The husband of a teacher killed as she cycled to work is relieved a motorist has spoken to the police.Burnside High School teacher and mother-of-two Rochelle Margaret Roozen, 42, died when she was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Springs Rd and Marshs Rd, near Prebbleton, on Wednesday morning. Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident, but a man came forward on Friday. He had given his name to police at the scene, but did not tell them what had happened. Acting Detective Sergeant Michael Ford, of the Christchurch South police, said the man was just an "ordinary Joe Blow" who was also on his way to work that morning. "He did stop and identify himself to police, but he didn't say what happened," Ford said. Charges will not be laid until the man's car has been through a forensic inspection. Ford did not expect that would be completed until midweek. Ford said Roozen...
News: May 2010
May
Today Brooklyn’s William Alexander School MS 51 was the first school in the five boroughs to host a Bike to School Day. MS 51 celebrated Bike to School Day with the help of the New York City Department of Transportation, Bike New York and Matthew Modine's Bicycle for a Day. Throughout the week Bike New York held workshops to educate the students about bike safety and riding techniques to prepare for this day. There were two escorted rides to MS 51 this morning, one started in Sunset Park and the other in Carroll Gardens. The rides had "pick up" spots along the way where more students joined the biking pool. Return rides were also planned. Hear from students and event organizers in this video wrap-up of the ride.See video here at Streetfilms.org
May
Here Mikael Colville-Andersen (author of Copenhagenize.com and Copenhagen Cycle Chic) talks about cycling and its infrastructure in Copenhagen, Denmark. Among other things he explains how the city got to the point of having 37% of trips made by bicycle, and how the city features a "green wave" for a certain bike lane - travelling at 20km/h a cyclist will get green lights all the way into the city.
May
San Jose, California, recently joined cities around the world in promoting car-free streets by hosting its first ciclovía, the Mattson Technology ViaVelo, which opened a portion of San Fernando Street in downtown to pedestrians, bicycle riders, and skaters. San Jose's first foray into ciclovía events was a hit with sponsors, elected officials and the throngs of people who showed up to enjoy the day. Though the city hasn't yet committed to more ViaVelos, the foundation has been set and the community seems poised to embrace them. See video here at Streetfilms.org
May
Kickstand, a collapsible coffee stall that’s wheeled around on a pair of salvaged bikes, made its public debut last Saturday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at the Market in McCarren, the outdoor arm of Artists and Fleas. The brainchild of Aaron Davis and Peter Castelein, both employees of Gimme! Coffee, and Neal Olson, formerly of Gimme! Coffee, Kickstand brings fresh, hand-crafted coffee to the grassy splendor of a public park. Weather permitting. The trio offers cold brew iced coffee ($2.50), though the show-stopper is the pour over coffee bar, where drip coffee is made one cup at time ($2.50). The pour over bar is outfitted with glass cones sliced off from Chemex drippers—it’s as if coffee geeks and pedalheads made off with the keys to shop class. The distinctive hourglass form of the Chemex earned it a place in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, and seeing...
May
Cars promise mobility, and in a largely rural setting they provide it. But in an urbanizing world, where more than half of us live in cities, there is an inherent conflict between the automobile and the city. After a point, as their numbers multiply, automobiles provide not mobility but immobility, as well as increased air pollution and the health problems that come with it. Urban transport systems based on a combination of rail lines, bus lines, bicycle pathways, and pedestrian walkways offer the best of all possible worlds in providing mobility, low-cost transportation, and a healthy urban environment. Some of the most innovative public transportation systems, those that shift huge numbers of people from cars into buses, have been developed in Curitiba, Brazil, and Bogotá, Colombia. The success of Bogotá's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, TransMilenio, which uses special...
May
An inner city regional bicycle network would deliver at least $506 million - or $3.88 for every dollar spent - in net economic benefits over 30 years, according to a major new study.The City of Sydney commissioned study by AECOM* found the network would reduce Sydney's traffic congestion by 4.3 million car trips a year.Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP today welcomed the study, saying: "The study is the first of its kind to comprehensively capture the economic benefits of major cycling infrastructure."For the first time we have an evidence-based report that puts a real value on the health and lifestyle benefits of cycling. We're talking about people living longer, having less chronic diseases and having a better quality of life - just by getting on a bike."What this study has found is that a bicycle network linking Kogarah in the south, with Chatswood in the north and Watsons Bay...
