Contents:
- Cyclists saddened over latest cyclist deaths, but heartened over Coroner's investigations
- Does the cycling renaissance have to be so bloody?
- Life Cycle rides to Wellington
- Hawke's Bay the cycling capital of NZ?
- Cyclists rally in Auckland for road safety
- Wellington cyclists at greater risk?
- Proposed joint NZ walking and cycling conference for 2012
- Expressions of interest for NZ Walking & Cycling Conference 2012 - host venue
- Cycle Superhighways boost London cyclist numbers
- Bicycle scheme reveals rider behaviour
- 'Kiwi bird' sees best in people on cycle home
- Slow cycling hits Melbourne
- Taking the fat out of global warming
- Weblinks
Cyclists saddened over latest cyclist deaths, but heartened over Coroner's investigations
10 January 2011- Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) and BikeNZ are saddened to hear of the latest cyclist deaths, but are pleased they are to be referred to the coroner.
Spokesperson Anne FitzSimon said this inquest will examine whether there were any patterns and possible law changes needed.
"CAN and BikeNZ are keen to help the coroner in any way with our expertise. We are concerned with the loss of basic cycle skills which are often lacking in young New Zealanders."
Cycling Skills Training and 'Share the Road' are both CAN and BikeNZ's top priority for 2011.
She said CAN and BikeNZ are committed to raising the standard of cycling.
"That's why we have developed cycle skills training programmes for children through to adults, based on world-best practice."
"We're committed to our programmes and encourage the government to fully support sufficient investment to continue these programmes to every child from 2012."
Ms FitzSimon likened it to swimming. "Every child in New Zealand deserves the opportunity to ride a bike."
Does the cycling renaissance have to be so bloody?
30 November 2010- Recent weeks have been tragic for the families and friends of five cyclists killed on the nation's roads. We mourn the deaths, and note with sadness the serious injuries that others have suffered. These events send a signal, a powerful and unmistakable message that we must reconsider the way New Zealand's roads mix large number of motor vehicles with more vulnerable road users.
Cycling is cheap and often the fastest way to negotiate trips through a crowded city - aspects of cycling that will become even more attractive as fuel prices increase, the economic downturn continues and our roads become more congested. Regular short transport trips by bicycle are also a good way to get enough exercise without too much exertion or the costs of going to the gym. As well as the personal benefits, cycling has important positive effects for society. If people cycle for transport, the reduction in car use means less air pollution and traffic congestion and less disease due to physical inactivity. We have calculated that changing just 5% of short car trips by adults to bicycle trips would lead to health improvements in the order of $200 million each year. Cycling for transport can also make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling fair access to goods and services.
Do we have to accept an increase in cycling injuries and deaths in order to gain these benefits? Not at all. It is evident overseas that it is possible to increase cycling without sacrificing safety.
Read more here:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1011/S00165/does-the-cycling-renaissance-have-to-be-so-bloody.htm
Life Cycle rides to Wellington
"LifeCycle" is a bicycle ride from Whangarei to Wellington, organised by CAN member Dean Scanlen, that will take place from the 17th to the 30th of April and finish at a rally on the steps of Parliament. It will pass many locations in which people have been killed while cycling. The aims of this ride are:
- To pay our respects to people who have been killed while cycling on our roads.
- To achieve big improvements in attitudes about, and behaviour towards, cyclists by motorists.
- To promote stronger and more effective driver licensing procedures.
- To persuade the Government to spend 10% of its roading budget on cycle safety measures.
We are keen that there be a similar ride in the South Island at the same time. If anyone is keen to lead such a ride, please contact Dean Scanlen on e-mail: dean@e-outcomes.co.nz. We would also like to use a HelmetCam on the ride. If anyone has one that we could borrow, please also contact Dean.
For more details, and to register as a friend, please go to:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LifeCycle/178434512193548#!/pages/LifeCycle/178434512193548?v=wall
Hawke's Bay the cycling capital of NZ?
1 February 2011- Hawke's Bay has claimed the title "Cycling Capital of New Zealand" as bike fever takes hold of the region.
Annie Dundas, General Manager Hawke's Bay Tourism, says Hawke's Bay is better positioned than any other region in New Zealand to capitalise on the 'cycling boom' that is taking off.
Hawke's Bay is one of only three regions in New Zealand to be awarded funding for two trails as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
Already a region with one of the most extensive high-quality off-road walking and cycling networks currently linking Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, the $2.6million of government-approved funding will see this network grow rapidly. A further 50 kilometres of new track is being developed and when combined with the existing 83 kilometres, a total network of 133 kilometres will be operational by the end of 2011.
