News: April 2010

Looking for a new place to live can be stressful. If you are renting a place, then finding a suitable apartment may be less stressful than purchasing a home since the decision does not seem as permanent. Renting an apartment would be the best choice for you. While you likely sign a lease when you rent an apartment, it is unlikely you will stay in the apartment as long as you would a home.There are lots of considerations in choosing for an apartment. The most important thing would be its location and neighborhood. It is the essential thing to consider in choosing an apartment. Second would be amenities and facilities and the third would be the cost of the apartment unit. Edmonton apartments for rent has all the information you need to know about your dream apartment. Always keep in mind that the nearest apartment to a more populated area, the higher its cost would be.You will need to...

Throughout May, Council staff and police will be out talking with cyclists as part of our annual safety campaign. Cyclists who are not visible enough will be stopped and given temporary lights and vouchers for reflective gear and lights to be used at a selection of Wellington shops. The Council's Transport Safety Education Coordinator Anna Blomquist says not to panic if you're stopped at the Police checks. "All we're doing is encouraging cyclists to be brighter and therefore safer. The more likely you are to be seen the less likely you are to be hit." "Meanwhile, we hope regular cyclists - especially commuters - have already checked their lights are working and are wearing reflective gear. At this time of year it's already dark by the time a lot of people leave work." Anna says Council staff and police use the road code to guide cyclists. "This means cycling with lights on...

Wellington cyclists are cleaning up their act with a courtesy campaign aimed at curbing bad biking behaviour on the waterfront.Video: https://youtu.be/eY8FSTlH5C8 News release from Cycle Aware Wellington Cyclists call for courtesy on the waterfront8 May 2010 Wellington cyclists are cleaning up their act with a courtesy campaign aimed at curbing bad biking behaviour on the waterfront. Cycle Aware Wellington starts a campaign on 11 May to encourage people who ride bikes along the waterfront to cruise with courtesy. “The waterfront is a lovely place to walk, meet your friends, or ride a bike, “ says CAW member Claire Pascoe. “But riding too fast or too close annoys people.” “Just as cyclists ask motorists to slow down and give them space, we need to make sure we’re doing the same in areas we share with walkers.” “We want people using the waterfront to make sure...

This Guide has been developed with key industry players to help all businesses and organisations take up sustainable transport options. This is a visible and often immediate way for businesses to show their commitment to sustainability and a great start for any sustainability journey. Sustainable transport practices can also deliver significant cost savings, by reducing airfares, fleet costs, fuel costs, car parking and freight costs. Some less obvious benefits are improved employee health from walking, cycling and running to work, increased productivity and a reduction in employee absenteeism. The Guide provides detailed strategies and examples covering a broad spectrum of transport related issues for all organisations, regardless of size or industry.Download here (PDF 3MB)

The Institute of Advanced Motorists is urging cyclists to make themselves seen and to "claim their lane", moving out into the middle of the lane when approaching a junction or parked cars. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has 100,000+ members and runs the advanced driving test. Duncan Pickering, IAM Cycling Development Manager, said: "There has been some debate as to whether cyclists should stick to the kerb or push out into the road when riding in built-up areas. Our advice to cyclists, based on a comprehensive study, is to stay near to the kerb on long even stretches, but to assert yourself when approaching a junction, pushing out into the road and putting yourself in the direct view of drivers. "Sticking to the kerb where drivers are not necessarily looking means they are less likely to see you." IAM's views are based on two reports, 'Collisions...

Cycling advocates say Auckland will lose a valuable extension of its public transport system if a bike rental operator is squeezed out by the city council. The council has ordered rental operator Nextbike to remove 69 of its 170 bikes from street fixtures by the end of the month, to comply with a resource consent and free its bike racks for general cyclists. But the company, which says it provides 55 per cent of rides on its bikes free to 2000 registered users, says that unless it can expand its fleet it will have to pull the plug on a loss-making operation. It is preparing a business case for more bike stands from the council in return for continuing to offer free bike trips of up to 30 minutes, after which it charges $4 an hour, and has an appointment with council staff to discuss its request tomorrow. But city transport committee chairman Ken Baguley is also concerned about...

Riding a bike like this sends a clear advocacy message: cycling is more than just a sport. Everyday cycling is back, and beautiful.A new breed of simple, stylish, practical city bike is making a comeback overseas and is starting to arrive here. These bikes are easy to ride and low-maintenance, harking back to the ones some of us grew up with, but with modern 8- or 9-speed hub gears and disc brakes, their performance is in a different league. And some are gorgeous, like the Civia Loring from the USA.The Loring is designed for shorter trips around town (up to 10km), carrying up to 25kg spread between the rear pannier rack and the unique front rack, designed to take two shopping bags side by side. The bike has a very stable feel even while loaded, and the upright riding position encourages relaxed cruising. The Loring comes with all mod cons (apart from dynamo lighting)...

The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) says cyclists, like all road users, need to pay full attention while on the road. A woman cyclist killed yesterday after being struck by a train near Tauranga is believed to have been listening to an iPod-style music player. CAN spokesman Bevan Woodward recommends that people shouldn't use headphones while cycling. “The Road Code is clear. All drivers – and this includes cyclists – must not allow themselves to be distracted.” “We support the Road Code: don't play music so loudly that you can't hear emergency sirens, or the sound of warning bells when you're coming up to a railway level crossing.” “Any person cycling, like anyone walking or driving, needs to pay attention to traffic,” said Mr Woodward. “That means turning down the volume of your music player so that you can still detect important audio cues.” -ENDS- For further information or...

Forced stationary bicycle pedalingtherapy at a high steady cadence (RPM) has recently been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Dr. Jay Alberts, a researcher at the Cleveland Clinic, in a paper presented in Paris, June 15, 2009, reported that Parkinsons disease patients, who were forced to pedal at a high steady rate (80-90 RPM) showed a 35% improvement in motor function. Dr. Aberts is currently using an electric motorized mini cycle to force Parkinson's patients to pedal at a high cadence. The patients pedaling rate is approximately 30% greater than their preferred rate. Brain scans (seen on ABC news) of Parkinson's patients in Dr. Alberts' study showed increased brain activation similar to treatment with the common  Parkinson's disease medication levodopa...