News

Hi All,

One of this year's Cycling Conference keynote speakers, Phillip Darnton from Cycling England, is scheduled to be interviewed on Kim Hill's radio programme on 24 October.

Check out National Radio  for updates.

And check out the Cycling Conference website for more info on Philip Darnton - he's got some really inspiring examples of cyclist-friendly towns, and cycling skills training programmes.

Fantastic news, and many thanks to Patrick for his work on this!

Cheers,

Jane

Cycle Lanes: Safety under Scrutiny

Oriental Bay, Wellington

Latest research has shed doubt on the benefits of cycle lanes, often thought to be a key incentive for novice cyclists. It would appear that, in the absence of a cycle lane, drivers show more care and consideration when overtaking. If there is a cycle lane, drivers tend to treat it as the only space cyclists need and leave less room when overtaking them.

Many cycle lanes are not even the recommended width (2 metres recommended, 1.5 metres minimum), so they are often too narrow,...

10:32AM Friday Oct 16, 2009

A 62-year-old North Shore doctor has died from head injuries after he was knocked off his bicycle in a hit-and-run northwest of Auckland on Wednesday.

Ian Graham Robinson, from Mairangi Bay, was riding with a friend, a fellow doctor, near Helensville, northwest of Auckland, when hit by a white Toyota utility.

Dr Robinson never regained consciousness after the incident on Peak Rd and died in hospital last night.

The driver did not stop and police have appealed for information.

Dr Robinson and his...

Mikael at Copenhagen Cycle Chic

Globe and Mail journalist Gary Mason visits a city where they really do put bikes ahead of cars; it is city policy in Copenhagen. He interviews Andreas Rohl, suggesting that the bicycle program manager's job is to "ponder the daily question: How can he make life hell for the car drivers of this Scandinavian capital." But Mr. Rohl never actually says that, it's just Mason playing to his poor, suffering "war on the car" audience in Toronto. But Rohl does admit to trying to make a commute on two wheels more attractive than four....

Kia ora tatau

On 22 August, over 150 of you came out to support safer cycle lanes in Wellington and the 350 movement, promoting cycling as a low carbon form of transport. (photo attached)

Cycle Aware Wellington (www.caw.org.nz <http://www.caw.org.nz>) is organizing another huge cycle ride bringing awareness to these two very important causes – and, of course, because cycling is fun, fast and free!

This time, we are drawing attention to the Great Harbour Way, Wellington’s beautiful coastline, and the necessity for a safe cycle route...

Introduction from CAA's Chair Mark Bracey:

Without a doubt, this month's eNews is the best I have ever seen.  And like
this monthly newsletter, I am continually amazed at how the Cycle Action
organisation has grown in strength since I first joined over 10 years ago.
It is extraordinary what a dedicated group of individuals can achieve when
they share a common passion and goal.  It is for these reasons that I am
looking forward to my year as the new Chair.

I would also like to extend a big thank you to all the members who support
...

By Sarah Bell
BBC News

Women cyclists make up a far higher proportion of deaths involving lorries than men. Why?

Many of the fatalities involving cyclists happen in collisions with a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). This year, seven of the eight people killed by lorries in London have been women.

Considering that women make only 28% of the UK's cycling journeys, this seems extremely high.

There are no national figures but there's little reason to think...

The Manukau Harbour Crossing project includes local cycling and walking improvements, to make it easier to get around on foot or by bicycle.

Enter feedback and we'll compile for the NZTA.

Getting people out of cars and onto bicycles, a much more sustainable form of transportation, has long vexed environmentally conscious city planners. Although bike lanes painted on streets and automobile-free “greenways” have increased ridership over the past few years, the share of people relying on bikes for transportation is still less than 2 percent, based on various studies. An emerging body of research suggests that a superior strategy to increase pedal pushing could be had by asking the perennial question: What do women want?

In the U.S., men’s cycling trips surpass women’...