Did you ride a bike when you were a kid? Do you remember the freedom and fun? I remember learning to ride a bike at my grandmother's house in Whanganui. I set myself the goal of riding around the house 50 times. I got a growling for making a rut in the lawn, but it was worth it. Sadly, many New Zealand children miss out on biking. They lose the opportunity to develop fitness, independence, risk management and social skills. They miss out on the fun of exploring their neighbourhood under their own steam. The Ministry of Transport says that the number of secondary school students cycling to school fell from 19 percent in 1989 to just 3 percent by 2015. For primary students the number fell to 2 percent. I reckon that's a disgrace, but we can fix it. Cycling Action Network says getting kids biking to school is a top priority. How will we achieve this? ...
News: April 2017
Apr
The NZ Transport Agency's Favourite Places to Ride competition is back for 2017. Nominate your favourite bike rides in New Zealand and help others discover world-class routes that might be in their own back yard. Go to nzta.govt.nz/favplaces #nzfaveplaces Nominations will be open until Wednesday 31 May and the winners will be announced in early June.The categories for this year’s competition are:Urban ride (This category recognises rides around your town or city including new urban cycleways and shared paths)Nga Haerenga – The New Zealand Cycle TrailOff-road or adventure ride (This category recognises off-road trails and mountain bike tracks)Community facility (E.g. Bikes in Schools tracks, community bike parks and velodromes) This year, the competition has a new Top Town award, which will go to the city or town that receives the most...
Apr
Government must move faster to avoid more cyclists dying under trucksNews release from Cycling Action NetworkThe Government is not moving fast enough to protect New Zealanders say advocates, following a third fatal crash involving a truck and a cyclist in a month.Five of the last 7 cyclist fatalities involved a truck.'It's been two and half years since the Cycling Safety Panel recommended 15 high priority actions to make our roads safer,' says Patrick Morgan, spokesman for Cycling Action Network (CAN). 'Action has been too slow. It is clear how to make our roads safer, so why are we waiting? How many more people will die?'The Cycling Safety Panel recommended, among other things:Investigate the costs and benefits of introducing mandatory truck side-under-run protection and other vehicle safety features (such as...
Apr
Cycling advocates call for action on making Hawkes Bay roads safer The death of a cyclist on Brookfields Rd yesterday highlights the need for Councils to make roads safer, say cycling advocates. "While we don't yet know the causes of this tragic event, we know that roads with shoulders are safer for everyone." says Patrick Morgan, spokesman for Cycling Action Network. "We call on Hastings District Council to make quick progress on fixing black spots like Brookfields Rd." He also says the Government is not moving fast enough to protect New Zealanders. “It's been two and half years since the Cycling Safety Panel recommended 15 high priority actions to make our roads safer.”. “...
Apr
Cantabrians, join Spokes Canterbury for a leisurely ride to see what all the fuss is about around the Heathcote Expressway CycleThis section of the cycleway is still out for consultation due to protest from property and businesses owners about loss of on-street parking spaces. This is a BIG deal, so come and have a look for yourself, enjoy the ride and have your say in the matter.We'll make a short detour around Falsgrave/Stevens St to admire a couple of Christchurch's amazing Street Art murals before heading back into the city centre on the other side of Ferry road (to really get the feel for the place), and for good measure we will continue a few blocks down St Asaph St and double back on Tuam St for some real separated cycleway appreciation.At the end of all that excitement we should be ready for coffee, some friendly cycleway discussion and optional submission writing..... you can...