Executive summary
Over the last 3 years Nextbike has proven that there is a demand for public bikes in
Auckland, and New Zealand. The Auckland public bikes have been regularly used
by both locals and visitors, with thousands of registered riders and the majority of
all rides ridden for free, as one way trips. The findings from the last three years are
supported by a large data base of all the rentals made over the period. This
demonstrates that Nextbikes provide another mode of public transport and very
effectively complements existing...
News
23
Mar
Mar
18
Mar
Mar
Mark your diaries, ladies and gentlemen! The Palmerston North flock of Frocks on Bikes presents:
Rollin' by the River!
When? 2pm, Sunday the 20th of March 2011
Where? The Esplanade Gardens (meet by the conservatory - just look for the frocks and the bikes!)
What to bring? Tea, baking to share (if you like to bake), picnic blankets and of course, bikes! We'll be taking tea in the park, followed by a leisurely ride by the meandering Manawatu River.
What to wear? Sunday best - frocks are preferred, of course, but please come in whatever makes YOU feel frockish and...
18
Mar
Mar
New Zealand's cycling organisations are joining forces to make cycling safer.
The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) and BikeNZ are working with the New Zealand Transport Agency on three new projects over the next 18 months, aimed at creating a safer environment for cycling.
The projects include training for cycling skills instructors; running workshops putting cyclists alongside truck and bus drivers; and developing a nationwide "share the road" campaign for all road users.
CAN Chairman Graeme Lindup says, "Cycling is booming in popularity in New Zealand, but we need to...
17
Mar
Mar
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NZTA Safer Cycling ProgrammeCAN and BikeNZ have been funded by the NZ Transport Agency to develop and deliver Road User Workshops (RUW) and a Share the Road (STR) pilot campaign. This work, plus a Cycling Skills Instructor Training programme (managed by BikeNZ) is to be undertaken between now and 30 June 2012 and will be overseen by a Joint Steering Group consisting of leaders from CAN and BikeNZ. The overall programme has been labelled by NZTA as the Safer Cycling Programme (SCP).
The CAN-managed projects (Road User Workshops and a STR scoping exercise) require a range...
14
Mar
Mar
Cycling advocates react to the light sentence for a man who killed Manawatu woman Patricia Fraser.
Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) manager Patrick Morgan says he is outraged and saddened.
"The light sentence in this case sends a message that killing another road user has few consequences. That is appalling."
"This is not a story about cycling - it's about accountability."
"Why does the life of Patricia Fraser mean so little?"
"Our messages to all roads users are simple:
First. follow the rules.
Second, don't drive or ride on...
14
Mar
Mar
The man responsible for the death of cyclist Patricia Fraser has been sentenced in Feilding District Court today.
Christopher David McClelland, 45, was sentenced to 175 hours' community work and disqualified for driving for 10 months.
Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing death.
On November 13, at 2.45pm, McClelland was travelling along State Highway 1, near Mt Stewart when he noticed Mrs Fraser, 34, and a friend riding single file in the cycle lane.
His car drifted towards the cycle lane. The front left corner of his vehicle...
11
Mar
Mar
Progress on the 2008 Cycling Policy as at March 2011
Report from Wellington City Council
To date:
Considerable effort has been put in to improve the city's worst performing cycle route between Ngauranga and Featherston Street, work along this route has included:
* Thorndon Quay clearway for southbound morning cyclists, including the associated pedestrian crossing
* New lane arrangements and advanced cycle stop box approaching Bunny Street
* Highlighting potential conflict points with green surfacing on both the Hutt Road...
10
Mar
Mar
Here's what we could gain by reducing the speed limit.
By George Monbiot, published on the Guardian's website, 9th March 2011
Should we reduce the speed limit to cut oil consumption? Should we impose new taxes on the banks? Should we stop hawking weapons in the Middle East? The answer in all these cases is obvious, but none of these reforms will happen until we've brave enough to tackle vested interests.
Earlier this week, Spain reduced the speed limit on its motorways by 10kph. The British government should follow it, and then go further. Here's why....
10
Mar
Mar
Over the last ten years (or more) just about every major city in the U.S. has added bike-carrying capacity to their buses. While cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Seattle, Philadelphia, and San Francisco can boast 100% of their bus fleet sporting bike racks, NYC comes in at 0%.
Of course, there are reasonable assumptions one can make why NYC has not tried out some program. First and foremost: the NYC MTA subway system already allows bikes 24 hours a day. It's an excellent benefit for sure, but there are many regions of the five boroughs that are not easily within reach of...
