There’s been an interesting flurry of discussions in the past few days, following the news that Regulation Minister David Seymour sought advice on the possibility of removing mandatory cycling helmet requirements. The upshot (for now at least) is that …
Category: Bikes & equipment
Reviews of bikes, equipment, gear, etc.
Flashback Friday: Flat Tyre, Redux.
I’ve just had my bike in to get a (much overdue) service. Some brake pads, cables, bike-chain, gears, derailleur and several dollars later, the bike is in much better working order! I’m probably tempting fate now, but at least I …
Highlights from the 2025 Winter Solstice Ride
Another year, another Winter Solstice Ride under our belt! On a fine but crisp Matariki weekend, over 200 people joined us this year for a fun ride around North Hagley Park.
Great to see lots of families joining in the …
Flashback Friday – Cycling and the Law: Things that can go on or with a Bike
As we head towards the shortest day of the year (reminder: Winter Solstice Ride on Sat 21st June!), the mornings and evenings are getting darker. All the more reason to make sure you have good bike lights for your …
Bikes are back on Buses!
You’ll recall how late last year, there was a night-time ban on allowing bikes being carried on public buses, which then turned into an all-time ban. Well, finally after several months of discussions and testing, Metro Christchurch buses are …
Guest Post: Ninja Valley Bike Valet Parking
Spokes Canterbury secretary George Laxton recently helped with an interesting bike event in Upper Riccarton; in this guest post he recounts the action…
A few weeks ago Spokes Canterbury (with the support of Ninja Valley Christchurch and Bush Inn Mall) …
Flashback Friday: A postcard from Melbourne
As this post goes out, I will be winging my way over to Perth for a short holiday. It’s actually my first trip to Western Australia, so I’ll keep an eye out for any interesting cycling facilities while I’m over …
More Locky Docks appearing all over Christchurch
A few years back we highlighted the introduction of Locky Docks public lockable bike stands to Christchurch. Since then, more sites have rolled out around the city. One of the latest additions has been a set of new Locky …
If not bikes on buses, how about prams again?
Seasons greetings everyone! I hope you will have a fun Christmas and summer break and also hopefully get out and about on your bike when you can too…
I’ll pop up an end-of-year review in a week, but certainly one …
Photo of the Day: To the cricket by Bike
As many of you will know, last week saw the NZ cricket team play England at Hagley Oval in the first of three test matches. And, while the end result wasn’t what I was hoping, my partner and I had …
Flashback Friday: Have mercy on me, a Health & Safety sinner
Fresh off last week’s musings about the absurdities of health and safety, let me take you back to June 2016, when guest blogger Steve Muir tried to use his bike for some transporting…
I was made to feel …
PSA: Temporary night-time restriction on bus bike racks
{UPDATE: there is now an all-day restriction on using bikes on bus racks until further notice}
For many people, getting to put your bike on the front racks of our buses is a handy feature; just last weekend I used …
Flashback Friday: Carrying stuff by bike
Some of my work colleagues have been getting new bikes lately (including making use of the clever new WorkRide scheme). Most of these have been e-bikes (which warrants a whole post about that one day…) and some have also been …
Photo of the Day – Shopping Mall Bike Parking
I had occasion a couple of weeks back to visit Westfield Mall in Riccarton to do a few errands. It was a nice sunny day and, knowing how fun trying to drive and park at shopping malls can be, I …
Cycling in Singapore: A study in contrasts
I was lucky enough to spend a week holidaying with my partner in Singapore back in early August. We did a lot of fun activities around this equatorial island and mostly survived the sweltering heat.
Of course, ever the transport …
Flashback Friday – Cycling in Shanghai
Greetings to you, currently on holiday in Singapore! In fact, I was so busy getting ready to head away last week that I didn’t even remember a Flashback Friday… It’s actually Singapore National Day today, so I expect to be …
In the Spotlight: Steven Muir, showing us the way
Photo of the Day: Cycleway Sweeper
Six months ago, I was in Palmerston North for a site visit as part of the Active Modes Infrastructure Group (AMIG). As well as our usual meeting, we also took the opportunity to bike around the city looking at the …
Photo of the Day: Canterbury Show Bike Parking
I hope that everyone in Canterbury enjoyed a nice long weekend this Canterbury Anniversary! My partner and I decided to visit the Canterbury Agricultural (or A&P) Show on Friday, and it was a fun few hours looking around at the …
Flashback Friday: Can e-scooters and bikes co-exist?
Perhaps I should have re-titled this “can e-scooters and pedestrians co-exist?”, as we’ve just heard that Waka Kotahi (NZTA) have decided to renew their Gazette notice declaring that “e-scooters (up to 300W) are not motor vehicles” and are thus able …