News

Cycling Action Network - news from the regions

9
Aug

Around the Network

News snippets & photos around who’s doing what, from Whangarei to Dunedin

 

Bike!Whangarei

Bike!Whangarei centres round the passionate Paul Doherty.  Paul runs a cycle touring business and is deeply involved in community and environmental projects.  Recent actions include detailed consultation with Council to maximise the usefulness of Te Matau a Pohe coastal path and, through Whangarei Cycle Commuters group, running Frocks and Fashionable Fellows on Bikes rides. UCP project- Northbound 6.5km off-road Kamo...

August 9, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Meeting Minister for the Environment

5
Aug

Meeting Minister for the Environment

CAN arranged a cordial meeting with the Minister for the Environment Dr. Nick Smith, last Saturday August 1st.

John-Paul Pochin of Bicycle Nelson Bays came with CAN, and we expressed support for the Government’s Urban Cycleway programme and for the new direction of NZTA. Dr. Smith wondered about cyclists’ financial contribution to roading costs. CAN and BNB presented the case for the huge healthcare cost benefits of cycling.

...

August 5, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

'B' is for Bicycle? Yeah, nah

20
Jul

'B' is for Bicycle?  Yeah, nah

A white 'B' symbol, as a traffic light, normally relates to buses.  If you're cycling in a bus lane that allows bikes, it means you can proceed.  If you're NOT in that lane it doesn't apply to you.  

So 'B' careful - if you see a white 'B', and you're not in the bus lane, or there's a red traffic light applying to your lane, or a red 'bike' symbol, think twice before proceeding!

Worth being clear on this, since Councils often plan for buses and bikes to be in close proximity, and the...

July 20, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

CAN are today hailing NZTA’s ‘new approach’ to transport planning

17
Jul

NZ’s principal cycling group CAN are today hailing NZTA’s ‘new approach’ to transport planning.

The NZTA’s three-yearly Statement of Intent document was published yesterday* to a broad welcome from cycling advocates. The SoI highlights safer, more attractive urban cycling as one of its six key priorities, and emphasises the integration of different modes of transport. Additionally, it sets out to add another 10 million cycling trips in the three...

July 17, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

NZTA's new Statement of Intent is a historic step

17
Jul

NZTA’s ‘new approach’ to transport planning

NZ’s principal cycling group CAN are today hailing NZTA’s ‘new approach’ to transport planning...

July 17, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Record Set in Taupo

30
Jun

Record set in Taupo

A record 14 kids of Kids Bike Taupo, some riding donated bikes, learnt to ride for the first time at Hilltop School in May 2015. Lots of parents were there to help, making it a real community effort.

Kids BT came about some...

June 30, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Urban Cycleway Programme Welcomed

25
Jun

Cyclists Applaud Massive Investment Programme.

Kiwis keen on cycling have hailed the biggest single investment in cycling in New Zealand’s history, announced today in Rotorua. Advocates for cycling have praised the scheme as ‘forward-thinking, clever groundwork’.

The Urban Cycleways Programme (UCP), managed by the NZTA, facilitates a record $333m million in spending for 54 selected urban cycling...

June 25, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Cyclists Applaud Massive Investment Programme

23
Jun

Cyclists Applaud Massive Investment Programme.

 

Kiwis keen on cycling anticipate a boost tomorrow when Transport Minister Simon Bridges will arrive in Rotorua to announce the biggest single investment in cycling in New Zealand’s history.

The Urban Cycleways Programme, managed by the NZTA, budgets a record $100 million for selected projects nationwide.  Councils throughout the country have drawn up detailed bids for urban cycleway projects which they hope will attract UCP funds.  Rumours have been swirling as to which projects will get the nod from the NZTA’s UCP...

June 23, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

CGI prompts Wellington Council to improve roads for cyclists

23
Jun

CGI models prompt Council to fix roadway for cycling

(Larger size images below)

Compelling evidence that concrete 'islands' on Broadway in Wellington made cyclists feel unsafe was created -and used successfully to improve conditions- by an architect and cycling advocate.

Travis Gray, a Registered Architect in Wellington, found that on his regular commute many motorists were passing way too close on the 350m stretch where concrete islands have been installed.  Following the 'occupy the lane' advice from the Road Code over a 350m stretch proved too...

June 23, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Awesome poster from GWRC

19
Jun

Artwork from GWRC promoting the joys of cycling

Good to see a regional Council presenting the bright side in such a creative way!

For more see gw.govt.nz/cycling.  Apologies, we can't find the link to the original campaign.  Here's a JPG.

