Cyclists today expressed outrage about a Land Transport Safety Authority rule change that allows visibility from car side windows to be reduced by half. �This rule change will lead to increased injury and death among cyclists because car drivers will be less able to see them�, said Dave Kelly, spokesperson for national cycling group the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN).
Cyclists believe the rule change has serious implications for their safety. CAN�s concerns...
The high number of cyclists killed on New Zealand�s roads this year is not a �statistical blip�, says national cycling organisation Cycling Advocates Network (CAN). CAN wants to see some action, not just concern, from the Land Transport Safety Authority over the cyclist deaths.
Sixteen cyclists have been killed so far this year, compared to three at the comparable time last year.
CAN Secretary, Robert Ibell, said that based on an average of 12.8 cyclist fatalities a year between 1995 and 1999, the chance of randomly getting 16 or more cyclists fatalities in half a year is...
The national organisation for bicycle tourists and commuters, the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), today lent its support to Nelson MP Nick Smith's call for a mountain-bike track through the Kahurangi National Park.
CAN spokesperson Robert Ibell said Dr Smith's proposed $3 million mountain-bike track linking Karamea and Collingwood would tap into a fast growing interest in cycle touring in New Zealand. "A dedicated mountain-bike trail through the Kahurangi National Park would give cyclists access to an area of great natural beauty, with far less environmental impact than a road. A...
The national organisation for bicycle tourists and commuters, the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), today lent its support to Nelson MP Nick Smith's call for a mountain-bike track through the Kahurangi National Park.
CAN spokesperson Robert Ibell said Dr Smith's proposed $3 million mountain-bike track linking Karamea and Collingwood would tap into a fast growing interest in cycle touring in New Zealand. "A dedicated mountain-bike trail through the Kahurangi National Park would give cyclists access to an area of great natural beauty, with far less environmental impact than a road. A...
Mad about cars, or just mad about cars? Need a good reason to leave the car at home? This Thursday you'll have two.
The rising cost of petrol make alternatives to your car look more attractive. Not only that, Thursday is Car Free Day, an event being celebrated worldwide.
In NZ, if you're getting on your bike that day you might be the lucky recipient of an apple.
Members of the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) will be joining others in encouraging people to try a new way of getting to work or school. In many centres cycle commuters will be rewarded for their transport...
The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) said it was delighted with this evening's announcement by Mark Gosche, Minister of Transport, that the Government is to develop a national cycling strategy, something which CAN has been pushing for over the last few years.
CAN chairperson Jane Dawson said that a national cycling strategy should be a guiding document for national and local government, setting priorities for further work. "Government policy-making has traditionally been chopped up into discrete areas such as transport, health, and recreation. It has been very difficult for the...
"Cyclists are good for the NZ economy. We should value their contribution to society instead of discouraging them", says the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) chairperson, Jane Dawson. "Increasing the number of journeys done by bike should be one of the Government's priorities. It would have benefits for the health budget, overseas debt, rates, and the cost of providing goods and services."
CAN, which is the national body for commuting, touring and family cyclists, is pleased that many government agencies have got behind Bike To Work Day this year. CAN hopes that the Minister of...
A cycle touring track linking the West Coast and Golden Bay will bring economic benefits to the region, says the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN).
CAN, the national organisation for cycle tourists and commuters, says that a bike track through the Kahurangi National Park would avoid the damaging environmental impacts of a road.
"We agree with the Prime Minister that a road between Karamea and Collingwood would do little for eco-tourism", said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson. "But a track for cycle tourists would not affect the wilderness experience of other Park users, and would...
The Ministry of Health should spend some of its proposed financial support for low income people on supplying them with bicycles, national cycling group, the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), said today.
"Anyone who cycles regularly gets real health benefits", said CAN campaigns secretary, Robert Ibell. "Regular cyclists enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to people ten years younger. And the health benefits gained from regular cycling far outweigh the risks from crashes".
Bicycles also give people access to independent mobility at low cost, says CAN.� They're cheap to buy,...
New government policies and more resources are needed to give New Zealanders a better choice of transport options, according to the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN).
CAN is using National Bike Wise Week as an opportunity to call on national and local government to adopt policies that give people the freedom to get around by bicycle. CAN wants to see a national network of cycle routes developed, suitable for commuting, recreation and tourism.
Cycling could account for 10-15 per cent of all trips made in New Zealand, CAN says. Currently only two per cent of journeys are made by...
