Petrol and diesel-driven cars should be banned from cities across Europe by 2050 to slash dependence on oil and tackle climate change, the European Commission said today.A sweeping transport plan to be put to EU governments insists that phasing out "conventionally fuelled" cars by then is not an assault on personal mobility.Coupled with proposals and targets covering road, rail and air travel, the Commission says its transformation of the European transport system can increase mobility and cut congestion and emissions.EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "The widely held belief that you need to cut mobility to fight climate change is simply not true."Competitive transport systems are vital for Europe's ability to compete in the world, for economic growth, job creation and for people's everyday quality of life."He insisted: "Curbing mobility is not an option; neither is business...
News: March 2011
Mar
Executive summaryOver the last 3 years Nextbike has proven that there is a demand for public bikes inAuckland, and New Zealand. The Auckland public bikes have been regularly usedby both locals and visitors, with thousands of registered riders and the majority ofall rides ridden for free, as one way trips. The findings from the last three years aresupported by a large data base of all the rentals made over the period. Thisdemonstrates that Nextbikes provide another mode of public transport and veryeffectively complements existing buses and train services. Indeed the availability ofNextbikes on a 24/7 basis and freedom to take any route, provide an additionalpublic transport facility to bus and train services.. There are further benefitsaccruing from a public bike system, including that it is a healthy option, acontribution is made to congestion on public transport, and...
Mar
Mark your diaries, ladies and gentlemen! The Palmerston North flock of Frocks on Bikes presents:Rollin' by the River!When? 2pm, Sunday the 20th of March 2011Where? The Esplanade Gardens (meet by the conservatory - just look for the frocks and the bikes!)What to bring? Tea, baking to share (if you like to bake), picnic blankets and of course, bikes! We'll be taking tea in the park, followed by a leisurely ride by the meandering Manawatu River.What to wear? Sunday best - frocks are preferred, of course, but please come in whatever makes YOU feel frockish and fabulous on your bike.Any questions?Email us on frocksonbikespn@gmail.comSee you next weekend!Frocks on Bikes Palmerston North
Mar
New Zealand's cycling organisations are joining forces to make cycling safer.The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) and BikeNZ are working with the New Zealand Transport Agency on three new projects over the next 18 months, aimed at creating a safer environment for cycling.The projects include training for cycling skills instructors; running workshops putting cyclists alongside truck and bus drivers; and developing a nationwide "share the road" campaign for all road users.CAN Chairman Graeme Lindup says, "Cycling is booming in popularity in New Zealand, but we need to make it safer to realise its many benefits.""We all win when more people cycle. There's less traffic congestion, cleaner air, lower health bills, and less money spent on expensive imported fuels.""With two thirds of urban trips less than 6 km, and a third less than 2 km, we believe many more trips can be made by bike."BikeNZ...
Mar
.NZTA Safer Cycling Programme CAN and BikeNZ have been funded by the NZ Transport Agency to develop and deliver Road User Workshops (RUW) and a Share the Road (STR) pilot campaign. This work, plus a Cycling Skills Instructor Training programme (managed by BikeNZ) is to be undertaken between now and 30 June 2012 and will be overseen by a Joint Steering Group consisting of leaders from CAN and BikeNZ. The overall programme has been labelled by NZTA as the Safer Cycling Programme (SCP). The CAN-managed projects (Road User Workshops and a STR scoping exercise) require a range of skills and people to deliver them and the work will need careful planning to ensure it can be delivered in time and in line with the budget. CAN is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from people interested in cycling advocacy and road safety who would like to be considered for the contract work to deliver this...
Mar
Cycling advocates react to the light sentence for a man who killed Manawatu woman Patricia Fraser.Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) manager Patrick Morgan says he is outraged and saddened."The light sentence in this case sends a message that killing another road user has few consequences. That is appalling.""This is not a story about cycling - it's about accountability.""Why does the life of Patricia Fraser mean so little?""Our messages to all roads users are simple:First. follow the rules.Second, don't drive or ride on autopilot. Lives depend on it."Mr Morgan says the Cycling Advocates Network is working with Bike NZ and the NZ Transport Agency on fresh 'share the road' campaigns, and on training for cyclists."There is no single fix for preventing road crashes.The way forward is a mix of lower speeds, investing in cycling, walking and public transport, safer roads,...
Mar
The man responsible for the death of cyclist Patricia Fraser has been sentenced in Feilding District Court today.Christopher David McClelland, 45, was sentenced to 175 hours' community work and disqualified for driving for 10 months.Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing death.On November 13, at 2.45pm, McClelland was travelling along State Highway 1, near Mt Stewart when he noticed Mrs Fraser, 34, and a friend riding single file in the cycle lane.His car drifted towards the cycle lane. The front left corner of his vehicle hit Mrs Fraser's rear wheel.The cyclists were wearing yellow high-visibility riding jackets and cycle helmets at the time.http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4767243/Community-work-for-cycle-death-c...
