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By admin, May 17, 2013

Three Kings may not strike you as a cycling spot – except if you are into unsanctioned mountain biking, maybe.

But could the 3K be a nice suburb for cycling in the future – with the quarry filled in, and the town centre to its south revamped? What do you think?

Auckland Council is asking for feedback on the Three Kings Precinct Plan – and of course their plan has a variety of transport aspects. New paths around the remaining volcanic cone and the new park. Streets for a new suburb planned in the old quarry. A new town centre focus near Mt Albert Road. There’s even mention of a potential Greenways route. Lots of opportunity to get cycling right – or to instead create paths with stairs blocking all cyclists, and roads with four lanes to encourage driving to the local shops.

You can give your own response here, but we also encourage you to sound off in the comments, because we would like to source YOUR opinions on how this area could be better for cycling.

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By admin, March 24, 2013

…well, if you think you SHOULDN’T have a say about major developments, transport projects or other things that could heavily influence your neighborhood – then just do nothing.

However, if you think that the ability of citizens to have their voice heard about a proposed road, skyscraper or land rezoning is what distinguishes us from a banana republic, then you should really consider reading what Forest & Bird have to say about the latest “efficiency changes” planned by Government for the Resource Management Act.

Already, only the largest projects under the RMA actually get notified at all. If these changes happen, that may further reduce. “Who are you? You are nobody, you have no standing, thanks for asking.” will be the attitude – if you even hear a about a project before it is done & approved.

And the rules shift even more direct power into the hands of Wellington ministers. They know best, after all…

So stand up for your rights – today it may be Forest & Bird worried about the bush and the streams. Tomorrow, it may be a transport project where you and CAA can’t be involved because it will be all done behind closed doors.

• The Forest & Bird factsheet for your response
• The Government online feedback form (requires registration, but its quickly done)

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By admin, March 22, 2013

We know there are a few people from Christchurch up here in Auckland, whether staying temporarily or having moved here for good (at least for now).

Well, here’s your chance to do something good for your heartland: support the proposal by Christchurch’s mayor to spend 69 million in the next 3 years – on a network of 13 cycleways “for all ages and abilities” criss-crossing the city.

Just think of this – the 3 year plan’s proposed cycle funding has jumped from 5.5 million to almost 69 million, increasing by a literal order of magnitude (you are probably sick of earthquake-related comments, but that one is a shake-up you may like!).

So we are calling all people in Auckland with links to Christchurch to submit in favour of the cycle spending (or, if you don’t have the 2-3 minutes to fill in the official submission, please join the corresponding petition linked to in the first link above). Make Aucklanders even more envious of Christchurch cyclists!

[Image Credit: ViaStrada - Many Thanks]

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By admin, March 14, 2013

We have been told that Katrina Shanks, a National List MP from Wellington, is surveying various cycling groups in her area about whether high-viz should be mandatory for cycling. She doesn’t say whether she has a particular stance on the area, and simply invites a “yes” or “no” answer – and any further comments you might want to add.

If you would like to contact her with your opinion, please contact her at this email. The survey we saw was via paper mail, but we are sure she’ll take emails into consideration too.

CAA’s response was:

We understand you are currently surveying the attitudes of cyclists and cycling groups about the proposal by a coroner to require mandatory high-visibility clothing for cyclists.

Representing Cycle Action Auckland, a group advocating for better cycle conditions – whether for sport, leisure, family or commuting cycling – we believe that mandating high visibility clothing would be a negative step. It would emphasise the perception that cycling in general is a dangerous activity that one should require specific protective gear for. This contradicts the experience of many countries where cycling is an accepted mainstream transport mode with no mandatory requirements*. Like walking.

* [except brakes and lights on the bike itself of course, which is only sensible]

We believe that mandating high-visibility clothing would be an extremely blunt tool, and would actually harm cyclist safety – next to providing better cycling infrastructure, few things are as beneficial to the safety of the individual cyclist as having higher average cycle numbers. The “safety in numbers effect” has been well-researched, and is particularly important in countries that currently still have low cycle numbers, as cycling safety improves significantly as cycling moves above 2-3% of the mode share. As numbers rise to 4-5% percent and above, per person injuries drop markedly.

Therefore, anything that discourages cycling uptake could actually make cycling more dangerous for everyone not discouraged.

Friendly regards

Cycle Action Auckland

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By admin, March 8, 2013

By John Mauro

As a new Auckland resident, it was a thrill to ride down to the Waitemata Greenways event a few weeks ago. An opportunity to learn about how Greenways work and give feedback on the Waitemata Local Board’s initiative, the event was well attended, informative and energizing.

Like Greenways are supposed to do once they’re built, the event made me feel comfortable, safe and welcome  (please be sure to give your feedback today—survey closes on 11 March!)

Greenways aren’t necessarily a new concept, but it’s a concept whose time at the forefront has come. Cities around the world install Greenways, more recently cities like Portland and Seattle, with tremendous success, rebranded them from “bicycle boulevards” to “neighbourhood greenways.”  The infrastructure matters, for certain, but the rebranding truly helps.

Anyone reading this post probably understands why greenways are a good idea: done well they slow down traffic and reduce car volumes on already low-volume streets. They connect neighbourhoods with safe facilities for all types of bike riders. And their green features make them an even greater pleasure to ride on.

But, as I’ve written and said elsewhere before, it’s not just about bikes. Keep your ear to the ground and you’ll hear other great descriptions of greenways, like:

• Family friendly
• Safe for kids
• Cheap for taxpayers – with excellent return on investment
• Great, vibrant and green streetscapes
• Traffic calming and noise reducing
• Less cut-through traffic and dangerous close-calls
• Easy to walk, short trips (no need for my car and for parking)
• Encourages new bike riders who wear normal clothes!

We should all be telling the compelling story of greenways so that all of Auckland can hear, since all citizens stand to benefit -regardless of if you ride a bicycle or not.

But it’s more than just good PR. It’s of paramount importance to get the greenway network right. That means both ensuring that the network truly connects where people want to go (while considering things like topography) and also means well-constructed infrastructure that doesn’t skimp on safety and good design. Bike priority signals, adequate paint and signage, smart crossings of main arterials and other important ingredients are part of the mix of how to get greenways right – and people riding them.

I have attached a few photos from a Portland visit I did some time back.

Many of the first Greenways projects around Auckland concentrate on routes in parks and reserves -  possibly based on the frustrations people have in Auckland riding on the road, and in getting good cycle infrastructure built on these roads. So while we should all celebrate and advocate for greenways, let’s not forget that we have several other important tools available to make bicycling in Auckland an excellent and enjoyable experience. Greenways can’t replace urgently needed infrastructure on arterials—like protected bike lanes and cycle tracks.

For now, remember to submit your thoughts to the Waitemata Local Board and talk up Greenways in your neighbourhood. Let’s look forward to the ways that they’ll help us connect safely and conveniently to where we want to go and to connect to each other as citizens and neighbors of an increasingly liveable and bikeable city.