Toast for NZ's most efficient vehicle
New Zealand's most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle will be toasted outside Parliament Buildings on Wednesday. And no, it won't have taken part in the EnergyWise Rally.
Cyclists will assemble to celebrate the benefits of the bicycle, having been denied the opportunity to compete in the four day rally.
Wellington cyclist Patrick Morgan, a member of the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), tried to enter the rally and found that the rules excluded bicycles.
"Cyclists are powered by toast and emit virtually no...
Transfund's proposed funding for cycling and walking projects over the next decade was described as inadequate by national cycling organisation the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN).
"With promoting walking and cycling as one of the new priorities for the National Land Transport Fund, we would have expected to see a sizeable boost in funding for walking and cycling projects", said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson.
"Instead the newly issued National Land Transport Fund suggests only $3 million a year will be spent in each of the next ten years. While overall spending on land...
The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) welcomes the New Zealand Transport Strategy and is pleased to see the emphasis on integrating the different transport modes.
"Cycling has been left off the map for too long," said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson. "It is great to finally see an official document which recognises that motor vehicles are not the only users of roading space."
"It is also pleasing to see a recognition that promoting cycling can improve safety for everyone and improve the health of the nation, and that cycle tourism has a role in regional development."
The...
National organisation the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) welcomed today's launch of the Green Light campaign in support of the Land Transport Management Bill.
CAN has joined forces with other organisations to ensure that the Bill is passed.
"The Green Light campaign is about having a transport system that takes account of the needs of all users," said CAN chairperson, Jane Dawson.
"CAN supports the Government's moves to integrate transport planning with environmental, health, economic, social, safety and other concerns," said Ms Dawson.
"Cycling has a lot to...
Paul Doherty has been appointed Executive Director of Cycling Support N.Z. Inc.
He will take up the position on 22 April 2002.
Mr Doherty is 37 and graduated from the University of Auckland with a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering. His professional experience has been in the design and construction of highways both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom where he lived and worked for six years.
Mr Doherty says that his background in highways will stand him in good stead for his role as New Zealand's first full-time cycling advocate. In fact it was his...
The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) today denounced reported criticism of
anti-helmet-law campaigners, urging their opponents to "play the ball and
not the person".
It was reported yesterday that safety campaigners and transport officials
had described as the "the lunatic fringe" a new group, Cycle HELTH (Helmet
Law Truth and Honesty), campaigning for a repeal of the mandatory bicycle
helmet law.
CAN spokeperson Glen Koorey said that they had been calling for an
objective review of the law for a number of years. To date, the Land Transport...
The Government's draft transport strategy is welcome because it is looking at a transport system where people have real choices about how they move around, said the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) today.
"The strategy starts to redress the imbalance in funding that has seen people encouraged to drive and created conditions where biking, walking or taking public transport is too unattractive" said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson.
Allowing the current growth in motor vehicle travel is economically and environmentally unsustainable. It also creates huge costs in the health system,...
CAN, the national Cycling Advocates Network, has welcomed Air New Zealand's recent move to reduce the costs of carrying bicycles for domestic travellers. The previous Express Class charge of $50 (one-way) to transport items like bikes and surfboards has been reduced to $20.
CAN spokesperson Robert Ibell said that the previous charge appeared to be quite arbitrary compared with the true cost of transporting these items, and CAN (amongst others) had called for a review.
"We'd like to acknowledge all of the cyclists out there who took the time to voice their concerns to Air NZ...
The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), the national group representing cyclists as road users, today welcomed the Government's road safety package. CAN Campaigns Secretary Robert Ibell stated that "The proposals are a significant improvement over the status quo, and we offer our qualified support. We're disappointed, however, that the Government has not committed itself to working towards a vision of zero fatalities."
"Given that around 20% of trips are undertaken on foot and by bike, we appreciate the increased focus on the safety of these modes", Mr Ibell said. "The commitment to...
CAN, the national Cycling Advocates' Network, has strongly criticised motoring lobbyists and business interests who are campaigning against road funding for cycling despite indications that motorists are happy to pay for cycle facilities.
A recent Automobile Association (AA) survey of its members, reported in the AA's policy newsletter "Advocate", found 71% support by members (including 23% "strong support") for using road taxes and charges to build cycle paths.
"It seems particularly strange that the AA would go against survey findings from its own members." said CAN...