Contents:
- Cyclists call for action after black weekend
- Re-test drivers every 10 years, say cycling advocates
- Schools and children are the winners at ASB Cycle Friendly Awards
- Cyclists welcome lighting changes
- Changes to CAN member subscription rates
- Wellington mayor says: I'd rather bike or bus
- Fix my street!
- Big benefits from integrating bikes and public transport, study finds
- It's official: lycra is a turn-off
- Cycling surges in the land of the automobile
- Cycling helps prevent the common cold
- Weblinks
Cyclists call for action after black weekend
14 November 2010- The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) has called for urgent action following the deaths of three cyclists this weekend.
CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan says news of the deaths has highlighted the need for New Zealand's roads to be made safer for people cycling and those wanting to take it up.
"There are Government strategies and programmes to promote cycling and cycle safety, but we haven't seen enough changes on the street yet."
"Urgent action is needed. This will require a lot more resources and leadership to make changes."
In 2008 CAN presented a 3,500-signature petition and 9-point plan to the Government calling for action on improving safety for people on bikes.
"Cycling is a healthy sport and a convenient way to get from A to B, but these crashes highlight that
we're not doing nearly enough to make our roads, drivers and vehicles safer," says Mr Morgan.
"We renew our call for national and local government do the following things in the next two years:"
- Run a national Share the Road promotional campaign telling motorists and cyclists how to co-exist safely on the roads.
- Change transport planning and funding processes to make sure key problem areas or gaps for cyclists (e.g. Auckland Harbour Bridge, Petone to Wellington cycleway) get fixed - no more delays or buck-passing between various organisations.
- Spend less on road building and more on encouraging alternatives to driving. More motor vehicles on our roads only make things less safe and attractive for cycling.
- Promote the use of lower speed zones, particularly 30km/h in residential and shopping streets.
- Change the tolerance for motor vehicle speed limit enforcement from 10km/h to a maximum of ten per cent of the posted speed limit.
- Increase the cycling budget in the National Land Transport Programme by a factor of five.
- Change funding and audit processes to make sure that all roading projects improve the environment for cycling.
- Change the driver licensing system and driver instruction so motorists are educated about how to take care around cyclists.
- Fund and promote nationwide roll-out of cycle skills training for children and adults.
Mr Morgan says the Government and many local authorities have cycling strategies and programmes, but actual changes are taking far too long to put in place.
These require much greater resources and the will to act on existing commitments.
The Ministry of Transport's Household Travel Survey 2003 - 2006 shows there are about 1.3 million cyclists in New Zealand (about 30% of the population) making it one of the country's most popular sporting and leisure pursuits.
See also these articles:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4347714/Action-urged-after-three-cyclists-die
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688459
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4347714/Action-urged-after-three-cyclists-die
What can you do?
http://can.org.nz/article/take-action-to-make-our-roads-safer
Please give us a chance:
http://can.org.nz/please-give-us-a-chance
Re-test drivers every 10 years, say cycling advocates
17 November 2010- CAN spokesman Patrick Morgan says it's blindingly obvious that we aren't doing enough to make our roads safe.
"It's time we all took more responsibility for road safety."
His comments follow news of a fatal crash on Tamaki Drive today.
"While there's no silver bullet that will eliminate all crashes, we need to take a fresh look at licensing and testing the competence of drivers."
Mr Morgan said feel-good campaigns such as 'Share the Road' aren't effective unless combined with higher driving and cycling standards.
"We get our eyes tested when we renew our driver's licence, so why not a theory and practical test to make sure drivers are up to date with changes to the road code?"
"Drivers have a duty of care to other road users, so we believe it's fair to check driving skills every 10 years."
Mr Morgan said it was important to keep the problem in perspective, and that cycling is much safer than many believe.
"Every road death is distressing news, but let's remember that more than a million people ride bikes in New Zealand, and that deaths are rare."
He said cycling is a healthy activity and convenient way to get around, and gets safer as more people ride.
"There's a safety in numbers effect that reduces the risk, as people get more accustomed to seeing people biking."
Schools and children are the winners at ASB Cycle Friendly Awards
29 October 2010- Getting more children biking regularly is the goal of New Zealand's top cycling projects this year.
"We are delighted to reward projects that are getting children on their bikes", said Awards Coordinator Dirk De Lu.
"Having fun on a bike should be part of every Kiwi child's life. These projects empower our children to stay in shape, gain confidence, build independence, and best of all, to enjoy the freedom of cycling."
We all win when more people bike, said Mr De Lu.
"Skilled cyclists make safer drivers, reduce traffic congestion, and lower our health and roading bills."
Other winners focus on promoting stylish dress and comfortable, upright bikes.
For more information and the full list of winners, see:
http://can.org.nz/media/2010/schools-and-children-are-the-winners-at-asb-cycle-friendly-awards
Cyclists welcome lighting changes
12 October 2010- Cyclists are welcoming a move to allow bikes to be fitted with stop lights and indicators, but are warning they will be no substitute for safe riding habits.
Stop and indicator lights are currently prohibited on bicycles, but would be allowed under proposed changes to vehicle lighting rules. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the current ban was out of step with international practice and recent advances in lighting technology for bicycles.
The lights would increase the visibility and safety of cyclists, particularly in darkness or low visibility. They would not be compulsory and cyclists could still indicate their intentions by hand.
Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Patrick Morgan said cyclists thought the move was a good idea. "With bright LEDs and powerful batteries, modern bike lights are better than ever," he said.
"Allowing stop lights and turn indicators on bikes is a sensible move, but these are no substitute for clear hand signals, using lots of eye contact with other road users, and safe riding habits."
An average of 10 cyclists are killed and about 750 injured in crashes every year.
The proposal is among a number the NZTA has put forward for public consultation. Among the changes is a proposal to make stop and indicator lights compulsory on all new light trailers registered from April 12, 2012. The lights are not currently required if the driver's hand signals are visible.
Other changes would bring vehicle lighting rules in line with international standards and allow for new technologies. Public submissions close November 5.
Changes to CAN member subscription rates
At the recent AGM some changes were introduced to CAN's subscriptions for members (including members of affiliated local groups).
From 1st January 2011, CAN's membership fees will increase to $20 (unwaged), $35 (waged), $40 (family), and $85 (supporting organisation); member levies for local groups will also be similarly increased.
The recent GST rise to 15% is one reason for the increase (all our subs are inclusive of GST). At the same time, our basic expenses (printing, communications, etc) continue to rise, while some of our other significant funding sources (e.g. NZTA) have stopped.
Note: pay your 2011 subs (including lifetime fees) before the end of 2010 to avoid the increases!
Wellington mayor says: I'd rather bike or bus
16 October 2010- Cyclist and Snapper card-holder Celia Wade-Brown is in no hurry to exchange two wheels for a $70,000 Audi.
The capital's new mayor - who jumped on her bike to ride to the Wellington City Council building when the election results were announced this week - will have the option of a more comfortable ride for the next three years.
However, when asked yesterday whether she would be using the mayoral car in future, she said it was not something she had considered yet.
Ms Wade-Brown said she was considering leaving her folding bicycle at the council building, giving her the option to cycle one way at least - at the same time as keeping up with her exercise regime.
Read more here:
Fix my street!
http://www.FixMyStreet.org.nz is a New Zealand/Aotearoa version of http://www.FixMyStreet.com. It's a citizen-initiated web service to collect issues relating to the built environment and route them to the appropriate council. Issues might include glass on roads, potholes, lighting, parking on cycleways, problem intersections, etc.
If you're not familiar with FixMyStreet, a citizen (cyclist!) locates an issue on a map by entering a street address or postcode that is then geocoded to a latitude and longitude via Google. They may upload a photo of the issue. Once the details have been confirmed by the citizen, the issue is forwarded to a council email address for processing. Updates can be added and issues can be marked as fixed.
