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By MarkR, January 26, 2012

The Waiheke Bus Company has become the first public service bus operator in Auckland to offer bike racks on its buses as a trial and as part of its initiative to help promote cycling as a mode of transport. Waiheke ferry customers can already take their bikes for free on the ferries and now this is extended to the service buses as well. Bike racks have been installed on three separate buses, each capable of carrying 3 bikes each. The racks have been imported from the USA where they have been successfully deployed on public services buses.

The aim is to improve the options for cyclists and many commuters who choose to ride to and from the ferry terminal or who want to explore the island’s many cycle tracks, whilst giving them the flexibility of being able to hop on a bus with their bike in order to venture further, get home after dark when cycling can be hazardous, or in the case of cycling visitors, link up with the 360 Discovery ferry service that calls in at Orapiu Wharf and connects to The Coromandel on a regular basis. The Coromandel shuttle bus service from Hannaford’s Wharf to Coromandel Town now also provides bike rack options meaning cyclists can take their bikes even further.

At the launch at Matiatia today, attended by representatives of Auckland Transport, NZTA, Cycle Action and the Local Board, Fullers CEO Douglas Hudson said “Fullers has been committed to carrying passengers and their bikes on their ferry services for a long time and were awarded for being a cycle friendly business by NZTA at the CAN (Cycling Advocates’ Network)Awards in 2009.

We are very pleased to be able to extend this to the buses on Waiheke Island for the benefit of commuters and tourists who visit the island. This may only be a small step but it has taken a lot of effort to find and import the right racks that are sturdy enough to work effectively on the Waiheke roads. We hope that people will see this as an opportunity to explore more of the island and also connect with the 360 Discovery service that carries passengers from Orapiu at the Eastern end of the island to Coromandel, where the shuttle service from Hannaford’s Wharf to Coromandel town now also has bike racks on board.”

The trial, which will run until the end of Easter, will allow the Fullers owned Waiheke Bus Company to gather data and opinion from users before deciding how to adapt the service and how to develop it further.

Last summer the company worked with Cycle Action Waiheke and Auckland to produce a map of Waiheke cycle touring routes. Publicity about the map has encouraged increasing numbers of cyclists to tour the island, enjoying its cafes, vineyards, beaches and accommodation.

The bike racks are expected to be welcomed by local commuter cyclists and visitors alike. Touring cyclists may be encouraged to ride to the vineyards on the Onetangi Straight or even further afield, rather than stopping at Palm Beach, if they know the bus will help return them and their bike to the ferry or accommodation in Oneroa.

Cycle Action Waiheke supports the trial as an important local transport and tourism initiative for Waiheke. Chair Tony King Turner said “We thank Fullers for taking this step and see it as just the beginning of what could be very exciting developments for cycling on Waiheke. It will also be very important as we work towards our goal of getting Waiheke included in the National Cycle Way program.”

Barbara Cuthbert of Cycle Action Auckland is also impressed with the trial. “..having seen the positive impact that cycling initiatives can have on communities and how it can boost tourism, I am confident that when we look back at this moment in 10 years’ time, we will understand how important this launch and trial is.”

Auckland Transport also strongly supports this initiative and sees it as a good example of the private sector delivering outcomes that encourage integration between cycling and public transport. Such projects link very strongly to the work of Auckland Transport across the region in improving safety for cyclists and encouraging more sustainable travel

The bike racks will be used mostly on the Onetangi bus routes and feedback forms will be available at the Fullers ticket office at Matiatia as well as on the Fullers website.

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By MarkR, January 26, 2012

Pablo Garcia, is an Argentinean cyclist on a world tour and has just arrived in Auckland after pedalling 101,000 km.

The project, “Around the World by Bicycle” aims to document the different cultures and their way of living experienced by Pablo in his travels.

Recognized by U.N.D.P., The Argentine Ministry of Education and Argentine Sports Secretariat, Mr Garcia has been cycling for the last ten years in 77 countries through South America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

His plan is to cycle from Auckland to East Cape, and by the east coast to Wellington. Then the South Island by the two coasts, arriving back to Auckland by the end of March. He then intends to fly to North America, to cycle back to his home-land in Argentina.

To know more about the project: “Around the world by bicycle” you can visit the websites http://www.theworldbybike.com where you can see international media relations, public opinions, video material, photos and travel commentaries.

He support his trip he is selling a book documenting his travels. Pablo can be contacted via his website.
The photo is in Gobi desert, Mongolia, in 2010

www.theworldbybike.com

www.pedaleandoelglobo.com

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By MarkR, December 23, 2011

Auckland’s walk ways have a lot to offer for a leisurely bike ride but wouldn’t it be great if there was a guide to point out local items of interest along the way? Well now there is!

Some of the events running as part of Auckland Council’s summer programme are “Ride the Walkways.” The Ride the Walkways events are hosted by Park Ranger Chris Earl who accompanies a group of people for a hour bike ride along one of the many walkways through our parks that we have in South Auckland. These events are a great opportunity to get to know some of the parks and areas of interest that also make good cycling routes.

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By MarkR, December 12, 2011

Low carbon transport systems do more than help create a healthy planet. They can help improve the health of people according to a new World Health Organisation report, involving a University of Auckland researcher as a lead author.

The WHO report, released in Durban last week, shows that cycling, walking and rapid-transit systems bring a wide range of health benefits. It suggests climate experts need to take these into account in assessing and planning low-carbon transport systems.

More than 300 studies on different land transport systems were reviewed to find transport factors most closely associated with health risks or benefits. The review found a large body of evidence linking rapid-transit and non-motorised transport systems with reduced environmental health risks and increased health benefits.

Dr Jamie Hosking, lead author and Public Health Consultant from the University’s School of Population Health, saystook part in the study. “Due to the health gains, well-designed low-carbon transport systems can provide a ’win-win‘ for both developed and developing countries, and for an economic sector with a large carbon footprint,” he says. “Transport accounts for nearly one-quarter of all direct CO2 emissions worldwide.

“More compact cities, with mixed-use developments that place homes and businesses near each other, along with improved amenities for walking and cycling, are also strongly associated with better health. These benefits are most important of all for people who lack access to a car,” says Dr Hosking.

While increased physical activity from walking and cycling is well-established as a means of preventing heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes, this report focuses on health outcomes in specific settings and transport systems.

The report noted, for instance, a 20-30 percent lower average risk of premature death among cyclists in some major cities, even after injury risks were considered.

The report also documents a wide range of other health benefits from prioritising transit and non-motorised networks. These include reduced noise stress, fewer road traffic injuries and lower air pollution exposures in areas where there is a strong emphasis on traffic calming, traffic diversion, and non-motorised transport.

Dr Carlos Dora, of WHO’s Department of Public Health and Environment, initiated the study as part of WHO’s Health in the Green Economy initiative on health co-benefits of key climate change mitigation measures. Dora is also a co-author of the series along with Dr Pierpaolo Mudu of WHO’s Regional Office for Europe.

Speaking at a press briefing during COP-17 in Durban, Dr Dora noted that until now, too much emphasis had been placed on alternative vehicles and fuels in climate assessment work so far, while not enough attention had been given to strategies such as transit, walking and cycling, which can address a wide range of health risks, from pollution to safety and physical activity.

“Many kinds of climate and transport measures can yield large, immediate, benefits for health, but some climate measures may be very bad for health, for example diesel,” Dr Dora noted.

“At the local level, more reliance on diesel can increase relative risks of respiratory and heart disease. Also, better fuels don’t do anything for noise, for physical activity and for safety risks. Public transport and safe cycling and walking do help reduce these risks, too.”

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By MarkR, December 12, 2011

The Telstra-Clear Challenge marked the first time cyclists were able to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge with permission in 52 years.

All types of  riders tackled the ride and were pleased to find how easy and enjoyable it is to cycle the Bridge.  Mayor Len Bown’s comments in support of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway proposal for permanent walking and cycling access across the Bridge got lots of popular support from the crowds, with many North Shore participants realising regular cycle commuting to the city is achievable.

Mayor Len,  wearing a Getacross campaign cycling shirt, rode across the Bridge with Cycle Action’s Barbara Cuthbert, ahead of thousands of excited and happy Aucklanders. Len told TVNZ and TV3 news that that Council has been looking closely at the Pathway proposal and he expected a full report to Council soon.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway proposal for enclosed facility underneath the soutbound clipon lane has Cycle Action’s support as one of our key projects to improve cycling in Auckland.

The proposal could go ahead as a privately funded tolled facility if NZTA won’t provide funding.  More information on the proposal is at www.getacross.org.nz, and TV3 gave the issue great coverage in its report