Cut traffic speeds to reduce pressure on hospitals It’s time to lower traffic speeds to reduce crashes and free up hospital beds, say cycling advocates. "This will reduce harm and ease the burden on our health workers and emergency services," says Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network. "Sadly, traffic crashes are a leading cause of hospitalisation in New Zealand." "We're calling on the Government to take action now to save lives."Although there's much less traffic, some travel far too fast.Why now? The unprecedented changes we are going through during the pandemic shows how fast people can adapt. In the face of deadly risk, we are working together to prioritise safety and wellbeing, he says. "This jolt to our habitual lifestyles is a huge opportunity to deliver urgent changes that used to be agonisingly slow."With most people staying at home, as they should, streets are quiet....
News: March 2020
Mar
Cycling leaders announced Cycling Action Network has elected a new Board to lead advocacy in New Zealand. CAN Chair, Jon Dean said cycling would benefit from the skills and energy of the new Board. “There's no doubt that cycling is on the up, with more than a million New Zealanders enjoying the ride,” he said. “Managing that growth and improving safety are our top concerns. Getting more people on bikes has compelling benefits for better health, creating jobs, clean air, and a stronger community." CAN is New Zealand's national network of cycling advocates. It works with the government, councils, businesses and the community on behalf of cyclists, for a better cycling environment. CAN Board 2020 Jon Dean from Dunedin is the Chair.Geoff Sudgen from Christchurch is Treasurer. Dea Majstorovic (she) is a bike commuter and advocate from Christchurch. Steve...
Mar
Accessible Streets submission guideThe Government is proposing some rule changes, called the Accessible Streets Regulatory Package. These are designed to improve safety for people on footpaths, encourage walking and biking, and support liveable and vibrant towns and cities.We think these proposals are great overall, as a complement to safer speeds and more cycleways. Have your say today. Feedback is open until 20 May. Here are the key proposals that will affect people on bikes, and some details where we think your support is important. We also support the other proposals (1,5,8 and 9). Need a TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) version? Just say: ‘Yes please! But be bolder, and keep it simple'.Proposal 2: Establish a national framework for the use of footpathsWe support this proposal, which will allow people to ride bikes carefully on footpaths as...
Mar
News release from Cycling Action Network, 10 March 2020 New road rules make sense and will reduce risk, say cycling advocates Today the Government released its Accessible Streets package of traffic rules for public consultation. “This is a sensible package of rule changes, which will help to reduce risk on our streets and footpaths,” says Patrick Morgan, from Cycling Action Network. “We've been campaigning for a safe passing law for years.”“Unsafe overtaking is scary and dangerous. It has to stop. A safe passing law will clarify what safe passing looks like, so all drivers know what is expected. It will provide the Police a new tool to enforce safe driving.” “We already have rules on minimum following distances, so a safe passing rule makes sense.” A safe passing rule was recommended by the NZ Cycle Safety Panel in 2014. Patrick Morgan says the review of footpath...
Mar
Cycle Wellington News, 5 March 2020 Kia ora, Let's get a win on central city safer speeds Wellington is planning to change speed limits on most central city streets to 30km/h. Yeah! This is an effective and proven way to make our streets sweeter for people on bikes. And there's heaps of additional benefits. Let's get this across the line. Thanks to everyone who took part in the engagement in November last year. This is a second stage of feedback, not more of the same thing - you need to have your say this time too! Show your support for safe streets and better biking. We have until 31 March 2020 to respond. It takes 5 minutes. Have your say today at https://lgwm.nz/saferspeeds Suggested responses Do you support the proposal as shown which will lower the speed limit to 30km/h...
Mar
Make the switch What would you do with an extra four hours a week?Switching to commuting by bike has saved Susie Robertson four hours a week and improved her fitness. By ditching the bus and buying an e-bike, she cut her commuting time from 80 minutes a day to just 30. Susie is the Community Manager at Wellington's Sustainability Trust. A year ago she was looking for a more convenient way to get to and from work. “Unfortunately the bus was crowded and unreliable. I tried out the staff e-bike, and found it worked well for me, so I bought my own.” Instead of taking the bus and walking, zipping from Brooklyn to Te Aro by bike is no sweat. “I like the feeling of community I get when you see four or five riders gathered at the lights. We sometimes say hello or give a nod.” For anyone who considers e-bikes cheating, Susie also reports fitness gains. “Once the e-bike was...