Contents:
- The search is on for New Zealand's best cycling projects
- Lower tolerance on speeding should be permanent
- Bridge-path campaigners win developer's backing
- More cyclists on Auckland city roads
- Cycling equals big financial benefits plus fewer cars, says new study
- Investment in cycling pays back three-to-one
- Paris pushes new bicycle plan
- Weblinks
The search is on for New Zealand's best cycling projects
24 May 2010- The search for New Zealand's best bike lane, most effective promotion, and most cycle-friendly employer is on. The Cycling Advocates' Network is inviting entries for the ASB Cycle Friendly Awards 2010.
Awards Coordinator, Dirk De Lu, says he expects some tough competition. He welcomes ASB into the cycle friendly fold, as the new Awards sponsor.
ASB is pleased to be the Branding Sponsor of the Cycle Friendly Awards this year. ASB notes they are committed to identifying and encouraging a range of active and sustainable travel choices, both in the communities in which they operate and for their ASB people. The Cycle Friendly Awards align closely with these efforts and ASB's values.
Mr De Lu says, "For many organisations, the Awards are an opportunity to showcase their efforts and vision through well developed sustainable travel options for their operations and communities.
"The Bicycle Bell trophy is highly sought after and placed prominently with pride by previous winners."
This year's ASB Cycle Friendly Awards ceremony will be held, in Wellington on Friday 29 October with sponsorship from Wellington City Council.
The ceremony initiates a weekend of cycling action with the annual meeting of cycling advocates, the CAN Do, also held in Wellington.
Entries may cover an 18 month period, from January 2009 until June 2010.
Award Categories are:
- Best Cycle Facility Project
- Best Cycling Promotion Project
- Cycle Friendly Commitment by a Business
- Cycle Friendly Commitment by a Public Organisation
- Cycling Champion of the Year
The closing date for entries is Friday 3 September 2010. Entry forms are at: http://can.org.nz/asb-cycle-friendly-awards-2010.
Contact Dirk De Lu on 03 337 1790 or awards@can.org.nz.
Lower tolerance on speeding should be permanent
8 June 2010- The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) congratulates the NZ Police for their successful campaign on lower speeds.
CAN spokesperson, Anne FitzSimon, says, "Well done New Zealand, our best road safety record for a holiday weekend in one hundred years!"
"CAN urges the Police to extend its successful campaign on lower speeds permanently."
"New Zealand drivers have shown their support this weekend with their behaviour. Let's keep it up and keep road safety a priority. There's a clear trade off between speed and safety. We believe most New Zealanders support safer speeds and will support tougher speed enforcement."
"If it makes sense for one holiday weekend, it makes sense all the time."
Ms FitzSimon says, "The case for lower speeds is compelling."
"Five percent tolerance for speeding, and lowering operating speeds will improve safety for all road users - not just cyclists. It aligns New Zealand with Australia's better road safety record."
Reducing vehicle speeds has two benefits for cyclists and pedestrians.
First, people struck by motor vehicles at lower speeds will be less likely to be killed or seriously injured.
Second, the chances of them being struck is reduced as motorists have more time to avoid a crash and retain control of their vehicle.
CAN's policy on Speed Limit Tolerance can be found here: http://can.org.nz/canpolicy/speed-limit-tolerance
Bridge-path campaigners win developer's backing
1 May 2010- Campaigners for a tolled pedestrian and cycle path across Auckland Harbour Bridge have attracted a leading coastal development company to build and operate it as a joint venture.
Orewa-based Hopper Developments - with pioneering projects such as canal housing and marina schemes at Pauanui, Whitianga and Marsden Pt under its belt - has signed a heads of agreement to work with a walking and cycling charitable trust on a $16 million pathway over the bridge.
Architects and structural engineers have already produced a concept design for a shared pathway beneath the bridge's southbound clip-on, which the Getacross Campaign presented last week to the Transport Agency as custodians of Auckland's 51-year-old transport lifeline.
Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/transport/news/article.cfm?c_id=97&objectid=10642025
More cyclists on Auckland City roads
1 June 2010- Auckland is enjoying a strong cycling revival, according to a regional transport authority survey, which has recorded a 27 per cent increase in bikes on the roads in the past year.
Although that region-wide figure is exciting for cycling advocates, Auckland City reports a stronger 39 per cent increase within its boundaries.
"We had the perception [that this was happening] but now we are seeing the figures to prove it," said Cycle Action Auckland spokeswoman Barbara Cuthbert. "We are seeing a complete change now to everyday cyclists getting on to the roads."
Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cycling/news/article.cfm?c_id=31&objectid=10648813
Cycling equals big financial benefits plus fewer cars, says new study
14 May 2010- A Sydney inner city regional bicycle network would deliver at least $506 million - or $3.88 for every dollar spent - in net economic benefits over 30 years, according to a major new study.
The City of Sydney commissioned study by AECOM* found the network would reduce Sydney's traffic congestion by 4.3 million car trips a year.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP today welcomed the study, saying: "The study is the first of its kind to comprehensively capture the economic benefits of major cycling infrastructure.
"For the first time we have an evidence-based report that puts a real value on the health and lifestyle benefits of cycling. We're talking about people living longer, having less chronic diseases and having a better quality of life - just by getting on a bike."
Read more here:
Investment in cycling pays back three-to-one
28 May 2010- Investment in cycling more than pays for itself, to the tune of three-to-one, according to studies made by the UK Department for Transport.
Based on conservative assumptions, for every pound spent on cycling the Government benefits by three pounds. If the benefits are sustained over 30 years the benefit to cost ratio may be as high as five or six-to-one.
The DfT findings come from the results of the first three years of the Cycling Demonstration Towns programme. The average increase in cycling across the initial six towns was 27 per cent between 2005 and 2009.
Read more here:
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/32233/Investment-in-cycling-pays-back-three-to-one
Paris pushes new bicycle plan
26 May 2010- Paris wants to nearly double its network of bicycle paths and open up routes to the suburbs under a new plan unveiled on Wednesday by Socialist Mayor Bertrand Delanoe.
Delanoe turned the city of lights into a city that bikes when he introduced the "Velib" bicycle rental scheme in 2007, providing residents and tourists with an eco-friendly mode of transport to cut down car use.
Paris city council will soon vote on increasing the number of bicycle paths, from the current 440 kilometres (275 miles) to 700 kilometres, by 2014.
"We want bicycles to be a larger part of Paris," said Delanoe.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jxRVe7U9KIOUFoiR_FdTBThF1JNw
Weblinks
Cruise the Waterfront: Cycle Aware Wellington's cool new video shows how to cruise the Wellington waterfront without wooshing the walkers:
UoABUG: the University of Auckland Bicycle User Group's new website- check out the interesting 'research' section:
Be safe, be seen: Greater Wellington's guide to night-time visibility:
http://www.gw.govt.nz/be-safe-be-seen/
Bicycle Portraits: a photographic study of everyday South African bike commuters and their bikes:
http://www.bicycleportraits.co.za
Eco-trike: an attempt to cycle around the world on a solar-assisted trike with a bed that folds down from its own ceiling- and it looks like he's putting a wind turbine on it too:
http://theotherway.weebly.com/
Bicycle Repair Man: an oldie but a goodie from Monty Python:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxfzm9dfqBw
How efficient is a bicycle?
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/05/oh-so-efficient-bicycle.html
InfoLadies: dispensing life-saving advice to the poor in Bangladesh, with a netbook, medical supplies and a bicycle:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/professional-two-wheel-triumph
Bicycle beard: the world's first bicycle-shaped beard?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/03/25/2525378.htm
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!
We also welcome donations to support our work. You can donate online at: http://can.org.nz/donate
About e.CAN
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To check back issues of e.CAN, go to http://www.can.org.nz/ecan .
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