Sometimes it can be a bit tough when you’re on your treadly to get traffic signals to change for you, especially when no other vehicles are around. So it’s useful to know exactly how you can get things to work …
Category: Flashback
Identifies those posts that have already been featured in a Flashback Friday
First Look: Southern Motorway Cycleway (Pt.1)
Back in December you might recall that the Chch Southern Motorway extension was opened to traffic (in fact we even got to bike on it before the traffic got to use it). As part of the works a new cycling …
The $69 million question: Sign the Petition for cycleways
NB: This petition has now closed – thanks for all the support!
Christchurch City Council has finally released its draft Three-Year Plan for public consultation. And arguably this is the most important one ever in terms of cycling…
The Plan …
Clever Cycling Stuff: Hook Turn Boxes
Here’s another nifty cycling tool that’s starting to pop up more around Christchurch: hook turn boxes. These innocuous little painted boxes at intersections help people cycling make that trickiest of manoeuvres – the right-hand turn.
So what’s a hook turn? …
More Cycling in the News
It’s been another busy week in the news for cycling stories in Christchurch and beyond. I think it’s a good sign when cycling features strongly and regularly in the media; even when not all of it is “good news”. At …
The Cycleway Tax that isn’t
The good news: Council wants to spend $70 million in the next five years building an extensive cycleway network! The bad news (at least to ratepayers): They want to charge a $20 annual tax to pay for it! The good …
Separated Bikeways – More Good Evidence
There’s been a lot of good discussion here in Christchurch about developing separated bikeways, but we’re not the only ones in New Zealand looking seriously at the issue. I’ve already mentioned previously what Auckland are planning to do soon. Meanwhile …
Mythbusting: Cyclists don’t Pay
Cycling has been in the media a bit lately and once again a familiar chorus has sprung up. It doesn’t matter whether you are talking funding for cycleways, whether to wear hi-vis clothing, or a high-profile cycle crash…
Handy Tips: Avoiding Dooring
There has been a flurry of interest just recently with the release of an online map showing where in NZ cyclists have suffered “dooring” crashes, i.e. they have been hit by an opening door of a parked car as they’ve …
The World’s Most Bicycle Friendly Cities
A closely related organisation to Cycling in Christchurch is Spokes Canterbury, who amongst other things advocate for better infrastructure to encourage more people to cycle more often. They have recently adopted a goal of making Christchurch one of the …
Are you a Cyclist or a Person?
Robert F’s recent post was a very enjoyable read. I was interested in his statement that “I am a cyclist. To define more accurately, I am not a competitive cyclist, extreme cyclist or even much of a recreational cyclist nowadays. …
It is the little things …
A guest post by Robert F
I am a cyclist. To define more accurately, I am not a competitive cyclist, extreme cyclist or even much of a recreational cyclist nowadays. Just a cyclist. I cycle because it feels physically good, …
Some Bike Ideas from Washington DC
Greetings from Washington DC! I’m attending the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting here this week. Actually, “meeting” is a bit of a misnomer; TRB is easily the largest transportation conference in the world, with over 11,000 delegates attending and …
Clever Cycling Stuff: Cycle Detectors
We showcase a lot of neat overseas cycling facilities here on this site, but Christchurch has actually developed some pretty world-beating stuff itself over the years. Exhibit #1: cycle detectors at signalised path crossings:
As a cyclist approaching a signalised …
Handy Tips: Sharing those Pathways
With summer upon us, many people will be out and about to enjoy the various off-road recreational facilities around the city. Places like Hagley Park, the Railway Cycleway and Bottle Lake Forest are always popular, and the Council has …
National’s Transport Dystopia
Gerry Brownlee and National’s quake recovery plan for central city transportation would almost have been visionary in 1980. It relies on fossil fuel and caters to think big projects which will impoverish and fail ratepayers.
Christchurch City Council’s Share an …
Book Review: Easy Rider – A Kiwi’s Guide to Cycling
by Jon Bridges (203pp., Penguin Books, Auckland, RRP $40)
If you have Xmas book vouchers burning a hole in your pocket, here is one new book that you might like to get a hold of.
Jon Bridges has been …
Hidden Treasures: Westburn Reserve Bike Park
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa got you the bike-friendly gift you were after. If Junior has got a new bike they’re probably raring to try it out somewhere. There are various parks and tracks around Christchurch where they can have …
100 Blog Posts: What should the next 100 cover?
On the 12th of May this year, the Cycling in Christchurch website was launched. Hard to believe that just on seven months later we have come to the 100th blog post of Cycling in Christchurch. That’s roughly one post …
Book Review: Everyday Cycling in Aotearoa New Zealand
by Alastair Smith (185pp., Awa Press, Wellington, RRP $35)
Here’s something that might be handy as a Xmas stocking-filler!
Over the years I have collected a variety of books on cycling for transport and urban cycle commuting. Invariably they …