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Cyclists have welcomed some aspects of the Government's Road Safety Policy Statement released today but called for stronger action to make New Zealand's roads safer.

Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) chairperson Robert Ibell said "We're pleased to see a strong focus on education, including changes to driver training, and a continued emphasis on speed reduction. However, the Government has backed away from important safety measures like banning cellphone use while driving, lowering the blood alcohol limit, and reducing motor vehicle numbers."

"Cyclists are particularly...

Finalists in the SPARC Cycle-Friendly Awards 2006 have been announced today. The thirty-one nominations include a nationwide mayoral challenge event, a shared cycle/pedestrian path in Palmerston North, a workplace mileage policy that includes walking and cycling, a staff fitness programme in Mt Maunganui, and free adult cycle skills courses in Tasman and Nelson. Now in their fourth year, the Cycle-Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. The...

National cycling lobby group Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) strongly supports the call of Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven for a review of the driving age. CAN chairperson Robert Ibell says: "All the carnage around young drivers in high performance cars is only one of the reasons we need to change the driving culture in New Zealand. The justifcation given for NZ having one of the youngest driving age in the world, that our rural teenagers would be stranded with an older driving age, doesn't stack up." According to the Ministry of the Environment, New Zealand has one of the more...

New Zealand’s motoring and cycling organisations have joined forces to
urge young cyclists to brighten up and to urge motorists to make space for cyclists.

"With the return of students to schools and universities, plus the onset
of winter, cyclists should brighten up for morning, afternoon, evening, and
bad weather riding. High-visibility riding gear and brighter lights are cheap
and popular, and every cyclist should use them," says Cycling Advocates'
Network (CAN) spokesperson Stephen McKernon.

Mike Noon, the AA’s General Manager...

Recent media headlines suggest one in three cyclists had accidents last year. This is misleading, as about 1 in one thousand cyclists is seriously injured or killed per year, and cycling’s overall safety is comparable to other modes of transport.

The Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) is saddened by the death of Christchurch City Councillor and former paralympian Graham Condon in a cycling accident in suburban Christchurch last Saturday. The driver of the car striking Councillor Condon was 15 years old and appears to have lost control of her car.

With daylight saving heralding changes in riding conditions, cyclists are being
urged to light up and brighten up. Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) spokesman
Stephen McKernon says, “Cyclists should light up for morning, evening,
and bad weather riding. Most of the 12 cycling fatalities that occurred in 2005
happened at night. Cycling fatalities have declined over recent years, at the
same time as high-visibility riding gear and brighter lights have become more
popular.”

CAN strongly recommends high-visibility reflective gear such as...

14 August 2008 - "Bobbies on Bikes" is a new initiative to promote cycle safety and use of alternative means of transport. This is a joint project with Nelson City Council and local Police utilizing funding from the NZ Transport Agency. Four bikes have been purchased and training has been provided for police staff.

Road Safety Co-ordinator Margaret Parfitt says, "Nelson City has a high number of cyclists and a roading and cycle network designed for growing numbers of commuter and recreational cyclists. However in Nelson and Tasman cyclists have traditionally been over represented in...

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