Spokes Core

I have been asked by Sustainability Otautahi Christchurch to broadcast the below message which you may wish to respond to as an individual. Please cut and paste the three questions below and send your responses to Kate Nimmo.  Her email address is also below.

KeithTurner (Chairperson) 

_{“The road not taken”}

More People Cycling
                      More Often

Happy New Year from Spokes

What do you want from this e letter?

It is a new year and perhaps time for some changes. The Spokes e letter has been bringing you short bits we think may be of interest to cyclists, local cycling news, historical  pieces, cycle touring ideas and even the odd bit of satire. Is this what you want?

Just a quick note to advise that CCC cancelled the facilitated meeting the afternoon prior to its scheduled time. Spokes notified the next morning about an hour prior to meeting.

The resident's group reports that the developer has accellerated the completion of the controversial changes which removed cycle lanes while increasing density. CCC has been asked to file suit immediately to avoid it being a 'done deal'.

Check out this not wholly accurate The Press article if interested.

Interesting, I posted the following update in the North / South CDB cycle route article and nothing came through into my in box so I will start a new article.... 

Update re North / South eastern CDB cycle route...

On Saturday the cordon was moved at last and all of Latimer Square is now open to the public. Sadly CERA has seen fit not to extend it beyond Hereford St, even for pedestrians/cyclists. Its nothing for them to open it to Cashel St.

Nigel

CCC has released the final Central City Rebuild Plan. It will still need to get past Gerry Brownlee.

The issues raised by the Spokes submission were not addressed. A strong commitment to cycling is not made.   Attached file provides some detail.

See a photo gallery of the 2011 Chch Santa Parade here....

http://spokes.org.nz/image-galleries/2011-christchurch-santa-parade

CYCLING SURVEY

The NZ Transport Agency is currently working on plans to develop the State Highway 1 Christchurch Western Corridor (i.e. Johns/Russley Rds) as a Road of National Significance. This likely to include a combination of four-laning and major intersection works; see http://www.nzta.govt.nz/network/projects/christchurch-western-corridor/ for more details about this highway project.

More People Cycling More Often  

CHRISTCHURCH SH1 WESTERN CORRIDOR - CYCLING SURVEY

****Mini November Newsletter of Upcoming Events.****

Here follows are a number of upcoming events.

Frocks on Bikes ride: To New Brighton Eco-Market

Sunday 20th November: This is the first Frocks on Bikes ride of the season.

The Distance: 7km.

Dress Theme: Casual-dressy-comfy (could be a cool easterly out there).

Hi Everyone, I received the following today that others may find interesting...

Government establishes urban design protocol for Australian cities

An urban design protocol of Australian Cities was released yesterday, along
with the Federal Government's State of Australian Cities 2011 report, its aim
to encourage world-class urban design.

More People Cycling More Often

Noble Village Jousting Match

Some of you may recall the sorry tale in the August issue concerning CCC's allowing the developer of the Noble Village subdivision at Yaldhurst to remove required cycle lanes while narrowing roads.

The on again off again Council hearing is now definitely scheduled for 5:00pm this Wednesday, 9th November at Beckenham Service Centre, 66 Colombo Street (cnr Hunter Tce).

Let CCC know that we actually expect them to provide the cycle improvements they say they support

CCC HAS MOVED THIS TO WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER, 5 PM SOUTH LIBRARY

This link takes you to a NZTA funded study on perceptions of cycling and how to effectively promote cycling in NZ. A very worth while read and full of interesting facts.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/426/ 

IceCycles 7th Free Bike Maintenance Day is now on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xymTI30U0Y

Look out for Keith fixing a bike about 40 seconds into the video while its owner looks on.

A classic!

Nigel

CAN Cycle Friendly Awards 2012

There is just over a month left to get an early bird nomination for a cycle
friendly award in. To date we have NONE. This is very concerning. 

The awards are scheduled to be presented at the national 2 walk and cycle
conference in Hastings in February and a good showing is really important. 

With all the government cutbacks there may well be fewer projects available
to nominate. But local activists and some local authorities are still

More People Cycling More Often

CCC Cycle Facilities Report

I wrote the attached article in 2006 when I was still employed as an academic. I chart the strategies, progress and results towards safer riding for all. In those days, a safe ride depended on bicycle design (taken care of larger by the invention of the safety-cycle c. mid-1880s), riding conditions, and behaviours of all road users. 

If anyone wishes to use the material, feel free but, as a courtesy please acknowledge the work. Thank you.  

Hi:

Spokes views the Central City rebuild as an exciting opportunity to improve Christchurch. Clearly Spokes thinks that cycling must play a big part. You probably do too. Here is a chance to express yourself and be heard.

