Spokes Canterbury July 2010
Spokes Canterbury July 2010
Spokes Canterbury July 2010 Newsletter
The Power of Ten, Project K
Dedicated cyclists may find this an attractive offer. Commit to ride 10,000 K’s in the next year and to find sponsors willing to back you with $10,000 in donations. Children in Canterbury and a village in Tanzania both benefit. With 5 riders already committed 5 more are needed.
Check out http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/Power_of_Ten-Project_K and http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/ColinPearson/ for details.
Riders will also receive support from a masseuse, personal trainer along with free clothing. With a little extra effort you can commit to your training goals, benefit worthy causes and receive some support in return. A rare win-win.
Biking the Bus
Wellington and Christchurch have both had some conflict between cyclists and busses. Wellington has approached this creatively by offering cyclists the opportunity to drive a bus, and bus drivers the opportunity to cycle in traffic.
Bus drivers complained that cyclists did not share the road well and leave drivers pressured to give up road space. After cycling in traffic they had a better understanding of the hazards cyclists face.
Cyclists who drove buses, around the company yard, found that driving such behemoths is extremely challenging.
Last month we asked for feedback on your experiences with the new bus priority lanes. Most feel safer in the wide lanes when they are not being used by buses. Complaints came from the lanes being intermittent and, especially on Colombo Street, the cycle lanes and advance stop boxes at intersections having been removed to accommodate the new priority lanes.
The lanes are open to use by motor cycles and scooters. The speed differential between cyclists and motorised bikes is a concern. Word is the taxi companies would like to use them, too. Spokes is working hard to represent cyclist’s interests. Please provide more feedback to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz
Thanks to Stuart for this article suggestion.
Bikes on Buses
Spokes is still asking for feedback on how the racks are working. Have you used them? How was it? Why have you not used them? What might it take to make them more attractive? Comments please to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz
You can also go to the Metro Info website for information on routes covered or to leave feedback. (Button in upper left column)
http://www.metroinfo.org.nz/bikeRacks_Main.html
Cycling Banned in U.S.
Black Hawk Colorado, a town of less then 200 has made cycling illegal.
The town had just about faded from the map when they embraced gambling as the key to their economic survival. With street widths set in the 1800’s and gamblers and delivery trucks frequenting the new casinos cycling has been deemed to dangerous for “health and safety” reasons. The ban even applies to the main state highway serving the town and cyclists must dismount and walk about 400 metres through town.
Cycle groups are up in arms over the ban and will be challenging it in the courts. The town council is adamant that serving the needs of casinos and their clientele takes priority over cyclists.
Cycling Mecca – Auckland?
In one year cycling in Auckland has increased by 27%. Their new north western cycleway had 70% more riders then the streets it replaced. Could it be that the driver’s in Auckland are just so polite and accommodating that people are encouraged to cycle? Auckland has been spending millions on cycle infrastructure. Along with the economic downturn and the desire to kick the car addiction and get fit the popular desire for cycling is made clear.
Christchurch has seen cycling numbers increase by 10% in the last year. It is unlikely that the perception of safer streets and better infrastructure are the cause as the number of children cycling to school has dropped by 15% since 2007. Parents are still hesitant to encourage children to cycle.
It would seem that necessity is and health are the likely causes of the increase. Providing for the real transportation needs of a growing number of cyclists could result in more inviting streets. Let your councillors know what you need and expect from them.
Lowered Speeds = Less Carnage
The Queen’s birthday week end road toll made plain that lower road speed means safer roads. The police signalled that they would be enforcing speed laws strictly, drivers slowed down and fatalities and injuries dropped drastically.
International experience has proven that this works for city streets, too. Lower urban speeds are rewarded with safer roads. Spokes encourages local authorities to lower urban speed limits to save lives and encourage people to venture out on their cycles.
Waimakariri District Council
Spokes is submitting on the draft Walking and Cycling Strategy 2010. We would like to hear from people who cycle in the district who might consider developing an ongoing relationship with the Council. Spokes will make both written and oral submissions and this would be an opportunity to develop advocacy skills while improving the cycling environment.
The draft strategy reports that the 2006 census statistics for people cycling to work in Kaiapoi and Rangiora are 19.3 and 18.7% respectively. With these numbers it is especially disappointing that the Council is proposing shifting funding from directly in support of residents who cycle to the Minor Improvements Programme.
The bridge clip-ons proposed for the Waimakariri, Cones and Ashley bridges will never happen without strong local support. Spokes is only as strong as our members and it is primarily up to Spokes to advocate for the needs of cyclists. Please consider helping out. You will meet friendly supportive and skilled people while making a difference. Email to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz
Not left out in Christchurch
Spokes is always open to working with people interested in supporting cycling in Christchurch. An email to the above address can open the rewards of cycling advocacy to Christchurch residents, too.
Cycling Advocacy
Spokes Core member Glen Koorey wrote a paper of interest for all who cycle. All of us are "ambassadors" for cycling even if we merely mention we like to cycle to others. How we mention it matters. The paper is a bit long but worth the read.
To quote the opening paragraph:
"Promoting more cycling in New Zealand is still an exercise fraught with much adversity, both from the general public and from decision- and policy-makers. It is therefore crucial that anyone advocating for a better cycling environment is careful in how they present their case, lest they end up “scoring an own goal” or furthering existing mis-conceptions."
You can find the rest of the article at:
Paris, City of Cycles
Paris already has its very successful Velib cycle rental scheme. Building on this success the city is now committed to increasing its current 440 km of cycle paths to 700 km by 2014.
Cycling has benefited Paris by reducing road congestion and Parisians by providing healthy transport options.
Christchurch has laid some of the foundation for a cycle friendly city with the Gehl report for the central city. Hopefully the experiences of Paris, London and Copenhagen will encourage the rapid adoption and expansion of plans to develop our city to meet resident’s needs. Even Detroit Michigan, home of the U.S. auto industry, has developed its River Walk and cycle way. Is Christchurch prepared to commit to the growing international trend?
Cycle Park on a Shoestring
The economic squeeze is on all over, but that does not mean nothing can be done.
The city of Orlando Florida had a large piece of undeveloped land near the urban centre. Local advocates got together and found some grant money and the volunteers to turn it into a 7 ha mountain bike park.
The city was glad to be able to deliver much needed cycling facilities and everyone benefits. Perhaps we can develop some cycle lanes with some paint and volunteers?
Cycle Parking
Are there places in Christchurch where finding a cycle park is difficult to impossible? What do you think of the half circle cycle stands? Drop Spokes an email to share your thoughts. Let us know where the need is unmet, or poorly met. newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz
Newsletter Comments or Submissions?
Calendar Events, feedback, articles or just a hello can be sent to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz
