Spokes Canterbury May 2010 Newsletter

Cycle Touring

On 1 May experienced cycle tourists will share some of the adventure of their journeys. Get a first hand tour of what is possible, and even some tips on how to do it yourself.

This one hour event, 1-2 PM, at the South Library on Colombo street can be a nice break for those heading to or from their Saturday Port Hills ride.

Tweed Frockers

On Sunday 2 May Frocks on Bikes will have their "Autumnal Tweed Ride". Meet outside the University of Canterbury library at 2pm or at Riccarton House at 2:20.

Wear tweed, gym frocks, twin sets, wooly tights or plus fours with pearls, cameos, tartan scarves and kid gloves. Go

It will be a sedate 6 kilometres of autumn colour to the Boatshed Cafe. Men and children in proper attire welcomed.

Spokes AGM

To be held on 13 May 2010 at 6.30PM at Our City O-Tautahi, Worcester and Oxford Tce. Guest speaker to be confirmed.

The Annual General Meeting will carry out the following official business:

1. Receive the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.

2. Receive the Executive Committee's report on Spokes activities over the last year.

3. Receive the financial report for the past year.

4. Elect the officers and other ordinary members of the Executive Committee.

5. Conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting. This will include a proposed amendment to the rules in the constitution

Proposed amendment to Spokes constitution.

It is proposed that the rules in Spokes’ constitution be amended to provide for a larger Executive Committee. This is because the current Executive is quite small (up to 5 members), and this means that not all office holders can currently be members of the executive. In particular, there are insufficient positions to include Committee convenors.

A larger executive would also allow responsibilities to be spread across a greater number of members, and could assist in providing more effective leadership and direction for Spokes. 

It is suggested that the size of the Executive Committee be increased to allow for up to 9 members. 6 would be elected at the AGM, and up to 3 could be appointed by the Executive.

This would allow the convenors / chairs of committees established by the Executive under Rule 11 (or other office holders) to be appointed to the Executive if they are not already members. Note also that under Rule 9.2, the Executive has the power to fill any vacancies to elected positions. 

The proposed rule change would amend Rule 9.1 as follows (deletions are in brackets, additions are underlined).

9.1 The Executive Committee will be composed of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and up to [two] three other members. 

In addition, at any time the Executive Committee may appoint up to three additional members, who shall have full membership of that Committee.

Rule 13 provides for amendments to the rules in the constitution. To be approved, an amendment requires a two thirds majority or members present at the AGM. 

For further details, please refer to the Spokes website.

Gehl Report

For those not in the know this may sound uncomfortable. Actually it is a rather good plan for making the downtown hospitable for people and active transport. Yes, that includes cycling in bureacrapise. To learn more you can go to the CCC website or attend a meeting with Hugh Nicholson, CCC Planner on 20 May. 7:30pm upstairs at the George Hotel, 50 Park Tce between Kilmore and Salisbury.

Submissions

You have until 30 April to submit on the ECan Annual Plan and the CCC Climate Change Strategy. The Canterbury Park Management Plan is open until 10 May. Spokes Core members can check the submissions tab to find the notes and work done to date. Others can email editor [at] newsletter [dot] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz

Mountain Biking Restricted

The Department of Conservation is enforcing by-laws governing mountain biking. A Christchurch rider was cited for riding the Gibbs Hill Track in the Abel Tasman National Park.

When approached by a ranger and told to dismount the man merely rode away. This added $350 to the $200 fine, netting the court $550.

It is advisable to be certain of the rules, comply with ranger's requests and ride responsibly. 

Millions Saved by Cyclists

Researchers say New Zealand could save $200 million per year in health costs if more people left the car at home and cycled instead.

The Centre for Sustainable Cities says it would take only 5% of car trips being replaced by bike rides to make the savings.

Manager Jan Logie says the extra exercise would also save the lives of more than a hundred people each year.

She says a 5% change is not radical, as it is just getting back to the number of cyclists in the 1980s.

Cars Spew

A new study from NASA indicates that motor vehicles are the greatest contributor to atmospheric warming, now and in the near term. Cars, buses, and trucks release pollutants and greenhouse gases that promote warming, while emitting few aerosols that counteract it.

The new analysis offers policy makers and the public a far more detailed and comprehensive understanding of how to mitigate climate change most effectively, says the project's leader, Nadine Unger. "Targeting on-road transportation is a win-win-win," she said. "It's good for the climate in the short term and long term, and it's good for our health."

Read more. 

CAN

The preceding two articles thanks to Cycling Advocates Network. Check them out at http://www.can.org.nz

On site Cycle Training in Europe

If you have just flown into Copenhagen you may need a meal and some warming up prior to exploring the city's famous cycle ways.

The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers has installed two exercise bicycles hooked up to generators.

Guests will be invited to jump on and start pedalling - and if they produce enough electricity they will be given a free meal. 

Drink Drivers Rule

A Bay of Plenty driver scored his 14th drink-driving conviction. He faces up to two years' jail and disqualification from driving for more than a year. A Tauranga drink driver has 17 drink-drive convictions, a Wellington man has 11.

The government’s Safer Journeys road safety strategy calls for introducing a zero alcohol limit for a period after a drink-drive conviction and to lower the adult drink-drive limit.

Will our three alcoholics really change in response?

Drinking and driving are a part of the culture. We think we have a right to drive and a right to get irresponsibly drunk. It is not surprising that we sometimes do them together.

Changing the definition of drunk will not change behaviour. Funding alcohol rehabilitation programs stands a better chance. Providing people with quality public transport to support the habit of using the bus could help. Even supporting a cultural shift to cycling and walking could get drunks out from behind the wheel and make them less lethal.

If you want better from government you will have to demand it, loudly and persistently. Will you be the next victim of a habitual drunk; or will it be a habitual driver?

Newsletter Contributions

Do you have newsletter comments or submissions? Calendar Events, feedback, articles or just a hello can be sent to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz