News

23
Nov

Proposed new aquatic centre:

 

Squeaky Wheel applauds the statement by the proponents of the aquatic centre on the Council that "the proposed Aquatic Centre has a real focus on wellness and catering for all members and age-groups of the community."


The Timaru District Council's Active Transport Strategy states that 'the Council, together with the Timaru District community, will realise the potential that the district offers to maximise participation in active transport.’


Here is a perfect opportunity: provide for convenient, safe access...

November 23, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE
21
Nov

Initially, Bike to Work events in Victoria, British Columbia inspired only committed cyclists to ride to work. An effort to convince provincial government employees to bicycle to work by linking the message to the province's own "green" initiatives was not recruiting new cyclists to bicycle commuting.

Organizers soon realized that the event attracted committed cyclists, not the potential and non-cyclists who were their real targets.

http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id=4278

November 21, 2008 Patrick READ MORE
20
Nov

About 6000 bikes are expected to be available for hire from early 2010, with riders able to pick them up and drop them off at 400 locations spread across central London.

The scheme will be based on the popular Velib bike hire program in Paris, where there are now about 20,000 regular users.

London's bikes will be available for hire in an area stretching from Regents Park in the north to the Houses of Parliament in the south and from Kensington High Street in the west to the Tower of London in the east.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, a dedicated cyclist, said he...

November 20, 2008 Anne F READ MORE
19
Nov

I've taken on the role of Meetings Co-ordinator for CAN. I'm putting together a list of organisations and people we need to meet with, and a list of CANners who are prepared to attend meetings on behalf of CAN.

1. would you like to be on the list?
2. are there any organisations missing?
3. are the priorities right?
4. can you suggest meeting topics?
5. what are your areas of interest/speciality?
6. where are you prepared to attend meetings?
7. what's your availability?
8. can you think of anyone else who should be on the 'people who'...

November 19, 2008 ribell READ MORE
19
Nov

This guide, published by the Ministry of Transport, shows how the benefits of encouraging and providing for walking and cycling can improve the liveability and sustainability of New Zealand towns and cities. It discusses these benefits, provides a ‘snapshot' of the current walking and cycling picture, and considers the many initiatives that can be implemented to increase the numbers of New Zealanders using these active modes for safe and convenient transport.

Case studies of walking and cycling initiatives and practical ‘how to do it' information for regional and local...

November 19, 2008 Anne F READ MORE
19
Nov

The New Zealand bike ride that breaks all the records – and now the book!

It started in 1977 with a bunch of friends trying to raise money for charity. Thirty-one years on, the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is not only New Zealand’s most popular bike ride but recognised by the UCI (International Cycling Union) as one of the top eight road-cycling events in the world.
On November 29, around 12,000 people – from family relay teams to élite cyclists – will don helmets, leap on their bikes, and set out to conquer the nearly 160-kilometre course.
According to a new guide being...

November 19, 2008 Scorcher READ MORE
14
Nov

Dear Timaru City Councillors,

re: proposed new aquatic centre,

Squeaky Wheel, a voice for cyclists in South Canterbury, would like to pose some questions about how the plans for the proposed new aquatic centre cater for the cycling sector of our community.

The plans as released in the newspapers emphasise the potential health benefits of such a centre for the people of this district, as summed up in this sentence in the publicity:

"The proposed Aquatic Centre has a real focus on wellness and catering for all members and age-groups of the...

November 14, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE
13
Nov

The following question arose in Hamilton: Can recreational cycle paths attract funding (subsidy) from the NZTA?

NZTA (NZ Transport Agency) is the government land transport funding agency, they were  formerly LTNZ, and prior to that Transfund, just in case you know them by their old names.

So, can those recreational facilities be subsidised? Strictly speaking no, because government has strange rules. They fund recreational roads (e.g. SH1 to Cape Reinga, or SH94 to Milford Sound), but not recreational pathways. 

So when can pathways get subsidised? A few rules apply:...

November 13, 2008 maxwel READ MORE
13
Nov

caption: get a bike, you'll love it.

Greater Wellington Regional Council:

Visit their cycling site for information on bike buddies, road rules, cycles on trains, buses, and ferries, cycle lockers at railway stations, cycling maps, cycle shops, groups and clubs, events and forums, and more.

Feeling Great
For information on cycling and mountain biking events happening in the Wellington check it out.

...

