and proofreaders checking the final copy. CAN's committee also gives the issue the "once-over" before it is sent to the...
Jan
Cyclists have a number of risk factors that do not affect car drivers. The main risk factors are decreased stability and a much lower level of protection than is given by a car. In addition, a cyclist is less visible to other road users than a car or truck. These factors, combined with the condition of the road environment, give cyclists a high level of risk per time unit travelled, although this risk is significantly lower than the risk carried by motorcyclists. Download here (PDF 232 KB)
Jan
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Robert LiMandri today announced the City is prepared to implement the Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law (Local Law 52), which aims to increase bicycle commuting by helping cyclists gain access to secure parking at their office buildings during the workday. The future of NYC commuting The legislation was signed into law by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in August 2009 and was sponsored by Council Member David Yassky and shepherded through the City Council by Council Member John Liu, the Transportation Committee Chairman. DOT and DOB will jointly oversee the Bikes in Buildings Program and overall compliance with the law, which is expected to lead to a broad expansion of bike parking at commercial office buildings across the City and...
Jan
GW is reviewing bikes on trains. I hear they are proposing to restrict access to off-peak, and start charging. CAW will need to campaign hard to retain what we fought for and won. Are we up for this? Yes! Here's why: 1. Bikes on trains are a good idea. 2. Raise CAW's profile and gather support 3. Lose this one and we'll get pushed back again. 4. We want bikes on buses too. Where to from here? 1. Check the facts 2. Get commitment from CAW 3. Form a campaign team 4. Make a plan: objective, tactics, partners, key audiences, messages, timing, budget
Jan
A Christchurch businessman's online threats to target cyclists in his Hummer has reignited a row between motorists and cyclists. Sign of the Takahe restaurant co-owner Richard Freeman told an online forum he would "nail" cyclists and challenged "anyone wearing Spandex and shaved legs to get to my front door unharmed". Freeman, who lives near the narrow, winding Dyers Pass Rd in Cashmere, said he drove "a black H2 Hummer and have put 2 [cyclists] into the curb over the last 6 months". He later said the comments were tongue-in-cheek. His comments were transferred to sport website Vorb, where they attracted more than 500 comments, both for and against. Cyclists spoken to yesterday said Freeman was inflaming a sensitive issue. Freeman did not return calls yesterday. A restaurant manager said he had fielded several abusive and threatening phone calls. Freeman agreed to...
Jan
Cycling is a great way to get around and a sport enjoyed by more than a million New Zealanders. If only three in 100 people took up cycling instead of driving, New Zealand would save more than 1 billion dollars per year! Cycling is a great way to get around and a sport enjoyed by more than a million New Zealanders.Now available online NZ Code for Cyclists If only three in 100 people took up cycling instead of driving, New Zealand would save more than 1 billion dollars per year! Cycling is the pollution solution that improves your health, increases your productivity at school or work, and enhances the safety of your community. Every time you ride, you have an opportunity to help encourage a cycle friendly culture. Don’t underestimate the impact that a wink or a smile and a wave can have on motorists’ attitudes to cyclists. Practice your skills and take care of your bike...
Jan
Hi, My wife and I were dramatically changed when we saw the documentary The Age of Stupid. We are selling our car, bought a vespa. That didn't seem enough, so we decided to purchase 200 used-commuter bicycles from Japan to sell here in Wellington and to some friends in Hamilton. My wife Sarah lived in Japan and Taiwan and had lovely bicycles (notably the mama-chari model) which are designed for commuting and running errands. We could not find any of these bicycles here, except for very expensives models from USA or Europe and so we found some we could sell for less than $200 each and still cover our costs to keep importing. We plan to buy new and sturdier models from India if this first shipment is sucessful. I am writing to you because we would like to sell some of these bikes to returning students at Victoria and Massey Universities in Wellington during their orientation weeks. I...
Jan
Bike Club will be offering support to groups of young people with training, equipment and facilities that help them use cycling as a way to learn to skills and achieve rewarding experiences. Initial funding for the development of Bike Club has come from Cycling England, an organisation that, supported by the Department for Transport, encourages cycling through a range of initiatives. Transport Minister Sadiq Khan will be at Bike Club's London launch, where he will be addressing attendees. Ahead of the event he said; "I want to put cycling at the very heart of transport planning for the 21st century. That's why the Government has more than doubled the budget for Cycling England; why we've invested £10 million in our Sustainable Travel Towns programme; why we've launched a major £14 million package to transform facilities for cyclists at rail stations; and over 240 major ...
Jan
Public Transport Costing Myths (Melbourne, Australia) “The MTF [Metropolitan Transport Forum] is of the view that public transport should be acknowledged as far more cost effective for transit in cities such as Melbourne, than car based solutions. As cities become conurbations, reliance on the motor vehicle as the primary mode of transport undermines city liveability, amenity and efficiency. o Myth No 1: that public transport is heavily subsidised by the State. “The costs of public transport infrastructure and services must be balanced with the greater benefits in emissions, health, safety, land use, congestion, social equity, inclusion/exclusion and other externalities. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has assessed that given wide economic and social benefits, public transport requires only 30% cost recovery from fares. o Myth No 2:...
