Why do people on bikes ride two abreast?
By Patrick Morgan, Cycling Action Network
When we were in kindergarten, we learned a few basic rules on how to get along with each other.
First, follow the rules.
Second, be kind.
Now that we've left kindergarten, this...
Bike to the Future awards review
To: CAN Board
From: Patrick Morgan
25 September 2018
With the 2018 awards behind us, it's timely to consider timing and branding of the Bike to the Future Awards.
Introduction
The Bike to the Future Awards...
Good news - Government invests a record $390m in cycling and walking
I want to share some welcome news with you – the Government has announced a record $390 million will be invested into cycling and walking projects over the next three years.
That's a 33 percent increase. It includes Skypath and Seapath. Sixty-two years after the Auckland Harbour Bridge was built, we will have a direct cycling route from the North Shore to...
NZTA wants our feedback on signs and road markings
What do you think about how signs and road markings are used?
We’re consulting on the Traffic control devices manual part 5 – traffic control devices for general use – between intersections.
This document provides guidance and best practice for road controlling authorities and traffic management practitioners on the use of traffic control devices, such as signs and road markings, between intersections. Traffic control devices are used to...
Cyclists applaud funding tailwinds
New Government funding for cycling is good news, whether you ride a bike or not, say cycling advocates.
The Government has today announced $390m investment in walking and cycling over three years, including fully-funding Auckland's Skypath over the harbour...
The indomitable Aro Valley cyclist
Alastair Smith at the end of the St James Cycleway.
20 November 2019
It is with a sad heart I must share the news that Alastair Smith passed away today.
I will always remember Alastair as a caring, considerate and funny man. He devoted huge energy to his passions. High among these was his love of riding a bicycle and sharing the simple pleasures of companionship and adventure. He kept the flame of bike advocacy burning, and we are all better off as a result. I will miss him dearly.
Patrick Morgan
In July...
Give us room - a campaign for a safe passing rule
Introduce a safe passing rule, to protect people on bikes.
A safe passing rule was recommended by the NZ Cycle Safety Panel in 2014. Safe passing rules are common in Europe, the US, and most Australian states. They also protect people on foot, law enforcement and road workers.
Why are we waiting?
Updates
January 2023
Still nothing. Not acceptable
October 2021
No action yet by Government. Transport Minister...
Cyclists welcome record investment in safe and sustainable transport
Cycling advocates say the new transport budget is good news for safer roads.
The Government released the new Government Policy Statement (GPS) on transport funding today. It allocates up to $1.1 billion for new cycling and walking projects, up to $4.8 billion for rapid transit, and up to $8 billion for public transport over the next ten years.
...
Notes from Chris T-S, Living Streets Aotearoa
I attended the TRAFINZ safety workshop in Wellington.
The workshop featured Margaret Dugdale from NZTA and James Campbell from MoT talking about progress towards developing a new road safety strategy to replace safer journeys which they acknowledge has failed (first 5 years of declines in road death toll has been almost completely reversed in last 5 years).
Margaret put NZ in international context (it ain't...
Cycling advocates call for urgent action on road safety
Ten years after the death of Police Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald while cycling home, cycling advocates are calling for urgent action on road safety.
Former national road policing manager, Mr Fitzgerald was cycling home from work on 19 June 2008 when he and a truck and trailer crashed on a roundabout in Petone. In 2009 the truck driver was convicted of careless driving.
Cycling Action Network spokesman Patrick Morgan says the solutions to traffic danger are well known, but Councils and the...
Finalists for the 2018 Bike to the Future Awards, New Zealand’s national cycling awards, have been announced.
The awards, now in their third year, are organised by the NZ Transport Agency and Cycling Action Network (CAN). They celebrate the projects and people that are actively supporting and encouraging New Zealanders’ choice to get around by bike as part of their everyday journeys.
The finalists, selected from 60 nominations, range from large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Te Awa River Ride - Ngaruawahia to Horotiu section, to education initiatives...
Vision Zero is an approach to road safety that has, as its aim, zero fatalities or serious injuries. Representing his local residents’ association, David Hawke (a former CAN Secretary) made a presentation to Christchurch City Council last December requesting endorsement of the Vision Zero principles.
The final result was a submission from Council to Government saying “We support the vision zero principles and recommend that the national road safety targets focus on a continual reduction in deaths and serious injuries.’
Have you thought about asking your...
The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport sets the Government's policy direction on transport. It's revised every three years.
Minister of Transport Phil Twyford and Associate Ministers Julie-Anne Genter (below) and Shane Jones have a positive vision for transport.: a vision that puts at its centre a reduction of our dependence on private cars, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and improvements to public health. CAN supported their draft Policy Statement and many many friends of CAN followed our submission guide to support the draft GPS.
Here you can view the...
Bike Auckland Welcomes ATAP 2 Announcement
Bike Auckland celebrates today’s Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) 2 announcement by Mayor Phil Goff and...
Cycling advocates dismayed by Council decision not to address Thorndon Quay black zone
The decision by the Wellington City Council City to ignore pleas to make Thorndon Quay safe has dismayed and angered cycling advocates.
“This flies in the face of the Government’s recent call for a zero road death toll and Associate Minister of...
Transport Policy submission guide
The Government’s new transport policy (the GPS) will invest more in cycling, walking, public transport and safety than ever before. CAN rates it at 9/10. But it's still in draft form, and we need to have our say to make sure it gets approved. Follow our submission guide and have your say BEFORE 5pm Wednesday 2 May 2018.
...
Vision Zero is the only ethical approach to road safety
Patrick Morgan
Cycling Action Network
Last Saturday two men were killed while crossing Wyllie Road in Papatoetoe, Auckland. This was no accident. Their deaths were preventable.
There were 380 avoidable deaths and thousands of serious injuries on our roads in 2017, resulting in untold heartache and more than $4 billion in total social costs. Why do we...
The Dutch experience of urban design for cycling
A synopsis of a talk by Netherlands Ambassador Rob Zaagman
March 2018, Wellington
“Cycling is a way of life in the Netherlands”.
But until the 1980s transport provisions for cars in Holland, just as in New Zealand, had priority over cycling and...
Cycling advocates are applauding new Government strategy which sets a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries.
Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network says it's time New Zealand caught up with world-best practice on road safety.
"Cyclists welcome this audacious approach to protecting lives. For too long our Government has stood by while road deaths have increased."
"There are proven actions which will reduce risk. These include safer speeds, investment in protected bike lanes and public transport, and better education for...
New Zealand’s best cycling projects will be recognised as nominations open for the 2018 Bike to the Future Awards – with refreshed award categories to better reflect the sector.
The awards are a joint initiative between Cycling Action Network (CAN) and the NZ Transport Agency, aimed at recognising the people and projects contributing to a more bike-friendly New Zealand.
As the public's perception of cycling is changing, the award categories have been amended this year. Changes to the award categories include the 'Built Excellence Award', the '...