Study says vast majority of Britons won't cycle on urban roads as they are now. So what's the answer?From The Guardian:A major academic study has spent the past couple of years looking in depth into why people cycle (or don't cycle) in four English towns. I won't go into the research too much here, simply as I've written a separate news story on it, which will be up soon - I'll link to it when I can.But I wanted to consider its main conclusion: the UK will never get anything close to a European-style mass cycling culture without some major (and to me, seemingly unlikely) changes, notably the construction of proper-width, segregated lanes on all main urban roads.It calls for other things - for example a strict liability law and measures to make urban car use less attractive - but it's the bike lanes which grab my attention.UK cycling lobbyists have bickered long and...
News: June 2011
Jun
Cycle Friendly Awards 2012 Pre-Nominations Announcement Nominations to open 15 August 2011 Was there a bicycle project or initiative which impressed you over the last year? How about a group or individual who worked hard to promote cycling? Help them receive recognition by nominating them for a Cycle Friendly Award. Nominations will be accepted for cycling projects / person carried out during the 13-months from 1 June 2010 to 30 June 2011. The closing date for entries is Friday, 2 December 2011 (31 October deadline for the "early bird" prize draw). Awards Ceremony 23 February 2012 in Hastings at the 2walkdandCycle Conference. The completed entry form (+ photos and other attachments up to the 1MB, 5 A4...
Jun
The Ministry of Economic Development is planning to expand the New Zealand Cycle Trail.It intends to add a number of back country routes to the 18 predominantly off-road trails being built.The first expansion ride will be on State Highway 43, known as the Forgotten Highway, which runs through the King Country and Taranaki.Ministry of Economic Development spokesperson Sarah Berry says other routes will follow.While there's no set funding for these routes, local authorities and the Transport Agency are likely to pay for signs and minor road improvements, such as shoulder widening.Cycling Advocates Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan says it's great news the cycle trail is being added to.He says the additional rides will no doubt increase cycle tourism, which currently generates about $320 million a year.http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/78477/cycle-trail-set-to-be-expanded
Jun
If you are new to cycling, bunch riding is an excellent way to get started, learn riding skills and meet other people on bikes. Generally, the route chosen will take account of the weather and road conditions. Ask at the local bike shop, as they will usually know of regular rides, or contact one of the cycling clubs and groups.When the fun ride season gets underway, we often see a rise in bunch riding cycling crashes. Common causes include sudden braking, wheels touching and cyclists not being seen by drivers. Here are some tips to make it through to your bunch ride injury-free.If you've had a break from riding over winter, do a couple of rides by yourself or with just one mate before joining a bunch. Communication is critical - when riding with others, signal hazards such as potholes and approaching cars. Limit your bunch size to a maximum of 12 riders. Big bunches are more likely...
Jun
Background: Bicycling has the potential to improve fitness, diminish obesity, and reduce noise, airpollution, and greenhouse gases associated with travel. However, bicyclists incur a higher risk of injuries requiring hospitalization than motor vehicle occupants. Therefore, understanding ways of making bicycling safer and increasing rates of bicycling are important to improving population health. There is a growing body of research examining transportation infrastructure and the risk of injury to bicyclists.Methods: We reviewed studies of the impact of transportation infrastructure on bicyclist safety. Theresults were tabulated within two categories of infrastructure, namely that at intersections (e.g.roundabouts, traffic lights) or between intersections on "straightaways" (e.g. bike lanes or paths). To assess safety, studies examining the following...
Jun
by Jace HobbsYou love to bike, always glad when you arrive home from that bike ride, but still you don't get out as much as you would think.My theory is that it's that one big hill that you have to huff over, that one part where the wind just slows you to frustration, or that narrow patch of road that you must pedal along where the cars are just too close for comfort. How true is that for you? I've known folks that wanted a view from the house, built up a steep driveway, and positively hate having to push the bike up that hill, their hill! What if you could take that particular problem and obliterate it? You'd be left with all the great portions of the ride.If not for that one big disincentive, a lot of us would bike more. My suspicion why we don't make the bike our primary transportation mode is we can't always feel like pedaling over that hill or quite as far as our shopping trip...
Jun
In spite of encouraging people to report bad driving, police have failed to keep track of the data.Story includes comments from Atom Emet, Patrick Morgan and Kevin Hague; and video from Vexatious Litigant and Atom Emet.http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cyclists-claim-police-ignoring-road-safe...
Jun
What would it be like to have a "Spidey sense"? Or radar senses just like superhero Daredevil, who could acrobatically get through a small space full of traps ready to kill, in spite of the belief that he's entirely blind? As scientist Dr. Bradley Voytek of U.C. Berkeley suggests, it wouldn't be much different than the super senses you already have available, should you ever choose to develop them. How we get the mega abilities There are super senses that humans can acquire, according to U.C. Berkeley neuroscientist Dr. Voytek. He said humans have always had access to them. Voytek explains that the human mind has unimaginable powers. In the brain, there are membranes. This is how our senses for instance seeing and hearing are able to work. Our senses work with and away from our conscious awareness. The degree of sensitivity is not basic in any way. What Voytek...
Jun
The Transport Agency says a programme which promotes cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel will continue, despite it losing Government funding.The agency has told Radio New Zealand News that the Ministry of Health has withdrawn about $150,000 from the Bike Wise programme, and is instead putting money into injury prevention.Transport Agency spokesperson Andy Knackstedt says the agency will still commit $300,000 to the programme next year.The Cycling Advocates Network says withdrawing funding is short sighted, because getting people on bikes cuts congestion and leaves more road space for essential freight movements.http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/77285/health-ministry-cuts-cycle-...
Jun
Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) and BikeNZ have issued advice for drivers and cyclists following two crashes involving cyclists in Hamilton this afternoon, one of which was fatal.Although the details of the crashes have not yet been released, CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan has reiterated advice to all road users about proven ways to reduce the chances of a crash."We know that reducing speeds is an effective road safety measure. Safer speed limits save lives.""It gives people more time to respond to the unexpected and avoid a crash. It also reduces the consequences if there is a crash."He also issued advice for both cyclists and drivers."We all have a responsibility to use the roads safely."Advice for cyclists:* Never cycle on the left hand side of a truck, bus or car at an intersection, unless you're in a cycle lane.* Avoid blind spots. Take up a visible position at lights: well out in...
Jun
The draft Land Transport (Road user) Amendment Rule [2011] is available for comment.The main proposal is to change the give-way rules at uncontrolled intersections or when opposing signals or signs are the same to simplify decision making at intersections and improve safety.Other proposals in the amendment Rule will either:be necessary as a consequence of changing the give-way rulesalign road user requirements with other legislation, orstrengthen and clarify provisions on existing road user requirements.Apply bus signal provisions to riders of motorcycles, mopeds and cycles using a special vehicle lane Submissions close at 5pm on 24 June 2011.
Jun
Wellington City Council are getting a shipment of the new style sump gratings (the ones with a wavy grid, rather than parallel bars that act as an instant bike stand). They'd like suggestions of where to put them. Simplest thing is to email cycling@wcc.govt.nz with the details of your (un)favourite grate location. I'd suggest telling them:The nearest street intersection (e.g. Bunny/Featherston)The distance from the intersection.The street the grating is actually onThe side of the street (e.g. north)