CAN's Share the Road Campaign is about raising awareness and empathy between cyclists and the drivers of large trucks and buses. Keeping up with international best practice is important, so we know we’re offering the best possible guidance to our workshop attendees. Campaign Manager Richard spend a hectic two weeks visiting cycle safety trainers in Los Angeles and Vancouver, and then attending the International Cycling Safety Conference in Bologna. Here are some of his top lessons.Presentations by Volvo truck and car people gave accounts of amazing developments in car and truck technology...
News
12
Nov
Nov
CAN's Share the Road Campaign is about raising awareness and empathy between cyclists and the drivers of large trucks and buses. To learn more, Campaign Manager spent a day in a Southland Logging truck on the 19th Oct.
It was a large "H for High Productivity" vehicle (50 tons loaded up). The trips involved delivering a load of logs to the Port at Bluff, picking up a load from a forest to the west of Invercargill and delivering it to a saw mill in Invercargill. It was an eye-opening day.
Drivers face the relentless pressure of ensuring the safety of other road users in a...
10
Nov
Nov
Have you signed up for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge yet? Join organisations including Westpac NZ, Ministry of Justice, Fonterra, Xero and Sky City Auckland and help your team discover how easy and enjoyable riding a bike can be.
The challenge is all about participation – who can ride a bike for just 10 minutes or more. Organisations and teams across the country will compete against each other to see who can get the most team members to ride a bike during the Challenge (1-28 Feb).
Sign up and invite your colleagues to join you now at http://www.aotearoa.bike/
- Note the...
7
Nov
Nov
Christchurch City Council is rolling forward with its ambitious network of good-quality cycle routes known as the Major Cycleways. Routes primarily serve commuting trips into & out of the CBD. But progress hasn't always been easy...
There is some resistance to change and the usual difficulties with providing parking for cars where residents have become used to roadside parking. Advocates at Spokes Canterbury are appealing for our help in supporting such schemes as the Quarryman's Trail, now open for consultation here, and the 'mysocialpinpoint' tool...
12
Oct
Oct
Safer trucks and better intersection designs are needed to reduce risk, say cycling advocates.
Following the sentencing of truck driver David Peter Connell who killed two cyclists, the Cycling Action Network has called on the Government to take action on safer trucks.
"The Cycling Safety Panel called for safer trucks in its 2014 report, but we have yet to see the Government take effective action," said CAN spokesman Patrick Morgan.
"Why does New Zealand have such low standards for safety features such as mirrors, proximity sensors and blind spot cameras? Why are...
26
Sep
Sep
Cyclists urged to light up on dim mornings
Early morning cyclists need to make sure they are well lit, say cycling advocates.
"The start of daylight saving means more people on bikes, but some may be caught out by morning twilight," said Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan.
"Lights, reflectors and high-visibility riding gear make you easier to see," said Mr Morgan.
With popular events such as the Taupo Cycle Challenge just two months away, many people...
22
Sep
Sep
Brake, the road safety charity, is encouraging all drivers to leave their cars at home and use alternative forms of transport on World Car Free Day.
Every year on 22 September, people from around the world choose to walk, cycle and use public transport for their journeys to show that there is a cleaner, greener alternative to getting into the car for every trip. 76% of trips less than 5km long are made by car, many of which could be made by foot, bike or public transport.
Air pollution is a threat to health, with around 300 premature deaths each year attributed to it...
21
Sep
Sep
Share the road Blind Zone Workshops
People who cycle and people who drive trucks get to know one another: It is only when the drivers go for a ride, and when the cyclists jump up into the cab of a truck that they can understand each others position. Share the Road blind zone workshops show cyclists what it's like to be in the truck driver's seat.
We can tailor make a workshop format to suit your conference or seminar. These could include getting participants out on bikes, or may just involve exercises around a...
19
Sep
Sep
There's a lot of interest in e-bikes. Keen to find out more?
For starters, try the guides from Wellington's Bicycle Junction
Consumer has an e-bike report behind their paywall, or check your local library. Or sign up to Consumer.
Simon Morton from RNZ looked into e-bikes in 2014
In Auckland, Mercury is offering deals and free have a go days
In Wellington you can try one out at Switched On Bikes at Queens Wharf.
19
Sep
Sep
Cycling advocates say safe cycling routes are needed to head off the obesity epidemic.
New research from Auckland University researchers shows that three quarters of obese children are at greater risk of long-term heart disease.
