News

Radio NZ National does cycling

28
Jan

Fear Factor of cycling

The "fear factor" is keeping would-be cyclists off the roads in New Zealand. Dr Ben Wooliscroft says driver aggression is the main factor given by people for NOT cycling and he's calling on transport agencies to both improve driver education - and to enforce road rules designed to protect cyclists.

Dr Ben Wooliscroft, Otago cycling researcher; Barbara Cuthbert, Co-Chair of Cycle Action Auckland; Mike Noon, AA General Manager of Motoring; and Andy Knackstedt, NZ Transport Agency.

Listen here: http://www.radionz.co.nz/...

January 28, 2009 Patrick READ MORE

How about a National Critical Mass Ride?

28
Jan

It has been suggested that we try to coordinate a National Critical Mass Ride (concurrent local critical mass rides nationwide) during Bikewise month.

In Rotorua we are doing a Crictical Mass Ride on the morning of 18 February to link in with "Go by Bike Day" and the free breakfast, etc. It would be quite significant if there were 5-10 Critical Mass Rides all going on the same day. 

I have pasted in below the email dialogue so far - apologies for not formatting.

cheers, chris

============================= And a response from Cycle Action Waiheke,...

January 28, 2009 chris lenth READ MORE

The Wild West Bike Fest is coming to New Plymouth!

22
Jan



A variety of bike-themed events have been planned throughout February to mark Bikewise Month, to encourage people of all ages to hop on a bicycle and have fun.

For more information on all the biking events, see:

http://www.newplymouthnz.com/VisitingNewPlymouth/MajorEvents/WildWestBikeFest.htm

Programmes will be available in the next few days from bike shops etc.

January 22, 2009 Graeme READ MORE

Tour d'Afrique essay contest

22
Jan

Tour d’Afrique is currently running an essay contest - see www.tourdafrique.com/contest/

Send in your best cycling stories - inspiring, sad, happy, adventurous, etc. - and then they'll open it up to the community to review the submissions and vote for the most interesting ones.

The author of the winning story will win a free trip with Tour d'Afrique as a prize, and their story will be published in American Bicyclist and hopefully other cycling magazines in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the UK.

Tour d’Afrique, a Canadian based company, organises four annual...

January 22, 2009 adrian READ MORE

US Gets Another Bike Sharing Program: Denver Launches Pilot Run

19
Jan

These gods must be crazy! For a country that shunned cycles and projected cars as the future mode of transport, this is second in a row just in US - to my knowledge. don't know how many of them I have missed.

 http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/us-bike-sharing-program-denver-launches-pilot.php

 This one is just great http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/bicycle-side-effects.php

Sridhar

 

January 19, 2009 Sridhar READ MORE

Unavailability of urban appropriate utility style bicycles in New Zealand

7
Jan

While there seems to be some effort being made by a few cycle retailers in New Zealand to stock a couple of (token?) 'commuter' style bicycles, there are virtually none selling the fully equipped modern European style urban utility bicycles which are the choice of the much wider demographic who make up the masses of cyclists in the Europe 'cycletopias' and in other countries such as Japan.

There is an obsession among New Zealand's existing cycling culture , with speed and with at least, seeming to be going 'hard out'.
By catering exclusively for this culture, the cycle...

January 7, 2009 urbanbicycles READ MORE

Another new member!

17
Dec

Welcome to another new online member of Squeaky Wheel - Rob-Commuterdin

December 17, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE

Economic Development Benefits of Cycle Tourism

17
Dec

A couple of recent pieces of work on the economic benefits of cycling tourism are: a NZ Case Study of Cycle Tourists in the South Island and a Survey of the economic benefits of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

Does anyone know of any more recent analysis on the potential for economic development through cycling tourism? 

Some recent analysis on the potential for economic development through cycling tourism:

Cycle Tourism and Regional Development: A New Zealand Case Study. A 1999 paper outlining research on the activities of bicycle tourists...

December 17, 2008 Fiona READ MORE

Cycling advocates support new cycling and walking guide

17
Dec

The Cycling Advocates' Network congratulates the Ministry of Transport on its recent release of a new guide for improving cycling and walking facilities in New Zealand. Called 'Raising the Profile of Walking and Cycling in New Zealand: A Guide for Decision-Makers', the guide is the first of its type and represents a milestone for New Zealand.

The guide is especially useful because it recognises the economic impacts of cycling and walking in local communities.

CAN spokes person Stephen McKernon says "the guide shows recent evidence that walking and cycling are on the...

