News: April 2010

The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) welcomes an increase in the driving age to 16, but says the government also needs to invest in professional cycle training to improve road safety. CAN spokesperson Anne FitzSimon says one of the best ways to raise driving standards is to make cycle training widely available. “Trained cyclists make better drivers.” She says that raising the driving age means more young people will be cycling. “We all win when cyclists receive proper training.” “Research published in the British Medical Journal showed that experienced cyclists, like experienced drivers, have far lower accident rates.” (source: Three lessons for a better cycling future, British Medical Journal, Dec 23, 2000 by Malcolm J Wardlaw) “The NZ Transport Agency has developed a commendable set of guidelines for cycle skills training, but without funding for a...

Tweed Run 2010: a genteel gathering of riders decked-out in tweed, leather, wool and facial hair. Photograph: Matthew SparkesTweed Run brings cyclists on to streets of London to celebrate an era when lady and gentlemen riders ruled the roadSome journalists would have you believe that a certain Doctor, recently returned to the BBC, has done wonders to revive the street-cred of tweed. But a bow-tied Matt Smith has done nothing for Harris et al that 400 cyclists in London had not already been planning for months.The Tweed Run genteel gathering of riders decked-out in tweed, leather, wool and copious facial hair, started last year on an internet forum for fixed-gear riders, the brainchild of Ted Young-Ing. The idea was simple: dress up in retro clothes, climb aboard retro bicycles and ride a weaving route through the capital for fun and charity.The turnout was so good that this...

A Danish hotel is offering a free meal to any guest who is able to produce electricity for the hotel on an exercise bike attached to a generator.The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen says the idea is to get people fit and reduce their carbon footprint.Guests will have to produce at least 10 watt hours of electricity - roughly 15 minutes of cycling for someone of average fitness.The hotel already produces renewable energy with solar panels on its facade.Guests staying at Plaza Hotel will be given meal vouchers worth $36 (26 euros; £23) once they have produced 10 watt hours of electricity, hotel spokeswoman Frederikke Toemmergaard told the BBC News website."Many of our visitors are business people who enjoy going to the gym. There might be the odd person who will cycle just to get a free meal, but I don't think people will exploit the initiative overall," she...

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a weekend bicyclist, might consider keeping his head down and his helmet on. A backlash is brewing over his new bicycling policy.LaHood says the government is going to give bicycling — and walking, too — the same importance as automobiles in transportation planning and the selection of projects for federal money. The former Republican congressman quietly announced the "sea change" in transportation policy last month."This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized," he wrote in his government blog.Not so fast, say some conservatives and industries dependent on trucking. A manufacturers' blog called the policy "nonsensical." One congressman suggested LaHood was on drugs.The new policy is an extension of the Obama administration's livability initiative, which regards the creation of...

Secure parking is crucial if bikes are to be used more as a main form of transportation (or in combination with public transit). The 1,600 sq/ft Bikestation in Washington DC is a good example of how to do it properly, and it's not just parking: They also have changing rooms, lockers, bike rental, bike repair and retail sales. All of this right next to Union Station, and major transit hub. View video here at StreetFilms.orgFrom Treehugger.com

Nice idea…and why not? We could start for a few hours on a Sunday morning once a month…I joined a ‘Bike the Bays’ ride some years ago and it was quite incredible to be able to ride along this road when it was car free. And reading The Banksie Bulletin you would have to think we have a strong supporter for this proposition. In the meanwhile, Auckland City Council have come up with detailed plans of how to spend the $450,000 promised to upgrade cycling infrastructure on Tamaki Drive. These plans will be available on the councils website from April 26 and the cycling community will be asked to comment. Details to follow. Watch this space! cycling/freedom Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists 11 Apr 2010 | Posted by Mark

Nelson’s annual beer fest this Saturday has come up with an interesting environmental concept. It will be trying to use a bicycle-powered music stage for the acts that include Don McGlashan. Volunteers from the Marchfest 2010 audience will be asked to pedal to contribute to the power supply – and can win a bike or a beer tab for their efforts. It’s a fun project,” says Glenn Harvey of sponsors Solar Peak. It also demonstrates how easy it is to augment or replace grid power. We may use it to power the 500 watt mixing desk or some other piece of musical equipment.” Those putting it together needed old bikes with at least three speeds, truck batteries and Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machines, which are being configured to provide electricity. Those putting it together have not done it before, so fingers crossed it works!n case you wondered, Marchfest is in April with...

Britain is agog over Conservative leader David Cameron riding without a bicycle helmet. According to This is London, Headway, the brain injury association, said "Brain injury can happen at any moment - all it takes is just one fall and you will regret it for the rest of your life. We are deeply disappointed. Mr Cameron should be proud to be seen to be wearing his helmet. He should be setting a good example to cyclists, particularly young cyclists in the UK." He has been criticized in the past for not setting a good example for children by removing his helmet.Others are not so sure.   Peter Walker of the Guardian's Bike Blog says David Cameron should be applauded for his topless bike ride to work. He wears a helmet out of habit, but is "resolutely against any moves towards compulsion, even of the guilt-based, you-should-set-an-example-to-others sort." He quotes Roger Geffen of...

So, it all started when a bunch of people got together for a 'think tank' on Waiheke Island on 27th-28th March, 2010 ....The Tipping Point