Spokes July 2009 Newsletter
Spokes July 2009 Newsletter
Spokes July 2009 Newsletter
"An incident of cyclist harassment by a driver in February prompted Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe to introduce an ordinance that would make harassment of bicyclists, including shouting threats and honking for the purpose of frightening a cyclist, a Class A misdemeanour, punishable by $1,000 fine or a year in jail. After hearing testimony at last night’s meeting, the council passed the ordinance unanimously..." Columbia Missouri USA
Frocks on Bikes
Pencil in to your diary to attend a fun event. October 24 at Victoria Square (2-5pm). More information at www.frocksonbikes.org and www.350.org.nz
Safety in Numbers
Cycling in New York City has increased more then a third in four years and safety for cyclists has improved. Cyclists numbers have more then doubled since 1998, yet cyclist fatalities are down nearly 50%. Christchurch would do well to follow the lead of congested NYC.
LTCCP update
Long Term Council Community Plans (LTCCP) are final as of 30 June but public release will be early August. We hope to have an update in the August letter.
AA Road Service for Cyclists?
The Automobile Association in British Columbia Canada now offers roadside assistance for cyclist members. Be it fixing a flat or other common faults or putting the cycle onto the cycle racks now fitted to their service truck fleet the cyclist in need can be returned to riding or given a ride home.
Preventive Maintenance
Until the AA here provides cyclist road side service we are left to rely upon our wits. Any bicycle technicians out there who would like to help Spokes put on a cycle maintenance and repair workshop? Please help support cycling by empowering others to refine their rides. Email dirk4 [at] paradise [dot] net [dot] nz if you would like to help.
Christchurch earns “not achieved”
The magazine Travel and Leisure has just rated the world’s cities on cycling and Christchurch receives not even a mention. From being one of the world’s most cycled cities in the 1950’s this is a sad commentary. The top cities?Copenhagen, Portland (OR), Munich, Montreal, Perth, Amsterdam, Seattle, Paris, Minneapolis, and Bogota.
Staying Alive
Cycling Action Network NZ is offering a very spiffy new safety vest. Bright orange and bearing the logo “Think Globally, Cycle Locally” For more information go to: http://can.org.nz/shop
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle. ~Ernest Hemingway
