Bikes plus trains can compete with driving, say cycling advocates
This is the perfect time for the Government to invest in passenger rail, say cycling advocates.
Cycling Action Network (CAN) spokesman Patrick Morgan says the combination of trains plus bikes can deliver point to point convenience, affordability and speed that competes with road.
Mr Morgan is presenting to the Inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail at Parliament this morning at 10:50am. Livestream here (https://www.facebook.com/TISCNZ/ ).
He says New Zealanders deserve more travel choices, rather than being forced to drive or fly.
“To meet our climate commitments the Government must invest in low carbon alternatives.”
"With high fuel prices here to stay, our Government needs to ensure cycling and passenger rail are viable choices."
“Passenger trains must have storage capacity for bicycles. This makes the bike plus train combination convenient and easy for door-to-door trips.”
He says steel is real.
“It's simple physics. Nothing can compete with the efficiency of steel wheels on rail. That's why the Government must restore passenger rail.”
He says investing in passenger rail makes sense, which ever way you look at it.
“If you care about value for money, invest in passenger rail. If you care about regional development, equity, and social justice, invest in passenger rail. If you care about decarbonising travel, invest in passenger rail.”