Spokes Canterbury June 2010 Newsletter

Cycle Workshop

Souped Up Cycles - Free Bike Maintenance Workshop12th JuneHosted by Te Whare Roimata & the Linwood Community Art Centre, Contact Jenny 3795134 or email steve [at] cycletrailers [dot] co [dot] nz  

A group of enthusiastic volunteers is running its third free bike maintenance workshop from 1-4pm on Saturday 12 June at the Linwood Community Art Centre (cnr Stanmore rd and Worchester st). Bring along your bike and give the tyres a pump, fix the punctures, oil the chain, tweak the brakes, regrease the bearings etc. We would appreciate the donation of any old bikes that can be restored to be given away, or that have useful parts. If you have bike maintenance skills come along and help out. Other non-mechanics are welcome to help with the yummy soup, taking photos etc.  

Bus Priority Lanes

 With the new bus priority lanes on Colombo and Papanui Roads we have a real world test of how they work. If you cycle these routes please let Spokes know how they work for you. Has replacing cycle lanes with shared bus/cycle lanes improved your experience? Are there problems with other road users or with the road surfaces and transsistions? Would you like to see more/less of this; why?  Comments to newsletter [at] Spokes [dot] org [dot] nz

U.S. to Commute by Bike?

May 21 was National Bikke to Work Day in the U.S. To mark to occasion the government issued a guide to assist  government agencies and their employees in cycling to work.  Actions include providing safe secure cycle parking, showers, travel planning, emergency rides home and even working with local authorities to encourage proper bicycle infrastructure. Not as sexy as a national cycle path progam, but far more likely to increase the numbers cycling.  

Submissions

Christchurch City Council has quite a number of street improvement projects up for consultation at http://www1.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay/index.aspx If you use Bower Ave., Condell Ave., Gracefield Ave.,  Hornbrook St., Beckenham St., Longfellow St., or Circuit St. you may want to check out the link. If you are so motivated you can prepare a submission to encourage consideration of cyclits needs for these projects. Some may be taken up by Spokes and 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 and I will try to put you in touch with others who can help.  

Ghost Bicycles

Silent memorials to cycle fatalities  ghost cycles are a worldwide phenomenom. An old cycle is painted white and planted at the place of death, a silent ever present reminder of tragedy. Perhaps someone needs to plant one at Springs and Marshs’ Road to mark the passing of the 42 year old mother of two killed by a hit and run driver on 26 May 2010. Go to http://www.ghostbikes.org/   to learn of the first ghost bike in NZ. A related action is Singapore’s annual silent bicycle ride to honour those who have fallen. This event increases public awareness and has the support of local authorities and business. This action is being adopted worldwide to remind people that times are changing and cyclists are people, too.  

Need Extra Cash?

Move to town. According to an article in the June issue of Atlantic magazine the average suburban household spends 24%  of income keeping the car going. Urban residents spend half that on transportation. If you add in the time spent driving that commute, it gets even worse. It pays to live near to work.  

International Bicycle Fund  

This site has a wealth of information on all facets of bicycles. Lots of links on lots of topics. From alternative bikes to cycling and the economy and all matters between. A good site to entertain and inspire those of us who think bicycles are more then merely transportation or exercise. http://www.ibike.org/  

Cycling Lowers Rates

An inner city regional bicycle network would deliver at least $506 million - or $3.88 for every dollar spent - in net economic benefits over 30 years, according to a major new study. The City of Sydney commissioned study by AECOM* found the network would reduce Sydney's traffic congestion by 4.3 million car trips a year.Given the central government’s fixation with keeping up with the Aussies perhaps we will see some funding for cycling? One can hope. Check out the article courtesey of Spokes affilliate, Cycling Advocates’ Network. http://can.org.nz/article/cycling-equals-big-financial-benefits-plus-fewer-cars-says-new-study  

ASB Cycle Friendly Awards 2010

The search for New Zealand's best bike lane, most effective promotion, and most cycle-friendly employer is on.

The Cycling Advocates' Network is inviting entries for the ASB Cycle Friendly Awards 2010.  

Awards Coordinator, Dirk De Lu, says he expects some tough competition.  He welcomes ASB into the cycle friendly fold, as the new Awards sponsor. ASB is pleased to be the Branding Sponsor of the Cycle Friendly Awards this year.  ASB notes they are committed to identifying and encouraging a range of active and sustainable travel choices, both in the communities in which they operate and for their ASB people.  The Cycle Friendly Awards align closely with these efforts and ASB's values. 

Mr De Lu says, "For many organisations, the Awards are an opportunity to showcase their efforts and vision through well developed sustainable travel options for their operations and communities." 

"The Bicycle Bell trophy is highly sought after and placed prominently with pride by previous winners."

This year's ASB Cycle Friendly Awards ceremony will be held, in Wellington on Friday 29 October with sponsorship from Wellington City Council. The ceremony initiates a weekend of cycling action with the annual meeting of cycling advocates, the CAN Do, also held in Wellington.Entries may cover an 18 month period, from January 2009 until June 2010. Award Categories are: 

Best Cycle Facility Project                                                     Avanti Bikes

Best Cycling Promotion Project                                            Canterbury District Health Board       

Cycle Friendly Commitment by a Business                          New Zealand Transport Agency          

Cycle Friendly Commitment by a Public Organinsation       ViaStrada Ltd.                  

Cycling Champion of the Year                                                Greater Wellington Regional Council 

The closing date for entries is Friday 3 September 2010.  Entry forms are at: http://can.org.nz/asb-cycle-friendly-awards-2010.  Contact Dirk De Lu on 03 337 1790 or awards [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz Media Contact:  Dirk De Lu  03 337 1790    awards [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz . 

Spokes

Spokes spends a lot of time and effort presenting to all levels of government on behalf of cyclists. If there are issues which interest you or if you have skills or information you can share, contact us to get involved. The amount of time and effort given is up to you.

The Spokes Promotion and Information group provides an opportunity to reach out to the community at large. People skills, artistic talent, experience in sucessfull promotions along with a fun attitude definitely appreciated.

The Core Group of volunteers meets monthly to conduct the business of keeping us all coordinated and to set our course. Use the email address below to learn more or to volunteer. 

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