Go to it:
Big benefits from integrating bikes and public transport, study finds
The integration of cycling and public transport ('cycle-PT') can provide additional transport modal choice and flexibility in the use of existing public transport, and also increase cycling trips and transit patronage, according to a new study published by the NZ Transport Agency.
A model was developed for forecasting demand for bike racks on board public transport and secure storage at stations and terminals in different contexts and for different public transport modes. The NZ Transport Agency's Economic evaluation manual was used to calculate the economic justification in terms of a benefit-to-cost (BCR) ratio for implementing cycle-PT in New Zealand's larger centres.
Cycle-PT is economically justified in New Zealand with BCRs from 2 to more than 10 depending on the centre and the scenario. The implementation of cycle-PT in New Zealand's six largest centres could produce more than 1.7 million cycle-PT trips per annum. This research has provided sufficient analysis for practitioners to be able to systematically plan and evaluate the demand and economics for cycle-PT schemes in New Zealand.
Download the report here:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/418/
It's official: lycra is a turn-off
14 October 2010- Popular perceptions of cyclists can make or break our decision to take up the sport, says a recent study by the University of Sydney's Dr Chris Rissel and Michelle Daley of the Sydney South West Area Health Service.
The actions of some people riding bicycles were sometimes seen as negative, and the lycra-clad image of cyclists put some people off because they didn't identify with it or thought it a turn-off.
The study also identified a hierarchy of cycling status, with recreational cycling seen as acceptable by most people, followed by cycling for sport or exercise.
At the other end of the spectrum, cycling for 'serious business', i.e. sport-focused fitness riding and bicycle couriers, were seen as far less approachable.
"We can use this information to encourage more people to cycle. We need to improve the status of transport cycling," Dr Rissel says.
Read more here:
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20101410-21429.html
Cycling surges in the land of the automobile
21 October 2010- America is known for its enduring love affair with the automobile. But in the last few years cities across the US have reported a surge in bicycle use, as people search for greener, healthier - and cheaper - transport options.
These cities hope that by adding relatively low-cost bicycle lanes, bike parking and bike sharing programmes and making other city plan adjustments, they can lessen traffic congestion, reduce the strain on public transport, and promote healthier citizens.
Read more here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11415660
Cycling helps prevent the common cold
2 November 2010- A study by researchers at a US university suggests that daily exercise such as cycling can go a long way towards preventing the common cold being caught.
The study, published today in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, has been carried out by academics at the Appalachian State University (ASU) in North Carolina, adds that regular exercise can also reduce the severity of symptoms if you do catch a cold.
Read more here:
http://road.cc/content/news/26654-get-your-bike-beat-common-cold-say-researchers/
Weblinks
Bicycle City South Carolina: a car-free community being built near Columbia, South Carolina, USA:
Urban transport bicyclist icon: need an icon for relaxed urban cycling (complete with basket)?
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Upright_urban_bicyclist.jpg
Head in a bag: don't like wearing helmets? How about an airbag for your head:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/hovding-helmet-airbag-for-head.php
Ride a bike and save the world: environmentalist extraordinaire David Suzuki on the role of biking in planet-saving:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2008/05/ride-a-bike-and-save-the-world/
Signalised cycle crossings: cycle signal-meister Axel Wilke shows bike signals at work in Harper Ave, Christchurch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGfYp5v2zhk
No ridiculous car trips: a short film about a campaign to reduce ridiculously short car trips in Sweden:
International Bicycle Fund calendar: the IBF's 2011 bike calendar is now available:
http://www.ibike.org/calendar/index.htm
School speed: a petition gathering signatures to lower speed limits around NZ schools:
http://www.school-speed.org.nz/
Velo-City 2011: next year's global cycling conference to be held in Seville, 23-25 March:
CAN Do presentations: some of the presentations from the CAN Do have been posted here:
About e.CAN
e.CAN is distributed approximately every 4 weeks to CAN members, Friends of CAN and other interested people. CAN members also get our bi-monthly magazine, ChainLinks.
To check back issues of e.CAN, go to http://www.can.org.nz/ecan .
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!
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email: secretary@can.org.nz
website: http://www.can.org.nz