10
Mar
Mar
"The Great Myth begins, as so many myths do, with an arduous journey - in this case, then-Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower's 62-day cross-country trip with a military convoy along our nation's rutted roads during the summer of 1919. Conditions like those faced by Eisenhower were all too familiar to the small but growing number of drivers, who clamoured for public investment in better roads. But how to pay for them? In the same year that Eisenhower made his journey, the state of Oregon hit upon an innovative method for raising money for the expensive task of improving the state's...
10
Mar
Mar
Road rule changes allow indicators on bikes
Sticking your hand out into traffic is no longer the only signalling option for cyclists after the Government cleared the way for indicators on bicycles.
New vehicle lighting rules that come into force on April 1 will allow cyclists to attach brake and indicator lights. Until now, a white headlight and a red rear-facing light have been the only lights cyclists were allowed to show. Indicator and brake lights were not specifically banned, but were not included on the list of legal bicycle lighting.
The New...
3
Mar
Mar
Christchurch Earthquake
The events of February have certainly turned the world upside down for many of us. I would like to extend my hope that you are all safe and well and coping with the circumstances you find yourself in at present. If you have suffered a loss, be it of a loved one, relation, friend or collegue please accept the heart felt sympathy of all of us at SPOKES. Likewise if your home, business or place of work or study has suffered loss or damage know our thoughts are with you.
It is sad to see so much of the city in ruins and infastructure so...
2
Mar
Mar
WCC is calling for submissions on lowering the speed limits in Oriental Bay, Northern Miramar Peninsula, and Miramar, Seatoun and Strathmore Park Parking Areas - due 1 April. CAW should make a submission: volunteers?
We have previous submissions that can be reworked.
28
Feb
Feb
Group's next meeting, 5.30 pm, Weds 2nd March 2011. At Frederics' in Egmont Street, upstairs, at 5.30pm.
Provisional Agenda:
• WWBF 2011 - what's left?
• Bus/Cyclist & Heavy Truck/Cyclist workshops in Taranaki
• Let's Go - what's coming up for the project and for NTCA?
• CSIT meeting with NPDC: Rural road signage, travel planning with Liz
• Shared Pathway sharing - what can be done?
Anything else?
25
Feb
Feb
Bluff to Cape Reinga by Bike
Wellington endurance athlete Thomas Lindup aims to write his name in the record books with a solo bike ride the length of New Zealand.
On 2nd of March, he will start what will be the first unsupported record attempt for the length of New Zealand by bike, a distance of 2,170 km.
Past records have been set with support from teams of helpers, campervans, and a helicopter over Cook Strait. The supported record is 4 days 16 hours and 40 minutes, set by Fielding postie Colin Anderson in 2007.
Mr Lindup says he aims to create a...
22
Feb
Feb
Waterloo Quay Changes
"When rail tracks that cross Waterloo Quay are realigned this weekend, we'll be putting rubber around them to make them safer for cyclists."
18
Feb
Feb
Support the Palmerston North to Ashurst cycle/walk pathway by signing an online petition. This will be the "Patricia Fraser Memorial Ride" http://www.patriciafrasermemorialtrail.org/home
17
Feb
Feb
Invest in cycling as fuel prices rise, say cyclists.
The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) and Bike NZ say it has never been more urgent for government and business to invest in cycling.
As petrol crosses the $2.20 mark more people are looking for alternatives to driving.
CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan says the New Zealand Cycle Trails is an excellent start, but local councils and central government need to shift up a gear to soften the impacts of high fuel prices.
"We urge councils to meet the demand for safe and convenient cycling by developing...
16
Feb
Feb
From Mark at Sport Wellington:
My organisation, Sport Wellington, is running the “AMI Round the Bays” run/walk which includes the New Balance Half Marathon.
Around 10,000 people will be there for Wellington’s largest participation event. As a fellow cyclist we need to be aware of road closures from 8.00am to 11.30am.
Previously, some cyclists have tried to cycle the course and have given the marshals a bit of grief.
This is not cool. Remember the marshals are volunteers, just like you and I who marshal for our cycle races. The police and transport agencies have...
15
Feb
Feb
Glen Koorey from the Cycle Action Network examines the sentence handed down to Kristy King on three charges of careless driving causing death.
Screened today, 15 Feb 2011:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cycling-advocates-say-us-vs-them-attitud...