News

17
Mar

Three interesting research reports about cycling have just been publicly released by the NZ Transport Agency and already they’re causing a bit of a stir around cycling circles (and elsewhere…). Cycling in Christchurch previously alluded to these pieces of work being underway, and their findings have some interesting implications for cycling policy in New Zealand.

Should footpath cycling be legal? (c/ Abley Trptn & Mackie Research)

Probably the one attracting the most immediate attention is the one regarding cycling on footpaths, partly because...

March 17, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
17
Mar

Last year's CAN Do meeting in Hamilton was a good opportunity to have a couple of weeks away cycling.

I flew to Auckland with my touring bike. The ride started inauspiciously, as the road from the airport had road works and I missed a turn-off.

Men in hi-vis overalls urgently flagged me off the road next to a sign marking the start of a motorway. They asked me to sign their visitor's book and gave me a ride to the old Mangere Bridge. From there I navigated to my brother's place in Mt Eden.

Next day I rode into the city via Queen St, unaware of...

March 17, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
17
Mar

ReBicycle gets rolling in Wellington


Wellington is the latest town to get its very own bike library and community bicycle upcycling scheme. ReBicycle Charitable Trust was founded recently to help collect used bikes and fix them up for refugees and other low income families. ‘So far the response has been fantastic with more donations than we have room for’, said project manager, Hilleke Townsend. ‘There’s been great help from the community as well, with Red Cross keen to help their refugee families get mobile and other organisations also showing interest’.

 

ReBicycle has...

March 17, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
17
Mar

Workshop Registration Page

To register online for a Driver/Trainer Workshop please click here. 

To register online for a Cyclist Workshop please click here. 

Alternatively you can download the Registration form below.  Just fill out the form on your computer (or print and complete by hand, then scan or take a photo).  Then email it to will@can.org.nz.

Or just register on the phone with Will Andrews on 021 026 92724.  Will can also answer any queries you might have about the workshops.

March 17, 2017 RichardBarter READ MORE
16
Mar

CAN's spokesperson Patrick Morgan was asked to contribute to this TV3 discussion on Auckland's ongoing transport woes and plans.

 

The discussion included Patrick Reynolds of Auckland Transport Blog and Barney Irvine of the AA.  As Reynolds said, 'We've had 65 years of only investing in roads in Auckland' (Patrick's contribution is about 18 minutes in).  Click here for a link to the video clip posted to Facebook.

March 16, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
25
Feb

The CAN-Do is NZ's major annual meeting of cycling advocates.

Register and find more info here.

Location: Wellington
Date: Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 March 2017

Theme: BikeCentennial - celebrating 200 years of fun, freedom and adventure

Registration: Register online here.

Costs:

Members: $100; Day Registration $60 (not including Saturday Evening dinner)Non-Members: $140 whole weekend, $80 day (consider joining CAN to save)

If cost is a barrier, CAN has...

February 25, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
8
Feb

Recent media stories highlight the appalling inactivity of today's Kiwi kids.

Cycling Action Network is calling for urgent action to curb childhood obesity.

A New Zealand study last year found that obese children are showing signs from a young age that they are at risk of developing serious weight-related problems, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart, and liver disease. Nationally, an estimated 85,000 children aged 2-14 years are obese, according to the 2016 New Zealand Health Survey.

Now, research by the same authors show that fewer than one in five of our kids (19...

February 8, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
1
Feb

 

Let's get more people riding!

This summer the New Zealand Transport Agency is rolling out an exciting new campaign to boost cycling all across the country.  With tailored guidance and tips, a friendly workplace competition, and lots of great prizes on offer, it's a great time to ride bikes in NZ.

Register here and get your workmates & friends cycling!

There are local leaderboards for Wellington, Auckland,...

February 1, 2017 stephenw READ MORE
1
Feb

The new Board will have Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, three Regional Members and one or two Independent Members.

The Executive will have three members doing the day-to-day work of running CAN, plus, for the 2017-18 year, a fourth member managing the re-structure.

 

The various jobs and duties are set out in CAN's new Rules (PDF) which will come into effect at the AGM on March 26th 2017.  The open roles are as follows; links are to pages with more information on each position-

ChairTreasurerSecretaryIndependent board members, but these...

February 1, 2017 Will Andrews READ MORE
30
Jan

See the attached PDF poster for all the Bike Wise events in February in Whanganui

January 30, 2017 Patrick READ MORE
23
Dec

From Adelaide via Bologna and Invercargill to Upper Hutt and beyond, Share the Road has hit the road hard (but safely!) this year, spreading our message of empathy between the biggest and smallest of road users.

 

We’ve put drivers on bikes and riders in trucks in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Taupo, Hamilton, Nelson, Hokitika and Dunedin. In 2016 alone, the campaign has personally reached over 1,000 people in the transport industry, but the statistic we’re most proud of is that 93% of workshop participants reported a positive change in their...

