News

The Transport Agency says a programme which promotes cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel will continue, despite it losing Government funding.

The agency has told Radio New Zealand News that the Ministry of Health has withdrawn about $150,000 from the Bike Wise programme, and is instead putting money into injury prevention.

Transport Agency spokesperson Andy Knackstedt says the agency will still commit $300,000 to the programme next year.

The Cycling Advocates Network says withdrawing funding is short sighted, because getting people on bikes cuts congestion...

The draft Land Transport (Road user) Amendment Rule [2011] is available for comment.

The main proposal is to change the give-way rules at uncontrolled intersections or when opposing signals or signs are the same to simplify decision making at intersections and improve safety.

Other proposals in the amendment Rule will either:

be necessary as a consequence of changing the give-way rulesalign road user requirements with other legislation, orstrengthen and clarify provisions on existing road user requirements.Apply bus signal provisions to riders of motorcycles, mopeds and cycles...

** under construction **

Children love biking but need more places to ride. This guide aims to help you get a bike track in your local park. Good for adults too!

1. Commit to making it happen.
Ask your friends for support. Form a small team and set yourself a target.

2. Talk to your local council and biking groups
It helps having a champion on the council. Staff at the parks or recreation department should be able to help.

3. Plan
Write a plan with the objective, budget, a timeline, and who does what.

4. Fundraise
for both money...

Cycling deaths Inquest announced
Waikato Coroner Gordon Matenga will travel to four separate regions throughout the country to hear evidence relating to nine cycling deaths to try and identify any common trends or information that could prevent a re-occurrence of such tragedies.

 

The first hearing will be held in Palmerston North on 21 July, followed by Hamilton on 25 August and subsequent hearings in Auckland and Wellington.

Coroner Matenga said travelling to different regions will mean family members and witnesses can attend the Inquest relevant to them...

Since 2008, Hikurangi, alongside many other organisations and individuals, has been working for a national network of cycleways. We are convinced of the benefits it can bring to the people, environment and economy of New Zealand. We were excited when the Government announced investment in developing cycleways around the country, but there is still so much more to be done to realise the true potential of a national network.

Sustained support is needed to ensure the national network can grow and thrive. Communities need help to get behind their local cycleway and promote and use it...

Over the last four years, New York City has seen a transportation renaissance on its streets, striking a better balance by providing more space for walking, biking, and transit.

 

As with any departure from the status quo, it can take a while for everyone to grow accustomed to the changes. So Streetfilms decided to look at three of NYC’s most recent re-designs — Columbus Avenue, First and Second Avenues, and Prospect Park West — and show how pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers benefit from safer, calmer streets. We talked to transportation engineers with decades of experience,...

Being Cycle Aware
A half-day workshop for bus drivers and bikers, New Plymouth, 27 April 2011

Workshop Evaluation Report

4 bus drivers and 7 bikers attended.
Feedback from 8 participants was collected.

Summary of Feedback
Participant were asked 5 questions.

1. How often do you cycle?: regularly (3 or more times/week) / occasionally / never
Most (6) cycled regularly, 1 occasionally and 1 never.

2. What did you find most valuable in the workshop?
Making everyone more aware of each other on the road, especially different...

Ghost bikes are memorials to fallen riders. A white painted bicycle is placed at the crash site where a cyclist was killed or injured. Each ghost bike is unique: a remembrance, advocacy, activism, street art.

Ghost bikes have appeared in over 150 cities across four continents.

Ghostbikes.org.nz was formed to show support for this important way of remembering tragedies and making our roads safer.

Please find attached a document on the proposed direction for the next
Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding, and a covering letter
inviting you to submit your views on the proposed direction.