Cycle Action Auckland announces Bikes for Life: a public rally for action to improve cycling safety in Auckland - 11am this Sunday, 5 December, on Queens Wharf, Auckland.
“Cycle riding benefits health, air quality, carbon emissions, the economy, traffic congestion and happiness. It is an important transport choice that enhances our cities and lives. Despite this, the recent spate of deaths and rising levels of cycling injuries in Auckland shows how hostile our roads can be to people on bicycles.” says Barbara Cuthbert, Spokesperson for Cycle...
News
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Back Benches current affairs TV show - Cycling stories start half way through chapter 1:
Russell Tregonning on Great Harbour Way.
Stephen Franks, Rajen Prasad and Gareth Hughes on road behviour, helmets, and riding in France.
CAN's Alana Joe on share the road.
Peter Sheppard on driver training.
Stream it here tvnz.co.nz/back-benches
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Five cyclists killed in six days - including British tourist Jane Mary Bishop, run over by a truck after she swerved to avoid a car door a motorist opened on Tamaki Drive, Auckland - has fuelled debate over road safety in New Zealand and the rights of cyclists versus motorists.
I find myself in two worlds about this matter: in both camps.
I drive the V8. I am the man who honks. I love the car; the car rules the road.
But I am also the cyclist. I ride the Avanti about 100km a week. I have cycled for about five years, done thousands of kilometres and never once have...
29
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Elly Blue for Grist: Metal drain covers, stray gravel and potholes – all villains in a unique study of cycling accidents in Portland.
One dark night last summer, my front tyre caught a rut in a bumpy back street. I went flying and landed on my hands and helmet. My bike flipped in the air and fell on top of me. I sat there in the road for several minutes taking inventory. Scraped hands. Bent glasses. Going to need some new bar tape, but everything else in one piece. I walked the last two blocks to my house and went to bed. The...
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New Zealand's cyclist crash statistics are among the worst in the developed world.
Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean's response - to consider if driving laws need to be changed - is a step in the right direction. Sadly, it has taken the lives of five cyclists to get to this point, despite more than 10 years of petitions and submissions.
Some motorists say cyclists deserve what they get, because they behave badly and take risks. However, Transport Ministry statistics show that carelessness and irresponsibility on the part of motorists cause 75 per cent of...
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OPINION: The appallingly high number of cyclists killed on New Zealand roads in the last few weeks might prove to be a statistical blip, but the probability is that it signals a trend.
That is the consequence of a deadly equation: more cyclists on the roads and roads ill-equipped to accommodate them safely.
New Zealanders have had a love-hate relationship with the bicycle since the machines became freely available in the 1890s. They provided transport unencumbered by the bothersome horse or the expensive motorcar, and they provided it free. But the bicycle was also the...
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The current proposal is for a shared path (for both cyclists and pedestrians like Ara Harakeke) to be constructed from Takapu Station through to Kenepuru Station and for most part following the railway corridor. Porirua City Council will pick up the pathway from Kenepuru Station north.
Advantages of the current proposal
a) Will travel past the existing MTB skills area developed by TORRC, hence there will be greater exposure and opportunity to use this cycling asset.
b) Direct connection from Tawa college to Tawa Pool across railway line where...
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To all road users - The case for cycling and safer roads for all:
Over the last two weeks there has been a great deal of attention given to cycling. As leaders in the cycling community; BikeNZ and the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) feel this open letter is warranted, as we want more New Zealanders to enjoy the pleasure and benefits of cycling without fearing for their lives. We don't consider cycling a dangerous activity and believe some of the recent commentary has been ill-founded and irresponsible.
We would like to make a number of important points in the debate on how to...
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In remembrance of the three Morrinsville cyclists Willie Muller, Mark Fergusson and Kay Wolfe who were tragically killed last week, the Morrinsville Wheelers Cycling Club is organising a ride of Remembrance and Reflection on the Tuesday 23rd of November 2010.
Everyone in the greater community is welcome to join this cycle ride
Date: 23 November 2010
Time: 6pm everyone is to meet. Ride starts at 6.30pm
Location: Hangawera Road - (first road on the left hand...
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New Zealand roads often seem to be ruled by the maxim, might is right.
In the name of self-interest, this is perfectly understandable. A 40-tonne truck-and-double-trailer rig will do a lot more damage than a mobility scooter and can take a power of stopping, so it generally pays to offer it plenty of respect, regardless of any subtleties in the Road Code.
