e.CAN 177 - The email bulletin of Cycling Advocates' Network, NZ

e.CAN

Contents:
- CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2009- get your nominations in!
- NZ Cycling Conference 2009 - register now!
- Cycling advocates support first National Cycleway projects
- New Auckland Harbour Bridge proposal gives room for cyclists
- Cell phones are out, hook turns are in
- Electronic signs add to cycle improvements on State Highway 2, Wellington
- Australian Cycling Conference - call for papers
- Germans getting on their bikes in ever greater numbers
- Twitter tackles bike thieves
- New York law says: let bikes in the lift
- New cycling laws in the US
- Bike 'convoys' into London begin
- Weblinks

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CAN CYCLE-FRIENDLY AWARDS 2009- GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN!

Nominations have just been opened for the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2009 in five categories:

1. Avanti award for best cycle facility project;

2. NZ Transport Agency award for best cycling promotion;

3. NZ Transport Agency award for cycle-friendly commitment by a business;

4. ViaStrada award for cycle-friendly commitment by a public organisation and

5. Taranaki Regional Council Award for cycling champion of the year

Kiwis are being asked to put forward their favourite cycling projects or cycling champions for the Awards. Projects need to have been undertaken or completed between January 2008 and June 2009.

Awards will be presented at the NZ Cycling Conference 2009, on Thursday 12th November. Winners will receive a uniquely designed "bicycle-bell" trophy, and a certificate. 'Early bird' nomination received by Friday 4th September will be entered into the draw for the nominating person to win a $150 Ground Effect gift voucher.

Nominations are due by Friday 18th September.

For further information, visit the CAN web site http://www.can.org.nz/awards to download entry forms. Complete and email to: awards@can.org.nz or post to: CAN CFA09, P.O. Box 6491, Auckland.

Contact Cycle-Friendly Awards Co-ordinator, Gaz Sanvicens, 021-023 1 5758, awards@can.org.nz

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NZ CYCLING CONFERENCE 2009 - REGISTER NOW!

The 7th NZ Cycling Conference is coming to New Plymouth on November 12-13 this year. A packed programme of speakers from New Zealand and overseas has been arranged for this biennial event. And for cycling advocates, the annual "CAN Do" workshop follows immediately after on the weekend of 14-15 November.

The conference website is just being updated with more about this must-do event, including draft programme and registration info. So go to http://www.can.org.nz/conference/2009 for all the details. See you there!

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CYCLING ADVOCATES SUPPORT FIRST NATIONAL CYCLEWAY PROJECTS

28 July 2009- The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) supports the first National Cycleway projects announced yesterday by Prime Minister, John Key.

Seven projects have been recommended for starting this spring. They are: Waikato River Trail, Central North Island Rail Trail, Mount Ruapehu to Wanganui, St James Trail, Hokianga to Opua/Russell, Hauraki Plains Trail and Southland Around the Mountain Rail Trail.

CAN also notes the transport Government Policy Statement includes funding for other cycling and walking projects under the allocation for demand management and community programmes ($145 million over three years), and through provision for cycling within ad hoc roading projects.

CAN spokesperson Stephen McKernon says, "A well-developed cycling network is more important than ever before. It is good to see the network recognised as nationally important, and we look forward to a range of other projects to build its benefits for local communities".

Read more on the cycleway announcement here:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10586860

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NEW AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE PROPOSAL GIVES ROOM FOR CYCLISTS

20 August 2009- Auckland's harbour bridge clip-ons could be candidates for "orthopaedic surgery" which would enable walking and cycling paths to be added and could improve their longevity.

The Transport Agency has been given a proposal by engineering consultants working with the Getacross campaign to find ways of adding walking and cycling links without shortening the life of the 40-year-old clip-ons.

The proposal from the award-winning Holmes Consulting Group - for two "orthopaedic diaphragm" beams to be slung under the main arch section of the bridge to support the clip-ons running along both sides of the structure - is being examined by the agency's bridge engineering specialists in New Zealand and Britain.

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CELL PHONES ARE OUT, HOOK TURNS ARE IN

19 August 2009- Banning hand-held phone calls while driving and requiring motorcyclists to ride with lights on at all times are just two of a raft of road-user rule changes.

Cyclists will be able to make "hook turns" at four-way intersections, meaning they will be able to accomplish a right-turn in two manoeuvres, starting by veering left into a side street.

They must then wait at the head of the side street for a green light before riding straight across an intersection.

The Transport Agency says the double manoeuvre may often prove safer for cyclists than expecting them to move from the extreme left of an approach road to the centre line, across two or more lanes of traffic, before turning right.

and here:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/rules/q-and-a/road-user-amendment-rule-2009.html

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ELECTRONIC SIGNS ADD TO CYCLE IMPROVEMENTS ON STATE HIGHWAY 2, WELLINGTON

14 July 2009- Many things need space to thrive, and the city's cyclists are no exception.

Yesterday the NZ Transport Agency turned on electronic signs for cyclists at designated crossing points at the Ngauranga intersection of SH2 and Hutt Road, and at the Petone off-ramp.