More People Cycling More Often

This is Spoke's core message. We could have added safely, conveniently, gladly, healthfully, but wanted to keep it short. Obviously we work for all of those.

Now you can do something to help cycling. Riding your bike is the first bit. Letting government know you expect to do so safely and to all the places you need to go is the next bit.

The Christchurch Central City Plan is reviewed with notes by page number and headings in the attached file.

The Central City Quick notes file is a bit over one page but gives the tone of the plan and a few definitons.

S8 will go in as the final. If you have comments email newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz Now

Best, Dirk

Join the Spokes Facebook Page and keep up to date on what's happening.

A Note from the Editor

Due to technical challenges the August letter sent out on Monday did not reach many subscribers. To those who received a repeat of the July letter, to those who received nothing and to those of you receiving yet another August letter I extend my apologies.

Spokes is working towards a site upgrade which should provide for a better site, a better looking letter and fewer technical challenges. Thank you for bearing with us.  

Thanks to the local residents for writing and providing this synopsis of what they have been through. Not a happy tale.

$131 Million Reasons to Copenhagenize Christchurch

Reading the piece at the link below makes it clear that cycling is a no brainer for anyone who supports free choice, road safety, health, the economy and the environment. A version of this piece was also published in the Saturday 23 July The Press.

Christchurch City Planners say No to Cycle Lanes

Interesting article from Speigel Online about cycling issues in Germany, and particularly the squeeze on cycling infrastructure arising from a lack of investment coupled with an increase in cycling numbers.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,767522,00.html

Thanks to CCC for passing this on. It looks like being a cyclist has its advantages, again.

ShareanIdea.org.nz

This CCC quake rebuild site is now posing questions which change every few days.  Be sure to check in often to get your ideas heard. It only takes a minute and the more of us who support cycling; the more likely we will get heard.

Spokes Annual General Meeting will be held at the Kendal School Library on Saturday  21 May 2pm -4.30pm.

Kendal School is located in Burnside on the south side of Kendal Avenue just off Wairakei Road.

Before the AGM there will be a slide show of cycling activities, and cycle touring in Europe.

As part of the post quake rebuild, CCC is required under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act to produce a Central City Plan and present it to CERA within 6 months.  This is a brief outline of the process and themes by which CCC central city Masterplan is being developed.  There are 6 key workstreams being done by 6 key teams, plus a comms team and a management team.  Key planner is Mike Teijlin (sp?) and workstreams are:

(i)     Transport and infrastructure
(ii)   Land use and activities
(iii)  Art, Culture and Heritage

Spokes AGM 

Sat 21 May 2-4.30pm. Venue: Kendal School library. Cycle touring slide show covering Japan, Europe, USA. Refreshments courtesy of Spokes Core.

Interested in learning about cycle touring or how Spokes works? This is your chance. What is Spokes Core? Learn it all and meet those who have expressed interest in serving the group. Keith Turner, current chair will seek nomination for another term. Shirley Wilson has put her hand up for treasurer. Chrys Horn has offered to be secretary. Executive group positions will also be filled.

Attached is a copy of Spokes constitution, as amended at the AGM on 13 May 2010

The Annex Road southern motorway underpass has finally re-opened!  This means that the useful cycling Route 24 between Lincoln Road and the University via Annex Road-Hansens Lane-Waimairi Road- Homestead Lane- Ilan Road, is available again. 

This is good news for those cyclists in the SW who have had to endure both the closure of the underpass, and path deviations and the removal of cycle lanes from Curletts Road.

There is an article in the Press today (Thurs 28 April - A5) about nominations being sought for the community forum being established under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act.  This is to have at least 20 "suitably qualified" representatives of the community.

Spokes has a number of eminently qualified members who would be suitable for appointment, and I suggest that we put up a nomination. If would probably be helpful if the nominee has interest and experience that goes beyong cycling (e.g. to active and public transport generally).

Have you an item or event you would like to see in the newsletter?

Post it here or send it to newsletter [at] spokes [dot] org [dot] nz BEFORE 6 May for the May issue.

From events to whole articles to article ideas, just send it in. Please note if you wish to be credited for the item. All items subject to editing. Items deemed inapropriate will not be included.

Thanks

Spokes appreciates that CCC has been kind enough to advise Spokes of this so we can pass it on to our members.

The cycles lanes on both sides of Curletts Road have been removed to create an extra lane for cars. Cyclists can still use this route.

Signs have been installed at each end of Curletts Road advising cyclists to use Hansons Lane as an alternative route.