NZ’s Great Integrated RidesResearch PaperMarch 2024Paul Callister and Heidi O’CallahanAbstractAotearoa New Zealand has a superb network of cycle trails. Travelling to these by train is a way to experience the best of Aotearoa’s natural beauty, enjoy some healthy recreation, and to do so in style, while feeling good about your carbon choices. Other trails can potentially be reached by coach, and combining coach and train can open up another raft of holiday options.Trains, supported by coach travel where trains cannot reach, should be at the centre of any low emission tourism strategy. Bikes and trains especially are a perfect mix.Table of contentsNgā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail network ...........................................6Ohakune as a cycling destination ................................................................8Ohakune...
News: April 2024
Apr
The Government's transport plans for Wellington are a hodgepodge of failed ideas from the 1960s, say cycling advocates. "Everyone, except the Government, knows you simply can't build your way out of congestion," says Patrick Morgan. "Extra car tunnels would attract more traffic, jamming up Wellington streets, adding pollution and danger. It's the opposite of what Wellington needs. It's a slap in the face for Wellington people, who have consistently voted for better public transport, cycling, walking, and affordable housing." He says it's embarrassing that the new Government is dusting off a failed plan that was rejected a few years ago. "Highway tunnels under Wellington are an expensive, unpopular and unworkable plan." Patrick MorganCycling Action Network 027 563 4733
Apr
Have you ever had a hard conversation with someone about bike lanes? How did it go?I've learned a few things over the course of our bike advocacy work. Try these ideas.1. Listen. Try to understand the other person's point of view, even if it seems illogical or wrong. Jumping in with facts e.g. https://cyclingfallacies.com/en/ rarely works if someone feels disrespected or unheard.2. Respect their experience. Everyone has their own lens through which they view the world. They may not have experienced the joy and convenience of biking, or maybe they had unpleasant experiences. Maybe their lifestyle and our car-dominated system forces them to rely on getting around by car.|3. Express empathy. Behind anger lies fear. Rapid change can be scary and some people react by "othering" and blaming behaviour,4. This short guide is excellent https://www.theworkshop.org.nz/.../how-to-talk-about...5. "...
Apr
The Draft GPS on Transport 2024Cycling Action Network Submission2 April 2024 CAN welcomes any opportunity to make an oral submission on this consultation. Please email: chair@can.org.nz IntroductionCycling Action Network (CAN) is grateful for the opportunity to provide feedback to the draft 2024 Government Policy Statement for Transport (GPS). We trust that our input will help direct the Government's ambitions for a safe and sustainable transportation system for Aotearoa. The draft GPS heralds a significant deterioration in the approach to improving the transport system for New Zealand. For decades now, Aotearoa New Zealand has needed to take progressive action on land transport because too few people have safe, affordable and efficient options for how they get around. Prioritising private car travel over everything else means we all lose, including drivers who will experience more...