News

Everything you wanted to know about riding to work or school ... but were afraid to ask!

The 10 most frequently asked questions about riding to work

1. Will I feel good?

Long-term health benefits include increased strength, improved muscle tone, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.

Cycling gets the endorphins flowing and is a great stress release.

Remember, bike riding should not feel more strenuous than walking unless you want it to. Don't push yourself too hard at first

2. Will it take long?...

In a move described by the Driving Standards Agency as an acknowledgement of the realities of modern life, it was announced that public resources would no longer be invested in attempting to prevent people from dangerous practices such as using mobile phones while driving and instead the driving test will be updated to ensure drivers could manage multi-tasking while in control of a vehicle.

‘It’s a desperately needed step’, claimed Samantha Henshawe, a DSA spokeswoman, ‘the number of accidents that occur while fumbling for a Bluetooth earpiece under the driver’s seat is...

Why should the City of Portland invest in bicycling?
The role of the modest bicycle in tackling the great challenges we face, today and tomorrow, and why bicycling is a vital tool in realizing the Portland we envision

In Portland, bicycling is more than just a recreational pastime. It is the City’s fastest growing means of
transportation. In the last four years annual growth in bicycling has been exponential! In 2008, more than one of every six Portlanders used a bicycle as either their primary or secondary means of transportation to...

Questions for Oral Answer

4. Finance, Minister—Statements

[Uncorrected transcript—subject to correction and further editing.]

4. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Labour—New Lynn) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all the statements he made on TVNZ’s Q+A programme on Sunday, 5 April 2009?

Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) : Yes.

We've received a query from NZTA about permanent warning signs showing not just a bicycle (as is currently the case in NZ), but also a person. The background is that apparently they are considering changing the permanent warning sign for cyclists to have a human being shown in it. It's the only permanent warning sign that currently doesn't show a person.

Here's what CAN members have contributed.

Bicycle parking

Bicycle Permanent Warning Sign - Germany

Bicycle path sign...

The National Cycleway Advisory Group is a coalition of national Business and Non-government representatives[1] who believe a national cycleway will benefit New Zealand significantly, who are already working to bring it about and who offer their expertise and influence to advise on its development.

We think it's a great idea to invest in national cycling infrastructure.  We think it can boost jobs and provide a real asset for New Zealand.  However, a smart approach will be needed to ensure that the investment results not in something that just delivers jobs in the construction...

You might be aware that NZTA recently turned down a golden opportunity to add cycling and walking paths to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee then proposed a trial on the Bridge.

True to form, the NZTA dismissed the idea, so it’s now time to protest!

A demonstration march is planned for Sunday
morning 9am, May 3rd, 2009, starting at the Westhaven end of the Bridge.

For more info and news, see...

http://intersect.ning.com/events/walking-and-cycling-over-the

http://getacross.org.nz/

...

WCC is asking for comment on restoration of Te Raekaihau Point (west side of Island Bay, on the way to Houghton Bay, proposed but failed location of Marine Ed Centre). This could be relevant to CAW, given the south coast road's importance as a recreational cycling route. There is an open session on 11-3 5 April.

Jimmy is a journalism student thinking of doing a story on cycling and walking around the Miramar peninsula. I've given him some leads already, but if you would like to give him some ideas, his contact details are in the email. --
Alastair From: James Ellingham [jamesellingham@xtra.co.nz]
Sent: Thursday, 26 March 2009 10:43 a.m.
To: Alastair Smith
Subject: Cycling around Miramar

Hi Alistair,

I'm a student journalist from Massey University, and I'm...