November 13, 2008 Patrick READ MORE
12
Nov

Patrick Morgan and I had our regular monthly catch-up with NZTA staff yesterday. There are quite a few things of interest to report:

1. Driver training/licensing & the Road Code
As a result of our meeting with Annette King and Harry Duynhoven in September on our Nine Point Plan for Cycle Safety Jim Furneaux, NZTA's Manager of Driver Licensing Standards joined us to give NZTA's response on our request for greater consideration of cyclists in driver instruction, driver licensing and in the Road Code.

Briefing notes issued by MoT/NZTA have already been...

November 12, 2008 ribell READ MORE
12
Nov

Notes from meeting with NZTA on 11 November 2008
Attended by: Jim Furneaux (Manager Driver Licensing Standards, NZTA), Gerry Dance (Acting Principal Policy Advisor, Walking & Cycling, NZTA), Jason Morgan (Senior Policy Advisor, Networks, NZTA)
Patrick Morgan (Networking Project Manager, CAN), Robert Ibell (Executive member, CAN), John Willmer (Cycling Development Manager, BikeNZ)

Some issues raised by CAN at a meeting with Transport Minister Hon Annette King and Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven on 10 September were discussed. An...

November 12, 2008 ribell READ MORE
12
Nov

Bike Wise Month Feb 09: What's in it for your Group?

http://www.bikewise.co.nz/default.aspx

Next year Bike Wise runs the whole month of February 09.

Main events are:

Go By Bike Day (Breakfast)

The Mayoral Challenge

The Bike Wise Business Battle

Bike Wise events are a great to:

promote biking

get more people on their bikes

build relationships with Council Staff and Councillors (e.g. Mayoral Challenge)

increase group...

November 12, 2008 Fiona READ MORE
11
Nov

Cycling in New Zealand is popular, safe, healthy and enjoyable. When it replaces other forms of transport (commuting to work for instance) it also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases.

 See  Econation http://www.econation.co.nz/cycling.html?lnum=85216

 

November 11, 2008 Scorcher READ MORE
10
Nov

November 10, 2008 markbracey READ MORE
8
Nov

You are invited to contribute to this new Google map, Black Spots for Cycling in South Canterbury.

HOW TO USE THE MAP "BLACK SPOTS FOR CYCLING IN SOUTH CANTERBURY"

If you are interested in browsing the map, just follow this link:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=106539015012509572091.0...

If you are interested in contributing information to the map, you will need an account with Google. If you are a user of GMail, Google Docs, or Picasaweb.google you already have a Google account.

If you have a Google...

November 8, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE
8
Nov

Bills & SOPs

Publication Version with Link Archive Bills & SOPs of NZ (browse): New Zealand Legislation NZL Bills of NZ (browse) Current Bills & SOPs of NZ (search): New Zealand Legislation NZL Bills of NZ (search) Current Bills: Parliamentary Website PW Bills Sep 2002 (aprox) - present Supplementary Order Papers (SOPs): Parliamentary Website PW SOPs 16 Sep 2004 - present Schedule of Divided Bills: Parliamentary Website PW Schedule of Divided Bills 2005 - present Progress of Legislation: Parliamentary...

November 8, 2008 adrian READ MORE
7
Nov

Timaru Cyclists! Did you know that you can report problems you encounter on the roads in the district directly to the Council online and, yes, they will get fixed! Isn't that awesome! Examples might include broken glass on the road, potholes or a section of road surface that needs repairing (other examples are supplied in a drop-down list.) This system has been tried and found to work, so go for it!

Here's the link:

http://www.timaru.govt.nz/information/efix/index.html

...or look for E-Fix on the Timaru District Council website, on the right under "Direct Links...

November 7, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE
5
Nov

author: Leon Arundell
Executive Officer Pedal Power ACT Inc.

Covers:
health benefits, weight loss, fit
reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes mental illness etc

lower exposure to exhaust emissions

Cyclists live longer
3 hours cycling to work per week
decreased risk of mortality by 39%
Older people benefit more

economic benefits, global warming and much more

well referenced

 23 October 2008, ACT Public Health Forum, Australia

November 5, 2008 Patrick READ MORE
4
Nov

Chair: Graeme

Notetaker: Stuart

Present: Alan, Joanne, Graeme, Stuart

1. Reviewed activities and unfinished business for 2008 so Graeme can update website and report to CAN.  Marion Webby never replied to Joanne's email and Joanne agreed to re-contact her.

¨    Patrick Morgan, the CAN coordinator, will attend our Nov. meeting.

¨    Graeme will attend the Fundamentals of Planning and Design workshop on Nov 6th.

¨    Graeme reported on the 4...

November 4, 2008 Graeme READ MORE