December 17, 2008 Scorcher READ MORE

Meeting Minutes December

16
Dec

Minutes for Squeaky Wheel meeting for December 2nd
Those present:

Ron Paulin, Liz Cutler, Wally Guise, Max deLacy, Jon Harris, Fiona Whero, Magdalena Lorenzo


Bike to Work breakfast, Wednesday 18th February, Bike Wise Week 2009.Decisions:
Time - 7.30 - 8.45
Food - Liz, nutritionist, will supervise. Suggestions were savoury and wholemeal muffins, coffee and fruit juice. fruit. Liz will work on ideas and email.
Publicity - Leaflet drop in CBD, Wednesday the week before; Article in Herald - Jon to contact Bethany Marett; Contact OJ, Port FM for morning...

December 16, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE

CAN welcomes RideStrong

15
Dec

The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) welcomes the launch of BikeNZ's recreational membership programme, RideStrong.

RideStrong is dedicated to promoting a safe and enjoyable environment for all cyclists, who it notes, "for too long, have travelled at the whims of fast traffic, slow bureaucracy and idle ignorance".

CAN spokesperson Stephen McKernon says, "it is great to see a recreational cycling programme speaking out so strongly for cyclists' rights. We hope RideStrong can build a large membership quickly and can impact on cycling with the assertiveness it has voiced...

December 15, 2008 Scorcher READ MORE

Do you ride a bike? You could be a winner

14
Dec

At RaboPlus we're celebrating our new principal sponsorship of BikeNZ and New Zealand cyclists by offering you this great promotion. Join RideStrong, a brand new cycling community that's here to make cycling safer and more enjoyable, and you could win a $2000 AvantiPlus voucher.To enter, simply: Join the RideStrong community (at the 'Ride Stronger' or 'Ride Strongest' membership levels) Login into your RaboPlus account and send us a secure email stating your RideStrong membership number prefixed with RS (e.g. RS000051) We'll then put you into the draw

December 14, 2008 Sridhar READ MORE

Horowhenua District Council Walking and Cycling Strategy

12
Dec

boring but biking

MANAWATU-WANGANUI REGION

24 Type: Misc Authority: Horowhenua DC

Notified: 5/12/2008 Sub Close: 30/01/2009

Applicant: Horowhenua DC

Service: Horowhenua District Council, Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540

Location: Walking and Cycling Strategy

Keywords: roading & transportation

...

December 12, 2008 julied READ MORE

med student wants for info on cycling in Auckland

12
Dec

Dear Patrick,
 
I am a second year medical (MBCHB) student from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. A selection of medical students undertake summer studentships for 10 weeks to further research in an area of interest, producing a written report at the end of the project.

Currently I am doing a studentship with Public Health Research Fellow (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) Dr. Alex Macmillan and we are comparing the 'effective speeds' of cars, buses and bicycles in Auckland. 

Anne referred your contact details on to me and suggested I contact you...

December 12, 2008 Patrick READ MORE

Cycle ride on the new ALPURT motorway

11
Dec

On Sunday, Dec 7 Aucklanders were allowed to cycle on the soon to be commissioned (for vehicles only) extension to the northern motorway out of Auckland, between Orewa and Puhoi. It's great stretch of riding (including the 385m tunnel) and a real shame that Transit/NZTA are excluding cyclists from it when it's opened. It was awesome to see the large number of cyclists of all ages and types out in force. It's clear that we'd get a huge turn out of cyclists on the Auckland Harbour bridge if NZTA allows a trial this summer.

December 11, 2008 Anne F READ MORE

UN: New measures can save many young lives

10
Dec

December 10, 2008 Sridhar READ MORE

Census 2011 - response to submissions

10
Dec

Earlier in the year I made a submission on behalf of CAN to Statistics NZ about getting bicycle oriented questions into the 2011 census. The Statistics NZ Response has been published.

We submitted that information on bicycles available in households should be collected, as well as the existing question on number of cars. It's possible this may be acted on:

"Some respondents suggested the expansion of the topic to collect additional information, including how frequently each vehicle is used, distance travelled, main reason for using a vehicle, and ownership of other forms...

December 10, 2008 AlastairS READ MORE

Charge Follows Fatal Petone Road Crash

9
Dec

Police Wellington News Release

 

9:29am 9 December 2008

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4566

 

A 45-year-old truck driver will face a charge of careless driving causing death and has been summonsed to appear in the Lower Hutt District Court on 20 January 2009.

Inspector Richard Chambers, Lower Hutt Police Area Commander, said the information has been laid following the completion of the fatal Petone crash investigation....

December 9, 2008 Scorcher READ MORE

Bikewise month February 2009 Palmerston North

4
Dec

December 4, 2008 julied READ MORE

Squeaky Wheel banner

3
Dec

SBS Events Centre banners were produced by Photoarts NZ.

Liz contacted Richard Benson at the Centre and he thought the banner we want might cost us $300

Follow this link to see their website with samples of their work:

 http://www.photoarts.co.nz/

- Thank you Liz!

 Mike DiLuzio responded with information about specs and costs.

Here attached are the files showing the choice in banners from photoarts and the prices.

December 3, 2008 Jon Harris READ MORE