May
In a world where many strive for outstanding achievements, there are still only a few who have cycled around the world.Petro Lubben, however, lives on his bicycle and has been cycling around the world for 24 years. Since leaving his home town in Germany, Lubben has cycled across 38 countries.In his shorts and sleeveless shirt, wearing a black headband and black goggles, Petro has the defiant look of a crazy pop star, not a polished cyclist.He has featured in newspapers in every country he has visited and, although he has crossed seas and oceans, he has flown only once in an aeroplane.“Normally, I don’t accept any lift on a train or a truck,” he said. “I want to do it on my own; that is why I do it on a bicycle.”Bizarre breakfastAnd where does he derive the energy to pedal his 80kg bicycle every day? He drinks a glass of his own urine every morning for...
May
ASB Cycle Friendly Awards 2010 The search for New Zealand's best bike lane, most effective promotion, and most cycle-friendly employer is on. The Cycling Advocates' Network is inviting entries for the ASB Cycle Friendly Awards 2010. Awards Coordinator, Dirk De Lu, says he expects some tough competition. He welcomes ASB into the cycle friendly fold, as the new Awards sponsor. ASB is pleased to be the Branding Sponsor of the Cycle Friendly Awards this year. ASB notes they are committed to identifying and encouraging a range of active and sustainable travel choices, both in the communities in which they operate and for their ASB people. The Cycle Friendly Awards align closely with these efforts and ASB's values. Mr De Lu says, "For many organisations, the Awards are an opportunity to showcase their efforts and vision through well developed sustainable travel options...
May
Do you want more proof that encouraging car use in a city is only going to lead you to traffic hell? Take a look at Sao Paulo: the city of ridiculous car jams, where there are more privately held helicopters than anywhere else in the world. The thing is, not even the air has solved the traffic problem, and the new highways that are being planned for the city won't solve it either. It seems so obvious that the right way to go is to discourage the use of cars (like Bogota or Curitiba did), but now we have proof (a great treat for World Car Free Day). A group of cyclists have put up a test and had 18 different combinations of transport travel a distance of about 10 kilometers (over 6 miles) during rush hour. Guess what? Two of the cyclists turned out to get to destination faster than the helicopter, and all the cyclists, a runner, the bus and, ¡a skater! took...
May
Hello beautiful bikers,The next shipment is fast approaching! Despite our best efforts, we have many people waiting for bikes and the warehouse is still not ready for 200 more bikes. If anyone can lend me a hand fixing bikes we will be having a final working bee on Saturday 22nd May, from 10am till 4pm. If you are able... to help, I would be most grateful. Lunch and refreshments provided. 240 The Esplanade, Island Bay
May
8:43 AM Thursday May 20, 2010An 11-year-old boy has died after a mountain biking accident. Police say he was riding with friends on a mountain bike track in Gisborne late yesterday afternoon when he lost control of the bike coming down a steep section of the track and went over a bank. He was taken to hospital by St John Ambulance and died overnight. source- NZ Herald / NEWSTALK ZB
May
TARC's Bikes-On-Board program is a great way to get around Louisville. Load your bike on a bike rack-equipped bus, and you'll be on your way. TARC's bike racks are very easy to use. It takes less than 10 seconds to load your bike. Please carefully read and follow the instructions below: For safety reasons, the driver will not get off the bus to assist you. Bikes are mounted at your own risk. TARC is not responsible for theft or damage while your bike is on the bus rack. Each bike rack can carry two (2) bikes. Loading your Bike Remove any loose items that could fall off (tire pump, water bottle, etc.). Always load (and unload) your bike from curbside, never from the traffic lane. Let the driver know that you want to load your bike. Squeeze the handle and pull down to lower the rack. Lift your bike onto the rack position nearest the bus, handlebars towards the curb....
May
When we saw Beatrice Holiday bicycle seat covers made with vintage upholstery fabric, which slightly resembles our grandmother's old couch--at least the plastic cover helped preserve it--on Modish, we were curious. And when we checked out their shop on Etsy and discovered these brightly-colored handlebar bags which double as shoulder bags (they come with an adjustable strap)--and read their tag line, "wheel cute couture"--we were hooked! "Camo-Flower" handlebar bike bag, vintage vinyl fabric. Credit: Beatrice Holiday The Denver-based company makes handlebar bags, basket liners, seat covers and even a few accessory offerings, like wallets and recycled inner tube jewelry. Their seat cover and handlebar bags are made with vintage fabrics, which tend to run out of stock, so they are super limited edition. Beatrice Holiday Seat Covers. Credit: Beatrice Holiday via...
