Spokes November 2009 Newsletter

 

"I thought of that while riding my bicycle."

Albert Einstein on the Theory of Relativity

 

Wall Street Journal Confirms Catering to Cars is Counter Productive

According to a 9th October Wall Street Journal article, "Congestion isn't an environmental problem; it's a driving problem. If reducing it merely makes life easier for those who drive, then the improved traffic flow can actually increase the environmental damage done by cars, by raising overall traffic volume, encouraging sprawl and long car commutes. A popular effort to curb rush-hour congestion, freeway entrance ramp meters, is commonly seen as good for the environment."

"In Minnesota, ramp metering increased overall traffic volume by 9% and peak volume by 14%. The increase in traffic volume was accompanied by a corresponding increase in fuel consumption of 5.5 million gallons..."

"The traditional solution to traffic congestion is to create additional road capacity. But projects like those almost always end up making the original problem worse because they generate what transportation planners call "induced traffic": every mile of new, open roadway encourages existing users to make more car trips, lures drivers away from other routes and tempts transit riders to return to their automobiles, with the eventual result that the new roads become at least as clogged as the old roads."

Too bad our pro business central government does not read the business press.

See: http://tinyurl.com/yzk3mc4

 

 

Google to Add Cycling routes to Maps

Still in its infancy but Google is committed to adding cycle access to their map pages. Check out the link below for general information on cycling and mapping progress. You can also sign up for the Google cycling email alerts.

http://googlemapsbikethere.org/2009/10/13/50000-signatures-and-a-big-goo...

 

 

Season of Cycling

The Christchurch City Council is encouraging cycling with their annual cycling promotion effort. You can find cycle route maps and descriptions, cycle events, and cycle news. Full details to be found at: http://www.seasonofcycling.co.nz/

 

 

Need to build Public Support for Cycling

Also on the Google site is a talk by John Pucher. Getting broad public support for cycling is crucial. "We want to make cycling possible for everyone, it's important to get the support of everyone in society for cycling because you need that political and public support to get the financing, to get the space, to get the time, to get traffic priority.

You really need a tremendous amount of public support for that to occur, and that is one of the keys to the success of cycling policies and programs in Dutch, German, and Danish cities. There are many many many strategies we need to all be thinking about and promoting and marketing to the public as a whole as to why everyone should be in favor of cycling. And it's really important for one thing - cycling is one of a range of alternatives to the car that improves mobility options for everyone."

Spokes continues to work on broadening support for cycling. We need your support. Please contribute your ideas and even time.

http://googlemapsbikethere.org/john-pucher-transcription/

 

 

Road Rage

In light of recent incidents the issue of road rage looms large in my thoughts. Doing a quick Google on "Bicycle Rage" reveals that vehicle assaults on cyclists is a world wide problem. Some cyclists have also taken to bashing, keying and threatening in response to threats real or perceived.

Violence rarely serves any of us well, and cyclists are clearly vulnerable road users.

Wikipedia has worthy entry on the subject http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_rage

It observes that congested urban roads, poorly designed for non motorized users, set us all up for conflict. People behave badly as they are stressed, squeezed and ill prepared for the transition from car based transport. Transportation projects, and most road users, remain fixated on motorised transport, leaving motorists resentful of pedestrians and cyclists "in their way". Add to this the anonymity of living in a city and people do things they would not normally do.

Roads need to meet all of our needs. Threats and assaults are not going to further communication and cooperation. Let your government know that we need public initiatives to increase communication, improve roading infrastructure for all road users and road user education.

Yeah, you will still yell at the driver who nearly ends your life, its only natural. But; perhaps with a bit less profanity? Mea culpa.

 

 

Spokes Activities and You

Spokes actively seeks to improve conditions for cyclists by reviewing government plans which impact roads and cycle facilities. You can help simply by sharing your knowledge and experiences of the areas you ride in.

Go to the Spokes web site and click on the Submissions tab for a listing of past efforts. While new projects will be posted in the newsletter it is a good idea to check the submissions tab, too. Recent submissions have been:

Simeon Street Renewal

High Street Tram Alterations and Upgrade

Christchurch City Council Speed Limits By law

Madras and Barbados Street Cycle Lanes

Harewood Road Cycle Lane Extension

Safer Journeys National Road Safety Plan

Deans Ave., Hereford St., Cashel Mall, Oxford Tce. Improvements

Jellie Park Management Plan

Note the name attached to the item and go to the "contact us" page to send an email to the appropriate person. Or you can register and simply add your comments to the item you have selected. http://spokes.org.nz/submissions

http://spokes.org.nz/contact-us

 

 

Frocks on Bikes

The weather turned on a lovely sunny day for the Frocks on Bikes event held on Labour Weekend Saturday at Victoria Square. It was a great success with around 1,000 people in attendance.

National Radio's afternoons covered this event on Thursday, 29th October with a 15 minute piece. Available for a limited time at... http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/aft/2009/10/29/christchurch_stor...

or download the mp3 file here.... http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/aft/aft-20091029-1530-Christchurch_story_-_...

And there are some photos here... http://picasaweb.google.com/TransportChoices/FrocksOnBikesChristchurch

And even some photos in the Spokes image gallery here.... http://spokes.org.nz/image-galleries/frocks-on-bikes

 

 

Utility Cycles Now in New Zealand

If you want to ride a bicycle but don't want to ride a mountain bike or a road racer, have a look at this recently updated list of the range of European style urban appropriate utility bicycles that are currently available in New Zealand. Also at this link is a link to the NuVinci Continuously Variable Hub Gear Systems. http://urbanbicycles.googlepages.com/bicyclesnz

Thanks to Alan Preston for his efforts on utility cycling and for the above link. http://urbanbicycles.googlepages.com/home

 

 

Spokes' Sunday Summer Bike Rides

Plans are being put in place to run several Sunday bike rides over summer. They will be held on the last Sunday in January, February and March. Keep a lookout in the next newsletter or on the Spokes website for more information.

 

 

Newsletter Comments or Submissions?

Calendar Events, feedback or just a hello can be sent to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz

 

 

"As a kid I had a dream - I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bike in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed." -- John Lennon

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