e.CAN 182 - The email bulletin of Cycling Advocates' Network, NZ

e.CAN 182 - The email bulletin of Cycling Advocates' Network, NZ

e.CAN

Contents:

Safer Journeys welcomed by cyclists

3 March 2010- The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) and BikeNZ welcome the commitment by the government to improve the safety of cyclists on our roads with the announcement of 'Safer Journeys', New Zealand's 10-year road safety strategy.

"Safer speeds, safer roads, action on raising driving standards and educating school children will benefit the more than 1.2 million New Zealanders who ride bikes", says Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) Chair, Bevan Woodward.

However, Mr Woodward warns "New Zealand has a long way to go. Currently, the roading environment restricts people's right to cycle safely."

BikeNZ and their cycling community RideStrong agree.

"Road safety has united the New Zealand cycling community through RideStrong's 16,000 members. Through RideStrong, over 15,000 signatures were collected in support of the 1.5m to survive petition- a call for improved road safety for cyclists," says BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner.

Cyclists have demonstrated a commitment to shape road safety policy and actions themselves. Cyclists are invited to submit their ongoing comments and ideas through the RideStrong website or through CAN.

"Today's announcement opens the door for a united cycling community to work in partnership with policy makers to turn the road safety strategy into meaningful actions", says Mr Turner.

"It's great to see cycling included in further road safety action areas, but we believe that in partnership we can make this a 'First Actions' priority for the government strategy.

"The cycling community is ready right now to start rolling out nationwide cycling skills programmes based on government backing. A focus on education is the key for us and something we are already investing in with RideStrong's 'Rotorua in Gear' programme.

"We would welcome the alignment of government spending in this area with the programs we already have in place."

"New Zealand's road death rate is double that of the UK. It is not acceptable that cyclists and pedestrians account for 30% of deaths in urban areas. We need to take bold action to improve the situation," says CAN chair Bevan Woodward.

"Reducing speed limits and providing safer conditions for cyclists and motorists alike."

BikeNZ and CAN will be meeting with a cross-party cycling group within parliament in March to discuss creating safer cycling conditions. BikeNZ and CAN are looking forward to working closer with government to deliver on 'Safer Journeys'.

'Safer Journeys' can be downloaded here:

http://www.transport.govt.nz/saferjourneys/

Thirteen new cycle trails considered

11 February 2010- Thirteen cycle trails nationwide are a step closer to becoming part of the national cycleway.

New Zealand cycle trail programme manager John Dunn said the 13 had been selected from 54 to proceed to feasibility study stage.

All applications were outstanding but, with only $50 million to work with, only those that were "simply superior in every way" had been selected for the next stage," Mr Dunn said.

"These applications promise trails of stunning beauty and, along with the previously announced Quick Start projects, will provide a network of about 2000km of iconic great rides," he said.

They are: Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle Trail (Tauranga); Old Motu Coach Road (Opotiki Gisborne); Thermal by Bike (Rotorua); Lake Track (Taupo); Mountains to Sea Cycleway - link (Ruapehu); Heretaunga Ararua: Land of a Hundred Pathways (Hawke's Bay); Dun Mountain and Tasman Cycle Loop (Nelson Tasman); Old Ghost Road (West Coast); Westland Wilderness Trail (Greymouth); Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail (Mt Cook); The Wakatipu Trail (Queenstown); Roxburgh Gorge Trail (Central Otago); Clutha Gold Trail (Otago).

[NZ Herald, http://www.nzherald.co.nz]

Millions saved if more people cycle

18 February 2010- Researchers say New Zealand could save $200 million per year in health costs if more people left the car at home and cycled instead.

The Centre for Sustainable Cities says it would take only 5% of car trips being replaced by bike rides to make the savings.

Manager Jan Logie says the extra exercise would also save the lives of more than a hundred people each year.

She says a 5% change is not radical, as it is just getting back to the number of cyclists in the 1980s.

Cycling advocates welcome the research. "Investing in cycling is a win-win-win decision" says Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) Chair, Bevan Woodward.

"We all win when there are more people cycling. Our roads are less congested, people get fitter, the air is cleaner and the taxpayer saves on health costs."

Cycling is a great way to get around, and an activity enjoyed by more than a million New Zealanders says Mr Woodward.

Centre for Sustainable Cities: http://sustainablecities.org.nz/

Fashion on wheels for Nelson Go By Bike Day

17 February 2010- Proving that cycling can be a fashionable exercise, a group of Nelson women dressed up for Go by Bike Day in their finest frocks.

In a bid to encourage those put off by the idea of cycling to work wearing figure-hugging lycra and sensible shoes, deputy mayor Rachel Reese joined her flock of followers in demonstrating that style and sustainability can go hand in hand on national Go by Bike Day today.

The group, which also included several men demonstrating the suitability of cycling wearing a shirt and tie, had borrowed bikes with enclosed hubs, mudguards and allowing an upright riding position from the Gentle Cycling Company for the event.

Read more here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3340277/Cyclists-demonstrate-fas...

Gift coaxes schoolkids back to bikes

19 February 2010- A Hastings man has given 62 new bicycles to a local school to get children back on bikes.

Paul McArdle has also given St Mary's Primary School 225 helmets, four bike tracks, a bike shed and an elite cyclist to coach the youngsters.

It is a package worth about $75,000, mostly from his own pocket.

Today at St Mary's, Prime Minister John Key will introduce Mr McArdle's Bikes in the School initiative, which aims to give every primary school pupil access to a bicycle and track.

St Mary's principal Liz Crowley said the scheme had been going for three weeks at her school and was a roaring success.

Read more here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3347016/Gift-coaxes-school...

And see photos of the PM on his bike at the launch of the programme here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nznationalparty/sets/72157623352876207/

Fittest children cycle to school, says new research

27 January 2010- Children who cycle to school are more physically active and fit than those who use other modes of transport, according to new research from the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

The findings are based a study of 6,000 children, ages 10 to 16, from the eastern region of England. The children's cardiorespiratory fitness and travel habits were assessed during 2007 and 2008.

Students from 23 schools completed a school-travel questionnaire and completed a 20-meter shuttle-run test (a speed and agility exercise) to assess their fitness levels. Researchers found boys who walked to school were 20 percent more likely to be fit compared with those using motorized transport such as bus and automobiles, and girls who walked were 30 percent more likely to be fit.

Read more here:

http://www.acsm.org/AM/TemplateRedirect.cfm?template=/CM/ContentDisplay....

Road transportation emerges as key driver of warming

18 February 2010- A new study from NASA indicates that motor vehicles are the greatest contributor to atmospheric warming, now and in the near term. Cars, buses, and trucks release pollutants and greenhouse gases that promote warming, while emitting few aerosols that counteract it.

The new analysis offers policy makers and the public a far more detailed and comprehensive understanding of how to mitigate climate change most effectively, says the project's leader, Nadine Unger. "Targeting on-road transportation is a win-win-win," she said. "It's good for the climate in the short term and long term, and it's good for our health."

Read more here:

http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20100218a/

Use muscles, not a motor, urges UK Government

23 February 2010- UK Departments for Transport and Health have jointly released an Active Travel strategy. The next ten years will be the 'Decade of Cycling'.

The Government wants to see access to cycle training for every child, creating a generation of new, safe cyclists according to the Departments for Transport and Health.

This is one of the aims of the 'Active Travel Strategy', published today, which outlines plans to put walking and cycling at the heart of local transport and public health strategies over the next decade.

Read more here:

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/31810/Use-muscles-not-a-motor-urges-Government

Pedestrian and bicyclist safety and mobility in Europe

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Office of International Programs has released a report on the results of a scanning study of five European countries designed to identify and assess effective approaches to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and mobility. The scan team gathered information on strategies and approaches in the areas of engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation.

Download the report here:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Pedestrian_and_Bicyclist_Safety_and_Mobil...

Weblinks

Google goes cycling: Google is offering a cycling option for users of its map service (in some parts of the US only, so far):

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/10/google_maps_bikes/

Sydney: worst city in the developed world to cycle in?

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sydney-the-city-that-hates-bikes-20100312-q45h...

Free bikes in China: the city of Chengdu trials a free bike rental programme:

http://www.gochengdoo.com/en/blog/item/1342/chengdu_to_pilot_free_bikere...

Nubrella: a hands-free umbrella you can wear while cycling (if you don't mind looking like you've been partially devoured by a giant transparent caterpillar):

http://bikereviews.com/2010/01/nubrella-better-hands-free-umbrella-cover...

Avoiding the door zone:

http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/25/saving-life-and-limb-by-avoiding-th...

The Bank Job: a new cycle safety promotion video from Transport for London:

http://www.dothetest.co.uk/bankjob.html

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.

Sign up to CAN online via credit card at http://www.can.org.nz/join-can/. Join us!

About e.CAN

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