However, a healthier attitude would be one guided above all by a keen awareness of the right of the most vulnerable to be safe.
The danger that cyclists face on our roads has been highlighted during the past week, in...
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Those bereaved by the deaths of five cyclists in as many days over the last week may be assured of the sympathies of us all.
But in turning from individual tragedy to examine the wider implications for road-user policy, it is important to keep the matter in perspective.
This is not an epidemic, nor even an upsurge, but a statistical blip. On average, 10 cyclists die on New Zealand roads each year.
The carnage of the last few days has taken this year's death toll to 10 and it is probable that the blaze of publicity surrounding the recent deaths will prompt a...
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The Great Harbour Way will provide a cycleway and walkway to link Wellington and Lower Hutt, so it was logical that the newly-elected leaders of the two cities – Celia Wade-Brown of Wellington (right) and Ray Wallace of Lower Hutt (centre) – took part in this morning’s mayoral ride.
Several hundred cyclists accepted the invitation from Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and gathered under the sails on Queens Wharf in readiness for the ride.
Some of them will have been aware that the Wellington City Council’s waterfront company has announced the really bad idea of reducing...
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The death of a young woman cyclist, a visitor from Britain, on Tamaki Drive last week demonstrates yet again the need for a better accommodation of all the ways in which people enjoy this jewel of a road. Motorists, cyclists, joggers, strollers, are all drawn to the flat waterfront drive with its headlands and bays and sweeping views of the harbour entrance and inner gulf and deserve to be able to use it more safely.
After four cyclists were injured by a car last year, the old Auckland City Council spent $455,000 on improvements, mostly warning signs alerting drivers to the...
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Red double-decker buses and black cabs have long been iconic symbols of London, but Britain's capital may soon become just as famous for its distinctive blue and silver rental bicycles.
As its public transit system struggles to cope with growing passenger loads, London is starting to embrace cycling. This year it launched a new bicycle-sharing system that allows residents to rent a bicycle from hundreds of locations in central London.
Government officials and cycling groups agree that unless London pushes itself to become one of the world's most bike-friendly cities,...
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Road safety is no accident, nor is it a joke.
Allow me to debunk myths about people who ride bikes, (R Fowles, DomPost letters 20 Nov)
Let's look at the facts.
It's not ok to break the rules, whether you are on a bike or driving. Ministry of Justice figures show just one percent of traffic offences are committed by people on bikes.
The Cycling Advocates Network's 'Stop at Red' and 'Cruise the Waterfront' campaigns promote responsible cycling.
Riding two abreast is legal, although cyclists need to show courtesy to other road users by not impeding the flow of...
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"An upgrade of New Plymouth pathways drawing from a $4 million fund will be the first major stage of the city's multi-million walking and cycling overhaul.
Seven pathways are to be widened in parts, sealed and made easier to walk and cycle.
In June the city was named one of two model walking and cycling communities.
The New Plymouth District Council project, named Let's Go, is designed to link the coastal walkway with existing paths and change travel behaviour, says project manager Carl Whittleston."
Full story:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/...
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Cyclists welcome Chief Coroner's decision to investigate crashes
The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) and BikeNZ welcome the Chief Coroner's decision to investigate recent cycling crashes.
Spokesman Patrick Morgan said the inquest will examine whether there were any patterns and possible law changes needed.
"CAN and BikeNZ are keen to help the coroner in any way with our expertise."
He said CAN and BikeNZ are committed to raising the standard of cycling.
"Road safety is no accident."
"We are all responsible for making our roads safer...
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Merry Cycling Christmas from CAN Safer Traffic Speeds - Share With Care - Invest in a Winner
Your support of CAN is appreciated. We are raising awareness with all people receiving e-CAN about the opportunity to support CAN financially, either by joining CAN as a financial member or becoming a regular donor.
Don’t you hate it when they pass you too close or cut you off?
Don’t you wish there were more attractive and safe cycleways?
Would you like to see...
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Cycling advocates are picking Hastings as a cycling tourism mecca to rival Otago's rail trail.
(Photo - CYCLE TOUR: Taking a tour of Hastings' cycle friendly features, Barbara Insull (left), Owen Mata, Shawnae Heremaia, Barbara Cuthbert, and Claudia Wirihana, front. Shawnae and Claudia, from Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor)
"I think it's quite realistic that within two years all of New Zealand will know about Hastings, and all of New Zealand will want to come and ride here," said Cycle Action Auckland spokeswoman Barbara Cuthbert.
Ms Cuthbert and fellow CAA...