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By admin, March 14, 2013

…is that you need something good to sell, when you sell cycling.

CAA strongly supports “culture change” for cycling. Some of the most dedicated people in CAA – and in Council / AT – working for cycling are aiming to make cycling be perceived as mainstream again. They love cycling, and that passion shines through.

Yet for the poor novice on the road, that passion can quickly turn sour. And a telling example was recently, when the AT website linked to the Google Maps cycle layer for Auckland (see image at right).

What popped up was the below map layer on Google. Well, so if I live in Mt Eden, and want to ride to Onehunga or New Lynn, I have… no safe route. At all. Lots of little unconnected bits of cycle infrastructure, and large swathes of isolated areas. And on the opposite side, the map shows large parts of Howick – a pretty bad area of Auckland for cycling – as connected up with cycleways like a little Netherlands!

[Explanation: Google's map shows lots of footpaths unsuitable for cycling on the cycling layer]

Reality is both better and worse. Better, because Auckland Transport actually has better cycle maps online themselves (halfway down this page), that provide a much more realistic pattern of where cycling is safe (and also give you hints of how to get from Mt Eden to Onehunga).

Worse, because despite that, Google’s map is not too far off when taken as a symbol where the Auckland Cycle Network still is – a patchwork, and one that is growing. only. very. slowly. For all the exciting plans we are working on with AT on closing certain gaps.

And we are quite concerned about the speed (or lack of it) with which those cycle projects are occurring. Stay tuned for more on this, one of our most important workstreams – the scope, consistency and delivery of the Auckland Cycle Network.

Because you can’t catch fishes if your net has holes, and you can’t attract (many) cyclists, if your network has gaps.

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By Max, December 19, 2012

This diagram looks like what a few ravers might create with glow sticks in a club, but it actually shows the usage patterns of 10 million bike trips taken on London’s bike hire system.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had something similar for Auckland? I guess if we had a public bike system (again) first… – but some other cities have done similar geospatial analysis with the help of people volunteering to use tracking apps on their smartphones while riding, so it could be done here too, even if we don’t have “Boris Bikes“.

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By admin, November 9, 2012

If you are interested in giving the new cycleway (Te Ara Tahuna) around the Orewa Estuary a try, this new map may be of use.

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By admin, October 3, 2012

In this video from the Cycle Summit, we have Matthew Rednall, manager of Auckland Transport’s Community Transport section – talking about how cycling is part of the Auckland Plan, and what kind of investment we will be able to see in the coming years from Auckland Transport.

Of particular interest is that the updated Auckland Cycle Network – formerly known as the Regional Cycle Network – will receive a hierarchy, ranking up from “feeders” to “collectors” to “cycle highways”. The approach of course is loaned from how we already prioritise roads, and we think it is a useful step, because it will provide indication that not all routes are equal (in quality or importance), and allow a more useful discussion and prioritisation where we spend our money more effectively.

From around 2:50 of the video, you even get an early shot of the proposed network!

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By BarbC, September 12, 2012

What could be better  than a weekend in one of the best cycling centres in Aotearoa, with good company and coffee; great sightseeing and gardens?

I toured Taranaki’s Rhododendron Festival with friends and by car a few years ago. It was a spectacular experience. It’s not just about rhododendrons – there are a vast range of inspiring gardens skirting the foothills of Mt Taranaki, complete with sparkling mountain streams and stunning panoramas. Of course there are also the urban treasures of the Govett Brewster Art Gallery, Puke Ariki Museum, good cafes and accomodation.

The only downside was having to drive between each garden and find a carpark at the roadside of each rural or residential property which were not intended for bulk visitors. My solution this year was to ask the smart cycling team at New Plymouth Council (one of only 2 model cycling communities in the country)  if they could plan for cyclists for this festival – and they have ! Look at this lovely map!

The festival runs from 26 October to 4 November. Even if one of your group is not into gardens, Taranaki has irresistible cycle rides around the mountain and along the gorgeous coastal route leading out into the country north and south of New Plymouth.

Get onto it now to plan this break-out from Auckland. I guarantee you’ll return elated, refreshed and delighted that you grabbed this opportunity.