2010 ISSUE 4, December Magazine of the Cycling Advocates
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Chainlinks CHAINLINKS 2010 Issue 4, December 4, Issue 2010 CHAINLINKS 2010 ISSUE 4, December MAGAZINE OF THE CYCLING ADVOCATES NETWORK (NZ) Chainlinks March regions is critical. Interestingly, it seems Editorial transport policies have been a factor in On November 1 local government in voters’ election choices. The challenge Articles by 9th February Auckland was profoundly changed with now for the mayors of Auckland and Wel- Bike Month material the birth of the new Auckland Council. lington, and indeed those of many other Replacing seven territorial authorities cities and towns, is to develop more sus- Local group repor ts and the Auckland Regional Council is tainable transport modes within current by 25th February government policy settings that are a new unitary authority. It is assisted in Email content to: extraordinarily narrow and unbalanced. its governance role by a raft of council- [email protected] The excessive amount of investment in controlled organisations including Pictures: >500kb, 1024 x 768 pixels seven roads of national significance has the Auckland Transport Agency. The preferred significantly reduced funding available campaign for the Auckland mayoralty Advertising: [email protected] dominated TV coverage of local elections for roads in most other parts of the by 9th February and for those in the community cam- country and even exacerbated the ne- paigning for sustainable transport, Len glect of public transport, walking and Brown’s election is regarded as a positive cycling. Although central government step. The success of Celia Wade-Brown, contributions to local government for a familiar face at CAN, Living Streets roading and public transport services and Cycle Aware Wellington events, is a are a significant component of the total road sign Taranaki further fillip for cycling advocates. Not spend on transport, and reflect current just in Auckland and Wellington, but government priorities, nevertheless local throughout New Zealand the 2010 local government in New Zealand enjoys a elections remind us of the importance high level of independence and can and of exercising our democratic right (and should respond to voters who have given responsibility, I would argue) to vote. If many new mayors and councils a strong our communities are to become more mandate to invest in more sustainable liveable and people are to have mean- modes. It is a mandate that central gov- ingful choices in transport, rather than ernment cannot ignore, especially as we being forced into car ownership and de- head into an election year. pendence, then who we elect every three Christine Cheyne years to govern our districts/cities and Christine is based in Palmerston North and is a member of Cycle Aware Man- Letters to the Editor awatu and CAN’s Central organisations portfolio group. ‘Taking the lane’ Cycling in Japan The choice of cover photo of the Oc- tober Chainlinks surprises me. Cyclists I find Mr Rushton’s observations on Cy- CAN: Cycling Advocates Network riding two abreast over a bridge. The 2nd cling in Japan interesting. PO Box 6491, Wellesley St, Auckland, New Zealand. woman is riding very wide. It looks like However — after a visit to Osaka 2003, Tel 04 972 2552 she is impeding traffic. Also, if the 1st car the shared inner city footpaths appeared brakes suddenly I would doubt the 2nd a dangerous and inefficient option to [email protected] car could stop in time as its so close. Page apply uniformly to NZ. We do have a www.can.org.nz Registered Charity no.: CC36909 5 had the article about CAN’s top 3 focus different culture; and sometimes cyclists areas. The fifth paragraph under “share have a legitimate need to get to a desti- with care” talks about impeding traffic nation as quickly as practicable. Chainlinks should pull to the left … side by side ISSN 1175-9364 (print) I think he draws the wrong conclusions riding annoys many motorists … sharing ISSN 1174-3409 (online) about compulsory cycle helmet wearing and courtesy work both ways. Shouldn’t [email protected] in NZ. Statistics about car-only accidents these cyclists be riding single file? On Editor: Stephen Wood have no necessary bearing on car-cycle the other hand, perhaps this is a fantastic Contributions manager: Claire Pascoe or cycle only accidents. There is no cor- photo! Showing cyclists a good way to relation between the factors that have annoy drivers and also showing drivers a The views expressed in Chainlinks are lowered the road toll for car only acci- good way to rear end a car! not necessarily those of CAN. dents, and the statistics on cycle accident Mark Coburn, Wellington numbers. Mr Rushton does not break Cover photo: Frocks On Bikes Editor: The cyclists have just come across a down injury statistics e.g head injuries Christchurch Frocktober Swing into Spring (October 2010). narrow bridge with a no passing restriction vs other. The success of the primary in- Photographer: Oswald Mungwazi, where they’ve judged there isn’t room for tention of the helmet law is not tested. [email protected] a car to pass them safely within the lane, Since 1995 car use has increased, but they’re signalling that decision by “taking car purchase price has plummeted, in- creasing numbers and the lane”. Continues p19 Publishing 2 2010 Chainlinks 4, December. 