Contents:
- Transport- it's the economy, stupid
- Call for separate cycle lanes for safer cycling in Christchurch
- CAN merchandise- order early for Xmas
- VeloCity conference 2013- call for submissions
- Mexicans ride bikes to avoid traffic jams
- Cycling renaissance in the US
- Cargo cyclists replace truck drivers on European city streets
- Weblinks
Transport- it's the economy, stupid
6 September 2012- In New Zealand, transport is a very hot topic in local government yet barely features at the national level. A number of mayoralties have been won and lost in the past on the back of controversial transport projects (road through Hagley Park, anyone?) but I have yet to see it become one of the defining issues in a general election.
It is ironic therefore that the majority of transport funding in this country is so tightly controlled at the central government level. Local cities and districts can talk all they like about what they and their residents would like to see for transport in their area, but they are ultimately beholden to the whims of the government of the day.
And so it is that the latest National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) just released (The Press, 30 Aug) continues to propose a distribution of funding that appears to be at odds with the wishes of the general population, and also best-practice international evidence.
Read the full article here:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1209/S00031/transport-its-the-economy-stupid.htm
Call for separate cycle lanes for safer cycling in Christchurch
15 September 2012- A Canterbury University cycling expert wants the Government to provide kerb and channel separation to protect cyclists from traffic.
The Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (Scirt) appears to be open to the idea.
Professor Simon Kingham said international experience showed more people would bike to and from work to help reduce the country's petrol consumption.
"Many cycle planners from around the world, including in Portland [in the United States], which is one of the urban cycle success stories, often say 'build a separate cycleway and cyclists will support it'," he said.
"Cycling is so good and has so many benefits. It relieves congestion, reduces obesity, helps climate change, and we should do all that we can to encourage more people to cycle."
Read more here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7683163/Call-for-separate-cycle-lanes-for-safer-cycling
CAN merchandise- order early for Xmas
Looking for Christmas gifts? Don't forget the CAN shop:
There you'll find our famous "One Less Car" backpack covers (as well as the "Think Globally, Cycle Locally" version), 'Spacemaker' safety flags, the CAN safety vest and CAN t-shirts. The "Freedom" t-shirts are on sale at the moment- only $15 for CAN members (or $25 for non-members). Get in quick- some sizes have sold out.
Our shop volunteers will be heading away for Christmas themselves around 17 December this year, so get your orders in early to avoid disappointment- by 15 December at the latest.
VeloCity conference 2013- call for submissions
The City of Vienna is pleased to be hosting the VeloCity conference from June 11th to 14th, 2013. "The Sound of Cycling – Urban Cycling Cultures" marks Vienna as the focal point for cycling experts and (bi)cycling enthusiasts from around the world.
Submissions are due by 22 October 2012. For more information:
Mexicans ride bikes to avoid traffic jams
16 October 2012- In Mexico City, where every day more than 4 million cars, vans and trucks clog the streets, such a simple everyday task as going to work can be hell on wheels, which is why the bicycle is coming into its own.
"There's no other choice, the city has reached its limit for assimilating vehicles. Any situation that will increase traffic is unsustainable and would definitely mean a collapse of our road system," said the environmental chief for the Federal District, Martha Delgado.
For that reason the capital government is expanding and promoting its program of two-wheeled urban transport known as Ecobici, and before the end of the year will triple the number of bicycles available to the public.
Read more here:
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=567898&CategoryId=14091
Cycling renaissance in the US
8 September 2012- More and more Americans are taking to the road on two wheels. Between 1977 and 2009 the total number of annual bike trips more than tripled, while the bike's share of all trips rose from 0.6% to 1%. Commuting cyclists have also increased in number, with twice as many biking to work in 2009 as in 2000.
Cities are increasingly vying to be bike friendly. Among them, Chicago wants to become the most cycle-friendly large city in the country- and has said it will build over 30 miles of protected cycle lanes this year. At the moment it ranks fifth, according to Bicycling magazine. Ahead of it are Washington, DC, Boulder, Colorado, Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon. And cycling is growing fast in all these cities, as it is in New York and San Francisco.
The growth comes thanks to cycle-friendly policy-making and increases in government spending.
Read more here:
http://www.economist.com/node/21562252
Cargo cyclists replace truck drivers on European city streets
24 September 2012- Those with strong cycling legs have ever more jobs up for grabs in Europe these days. A growing number of businesses are using cargo cycles, a move towards sustainable and free-flowing city traffic that is now strongly backed by public authorities.
Research indicates that at least one quarter of all cargo traffic in European cities could be handled by cycles. And, by using special distribution hubs, larger vehicles and electric assist, this proportion could be even larger.
Read more here:
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2012/09/jobs-of-the-future-cargo-cyclist.html
Weblinks
Google cycle maps in Auckland :
Nospeeding: for when a single-speed is just too complicated:
The floating roundabout: a new completely grade-separated cycle roundabout in the Netherlands:
http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/spectacular-new-floating-cycle-roundabout/
Cycletopia: the UK CTC's vision of an ideal cycle-friendly town:
http://beta.ctc.org.uk/cycletopia
Don't just plod if you want a longer life, say heart experts: short stints of more intense exercise appear to be better for the heart:
Good For Business: a discussion paper by Rodney Tolley exploring the benefits to retailers, residents and councils of improving walking and cycling conditions:
http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/GoodforBusinessFINAL_Nov.pdf
e-Bikes: the Guardian's Peter Walker tries out new electric bikes in the UK:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/video/2012/oct/12/e-bikes-review-cycle-video
Seeing the back of the car: is car use peaking in the rich world?
http://www.economist.com/node/21563280
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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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