Read more here:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1102/S00027/hawkes-bay-is-the-cycling-capital-of-new-zealand.htm
Cyclists rally in Auckland for road safety
5 December 2010- Hundreds of cyclists rallied in Auckland today to call for improved road safety.
Around 350 cyclists gathered at Queen's Wharf following a horror month in which five cyclists were killed in as many days.
Roger Wolfe's wife Mary was one of three who died last month when a car crossed a centreline and crashed into a group of cyclists in Morrinsville.
Speaking out for the first time since his wife's death, Wolfe said he wanted to make a difference, and to ensure her life was not lost in vain.
"We're not statistics, we're not numbers, we are families, and a lot of people are affected when someone dies."
Read more here:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cyclists-in-undeclared-civil-war-3944383
Widower says driver 'a victim too':
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10692362
Minister of Transport Steven Joyce says drivers need an attitude change if cycle deaths are to be reduced:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/attitude-change-needed-reduce-cycle-deaths-joyce-3949340
And United Future MP Peter Dunne calls for a change to the road code to require drivers to give cyclists a 1.5 metre "bubble" when passing them:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1012/S00276/dunne-instant-fines-for-bursting-cyclists-bubble.htm
Wellington cyclists at greater risk?
8 December 2010- Figures revealed in Greater Wellington regional council's Regional Land Transport Strategy annual monitoring report show a "worsening trend" for cycling casualties on the Wellington region's roads.
For every million hours travelled, a Wellington cyclist is 12 times as likely as a vehicle occupant to be injured in a road crash, compared with 3.5 times nationally.
The report says the figures were based on a small sample size, but still show a concerning trend. "When comparing the Wellington region with New Zealand, the risk to cyclists by distance travelled is far greater than any other risk, a trend that has worsened over time."
Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/4433547/Capitals-cyclists-most-at-risk
Proposed joint NZ Walking and Cycling Conference for 2012
Just before Christmas the organising committee for the next NZ Cycling Conference agreed it was time to seriously consider holding a joint walking and cycling conference. This would replace the biennial cycling conference earmarked for late 2011. Discussions were held with Living Streets Aotearoa (organisers of the NZ Walking Conference series) and agreement in principle was reached on this concept.
The proposed joint event would be called the NZ Walking and Cycling Conference and the intention is to hold it in late February or early March 2012. Representatives from LSA have joined the conference organising committee to help plan the event.
Those who have been involved in past NZ walking and cycling conferences will know that this joint concept has come up regularly over the years. The arguments for and against still hold. On the one hand, it provides a great opportunity to attract a larger number of delegates and speakers, while creating a wider audience and leverage for "active transport". It also enables both of the respective walking and cycling sectors to address issues within a broader context of transport and mobility planning, creating opportunities to tackle shared barriers and opportunities.
However, the committee members readily acknowledge that cycling and walking should not be lumped together for convenience's sake. Among the downsides of doing so is that issues unique to each sector could get lost or downplayed in a joint conference. It will be important therefore to get the programme content and structure right to alleviate this.
This decision does not necessarily signal the end of the separate conference series for walking and for cycling; any such reviews will be held after the conclusion of this event.
A venue for this conference is currently being finalised. A call for presentations will then be put out for submissions. We look forward to your involvement in this exciting initiative!
If you have any feedback or questions about this proposal, please forward comments to Glen Koorey (conference@can.org.nz).
Expressions of interest for NZ Walking & Cycling Conference 2012 - host venue
The first NZ joint Walking and Cycling Conference is planned to be held in February/March 2012. This follows a decision by the organisers of the previously separate NZ conference series for walking and cycling to hold a combined event. Expressions Of Interest are now sought by the conference organising committee from locations interested in being the host venue for this exciting conference.
If you would like to receive more details about what is required for an Expression Of Interest (including what is expected of local host organisers, what to include in your proposal, and how the bids will be assessed) please send an email to conference@can.org.nz. Hurry - final bids must be submitted no later than Monday 28th February 2011.
Cycle Superhighways boost London cyclist numbers
11 January 2011- The two pilot Barclays-sponsored Cycle Superhighways (launched in the summer last year) have been a huge success seeing a 70 per cent increase in the number of cyclists and increases of 100 per cent or more on some sections during peak hours.
According to a Transport for London survey, figures for cyclists in October 2010 along the routes were compared with the same roads in 2009. It found a 50 per cent increase in the total number of cyclists using the A24-set Superhighway, while the A13-set Superhighway saw cyclists numbers more than double for the same period. The total number of cyclists using both routes in October 2009 compared with 2010 revealed a 70 per cent rise.