May
Alternative transport is getting a boost at New Plymouth District Council with the purchase of more electric bikes. The Council has had two retro-fitted bikes available for staff use at the Civic Centre for more than a year, but now they are being replaced with five purpose-built electric cycles. The new bikes will be based at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, Puke Ariki and the Civic Centre. “We encourage staff to use these bikes for work-related journeys around town, instead of taking a car,” says Manager Procurement Murray Keast. “The two older bikes have been very popular, and with these new bikes more staff will have access to this alternative transport. The new ones are also lighter and easier to use.” The electric bikes, and the two electric vehicles used by parks staff and visitors at Pukekura Park, are part of a wider push toward energy efficiency at the Council. NPDC...
May
A few years back, Randy Cohen, writer of the NY Times Magazine "The Ethicist" column, visited the Streetfilms set for a unprecedented interview with Mark Gorton about "Transportation Ethics.". Well we wanted to talk more, so this time we got out of the studio to take a two-wheeled jaunt around New York City and visit many of his favorite spots and take in the alfresco enchantment of the capital of the world. As you'll see during our ten mile journey, Mr. Cohen offered up some very decisive opinions about car-free Central Park, weighed in on the ethics of "bike salmoning" (riding wrong way in bike lanes), whether he stops for red lights (you might be surprised by his answer), and comments on how transformative our streets have become for pedestrians and cyclists. He also doesn't hide the fact he has a massive "policy crush" on NYC DOT chief Janette Sadik-Khan.See video...
May
A Los Angeles dream of turning 4th Street into a bike-friendly thoroughfare.If you've driven through Los Angeles in recent months, there's a good chance that you've seen some unusual bike signage. Black and white posters with a bike lane icon and the phrase “Caution! Please Pass With Care” (or sometimes "Precaución! Por Favor Pase con Cuidado”) have been springing up all over the city, wheat-pasted to electrical boxes and other roadside furniture. In the span of a few weeks, these signs have become near ubiquitous in certain parts of the city. Where did they come come from and who put them there? Reports on the signs origin may be somewhat mysterious, but one thing seems clear: They are part of a growing trend of DIY bicycle signage.In previous installments of this column I have discussed some of the issues that need to be taken into account when it comes...
May
San Francisco set a new record for Bike to Work Day this year. Bicyclists accounted for 75 percent of the morning roadway traffic on Market Street, a big increase over last year. Throw in sunny skies, some new shiny green bike lanes, just-installed bike corrals, door zone warnings, and other infrastructure, and you realize there was quite a bit to celebrate. Hear from the Mayor, members of the Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and bike commuters about why this year's Bike to Work Day was so great. See video here at Streetfilms.org
May
Cycle training would have a more positive impact on cycle safety than the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets, according to an IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) survey. The online poll of over 6,000 IAM members and non-members found that only 1 per cent of respondents supported the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets. The further introduction of cycle lanes would make the biggest difference to cyclists, according to respondents to the poll. Duncan Pickering, IAM Cycling Development Manager, said: “It is encouraging that people see additional public money – by extension further training and improved infrastructure – as the most important factor affecting cyclist’s safety . “While we would never discourage cyclists from wearing helmets, we would stress that cyclist behaviour, awareness of other road users and visibility are the factors that would make a bigger difference to...
May
Scrambling down the stairs, looking for a clean pair of jeans it dawned on me. I am going to be late to yet another meeting! TfL had contacted me last Friday to see if I wanted to test the new cycle hire scheme bike. I was happy to oblige but with a pending trip to Argentina in three days I was finding myself even less organised than usual. As I powered my way through London to get to Victoria Street and the TfL press offices I pondered how many people had tried out the bike. I must be in the first few. Also, what would the bike be like? Fast, slow, comfortable, cumbersome? Upon arrival at the TfL offices I have a decision to make. Secure my bike with a cheap lock and keep my expensive one for the cycle hire bike or the other way round? Someone had commented to me that if you do the maths the scheme is costing £18,000 per bike. While I hold strong doubts about this back of...