News

Arachnid infestation encourages Mazda to recall 65,000 automobiles

11
Apr

An invasion of spiders in numerous cases has forced Mazda to announce a car recall. Several automobiles have been impacted by the yellow sac arachnid, which is enticed by the smell of gasoline into the car's emission control system. The recall includes 65,000 Mazda6 autos from 2009-10 that have been determined vulnerable to the yellow sac arachnid. Source of article - Arachnid infestation prompts Mazda to recall 65,000 cars by Newsytype.com.

Motor troubles from a spider

The Mazda spider recall of 65,916 vehicles was prompted after the after the National Highway...

April 11, 2011 GabrielF READ MORE

BikeNZ/CAN/NZTA Cyclist Skills Instructor training course dates

8
Apr

It has been announced that BikeNZ and CAN have been appointed by the NZ Transport Agency to train cyclist skills instructors in order to fulfil a new NZQA qualification. This new national standard is to ensure cycle skills instructors, whether they are delivering the BikeNZ Learn to Ride programme or any other certified programme, have the knowledge and skills needed to teach both adults and children to ride safely.

Three Grade One courses will be held in June, with a further 12 courses being run over the next year to cover grades one to three of the NZTA guidelines.

These...

April 8, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

National Walking and Cycling Conference to be held in Hastings

7
Apr

Hastings has won the rights to hold the inaugural National Walking and Cycling Conference in 2012.

The combined conference, to be held in early 2012, will replace the two series of cycling conferences and walking conferences, which have been held individually, biennially in the past".

The combined conference is expected to attract a large number of delegates to Hastings and allow representatives from both sectors to tackle shared barriers and challenges, at the one forum.

In awarding Hastings the conference, the New Zealand Walking and Cycling Conference committee...

April 7, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

How to jumpstart and maintain a lively cycling advocacy group

6
Apr

Working daily with budding bicycle and pedestrian advocacy leaders throughout the US and Canada, I've seen many organizations spark and fizzle while others develop into a lasting flame.

So what separates the groups whose fire is short-lived from those that go on for decades and go on to win big victories for biking and walking rights?

Here are five tips that healthy, lively, and long-lasting advocacy groups almost always follow.

1. Build a dream team
Advocacy is all about relationship building. And a successful advocacy organization starts with a...

April 6, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Campbell Live story on car dooring

5
Apr

Well-known singer Don McGlashan has a punctured lung and several broken bones after smashing into a car door while he was cycling.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Car-doors---a-cyclists-worst-nightmare/tabid/367/...

April 5, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Love to Roll 2011 - brought to you by Frocks on Bikes

5
Apr

April 5, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Be bright, be safe, be seen, say cyclists

1
Apr

The end of daylight saving means it is time for cyclists to dust off their lights and add a bit of fluorescence to their riding wardrobe.

Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) spokesman Patrick Morgan said as the days get shorter, cyclists need to get brighter.

"Bike lights and high-visibility riding gear make you easier to see," said Mr Morgan.

Cycling fatalities have declined over recent years despite increasing bike sales. Mr Morgan said it could have something to do with cyclists embracing the culture of being seen.

"I have seen drivers sitting at an intersection do...

April 1, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

EU plans to ban cars from cities by 2050

31
Mar

Petrol and diesel-driven cars should be banned from cities across Europe by 2050 to slash dependence on oil and tackle climate change, the European Commission said today.

A sweeping transport plan to be put to EU governments insists that phasing out "conventionally fuelled" cars by then is not an assault on personal mobility.

Coupled with proposals and targets covering road, rail and air travel, the Commission says its transformation of the European transport system can increase mobility and cut congestion and emissions.

EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: "The...

March 31, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Nextbike - Public bikes in New Zealand. Wellington update and discussion paper.

23
Mar

Executive summary
Over the last 3 years Nextbike has proven that there is a demand for public bikes in
Auckland, and New Zealand. The Auckland public bikes have been regularly used
by both locals and visitors, with thousands of registered riders and the majority of
all rides ridden for free, as one way trips. The findings from the last three years are
supported by a large data base of all the rentals made over the period. This
demonstrates that Nextbikes provide another mode of public transport and very
effectively complements existing...

March 23, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Frocks on Bikes Palmerston North

18
Mar

Mark your diaries, ladies and gentlemen! The Palmerston North flock of Frocks on Bikes presents:

Rollin' by the River!

When? 2pm, Sunday the 20th of March 2011
Where? The Esplanade Gardens (meet by the conservatory - just look for the frocks and the bikes!)
What to bring? Tea, baking to share (if you like to bake), picnic blankets and of course, bikes! We'll be taking tea in the park, followed by a leisurely ride by the meandering Manawatu River.
What to wear? Sunday best - frocks are preferred, of course, but please come in whatever makes YOU feel frockish and...

March 18, 2011 julied READ MORE

Safer cycling projects announced

18
Mar

New Zealand's cycling organisations are joining forces to make cycling safer.

The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) and BikeNZ are working with the New Zealand Transport Agency on three new projects over the next 18 months, aimed at creating a safer environment for cycling.