Read more here:
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/cycle-superhighways-boosting-cycle-numbers
Bicycle scheme reveals rider behaviour
7 December 2010- A study of a shared bicycle scheme has found riders travel faster on Wednesdays than other weekdays, and average speeds greater than cars in peak hour traffic.
Since the shared bicycle scheme was introduced in the French city of Lyon in 2005, the number of bicycles on the road has doubled.
In the past few years, shared bicycle schemes have been set up in many European and UK cities, as well as in Melbourne and Brisbane. Local government planners in Sydney are considering a similar scheme, which is expected to start in 2011.
The schemes make bicycles available in 'pods' throughout the city centre which anyone can use for a trip across town at little or no cost. The bicycle is then returned to the pod for others to use.
The bicycles in Lyon are fitted with onboard computers and accessed via smartcards. Between May 2005 and Dec 2007, data was collected from 11.6 million bicycle trips.
The study by Pablo Jensen and colleagues at the Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon and published on the pre-press website arXiv.org, found during peak hour in the city, bicycles travelled about 15 kilometres per hour - up to 50% faster than cars.
Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2010/12/07/3086655.htm?site=science&topic=enviro
'Kiwi bird' sees best in people on cycle home
13 December 2010- "Kiwi birds don't fly" - they cycle, for 20 months, alone, on a cheap mountain bike, through dangerous countries just to get back home... from London.
The quote was posted by a friend on Kylie Phaup-Stephens' Facebook wall while she returned from her OE on a voyage during which she fended off men trying to break into her tent in Iran, ate out of bins and stayed with the New Zealand Army in Afghanistan.
If she ever writes a book about it, she has the title sorted.
Riding her 18-speed mountain bike, which she nicknamed "Tankini" because "it's a tank", loaded with 80kg of gear and with just $7.35 a day to spend, she trained her stomach to survive off just one meal a day.
She slept on boats with cockroaches and rats crawling over her and went to sleep - and woke up - with foreign men leering at her. She ate camel, dog and rats and found her way by asking people directions.
Read more here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10693939
Slow cycling hits Melbourne
19 December 2010- Secondary school teacher Sue Tyrie believes if she cannot sing while she cycles to and from work, she is riding too fast.
It's a philosophy shared by a growing tribe of slow-cycling enthusiasts in Melbourne. They are the anti-Lycra brigade; cyclists who ride for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Ms Tyrie considers the leisurely trek from her home in Pascoe Vale South to her work in Princes Hill "chill-out time".
She doesn't own a brightly coloured Lycra suit. "It's a hobby, what do you need a uniform for? Women don't wear a uniform to do decoupage," Ms Tyrie said.
Monash University professor of public transport Graham Currie describes the slow-cycling movement as a rebellion against Melbourne's affectation for wearing specialised cycling clothing.
Read more here:
Taking the fat out of global warming
2 February 2011- Mitigating climate change presents unrivaled opportunities for improving human health and well being. Indeed, policies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions promise to bring about substantial reductions in heart disease, respiratory illness, cancer, obesity, diabetes, depression, and road deaths and injuries.
Recent research has documented the multiple health benefits of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Meeting emissions targets in the transport sector would require, alongside reductions in car use, modest increases in walking and cycling. Based on the epidemiological evidence linking physical activity and health, the resulting increase in physical activity would dramatically reduce rates of chronic disease, with around 10-20% less heart disease and stroke, 12-18% less breast cancer, and 8% less dementia.
Read more here:
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/iroberts1/English
Weblinks
Message to Melbourne from Dublin Bikes: why is the Dublin public bike scheme working so well- where the Melbourne one isn't?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPjvZlAl_js/
Getting bikes on bridges: an advocate's guide to bridge-access campaigns, from the League of American Bicyclists:
http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2010/12/new-advocacy-report-getting-bikes-on-bridges/How to store bicycles in small flats: a guide from the UK Lothian Cycle Campaign:
Safety, cycling and sharing the road: qualitative research with cyclists and other road users from the UK's Department for Transport:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme1/researchreport/
Queue-free cycling: a plan for congestion-busting fast cycle routes in the Netherlands:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/dutch-aim-to-bust-congestion-with-fast-cycle-routes--28945
Tribute to Fiona: words of appreciation from one of our members for our hard-working South Island project officer:
http://can.org.nz/article/tribute-to-fiona-cans-south-island-network-project-officer
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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.
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