Jan
End of the American Love Affair? America's love affair with the automobile could be sputtering to an end. About 14 million cars were taken out of action last year, 4 million more than rolled off the assembly lines and onto the roads, a report from the Earth Policy Institute said. It was the first time since World War II that more cars were scrapped than sold, reducing the size of the US car fleet from a high of 250 million to 246 million. Last year was an extraordinarily bad year for the US industry. Two of the three big car makers, GM and Chrysler, went through bankruptcy and were bailed out by the Government. Sales fell 21.2% from 2008 and the total sales volume was the lowest since 1982. “The Obama Administration's efforts to spur demand by offering motorists up to $US4500 on trade-ins of older cars and pick-up trucks took 700,000 older models off the road last year. But that did...
Jan
The Cycle Training Management System (CTMS) software assists with the administration involved in delivery of Bikeability,Paul Lowe is the Director of cycling.instructor.com <http://www.cyclinginstructor.com/>, a major training provider, located in London , training instructors <mailbox:///C%7C/Users/Patrick/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/e1uigad1.default/Mail/pop3.paradise.net.nz/Inbox?number=864225230#_Courses_and_Vacancies> and delivering cycle training contracts. Paul was inspired by his father and brother, both of whom were keen cyclists. He finds cycling very beneficial for his health and loves touring and commuting. The Cycle Training Management System (CTMS) software <http://www.cyclinginstructor.com/cyclinginstructor.nsf/%28$Category1%29/2A0A800C0FEC4FBD8025716A0062D782?OpenDocument>, to assist with the administration involved in delivery of...
Jan
FreshChoice Supermarket Community Fund now open The FreshChoice Community Fund is the replacement of the FreshChoice Schools Draw. Any community group/individual, including schools, can apply which means that the whole community can benefit. The total amount given out each month by the 16 FreshChoice Supermarkets is $500. The $500 will be given to one or more recipients. Community Groups can reapply each month. Download the application form here Note: Fresh Choice supermarkets are in the South Island and Waikato. http://www.freshchoice.co.nz
Jan
Here's resources on cycle touring in New Zealand: State Highway 89 over the Crown range: nice scenery, but not much road space. Dansey's Pass Guidebooks 1. Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides, mainly off-road stuff but some back road rides too. 2. Pedallers' Paradise, road touring guide in 5 languages. 3. Lonely Planet's Cycling NZ guide, 2009 edition Online 1. New Zealand Cycle Trail A national project to build a network of world class cycle trails. Find out more about our 18 Great Rides, check out the rides that are already open and plan your next great riding adventure.2. NZ Mountain Bike Web, Touring forum, a wealth of info on NZ touring both on and off road. Use the search button. 3. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ has a great set of travel journals. For NZ accounts, see http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/locales/?geoname_id=152&...
Jan
Peter Hayman: It's the roads that damage the bicycles, and not the bicycles that damage the roads A ROAD tax for cyclists is not something that is likely to happen. It is not sensible. And it's something that should not have been raised. Cyclists do not damage the roads. They don't do any more damage than pedestrians. It is the roads that damage the bicycles and endanger cyclists, and not the cyclists that damage roads. We have been assured by the Scottish Government that they have no plans to actually bring in a road tax for cyclists. I think it was a tactical error to include it in the consultation. Most cyclists are drivers as well and pay excise duty on their motors. In terms of value for money, cyclists pay back a vast amount in terms of a healthier society and people who have more time and energy for work. Every cyclist means one less car on the road, and every cyclist...
Jan
A bicycle remade for you You don't have to fork out hundreds of pounds if you want to get your hands on a new bike, as Perri Lewis finds out when she takes an old bike for a makeover Get your free copy of Do it Yourself and Save when you buy a copy of the Guardian on January 16 and the Observer on January 17 Watch 5 minute video here
Jan
Obama Administration Proposes Major Public Transportation Policy Shift to Highlight Livability Changes Include Economic Development and Environmental Benefits In a dramatic change from existing policy, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today proposed that new funding guidelines for major transit projects be based on livability issues such as economic development opportunities and environmental benefits, in addition to cost and time saved, which are currently the primary criteria. In remarks at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting, the Secretary announced the Obama Administration’s plans to change how projects are selected to receive federal financial assistance in the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts and Small Starts programs. As part of this initiative, the FTA will immediately rescind budget restrictions issued by the Bush Administration...
Jan
At its launch, Cycling England established six Cycling Demonstration Towns (CDTs) where innovative projects were implemented to make it more attractive for people to cycle, both to school and work, and in their leisure time. The towns we selected all had a strong commitment to increase cycling. Prior to the start of the programme, each town had different levels of people cycling and different local circumstances. As such, Cycling England worked with each individual CDT to establish a tailor made programme to encourage cycling. Cycling England also established a consistent monitoring programme to measure progress across all six towns. For the past three years, Cycling England has been gathering extensive and robust quantitative data from the original six CDTs in order to measure progress and evaluate the impact of their cycling strategies. The results are very positive, with...
Jan
Prominent Auckland architects, Copeland Associates, have been commissioned to create an iconic design for the Pathway proposed for the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Aucklanders are being invited to have their say. GetAcross spokesperson Bevan Woodward says “Following NZTA’s agreement to the feasibility of the Pathway on the city-side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the concept design work can commence. We’re after an iconic design with the ‘wow!’ factor. We want to create a top 10 tourist attraction for the Auckland region and an asset all Aucklanders will be proud of.” Hence we’re inviting Aucklanders to have their say on the Pathway’s design. They can do this by completing the online survey at www.getacross.org.nz.” Copeland Associates director, Barry Copeland says “This is a waterfront project that ticks all the boxes for us. It requires innovative design thinking to allow...