The projects include training for cycling skills instructors; running workshops putting cyclists alongside truck and bus drivers; and developing a nationwide "share the road" campaign for all road users.

CAN Chairman Graeme Lindup says, "Cycling is booming in popularity in New Zealand, but we need to...

March 18, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Call for expressions of interest in undertaking paid work for CAN

17
Mar

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NZTA Safer Cycling Programme

CAN and BikeNZ have been funded by the NZ Transport Agency to develop and deliver Road User Workshops (RUW) and a Share the Road (STR) pilot campaign.  This work, plus a Cycling Skills Instructor Training programme (managed by BikeNZ) is to be undertaken between now and 30 June 2012 and will be overseen by a Joint Steering Group consisting of leaders from CAN and BikeNZ.  The overall programme has been labelled by NZTA as the Safer Cycling Programme (SCP).

The CAN-managed projects (Road User Workshops and a STR scoping exercise) require a range...

March 17, 2011 Graeme READ MORE

Outrage at sentence for killer driver

14
Mar

Cycling advocates react to the light sentence for a man who killed Manawatu woman Patricia Fraser.

Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) manager Patrick Morgan says he is outraged and saddened.

"The light sentence in this case sends a message that killing another road user has few consequences. That is appalling."

"This is not a story about cycling - it's about accountability."

"Why does the life of Patricia Fraser mean so little?"

"Our messages to all roads users are simple:

First. follow the rules.

Second, don't drive or ride on...

March 14, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Community work for cycle death crash

14
Mar

The man responsible for the death of cyclist Patricia Fraser has been sentenced in Feilding District Court today.

Christopher David McClelland, 45, was sentenced to 175 hours' community work and disqualified for driving for 10 months.

Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing death.

On November 13, at 2.45pm, McClelland was travelling along State Highway 1, near Mt Stewart when he noticed Mrs Fraser, 34, and a friend riding single file in the cycle lane.

His car drifted towards the cycle lane. The front left corner of his vehicle...

March 14, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Progress on the WCC 2008 Cycling Policy as at March 2011

11
Mar

Progress on the 2008 Cycling Policy as at March 2011
Report from Wellington City Council

To date:

Considerable effort has been put in to improve the city's worst performing cycle route between Ngauranga and Featherston Street, work along this route has included:

* Thorndon Quay clearway for southbound morning cyclists, including the associated pedestrian crossing
* New lane arrangements and advanced cycle stop box approaching Bunny Street
* Highlighting potential conflict points with green surfacing on both the Hutt Road...

March 11, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Should we reduce the speed limit to cut oil consumption?

10
Mar

Here's what we could gain by reducing the speed limit.

By George Monbiot, published on the Guardian's website, 9th March 2011

Should we reduce the speed limit to cut oil consumption? Should we impose new taxes on the banks? Should we stop hawking weapons in the Middle East? The answer in all these cases is obvious, but none of these reforms will happen until we've brave enough to tackle vested interests.

Earlier this week, Spain reduced the speed limit on its motorways by 10kph. The British government should follow it, and then go further. Here's why....

March 10, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

The Case for Bike Racks on New York City Buses

10
Mar

Over the last ten years (or more) just about every major city in the U.S. has added bike-carrying capacity to their buses. While cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Seattle, Philadelphia, and San Francisco can boast 100% of their bus fleet sporting bike racks, NYC comes in at 0%.

Of course, there are reasonable assumptions one can make why NYC has not tried out some program. First and foremost: the NYC MTA subway system already allows bikes 24 hours a day. It's an excellent benefit for sure, but there are many regions of the five boroughs that are not easily within reach of...

March 10, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Do Roads Pay for Themselves?

10
Mar

"The Great Myth begins, as so many myths do, with an arduous journey - in this case, then-Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower's 62-day cross-country trip with a military convoy along our nation's rutted roads during the summer of 1919. Conditions like those faced by Eisenhower were all too familiar to the small but growing number of drivers, who clamoured for public investment in better roads. But how to pay for them? In the same year that Eisenhower made his journey, the state of Oregon hit upon an innovative method for raising money for the expensive task of improving the state's...

March 10, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Bike indicators no substitute for a clear hand signal

10
Mar

Road rule changes allow indicators on bikes
Sticking your hand out into traffic is no longer the only signalling option for cyclists after the Government cleared the way for indicators on bicycles.

New vehicle lighting rules that come into force on April 1 will allow cyclists to attach brake and indicator lights. Until now, a white headlight and a red rear-facing light have been the only lights cyclists were allowed to show. Indicator and brake lights were not specifically banned, but were not included on the list of legal bicycle lighting.

The New...

March 10, 2011 Patrick READ MORE

Christchurch Earthquake

3
Mar

Christchurch Earthquake

The events of February have certainly turned the world upside down for many of us. I would like to extend my hope that you are all safe and well and coping with the circumstances you find yourself in at present. If you have suffered a loss, be it of a loved one, relation, friend or collegue please accept the heart felt sympathy of all of us at SPOKES. Likewise if your home, business or place of work or study has suffered loss or damage know our thoughts are with you.

It is sad to see so much of the city in ruins and infastructure so...

March 3, 2011 Patrick READ MORE