As you might imagine, I’m not a big fan of many of the current Transport Minister’s actions, particularly when he seems hell-bent on eradicating most funding for walking & cycling and lower speed limits. So it is a slight surprise …
Category: People riding bikes
Anything about people
2023 Census stats show cycling growth in Christchurch
About 18 months ago, the 2023 Census was undertaken, asking everyone in NZ various details about their households and work/life habits. I’m not entirely sure why it takes so long to collate the relevant information from what is now largely …
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 …
Christchurch edges up in @PeopleForBikes Global city ratings
A good sign that Christchurch is starting to do OK cycle-wise internationally is when other parts of the world start to notice us – and rate us. A year ago, I told you how the annual PeopleForBikes City Ratings programme …
Flashback Friday: What do you wear when cycling?
For the past few weeks, it has certainly felt like winter has kicked in hard in Christchurch – can’t wait for spring to return! When you’re riding your bike to work or other destinations, that has meant some careful consideration …
In the spotlight: Lois Hill and Bike Bridge
Many of us take riding a bicycle for granted. Often, it’s a skill we learn as children and provides our first real taste of freedom to get ourselves around – wherever and whenever we like. And even if we later …
Cycle crashes are more than just with Motor Vehicles
When people are thinking about getting into cycling, understandably they are often particularly worried about the danger faced by motor traffic. Certainly when you look at the cycle crash stats, there have still been plenty around Christchurch. But it’s …
Flashback Friday: Big Bike Film Night 2019
Tonight is the second Christchurch screening of the 2024 Big Bike Film Night; I’m looking forward to seeing what is on offer this year. Unfortunately, if you haven’t got tickets yet for it you’re out of luck as it’s …
In the Spotlight: Don Babe, advocating for Canterbury cyclists
Don Babe is a busy man. He works as an accountant, helps his wife run their Prebbleton blueberry farm, is long-time chair of Spokes Canterbury, and takes every opportunity to contribute to planning processes to create a better environment …
In the Spotlight: Robert Fleming and the Wednesday Wheelies
Robert Fleming has been involved in cycle advocacy for well over a decade, having first gone along to a Spokes Canterbury meeting in early 2013 after being knocked off his bike. He says he sat quietly for the first year …
Chch cycle counter update Mar 2024: The only way is up…
It’s been a little over a year since I last had a good look at how cycling numbers have been tracking across the many cycle counters in Chch. At that time the picture was a bit murky, thanks to a …
In the spotlight: Glen Koorey, championing safer roads for cyclists
In the coming months, I’d like to post a series of short pieces on people who are actively involved in making greater Christchurch a great place to cycle and encouraging everyday cycling. I’ve got a few ideas about who I …
Flashback Friday: Passing in cycleways
I was having an online discussion recently about the pros and cons of having a cycle lane on the traffic side of parked cars versus the alternative of simply swapping them over so that the (now protected) cycle lane is …
What cycling means to me
A recent accident has meant a few months off cycling for me. As you might expect, it has been enormously frustrating, and dented both my confidence and my mood. It also got me thinking about how important cycling is to …
Flashback Friday – Guest Post: Just another day on a bike in Christchurch…
It’s well and truly Spring now, and Summer is just around the corner! That’s as good a reason as any to get out on your bike and experience the many different facets of life around Christchurch… Back in Oct 2016…
Flashback Friday: Bike and bus to the airport
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Another busy week and that included a day trip up to Wellington last Tuesday. With an early flight there, I fell back on my tried and trusted airport connection of bike+bus there and back home at night. It’s a simple …
Cycling is on the Up in Chch – and even the World is recognising it…
Last week, the Chch City Council released the latest cycle count stats showing that cycling numbers in the city are continuing to climb, up 6% from the same time last year and 30-40% up since 5+ years ago. As the …
Flashback Friday: Do we see each other? Check again
As mentioned the other day, while my partner is really enjoying her new bike commute to work, it’s not without its challenges. At one crossroads intersection nearby, she regularly finds motorists driving across her path (despite her being on …
Confessions of a Newbie Cycle Commuter from Jafa-land
What’s it like to take up cycling to work when you’ve never done it before? That was the interesting test when my partner Tracey landed a new job at Christchurch Main Hospital and decided that commuting there by bike was …