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Submission to NZ Transport Agency on Auckland Electric Vehicles - Phase Two Trial Bylaw 2017

CAN strongly supports efforts to reduce New Zealand’s transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and supports the introduction of electric vehicles.

However, CAN is strongly opposed to opening up access by electric vehicles to specified special vehicles lanes on state highways in Auckland. We understand that one of the lanes proposed is a bus only ramp. The other ten lanes that are proposed to be opened up allow access to...

By Steve Muir

We’re particularly interested in journeys that are made regularly and may involve load-carrying, like commuting and shopping.

Our first attempt, limited by bad weather, was in February 2016. This year’s participants were all from ICECycles, a Christchurch group that encourages cycling by fixing bikes and giving them to people on low...

Barcelona in Spain is a city that suffers air pollution, much of it from transport. Reducing dependence on cars for short trips is one way of tackling pollution, so on a visit there I looked at one of Barcelona's tactics in weaning short journeys off the car: Superblocks. Here are some photos from my visit to the Poblenou neighbourhood. 

Above: Called superilles or 'superislands' in Catalan, the concept is that up to nine contiguous blocks are joined together and traffic within these blocks is restricted, as this diagram shows.

Above: The entrance to the...

New Zealand was represented by advocacy body Cycling Action Network at a recent global meeting aimed at promoting cycling to advance the UN's Global Development Goals

Shipra Narang Suri of the UN told the Conference that the world is at an inflection point in development of cities. A majority of the world’s population now lives in built-up areas, so the UN sees that many cities are learning key lessons: Liveability and choice in transport are critical so that cities can function properly and give their citizens a better quality of life. Only carefully, meaningfully planned urbanisation can...

Ambitious road safety goal welcomed by cycling advocates

Cycling advocates have welcomed a decision by Hamilton City Council to set an ambitious goal for road safety.

"We congratulate Hamilton City Council on adopting a goal of zero deaths from traffic crashes within 10 years,” said Claire Sherrington, Deputy Chair of Cycling Action Network.

The Council has said it is no longer acceptable to have deaths on city streets.”

We think this is a first for New Zealand.”

Until 20 June, the Council's goal was to reduce road deaths over the next...

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Bike to the Future Awards. The awards, organised by Cycling Action Network (CAN) and the NZ Transport Agency, celebrate the people and projects working tirelessly and innovatively to create a more cycle-friendly New Zealand so that more Kiwis can choose to get about by bike.

CAN spokesperson, Patrick Morgan, says there's no doubt that cycling is on the up.

“Bike sales are increasing, e-bikes are attracting new riders, and cycleways are being built at an unprecedented rate.

“The Bike to the Future Awards...

Nationally iconic Tamaki Drive faces an Auckland Transport re-design which is at once underwhelming and potentially lethal

Bike Auckland have rolled up their sleeves and produced a better option.

Check out BA's blog post with links to how you can help here.

This is important for all kiwis interested in making things better for people on bikes: NZ's largest city has a big influence on the standards our other regions set.

Don't let them away with doing a half-baked job.

Feedback is open til Sunday June 18th.

Image...

The number one priority? Get kids biking to school.

Kids love biking. But it’s a national shame that only 2% of children do cycle to school. Programmes such as Bike Ready and Pedal Ready show that with encouragement and facilities, this trend can be reversed. The timing is right to roll out a national programme. 

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Image: Rototuna High School, Feb 2016

Kids...

Did you ride a bike when you were a kid? Do you remember the freedom and fun?

I remember learning to ride a bike at my grandmother's house in Whanganui. I set myself the goal of riding around the house 50 times. I got a growling for making a rut in the lawn, but it was worth it.

Sadly, many New Zealand children miss out on biking. They lose the opportunity to develop fitness, independence, risk management and social skills. They miss out on the fun of exploring their neighbourhood under their own steam.

The Ministry of Transport says that the...