GWRC poster: GWRC Poster promoting cycling.

June 19, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Cyclists 'Impeding Traffic'?

19
Jun

Cyclist Really 'Impeding Traffic'?

Opinion Piece on Cyclists 'Impeding Traffic' by Don Babe, Chair of Spokes Canterbury

 

 

Alex Mann made a legitimate choice when he decided to travel by bicycle the day a police officer fined him for impeding traffic.

He obeyed the road code by keeping left but not so far he was in danger of falling in the drain or becoming unstable in the grit and debris often present on road edges.

He was aware that there was at least one vehicle behind him and believes he rode in a fashion that most of us would...

June 19, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

CAN Is a Network

12
Jun

Confused as to what is CAN? 

CAN is everything inside the orange box.

The double-headed arrows show the major relationships between the various components of the network and some of their stakeholders.

June 12, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

OECD Report a Recipe for Cycling, say Advocates

11
Jun

OECD Report a Recipe for Cycling, say Advocates.

Advocates for better cycling facilities gave an unusual welcome to the recent OECD report, which called for action on two problems New Zealand faces- traffic congestion and obesity.

Release of the report from the international body, primarily concerned with promoting economic growth, was welcomed by national network body, Cycling Advocates’...

June 11, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

CAN Communications Review 2015

11
Jun

CAN's undergoing a communications review

Cycling-mad communications consultancy Upshift, based in Tasman, are helping CAN re-assess our communications and branding.

 

 

You may have seen or filled out our survey in late summer, asking how you think we're doing with communicating to local groups, individuals and the public at large.

 

Upshift were the guys responsible, and are now pulling together all the lessons...

June 11, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

chainlinks planning page for June 2015 issue

4
Jun

getting a late start on this, currently in Rotorua on Fire sercice course 3-7 June, but trying to do stuff on CL after hours

 

Who?What?Received
 Copy-edited?
Pictures?
Sent to Miriam?
 Alistair article on e-bikes
 yes!
 yes, JR
 yesyes
David
 draft road and cycleway policy yes sent LH
   David
 CAN Do report
 yes sent LH
 6 ok res
  Richard/Lyneke post-CAN Do ride - west coast
 yes yes, JR
low...

June 4, 2015 stephenw READ MORE

CAN's Opinion Piece in Fairfax Media about Road Rage

3
Jun

An opinion piece from CAN aired in Stuff last week:

The spectacle on our news-feeds of spats between two angry men- one holding a bicycle, one yelling from a car, is commonplace in this age of GoPro cameras, and media hungry for sensation.  Despite resulting in no injury beyond insulted pride -not even a scratched bumper or buckled spoke- a recent row between a cyclist and SUV driver in Roehampton, England has had over 170,000 views on various media.  

Makes you wonder how many road-rage incidents between van and car drivers, or truck and motorbike drivers, occurred in the same...

June 3, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Budget 2015

27
May

Cycling advocates today welcomed the funding set aside for cycling projects, while bemoaning its small proportion relative to overall transport funding.

Land Transport Plan projects, Roads of National Significance and increased rail spending attracted the lion’s share of today’s Transport appropriations, totalling $6.379 billion, but spending on cycling is growing: the first $45 million of a $100 million total has been set aside for the Government’s Urban Cycleway Programme.

...

May 27, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Leadership Failures Contribute to Horrific Road Toll, Say Cycling Advocates

27
May

Cycling advocates are today criticising the Government's response to the recent spate of traffic deaths. Umbrella group Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) expressed regret that expert advice on speed limits is being brushed aside by a Government uninterested in providing a fit-for-purpose transport system.

...

May 27, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Text in support of UCP projects

30
Apr

Some facts and figures in support of investment in cycling-

The Urban Cycleway Programme offers a 2 to 1 deal for Councils.  Roughly speaking, for every dollar you raise, the Land Transport Fund can provide a dollar, and the UCP another.There's a huge pent-up demand to swap short car trips for cycling.  Parts of Wellington have experienced almost 90% increases in cycle commuting in recent years (Statistics NZ).  New cycling facilities rapidly attract new users (Monsere et al, 2014, NITC)After the quakes, Christchurch's Share an Idea survey gathered overwhelming support for a cycling and...

April 30, 2015 Will Andrews READ MORE

Cyclists urged to light up now Matariki is upon us

1
Apr

Cyclists urged to light up now Matariki is upon us

Cyclists need to make sure they are well lit through the winter months, says the Cycling Advocates' Network.

"The onset of the wintry weather and shorter days means it's time for cyclists to check their lights and...

April 1, 2015 Patrick READ MORE