Mar
Progress on the 2008 Cycling Policy as at March 2011Report from Wellington City CouncilTo date:Considerable effort has been put in to improve the city's worst performing cycle route between Ngauranga and Featherston Street, work along this route has included:* Thorndon Quay clearway for southbound morning cyclists, including the associated pedestrian crossing * New lane arrangements and advanced cycle stop box approaching Bunny Street * Highlighting potential conflict points with green surfacing on both the Hutt Road shared path and on Thorndon QuayIn coming months an improvement will be made to the exit to spotlight to reduce the number of crashes involving cyclists.This work has cost approximately $250,000We have removed parking on the seaward side of Evans Bay Parade through Balaena Bay to complete the on road cycle lane between the Oriental Bay...
Mar
Here's what we could gain by reducing the speed limit.By George Monbiot, published on the Guardian's website, 9th March 2011Should we reduce the speed limit to cut oil consumption? Should we impose new taxes on the banks? Should we stop hawking weapons in the Middle East? The answer in all these cases is obvious, but none of these reforms will happen until we've brave enough to tackle vested interests.Earlier this week, Spain reduced the speed limit on its motorways by 10kph. The British government should follow it, and then go further. Here's why.It's taken a while - many years of denial and obfuscation in fact - but at last both the British government and the International Energy Agency are catching up with what campaigners have been saying for years: that petroleum cannot last forever, global demand is rising and there will soon come a point at which supply can no...
Mar
Over the last ten years (or more) just about every major city in the U.S. has added bike-carrying capacity to their buses. While cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Seattle, Philadelphia, and San Francisco can boast 100% of their bus fleet sporting bike racks, NYC comes in at 0%.Of course, there are reasonable assumptions one can make why NYC has not tried out some program. First and foremost: the NYC MTA subway system already allows bikes 24 hours a day. It's an excellent benefit for sure, but there are many regions of the five boroughs that are not easily within reach of a train. If we want to encourage multi-modalism, we need seriously think about that. Then there is a barrage of others: cyclists will be too slow to load, bikes might fall off the racks, cost, maintenance, etc, but after viewing our Streetfilm you'll see there really isn't a valid excuse not to.See: http://...
Mar
"The Great Myth begins, as so many myths do, with an arduous journey - in this case, then-Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower's 62-day cross-country trip with a military convoy along our nation's rutted roads during the summer of 1919. Conditions like those faced by Eisenhower were all too familiar to the small but growing number of drivers, who clamoured for public investment in better roads. But how to pay for them? In the same year that Eisenhower made his journey, the state of Oregon hit upon an innovative method for raising money for the expensive task of improving the state's roads - a tax on gasoline, the revenues of which were exclusively dedicated to highway improvements."As the years went on and the automobile became increasingly popular, more states followed Oregon's lead. And in 1956, under the leadership of President Eisenhower, the federal government directed the...
Mar
Road rule changes allow indicators on bikes Sticking your hand out into traffic is no longer the only signalling option for cyclists after the Government cleared the way for indicators on bicycles.New vehicle lighting rules that come into force on April 1 will allow cyclists to attach brake and indicator lights. Until now, a white headlight and a red rear-facing light have been the only lights cyclists were allowed to show. Indicator and brake lights were not specifically banned, but were not included on the list of legal bicycle lighting.The New Zealand Transport Authority said the changes accommodated advances in technology and brought New Zealand in line with international practice.Cycling Advocates' Network spokesman Patrick Morgan said it was a sensible move but unlikely to make roads safer for cyclists."Our advice to people is that a good clear hand signal to let...
Mar
Christchurch EarthquakeThe events of February have certainly turned the world upside down for many of us. I would like to extend my hope that you are all safe and well and coping with the circumstances you find yourself in at present. If you have suffered a loss, be it of a loved one, relation, friend or collegue please accept the heart felt sympathy of all of us at SPOKES. Likewise if your home, business or place of work or study has suffered loss or damage know our thoughts are with you.It is sad to see so much of the city in ruins and infastructure so badly damaged. This includes cycling facilities that many of us have fought so hard for over the years. With everything that has happened our focus at present must be on people and supporting each other. People must also be our focus in the future as the rebuilding of Christchurch begins. I believe we must...
Mar
WCC is calling for submissions on lowering the speed limits in Oriental Bay, Northern Miramar Peninsula, and Miramar, Seatoun and Strathmore Park Parking Areas - due 1 April. CAW should make a submission: volunteers?We have previous submissions that can be reworked.