Spokes October 2009

Special Cyclists Speak Issue 

The bicycle will accomplish more for women's sensible dress than all the reform movements that have ever been waged.  ~Author Unknown, from Demerarest's Family Magazine, 1895  

In addition to our regular content this issue offers opportunities to share your views on issues of concern to cyclists. Friday 2 October is the due date for the first of these.  

Spokes Chair Update

Last Saturday a group of members meet to consider some strategic directions for SPOKES for the next year.  The outcomes of this meeting will be reported by others on our website but one thing clearly emerged from our discussions, if we want to make change and improvements for cycling we all need to work together to build our support base. 

This means getting some key messages out to the public and politicians.  These are that:

1.     Cycling is a perfectly normal activity that can be done by anyone of any age or gender.   

2.     Cycling is not only a great sport and recreation but also a very effective means of   transport to support everyday tasks, such as going to the shop, library or to work. 

3.     Cycling is no more inherently risky than any other form of transport or travel. 

4.     Using a bike to commute needs very little specialised gear, just a bike, helmet and bag. 

These must be the key messages we all share with our friends, colleagues and others we meet and interact with. Happy riding.  Talk to and support other riders on the road and trail.                                           Keith Turner - Spokes Chair

10 Year Road Safety Strategy  -- Due by Friday 2 October

The Ministry of Transport wants to hear from you on how best to improve road safety.  There are 60 initiatives up for consideration, some of which could help improve cycling conditions in New Zealand. Word is that the initiatives with the most support will be the ones selected. Without your help cycling will not receive support.

The Ministry only allows you one initiative outside of the suggested list. See “Other Ideas” below. The strategy fails to note or promote the benefits to road safety offered by supporting cycling and walking. If you would like to make a submission Check out the Spokes submission and notes on Safer Journeys at http://spokes.org.nz/article/safer-journeys-submissions-needed

The web site would have benefited from better design. We have tried making it easy to make your voice count.  Simply take 5 minutes and

Initiatives are listed below in the order found on the website with their suggested ranking number. You can rank up to 20, we offer 14: 

Raise the driving age to 17  13 

Introduce compulsory third party insurance  3 

Support a targeted programme for high risk urban intersections  5 

Change the give way rules for turning traffic and pedestrians  6 

Develop and support new approaches to safety on mixed-use arterials  7 

Change penalty system to deter speeding (higher demerit points and lower fines)  9 

Create more speed zones (80 km/h, 90 km/h) on high risk rural roads  14 

Review speed limits on mixed use urban arterials  4 

Increase the adoption of lower speed limits in urban areas  1 

Improve techniques to integrate safety into land use planning  10 

Add specific walking and cycling questions into driver licence testing so drivers are more aware of pedestrians and cyclists safety  11 

Increase cyclist skills training in schools  2 

Support the roll-out of strongly enforced variable speed limits around schools and address the issue of rural school bus safety  12 

Have stronger promotion of road user education, including targeted messages and more national promotion, such as ‘share the road’  8 

"Other ideas"NB: you are limited to one. 

Reduce over reliance on motorised transport by funding cycling and walking infrastructure, initiatives and promotion  

Fund and utilise Community Road Safety programs in support of initiatives

Require that motorists give cyclists 1.5 metres space when passingRepeal mandatory helmet laws for cyclists

Our suggested list above does not include some important initiatives, such as reducing the impact of alcohol/drug-impaired driving.  That's because they have very strong support (eg: from Police and Transport Minister Steven Joyce) hence are highly likely to proceed, with or without our support.  The above list of initiatives is what we believe are key initiatives that will enhance cycling conditions and are most in need of support. 

Please consider emailing this newsletter to friends who might appreciate the opportunity to have a say. 

Parking in Cycle Lanes  (Submit at any time)

Under the Road User Rule, it is not legal to park in a cycle lane. Based on this rule, Christchurch City Council for some time tried not to mark broken yellow lines in kerbside cycle lanes. Over a year ago, they realised that this doesn't work, as drivers frequently park in those kerbside cycle lanes.  The process of retrofitting all the broken yellow lines is slow. You can help Christchurch City Council by reporting the locations where the broken yellow lines are missing. 

Go to http://www.ccc.govt.nz/contact/RequestForService/ and report the location where the broken yellow lines are missing. When you open the form, tick 'Roads'. Your request could be phrased like this: "The cycle lanes in Innes Road between Cranford Street and Rutland Street have not yet received broken yellow line treatment in the areas where these would be appropriate.  This is resulting in illegal parking, especially overnight.  Please can broken yellow lines be installed in this area as appropriate."   

Frocks On Bikes Saturday 24 October

Spokes Canterbury members are supporting the launch of the Christchurch Chapter of the FROCKS ON BIKES as part of the 350.org international day of climate change action.

There's a City cycle promenade leaving Victoria Square at 2.30pm, (catch that Train!), “Catcycle” think fashion parade featuring fantastic newly imported “Dutch Style” bikes, and Chalky Digits' clothing plus interesting fashion categories (such as rejigged skirts/dresses), entertainment, and spot prizes including clothing, baskets, & a lovely retro style recycled bike. There will be food stalls and coffee. The MC is social media guru and environmentalist, Kaila Colbin of Missing Link. http://www.missinglinknz.co.nz  

Spokes Canterbury will have a presence helping at the event. It's hoped the event encourages more women to think about cycle commuting as the obvious transport option in our beautiful Christchurch FLAT urban landscape. Men are invited wearing stylish, everyday clothing. Frocks on Bikes aims to raise awareness that cycling can be done in NORMAL and beautiful clothing and to debunk the perception that in order to cycle commute you need specialized clothing. For more information email frocksonbikeschristchurch [at] gmail [dot] com or visit http://www.frocksonbikes.org including for other upcoming events around New Zealand.   

Bamboo Bicycle Frame

Would you like to build a sturdy low cost, light weight truly organic bicycle? Check out:  http://www.instructables.com/id/Bamboo-Bike-Frame/   

Video and Media Skills Needed

Do you have video or media skills which you are willing to share to support cycling? Do you have friends or contacts in local media to help spread Spokes message? Spokes seeks to make our submissions and public outreach more effective and we could really use your help. This can be a one time assist or more, your choice. Contact newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz  

Community Events

Solar & Stones

The Little River Wairewa Promotions Group is hosting a series of talks on alternative energy and sustainability over the next few months. The first of the series will be held at 7.30 pm sharp, at the Okuti Valley Hall, on Tuesday, 6th October. Tomm Stanley he will talk on solar design for homes and of his experiences of getting off the grid and also building a stone slipform home in Kaituna. Receive practical advice and consider his books Going Solar and Stone Home, a Guide to Self Building with Slipforms. A $5 entrance fee will help cover the speaker’s costs.  

Off the Rails Fair   At Little River

Labour Mon, 26th Oct. Loads of stalls, entertainment & fun at the Little River Railway Station.  

Please send Items of interest, Notices, Comments to:
Letters to the Editor     newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz