Chainlinks How to pick up three people and their baggage on a bike CHAINLINKS 2008 Issue 2, JUNE 2008 ISSUE 2, JUNE NEWSLETTER OF THE CYCLING ADVOCATES NETWORK (NZ) input from other road users, such as Editorial cyclists. Making roads safe for cyclists is no more straightforward than mak- The petrol price seems to have ing them safe for cars or trucks — if reached that mysterious tipping point they do not have people with the for public opinion: cycling is now a know-how to cater for cycles in their serious option to explore, not just in process, it’s hard to see how they can New Zealand but in the USA too. In do it well, and cyclists are likely to this issue you can read about reaction continue to be an after-thought. See to our press release on fuel prices, on the photo at right for the Christch- the changes for bikes on public trans- urch City Council’s idea of catering port, and the continuing work around for cyclists, and on page 7 for a cycle the regions to make cycling safer. facility TransitNZ chose to give Tas- man riders. The last issue of Chainlinks got a few strong reactions. Land Transport There was also reaction to my surprise NZ pointed out that having indica- at the money, time and energy going tors fixed to your bike is not legal in into counting cycle helmet use, and This Christchurch cycle lane crosses NZ. How this prohibition meets their the lack of interest or energy going the tram lines and goes underneath the stated objective “to allow the vehicle into any other cyclist safety measures. parked cars. Read more about bikes to be operated safely under all driving There is not doubt that anyone coming and trams on p19. conditions and not endanger the safety off their cycle and hitting their head of other road users” I have yet to as- is going to be profoundly grateful for certain: expect an in depth look at this their cycle helmet. But it doesn’t make in the next issue. In the meantime it is you more visible on the road, it doesn’t perfectly legal to have indicators fixed persuade buses, trucks and cars to give CAN: Cycling Advocates Network to yourself or your clothing. Further, it the legally required 1.5 m, it doesn’t PO Box 6491, Wellesley St, appears to be legal to not signal at all make you visible at night. It reduces Auckland, New Zealand. when the construction and equipment your chance of brain damage not your Tel 04 972 2552 of a cycle makes it impractial (Road chance of being hit. None of us want [email protected] Rules 2004, SR 2004/427 3.10 (7)); for in- brain damage, but neither do we want www.can.org.nz stance when both brakes are required, to be crowded or hit by other road us- which means both hands are engaged. ers, and it would be a very fine thing Chainlinks if the dedication, time and money ISSN 1175-9364 The Automobile Association took applied to counting cycle helmets was [email protected] exception to the tone of the item on applied to measures that make the Editor: Miriam Richardson KiwiRAP, assuring CAN that they are roads safer for cyclists so we are not Contributions manager: “trying to make our roads more forgiv- thrown off, not just making our brains Stephen Wood ing and safe for all users”. But I am still safer when we are. n unclear how KiwiRAP intends to get Next Quarterly Issue: Sept clear winter sunshine Contributions by 27 August driver sees me but does not care Email content to: Letters to the editor cyclist must bail out guy chapman † [email protected] Cars can’t see you Pictures: 1024 x 768 pixels preferred The sign is at the bottom of the “Bri- This pic is perhaps not quite in the Advertising: [email protected] dleway” cyclepath that meanders same vein as the photos of Crap Cycle through the bush from Khandallah to Lanes that you would like (actually, Webpage Kaiwharawhara in Wellington. it’s a very good cyclepath), but I get can.org.nz/chainlinks/links a chuckle out of the sign every time I I know that new technology going into The views expressed in ride past it. cars will give them the ability to “see” Chainlinks are not necessarily ahead, but really, is it nec- those of CAN. essary to remind cyclists that this technology is not CAN receives financial support from quite here yet? Surely a sign just saying “blind intersection” would be more appropriate. Cover photo: Outside Dunedin Regards, Hospital ©2008 Stephen Wood. Gary Gibson ISSN 1175-9364 2 Chainlinks 2 2008 Chainlinks 2 2008 3 has been seamless and Getting children out of easy. Quite simply, Highlights this issue people are now ac- n customed to seeing our The green green limousine: cyclists wearing them.” how to pick