CAN spokesman Patrick Morgan says that telling people what to eat or to exercise more won't solve the problem.
"Education alone can not work. We also need to redesign our physical environment to make physical activity easy."
He says the Government's $350 million investment in the Urban Cycleways...
29
Aug
Aug
This question comes up from time to time: "Why bikes don't have wing mirrors fitted? Surely mirrors would warn of approaching cars?"
CAN's response
In New Zealand bicycles are required to have effective brakes, reflectors and at night, lights. Although mirrors can be useful in some situations, they are no substitute for looking over your shoulder and having a good look around. This also signals to other road users that you are planning to make a turn or change lanes. Mirrors can be useful, but the case for compulsion is weak.
This...
19
Aug
Aug
by Vanessa Davis
While these may be obvious, like stating an organisation’s mission at the beginning of a meeting, it can be a healthy reminder to stay focused on the task at hand.
1. Meet people where they are, not where you want them to be.
All people in all stages of the shift have a place in the active transport effort.
I have a friend who wore button that read, “I woke up today.” Slightly infuriating as an attitude but honestly, this is where we all start. That is all we can assume. At an instructor training for the Pedal...
31
Jul
Jul
photo: Hauraki Rail Trail, near Paeroa
CAN's significant achievements, 1997-2018Advocacy and Leadership
23
Jul
Jul
I was stunned at the high numbers of cyclists in Berlin. It’s certainly a different from the one I'm used to in New Zealand and Ireland. Here’s a typical Berlin scene- Dad and his wee daughter, negotiating a huge and very busy intersection in Neukolln. He does have an air of concentration about him, and a kids’ helmet dangling from his hand, but he seems to be happy to have her cycling independently- and she’s less than five I reckon.
Amazingly, Dad isn’t alone...
All round Berlin we saw relaxed, carefree cycling providing transport for all ages, all genders, and...
21
Jul
Jul
caption: Alastair Smith receives a Bike to the Future Award for Wellington's Ciclovia from Hon Simon Bridges
by Catherine Elliot
Lecturer and Active Living Researcher, Lincoln University
The hotel bike racks were jam-packed with bikes of every variety: cargo, commuter, touring, electric and folding. It was clear, the delegates of the 2016 2WALKandCYCLE Conference...
20
Jul
Jul
CAN is the national voice for people on bicycles in New Zealand.
We link local cycling action groups, partners and supporting organisations and people with a passion to:
Promote the benefits of cyclingImprove safetyEncourage the creation of great cycling environmentsIncrease the number of people on bikes
CAN collaborates with government, councils, businesses and individuals and we welcome your involvement. Be part of the journey with us.
Our policy statements are posted here. ...
15
Jul
Jul
Call for Vision Zero to be adopted for NZ to bring down road toll
With the number of road deaths currently increasing in New Zealand, a group of organisations has come together to call on Government and local authorities to adopt a Vision Zero approach to road safety – aiming for zero road deaths and injuries. The #VisionZeroNZ campaign was launched at the 2 Walk and Cycle conference recently held in Auckland. Vision Zero is an approach used in a growing number of countries and cities around the world and at its core is the principle that life and health can never be...
14
Jul
Jul
Benefits of investing in cycling in New Zealand communities [PDF, 1.5 MB] provides information about the key benefits of investing in cycling, for councils, communities and individuals.
The benefits include:
more liveable towns and citiesimproved conditions for travelling within towns and citiesstronger local economiesreduced costs for councilsless impact on the environment, andhealthier and more productive people.We also know that that providing cycling infrastructure responds to what a significant percentage of people say they want.
11
Jul
Jul
NZ’s best of the best cycling projects honoured
Cycling projects across New Zealand were recognised at the Bike to the Future Awards in Auckland tonight. Winners included a cycling junior football team, a power company and a rural school with a 60% commute-by-bike rate.
...
11
Jul
Jul
Auckland hosted the national 2 Walk and Cycle Conference, 6-8 July.
Six people were invited to share their thoughts at the close of the conference.
Dougal List, NZTA: tell the "why story" - why we are investing in cycling. Collaborate, benchmark against high quality projects, celebrate the wins.
Ellen Blake, Living Streets Aotearoa: advocate for walkable compact cities, for everyone from 8 to 80s. NZTA, where are the targets, and money for walking?
Jack Jiang, AECOM: Good to see...