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The 2011 Cyclist Skills Training Courses in Palmerston North kick off at Central Normal School this month. The line up of dedicated trainers pictured from Cycle Aware Manawatu, all of whom completed an "Instructor Training Workshop" held in Palmerston North in January 2010 run by the Cycling Advocates' Network (UK accredited teaching instructors), will now be teaching the course. It will be repeated three times (Thursday January 27 at 6pm, Saturday February 12 at 9am, and Tuesday March 1 at 6pm). Registrations are essential, ring Sport Manawatu, or visit their website to book your place...

A leading transport economist has suggested that slower-than-expected growth of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme is due to riders' fear of sharing London's streets with motor traffic rather than flaws in the project's infrastructure.

"There's never been a shortage of bikes in London," Professor Stephen Glaister of Imperial College, London told The Economist. "It's just that people are afraid to use them."

The city's bike hire scheme was launched in July, with the goal of 50,000 journeys per day. Surveys carried out during the first six months of the scheme have indicated peak...

Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) and BikeNZ are saddened to hear of the latest cyclist deaths, but are pleased they are to be referred to the coroner.

Spokesperson, Anne FitzSimon said this inquest will examine whether there were any patterns and possible law changes needed.

"CAN and BikeNZ are keen to help the coroner in any way with our expertise."

"CAN and BikeNZ are concerned with the loss of basic cycle skills which are often lacking in young New Zealanders."

Cycling Skills Training and ‘Share the Road' are both CAN and BikeNZ's top priority for 2011.

She...

A 10-year-old Hamilton girl has died after cycling down a flight of stairs in Papakowhai, near Porirua, Thursday afternoon 6th January 2011.

The girl was cycling to the dairy about 1pm with her aunty and cousin, whom she was visiting.

Police said it appears the girl was unfamiliar with the terrain and cycled ahead of her aunty down a smooth pathway leading further onto a set of stairs. She then cycled over the stairs and fell, landing some 12 to 15 steps down the stairs.

Ambulance staff were unable to resuscitate her. Police have confirmed the girl was wearing a helmet....

Cycling in Britain is booming. The ACT (Association of Cycle Traders) states that the UK bicycle industry in 2010 is worth an estimated £1.5 billion, while cycles sales for the year are expected to value between £800m -£850m. Many of us are braving the elements - or enjoying them, depending on your season of choice - and cycling to work.

In 2001, census data showed that cycling was the main method of travelling to work for over 650,000 people aged 16 to 74. But how have things changed since then? And what will the 2011 Census show about our cycling habits?

The census is a once-...

Today was the last day of employment for Fiona, CAN's part time South Island Network Project Officer. I want to take this opportunity on behalf of fellow advocates to acknowledge the work she has done while in the position.

Through my involvement in Spokes Canterbury here in Christchurch, I first met her when she was appointed to the position. I think by now I have got to know her quite well.

Given that she is a modest person not inclined to blow her own trumpet or hog the limelight, it will probably never be generally known the prodigious amount of work she has done.

It...

Why don't cyclists have compulsory licencing, training and insurance? Because it would be utterly pointless.

It doesn't really matter what you write about on the bike blog, at some point a reader will emerge with the same irascible complaint: why, oh why, they ask, should cyclists expect any sympathy – let alone special treatment – when they don't need a licence or insurance? What about number plates?

Sometimes, of course, this is mere provocation. But often it's serious. So I'm going to try and give a serious reply, however obvious this might all seem to fellow riders....

NZ cycle crash fatalities since 2006

This map shows the locations and details of 44 fatal cycle vs motor vehicle crashes occurring in NZ between January 2006 and May 2010.

Data as extracted from the Ministry of Transport's Crash Analysis System (CAS) in Dec 2010.

Put together by Steve Southall.

"My boy was also in the group - he was the next bike behind."

The driver of a car involved in a collision with a group of cyclists in which three people died last month has admitted causing their deaths.

In Morrinsville District Court today, 23-year-old Kristy King, of Matamata, pleaded guilty to three charges of careless driving causing death.

She has been remanded on bail and will appear in court for sentencing on February 14.

King was driving a car when it collided with the group of cyclists on the Walton-Morrinsville Rd on November 14.

The...