up the rellies from cars and onto their bikes the airport in style, p5. Mark Leishman During an iMove pro- n Gemini Cycle-Friendly motion, participating students are en- Palmerston North Intermediate Awards 2008: time to reward couraged to cycle to school on “iMove Normal and Ross Intermediate local initiatives with your Thursdays” for 4 weeks. Students cy- nomination, p9. Schools have made the wearing cling (whilst wearing a vest) are issued of Hi-Viz vests compulsory for a voucher which they place in a weekly n Reaction to CAN’s fuel press cyclists, after the success of the prize draw for various incentive prizes: release, p13. iMove promotion that is having drink bottles, cycle shop vouchers, n The Squeaky Wheel a significant and positive impact reflective ‘slap bands’ and even bike gets squeaking in South on the transport behaviours of lights. This positive reinforcement ob- Canterbury, p13. the region’s youth. viously works, as in the Manawatu it is not uncommon for iMove schools to n 825 join CAN, p13. see up to ⁄ of their roll Funded by LTNZ, and ad- ¹³ n Getting kids on their bikes, left. ministered by Sport Mana- cycling on iMove days! n Bikes and public transport: watu, the iMove promotion Getting children out things are looking up in NZ, has proved a catalyst for of cars and onto their p7, (and check out the Swiss many schools to implement bikes has numerous plan, p6). Road Safe strategies. benefits, among them n improving fitness and CAN welcomes More than 50% of New Zea- Patrick Morgan, p14. land students are transported health, relieving con- to and from school. These gestion at the school n Regional groups are busy, p16. gate, and helping to trips almost doubled be- n Update on the Auckland cut our energy use and tween 1990 and 1998 while at Harbour Bridge, p8. vehicle emissions. This the same time general use of PNINS students head for bicycles for commuting pur- home, resplendent in is not lost on iMove co- n The Dunstan Trail, p8. ordinator Mark Leish- poses has declined. As rates their new uniform vests. n This year’s CAN Do, p14. of childhood obesity rise, man: “We’re committed numerous initiatives have attempted to to promoting sustainable and safe land address the issues — one of the most transport for life and this is a great the answer my friend enduring and successful of which is the way for children to learn good habits is not blowing in the wind — Manawatu-based iMove promotion. early on.” it’s riding a bike jaberwock † According to Marie Leishman of Palm- These successes highlight the results erston North Intermediate Normal that can be achieved with a consistent (PNINS), “iMove allowed a gradual message, supported by a collaborative Contents approach by schools and their com- transition by introducing students and 2 Editorial munities. their parents to the concept of cy- 3 Getting children out of cars clists wearing Hi-Viz vests under the “We are really lucky here in the 4 Government news umbrella of the whole iMove concept. Manawatu to have enthusias- 5 The green green limousine Encouraging students to choose to it is not tic support from numerous 6 International snippets be part of the promotion and health promotion agen- uncommon for 7 New Zealand roundup then issuing them with a free cies,” adds Leishman. “We iMove schools to 8 The Dunstan Trail: cycle vest was powerful. No per- have all sorts involved. touring suasion was involved. They see up to ¹⁄³ of From Roadsafe Central were simply the uniform of 9 Gemini Cycle-FriendlyAwards their roll cycling to Sport Manawatu staff, the promotion.” Police education officers, 10 The new CAN website Leishman adds further that “it was Whakapai Hauora, Public 11 Marketplace also an eloquent statement by local Health Unit, Primary Health Organi- 13 Recruitment drive government that they value safety sations and Public Health Nurses — all 13 Squeaky Wheel enough to fund it in such a practical lend a hand.” And it is that support 14 CAN updates way. After two years of iMove, the in- that continues to produce outstanding 16 Regional groups results. clusion of vests in our school uniform 17 Join CAN The next iMove month in Manawatu is 19 2008 Dates eight years old, just learned, November. n 19 On the web moulton mini, single speed, 2 Chainlinks 2 2008 ten miles, with proud mum Chainlinks 2 2008 3 andy scaife † Cycling isn’t very prominent at first Government news glance, but if you look hard enough very dangerous, Cycling and walking strategies: there are links to several sites with cy- bicycles and poetry — a hot topic for local government cling information and resources.