Comments on: The World’s Most Bicycle Friendly Cities

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:39:21 +0000

A recent injury due to a cycling accident has left me to walk,bus, or have others drive me around the city . Plenty of time to observe . It is of concern to watch younger cyclists casually riding the pavements in pedestrian areas , ( outside Merivale Mall , if you please ) . This is a danger for elderly pedestrians , and although I don’t blame them as such , as Papanui Road is not cycling heaven , it is a red flag to the authorities to do something about our woefully inadequate cycling infrastructure .

By: Cyclomaniac

Cyclomaniac — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 08:23:26 +0000

In reply to The Cyclogist. I went into town to see the Buskers today and cyclists were out in force, people on MTBs and road bikes but also many cyclists on vintage , retro bikes and tandems! I am not sure if all politicians have got the message yet but cycling in Christchurch is becoming popular and mainstream. The Share an Idea submissions have made clear that a significant part of the electorate (government and local) want serious improvements in cycling infrastructure. Politicians who do not deliver these might do this at their own risk. Cyclists can now be found across the political spectrum.

By: The Cyclogist

The Cyclogist — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:20:09 +0000

In reply to Lennyboy.

Another thought Lennyboy – presuming there is no change and the Accessible City Transport Plan is implemented as presented – in your opinion how many points would Chch get when it is finished?

By: The Cyclogist

The Cyclogist — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:12:28 +0000

In reply to Nina.

Thank you Nina, Your post was exactly what I wanted. It sounds a wonderful amount. And all the other top 5 cities are spending similar amounts.

We can’t expect and we’re not going to get anything like that amount but hopefully it will be more than the $118,000 CCC approved for this current financial year’s cycling budget.

Even that would be acceptable if they hadn’t allocated $16 million to restore their central city car parking buildings. All that bare land being used for car parks for the next 3 years or so and they think the repair of car parking buildings is a priority?

By: The Cyclogist

The Cyclogist — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 11:44:12 +0000

In reply to Lennyboy.

Tough or not, it is only one person’s opinion, just as your opinion is also only one. Maybe you’re being too generous in view of what has passed in the last 3 years.

Please don’t take it too seriously, I only spent a couple of minutes on it. it was more to provoke a response than anything. :o)

By: Nina

Nina — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:52:34 +0000

To get Chch into the international top 5, how about adopting Amsterdam’s long term bicycle plan: (from iamsterdam.com)
“Up until 2020, the City of Amsterdam is collaborating with partners such as Prorail and the Stadsregio Amsterdam to invest nearly 120 million euros to address the major issues affecting bike storage and the cycle path network. 90 million euros of this will be dedicated to the creation of 38,000 new bike parking places. Looking further to the future, a total of about 200 million euros will be required up until 2040, of which 170 million euros is for bike parking facilities. 200 million euros is an enormous amount of money, especially in these testing economic times. However, these measures are vital and are also economically viable. The increase in bike usage results in annual savings for the city of 20 million euros on public transport and another 20 million euros on motor traffic infrastructure. In comparison with other forms of transport, investing in bikes delivers the most effective result per euro.”

By: Lennyboy

Lennyboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:58:27 +0000

I think you are being a bit tough Cyclogist; even if I’m being fairly harsh I can come up with at least 15pts for Chch on the Copenhagenize scale (and what we might think is fairly so-so may be considered quite good by the judges from outside of Chch). But apparently if we want to get into the Top 5 we have to get past Berlin, 5th with 41pts…

By: Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:39:14 +0000

No reason we couldn’t have a rolling ‘top cycling city’ for Aotearoa NZ – which city has improved the most over the past year. Winners this year clearly would be jointly Hastings / New Plymouth, on the back of the model communities program run by NZTA.