2010 Chainlinks 4, December. 3 Contents 2 Editorial 2 Letters to the Editor 3 Not drenched in sweat 4 Government news 4 St James Walkway 5 Cycle touring: Back to the future 6 International news 6 Rescue 7 New Zealand roundup 8–9 CAN Do & AGM 10 ASB Cycle Friendly Awards 2010 12 Police cycle trainers upskill at CAN Bikeability workshop 12 Introducing the new merchandise coordinator 12–13 CAN news & contacts 13 Big Bike Fix Up fixes the climate, one bike at a time 13 Blind Cycling Not drenched in sweat 15 Spring celebration of cycling 15 Spoke ‘n’ word David Lillie 16 Regional groups news To pedal power purists, bikes and motors don’t mix; Taranaki Area Office 17 Join CAN but neither do car emissions and the environment. Ranger Paul Marshall 18 Life on the roads, part 2 That’s why, as part of a sustainability drive, the with their electric bike. 19 David Bryne’s Bicycle Diaries Department of Conservation’s Taranaki Area Office sought a compromise between man and machine power. They wanted to lose a vehicle out of the fleet and use a bike around town for meetings. Their electric bike or e-bike has attracted much Join CAN on Facebook attention, but is there more to the e-bike than novelty? Facebook fans can now find CAN at the popular social media site. The Electric Bicycle Company retro- trial an off-the-rack e-bike around the Visit http:// for news re- fitted an existing mountain bike for DOC country. Fewer motor vehicles (or less use tinyurl.com/CANfacebk leases, a courteous cycling code, pictures, Taranaki, and the trials impressed ranger of them) mean lower costs and a lighter events, discussion and more. Paul Marshall. ‘It went great and was as carbon footprint; but it’s a balancing act quick around town as a car, if not quicker. to ensure that staff still have the transport Project Manager Patrick Morgan says it’s a I got back to the office refreshed. It’s a fun and tools needed to carry out a diverse useful way to raise CAN’s profile and reach and healthy option, as well as environ- range of work. people who may not see themselves as cycling advocates. n mentally friendly and sustainable.’ Beginning its tour in Stewart Island, the Months after its purchase, the e-bike e-bike attracted celebrity attention. has a hard core following. Staff It was barely unwrapped and as- means the e-bike must earn its keep, but members use it for trips to sembled before Stewart Island it saves fuel and needs little maintenance. meetings. It supplies exercise “as quick around Flights’ three pilots comman- Variations on the e-bike are available, and fresh air, while the pedal town as a car, if deered it for joy rides in the with different uses. DOC’s sustainability assist ensures they don’t turn main street. The island’s un- team will suggest that Consumer mag- up drenched in sweat. Paul not quicker” dulating topography tested the azine review the options to help potential hopes more staff will try it in bike’s uphill pedal assistance to users decide what suits them best. summer. the limit — sometimes leaving The e-bike trial has raised eyebrows from Three settings control how riders halfway up and burdened Invercargill to the Kauri Coast. Although much assistance the bike’s motor pro- with a powerless motor and battery. it has detractors, the convenience and vides. The battery takes 15 minutes to A northern DOC office reported similarly flexibility make it worth a try, especially charge. Automatic or full motor setting mixed results. The e-bike struggled on to reduce dependence on motor vehicles gives an hour’s running from a full hills, the gearing made it hard to ride for short trips. Wellington DOC staffers charge, depending on terrain. The e-bike without pedal assist and it was too heavy have yet to try the e-bike, but they’ll n has a range of 35–80 km and a top speed to lift up stairs. welcome any help pedalling into a gale! on the flat of 40 km/h. However, other offices found it useful Read Liz Mikkelsen’s account of her electric The move by its Taranaki office inspired for trips around town, on the flat or on bike on page 6.