New Zealand has some of the most scenic roads in the world but cycle tourism operators say some are becoming increasingly dangerous. Road cycle tourism was at risk because the roads were not designed for cyclists and increasing traffic volumes, operators said. BREATHER: Australian Bruna Lisciotto takes a break after a ride from Manapouri to Te Anau as part of an Active New Zealand tour. This is despite efforts to educate both drivers and cyclists to improve road safety. Cycle Tourism Operators New Zealand chairman Tim De Jong said it was harder for operators to cater for tourists wanting to do road tours because of the increase in volume of traffic on roads that were not designed for cyclists and vehicles. The Catlins highway was one area where problems could develop, with more motorists and cyclists visiting the area, Mr De Jong said. "The more cars...
News: January 2010
Jan
Cycle Aware Manawatu will run a 2 day "Bike-ability" workshop to train trainers how to teach adults to ride bicycles as safely as possible on the road. Enquiries to: cycleawaremanawatu@yahoo.com The course is funded by a grant from the Palmerston North City Environment Trust, and in kind support from Sport Manawatu and the Cycling Advocates' Network. Once trained, the trainers will run a series of courses for adults wanting to learn how to ride a bike competently on the road, much like a defensive driving course for cyclists. These will be on 10am-3pm on: 20 Feb, 20 Mar, and 24 Apr. To register you interest to attend as a trainee ph Sport Manawatu: 357 5349.
Jan
Press Release January 14, 2010 Iconic design sought for Auckland Harbour Bridge’s Pathway 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...
Jan
Graeme S. sent this link through this week Hey Guys, Really good replay of an Ideas programme from August on Radio NZ's Sunday show this morning. Well worth a listen with some great info... http://www.radionz.co.nz/podcasts/sunday.rss
Jan
FIFTY YEARS AGO - THE EVOLUTION OF CYCLING 1931 "Taken with the assistance of the Cyclists' Touring Club." Introductory intertitle reads: "Fifty years ago, wearing a bustle and a pained expression, Eve took a sedate front seat." Travelling shot of a couple in Victorian dress riding on an antiquated bicycle. The woman sits on the front part of the bike whilst the man pedals at the back. "Nothing strenuous about this for Eve - Adam did the pedalling." Closer travelling shot of the strange vehicle. "The "Sociable", when the forward young Misses of the day dispensed with the skirt." (shot missing) "Later came the high "ordinary." L/S of man riding a Penny Farthing type bicycle. "The "Whippet" followed." Moving shot of a man riding a "Whippet" bicycle. Travelling shot of the bike being ridden by a man in old fashioned costume. View video here
Jan
New Delhi Erin Roberts, a foreign tourist, gets out of a metro station in the national capital and walks towards the car park. She pays the parking attendant. Next, Erin rides out on a bicycle into the busy Connaught Place. This scene can be witnessed every day on several metro stations around Delhi, thanks to a new cycle rental service by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Cyclists in New Delhi "I came to India from Paris to make a documentary on Indian culture. This is my second visit and I was very happy to see this popular service. On my first trip, I faced a lot of problem commuting by autos and taxis, since they are expensive. Now, I usually choose the stations where I want to go, rent a bike and roam around, "said Erin. "The best part is that it's inexpensive." Adam Johnson, an American tourist, said: "I am...
Jan
Boson Au commutes from his Charles Village home to his downtown office by bicycle. He rides his bike to the grocery store and, with a group of cycling friends, to bars on weekends. Traveling by bike allows Au a more immediate and intimate experience of Baltimore than driving a car. "It makes the city seem smaller and closer," said the 32-year-old Web developer. "I'm seeing the streets. I'm feeling the bumps. It's made me more involved in the city." But Baltimore's congested and pothole-ridden streets pose many hazards to cyclists. Au has been hit by cars twice - once while waiting at a stop light in Mount Vernon and once while riding in Harbor East during his lunch break - although he was not seriously hurt in either accident. "I'm one of the lucky ones," he said, showing a mangled red rim - a memento from one of his crashes - that hangs from the...
Jan
My bike is going to kill me. That was all I could think about as I rolled the thing out of my apartment and made those initial awkward pedal pushes in my first ride around downtown Toronto. But gliding along Queen St., with no angry cars honking or getting too close to my wheels, I figured I might actually get home alive. If I could just remember the road rules. Hand signal directional changes. Turn left on left lanes only, or get off the bike and cross the intersection like a pedestrian. If you're changing lanes near streetcar tracks, approach them at a sharp angle so your tires don't get caught in them. And for God's sake, don't pass cars on their right-hand side at stoplights. You know the saying that you never forget how to ride a bike? Apparently I had. Or was too scared to remember. Either way, I'm not the only one. Studies from Australia and the U.S. identify me with...
Jan
Slowly Coming to the U.S. Cycling is extremely green, and there are all kinds of tools in the arsenal of city planners to encourage more of it. One of the newest (in the U.S.) tools is the bike boulevard, a concept that is relatively common in Europe. To get an idea of what a bike boulevard is, you can have a look at the Portland Planning & Design Guidebook for Bike Boulevards, or even better, check out the great video via StreetFilms. Overview of this report This report is intended to serve as a planning and conceptual design guide for planners, engineers, citizens, advocates, and decision makers who are considering bicycle boulevards in their community. Data for this guide was developed from literature review, case study interviews, and input from a panel of professional experts. Section two of this guide contains information on bicycle boulevard planning,...
Jan
A young German cyclist killed in a collision with a truck in New Zealand in January described aggressive truck drivers as "beasts" just days before her death. Mia Susanne Pusch, 19, arrived in New Zealand in early October and had been cycling around the country until her death last Tuesday. Read more hereBelow are photos and the speech made at the installation of a White Bike at the site of the accident.Memorial speech for Mia on the occasion of the installation of a White Bike on August 31st 2010:Mia Susanne Pusch from Kirtorf, Germany, was killed on January 5 this year at 11.50 a.m. She died here in an accident with a 40-ton-truck while she was riding her bike on this road. Mia was 19 years old (she would have been 20 on June 27th). She had just finished school with excellent marks and she had her life ahead of her. The following words were written by Mia's high...