Hutt City Council has released it's annual plan - with no change to the level of cycle funding. At our last meeting a number of people offered to make submissions. Would you all consider doing so? This is a numbers game. Making a submission is easy - see http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/annualplan and go down to "tell us what you think". You have to create and verify an account. There's a survey which you can complete or not as you wish. Typing only a couple of sentences in the "any other comments" box is what we're after.Even easier: email your feedback to annualplan@huttcity.govt.nz or write to us at Draft Annual Plan, Freepost 100039, Private Bag 31-912, Lower Hutt 5040.Write in your own words - but issues you may want to raise are:1. Proposed budget is $351,000 this year, no increase for several years. Note that this is total spend, inclusive...
News: April 2014
Apr
Presented at VeloCity 2014Thursday 29 May, 9:20am Hall E, Adelaide Convention centrePresenting Author: Patrick MorganCAN - Cycling Advocates' Network, New Zealandpatrick@can.org.nz @patrickmorganSummary: Successful strategies for repositioning cycling from sport to transportSummary In a car-centric culture, how do you get more people on bikes, more often?To achieve mainstream acceptance of cycling as a valuable part of an integrated transport system, advocates in New Zealand are repositioning cycling from the margins to the centre.Although sport cycling is booming, until recently NZ government has paid little attention to recreational and transport cycling. By the 1980s school bike racks were replaced with car parks. Cycling mode share bottomed out at around 2%. Few women rode. People on bikes were treated with indifference or...
Apr
News release from Cycling Advocates Network and BikeNZPoliticians can no longer ignore cycle safety Following recent cycling deaths, cyclists will rally at Parliament on Tuesday 15 April.Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Patrick Morgan says many people are angry after the deaths.Student nurse Sharla Haerewa was riding in a Christchurch cycle lane, had lights and high vis.Teacher Jocelyn Goodwin was riding in a Palmerston North cycle lane on a training ride."Clearly we aren't doing enough to protect the 1.5 million New Zealanders who ride bikes," said Mr Morgan."We'll ask political parties to commit to taking quick action on the Cycling Safety Panel's report."He says the Safety Panel will consider protected cycle lanes on busy roads, traffic calming, and effective education for all road users."Although the report is due in September we want to know what political...
Apr
Members of Cycle Aware Manawatu were devastated to hear of the death of Jocelyn Goodwin, a local cyclist who is well known and respected in the Palmerston North community and beyond. Our thoughts are with her family and everyone involved and affected by the tragedy.We would like to encourage all drivers and cyclists to be aware of one another and road conditions to ensure the safety of all road users.This tragedy is an unfortunate reminder that we all need to do much more to protect people on bikes. The road concerned recently had its speed limit reduced from 70kph to 60kph. It also has well marked cycle lanes - there is clearly more that could be done to protect cyclists from being hurt AND drivers from the horror of being involved in an incident where injury or death could occur.It's tough on our roads even if we are all following the rules - often there is no room for even a small...
Apr
NZ Transport Agency 2014 Cycle Friendly Awards** 2014 Finalists now announced! **** 2014 Winners now announced! ** NZ Transport Agency has joined with CAN to support cycling in NZ 2WALKandCYCLE ConferenceNelson is host to the 2 WalkandCycle Conference of which the Cycle Friendly Awards ceremony is a highlight. This year's bumper crop of nominations features the best efforts of government, business, local groups, and individuals to make cycling an attractive option. This year's awards are held in conjunction with Living Streets Aotearoa's famed Golden Foot Awards. Celebrating walking as the activity each of us does daily the awards recognize best efforts nationwide. 2WALKandCYCLE Conference - Communities on the Move Supporting the Conference theme of "Communities on the move" the thirty awards finalists show case real world examples of...
Apr
Memorial Ride 15 April 2014Are you as angry as I am about cycling deaths? Let's take action.With your help, CAN is arranging a series of actions to protect the 1.5 million NZers on bikes. We will call on all political parties to pledge to act on the Cycling Expert Safety Panel's report, due in Sept. Their first meeting is Tuesday 15 April.These rides celebrate the lives of those people lost to us while cycling and to push for change to ensure these deaths stop.Will you join us on a #MemorialRide? ..Check back for details.Confirmed ridesWellingtonWhen: Tue 15 April 1pmWhere: Parliament Buildings, Molesworth St Then ride along waterfront to Wharewaka on the lagoon.Route: Parliament - Aitken - Mulgrave - Thorndon Quay - Featherston St - Whitmore - waterfront to Wharewaka. All over by 2pm....
Apr
Cyclists need to make sure they are well lit as daylight saving ends, say the Cycling Advocates Network.But those using super-bright LED lights should avoid dazzling other road users."Flashing super-bright bike lights can be a distraction, so keep them aimed low," says CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan.The end of daylight saving on Sunday 6 April means it's time for cyclists to check their lights and batteries, says Mr Morgan."Some may be caught out by earlier evening twilight, so we all need to be extra careful.""Cycling offers the ultimate trip: it's a fast and convenient way to get around, while improving your health and saving you money.""Our message to bikers is to get out there and enjoy the ride, and to remember to use lights whenever visibility is poor.""For drivers, the message is to look twice for people on bikes, especially at intersections."Bicyclists, when riding at night,...