The signs, featuring the symbol of a cyclist, will be activated when a cyclist rides over a sensor in the road. The sensors' locations on the highway will be marked by six white diamonds and a small bike. The signs will warn other road users there is a cyclist about to cross their path or merge with them.

The electronic signs will stay on for 30 seconds. An orange light at the rear of the sign will reassure the cyclist that the light is on for other road users to see. Hold rails have also been provided at crucial intersections should a cyclist feel unsure about crossing within 30 seconds. The hold rails will have push buttons that the cyclist can use to activate the sign once they wish to continue on their way.

The initiative, which follows on from the installation of green surface markings on State Highway 2 between Ngauranga and Petone, is designed to raise awareness about cyclists in the minds of other road users, and for the need to share the space. Cyclists also need to remain vigilant and ride with extra care in these locations. The strips of green surfacing identify places where motorists may expect cyclists to cross their path. The evidence so far is that the road markings make road users more aware of cyclists and provides them the space they require.

Wellington Highways Manager Rob Whight says the green strips have received terrific feedback from cyclists.

What we want to do is provide space on the highway for both cyclists and other road users. The message here is about sharing the space safely and for all road users to pay attention to each other.

The initiative is intended to make road users and cyclists aware of each other and the need to respect each other's right to be safe on the road.

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AUSTRALIAN CYCLING CONFERENCE - CALL FOR PAPERS

The call for papers has opened for the next Australian Cycling Conference, which will be held on 18-19 January 2010.

This conference provides an opportunity for professionals involved in cycling research, policy development, planning and project implementation to present research and findings, learn about the latest events in their field, and network with peers. An Adelaide venue will showcase the Tour Down Under experience, as well as Adelaide's public bike scheme and city cycling network.

Abstracts, registration and sponsorship enquiries should be directed to the conference Convenor, Dr Stuart Clement, at conference@hubtt.com.au.

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GERMANS GETTING ON THEIR BIKES IN EVER GREATER NUMBERS

8 August 2009- Britain is not the only country rediscovering its love for cycling- there has been a dramatic growth in pedal power in Germany too. According to the latest figures, Germany's four million cyclists accounted for nine per cent of all journeys made in in the country and those numbers are predicted to rise dramatically in the coming years.

The ADFC, Germany's cycling association, has praised the growing number of cycle commuters in Germany and expects cyclist numbers to reach 11 million over the course of the next decade.

According to figures released by Germany's Transport Ministry, the nation's four million bike commuters represent a doubling of the total ten years ago.

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TWITTER TACKLES BIKE THIEVES

29 July 2009- Cyclists in Boston have a new weapon in their arsenal against bike thieves - Twitter.

The Stolen Bike Alert programme, run by City of Boston department Boston Bikes, sends an alert to police, local bike shops, hospitals, schools and subscribers when a stolen bike is reported. The alerts are sent via Twitter, Facebook or email, instantly raising awareness of the stolen bike.

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NEW YORK LAW SAYS: LET BIKES IN THE LIFT

29 July 2009- A new law passed in New York City requires buildings with freight elevators to allow employees to bring their bikes upstairs. "It shall be assumed that if a freight elevator is available for carrying freight, it is available for carrying bicycles," the law reads.

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NEW CYCLING LAWS IN THE US

4 August 2009- As the number of bike commuters in the United States gradually increases, states are passing new laws designed to encourage cycling and protect cyclist safety, reports Trevor Hughes at USA Today.

But be thankful for small favors: In Colorado, a new law makes it illegal to throw objects at cyclists. Previously it had only been illegal to hit a cyclist with a beer bottle or other missile.

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BIKE 'CONVOYS' INTO LONDON BEGIN

14 August 2009- A series of "bicycle convoys" from the suburbs into central London have begun to tempt new cyclists into the saddle.

Under the BikeTube project, experienced riders will lead six convoys of beginners from outer to inner London.

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WEBLINKS

- The economic benefits of bicycle infrastructure investments: a report from the League of American Bicyclists:

http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/reports/report_economics.php

- Around the world by bike: tidbits of bike culture from around the planet:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/jul/26/cycling-around-the-world-dali-nazis

- World's longest bike commuter tunnel: just opened, this 850 m tunnel in San Sebastian:

http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/08/worlds-longest-bicycle-tunnel-opens.html

- Pedal-powered mobiles: two Kenyan students' device for charging your mobile as you ride:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8166196.stm

- Bike bell ringtone:

http://www.4shared.com/file/116992837/57a8ed1d/Bike_Jax_BikeBell_Ringtone_2.html

- Performance: the cycling rap from MC SpandX:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn29DvMITu4

- The intelligent bicycle of the future:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/6010317/Intelligent-bicycle-of-the-future-unveiled.html

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ABOUT CAN

Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) is New Zealand's voice for cyclists. We want to see cycling become an everyday activity in NZ. CAN's membership includes experienced cyclists, advocates, engineers, planners, local and regional councils, bike shops, and local advocacy groups throughout the country.

To find out more about CAN, go to our website, http://www.can.org.nz.

ABOUT e.CAN

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