December 23, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE
14
Dec

A bicycle is always near the top of the Christmas wish list, says Cycling Action Network spokesman Patrick Morgan.

This year is no different with TradeMe reporting bikes in the top searches.

“Kids of all ages love cycling,” he says.

"With new cycle trails now open all over New Zealand, it's going to be a biking hot summer."

For those lucky enough to find a bicycle at the foot of the Christmas tree, Mr Morgan has some tips:

·...

December 14, 2016 Patrick READ MORE
5
Dec

The main route between Picton and Christchurch on State Highway 1 is closed due to substantial slips and road damage following the 14 November earthquake.

NZTA advice: The alternate state highway route between Picton and Christchurch is via state highways 7, 65, 6 and 63 via Murchison and Lewis Pass. However, we recommend that cyclists avoid this route and follow the advice below.

 

CYCLISTS TRAVELLING BETWEEN PICTON AND CHRISTCHURCH

Due to the combination of increased traffic volumes (in particular large trucks) and a lack of shoulder space on the alternate state highway route...

December 5, 2016 Patrick READ MORE
1
Dec

[photo: "motorbike? eBike? S-Pedelec?" workshop participants debate the status of an electric vehicle]

 

"It's just snowballed" was the introduction from ViaStrada's John Lieswyn, to an NZTA workshop on the regulation of eBikes and other low powered vehicles. 

I attended (on my eBike, of course) thinking that I was reasonably up to speed, having invested a bit of time in developing CAN's Electric Assist Bicycles policy. But I hadn't really appreciated the range of power assisted transport that is appearing, and the potential headaches that they pose for regulators. What...

December 1, 2016 AlastairS READ MORE
30
Nov

Review of:
Williamson, Laura (2016) The Bike and Beyond: life on two wheels in Aotearoa New Zealand. BWB texts. $15 softback, $5 eBook.

Wanaka based, but of Canadian origins, Laura Williamson has been writing about biking in NZ for a couple of decades, including contributing to the MTB magazine Spoke. She's concerned that despite the growth in recreational cycling, we're still wedded to our cars for commuting and utility trips. "Biketivism", or social action that challenges the primacy of the car, has been around...

November 30, 2016 AlastairS READ MORE
21
Nov

 

CAN’s central Committee have been busy carrying out our usual advocacy, lobbying and publicity work to support cyclists' interests.  Here are some highlights-

 

In the public eye Our 'main man' Patrick Morgan has been making regular appearances on The Panel, an afternoon radio talk show on RNZ.  Stories Patrick has reacted to covered mandatory mirrors for bikes, so-called Bike Wars in Wellington, the sentencing of a truck driver for killing a cyclist, and the feasibility of footpath cycling.  And of course the Max Key episode: ‘I'd like to congratulate him...

November 21, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE
18
Nov

Share the Road, the campaign that puts truck drivers and cyclists in each others’ shoes, has received a prestigious industry award.

Campaign Manager Richard Barter was delighted to accept the Trafinz Leadership award, saying it confirms the value of the research that went into creating Share the Road workshops and activities.

"Behaviour change on New Zealand’s roads is critical in encouraging more Kiwis to cycle. Understanding the demands on our heavy vehicle drivers is a big part of that."

Richard said the award, from the New Zealand Local Authority Traffic Institute (...

November 18, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE
18
Nov

The Associate Minister of Transport, Hon Craig Foss, has signed into law 13 amendment Rules that make minor changes to existing Land Transport Rules. They’ll come into force soon- December 1st!

CAN’s submission is here; thanks to those who worked on it.  Here are some of the rules which apply directly to cyclists-

Permit drivers to encroach onto a flush median when overtaking cyclistsExtend the time period during which lighting and reflector requirements apply to pedal cycles and power assisted pedal cyclesClarify that a driver approaching an intersection must not enter a cycle lane if...

November 18, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE
18
Nov

Tim Williams, CEO Committee for Sydney

Tim Williams presented to a meeting of transport advocates, experts and local Councillors recently in Wellington on the subject of Keeping Sydney Moving. Truly competitive global cities have the transport infrastructure to match their aspirations. While Sydney’s transport offering continues to improve, we need a step-change in provision if we are to equal the performance and accessibility of our competitors. The momentum towards a modern public transport system for Sydney needs reinforcing as vital to economic...

November 18, 2016 Patrick READ MORE
12
Nov

CAN's Share the Road Campaign is about raising awareness and empathy between cyclists and the drivers of large trucks and buses. Keeping up with international best practice is important, so we know we’re offering the best possible guidance to our workshop attendees.  Campaign Manager Richard spend a hectic two weeks visiting cycle safety trainers in Los Angeles and Vancouver, and then attending the International Cycling Safety Conference in Bologna. Here are some of his top lessons.Presentations by Volvo truck and car people gave accounts of amazing developments in car and truck technology...

November 12, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE