The start of some cooler temperatures around town (at least in the morning) tells us that summer has ended (as has daylight savings) and we are now headed towards winter. While that might dampen the enthusiasm for getting out on …
Tag: Cycling advocacy
What does the new Chch City Council mean for cycling?
It’s been a few weeks now since the local body elections were held and the dust is settling on the final results around the country. Here in Christchurch we have a new mayor in Phil Mauger and also six new …
Flashback Friday: The Orthodoxy of the Highway
It’s been an interesting week for transport policy, both nationally and locally. For a start the Government’s first Emission Reduction Plan was finally released on Monday, which personally was a bit underwhelming but at least makes some signals about further …
Flashback Friday – Cycling Complaints: When Feedback is Appropriate
I imagine that all of us at some stage when riding have encountered some less-than-exemplary behaviour from other road users; just today, a driver turned left in front of me having just passed me… We often can’t do much about …
Flashback Friday: More on why I write submissions
Last week we looked back on some advice from Chrys Horn about the importance of submissions when consultations come out. This week, Chrys continues the theme (first published in Sep 2014) and gives some more examples why submitting can …
Flashback Friday – Submissions: Why bother?
Happy Biketober! I hope you have a fun month… But as we mentioned yesterday, it’s also a time to mourn the passing of a great local advocate Dirk de Lu. One of the things that Dirk was prolific at …
Remembering Dirk de Lu
Last Friday 24th Sept saw the falling of a mighty Californian redwood… Many in the local cycling advocacy world will probably have heard of the sad passing of Dirk de Lu last week in hospice, having succumbed to the ravages …
Flashback Friday: Perceived Danger or Actual Danger?
Just the other day I saw another comment on social media by a Chch local stating how cycling in the city is very scary and puts them off. It’s a common enough reaction I see (even more so after the …
Flashback Friday: A little plug for Spokes Canterbury
Local cycle advocacy group Spokes Canterbury recently had its Annual General Meeting, and reflected on another positive year of progress for cycling in the city. This post (originally from Apr 2014) reminds us of the work that Spokes has …
Bike Activities coming up in May 2021
It’s already halfway through May, but I thought it was important to let you know about three interesting biking-related events coming up very soon in May:
- On Tue 25th May from 6-7pm, local cycle advocacy group Spokes Canterbury will
Better Consultation
As Submissions Convener for Spokes Canterbury for 12 years, now retired, I have some thoughts to share on how consultation might work better. The links are to Strong Towns which offers a rich source of articles on urban planning and …
Who are we providing cycleways for?
Recently there was a Facebook post to Chch City Council’s site by someone grumbling about cyclists using traffic lanes in the central city when a cycleway exists on the same road. Not surprisingly, there was quite a bit of animated …
Nominations for “On the Go” awards now open
Is there some local walking or cycling initiative that you think is worthy of some official recognition? Then perhaps you should consider nominating it for this year’s “On the Go” Awards, organised by Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) in …
Flashback Friday: Don’t be a D***k – Stop at Red
Nothing gets the cycle-moaners vocal quicker it seems than any hint of law-breaking by people biking. And while that is often a case of “the pot calling the kettle black”, I do still often see some fairly dodgy behaviour at …
ECan Forgets about Bicycles
ECan’s Annual Plan is up for consultation until 25 March.
Spokes Canterbury has their draft sub up for those with an interest. http://www.spokes.org.nz/2020/03/ecan-annual-plan-2020/
With the new elected ECan Board there is the chance to get cycling back into their consciousness. …
Christchurch Annual Plan and More Community Boards
Nb: Papanui Innes residents and riders your Community Board only gave 11 days for submissions. It is due on Monday March 2nd. The rest vary from 6 to 9 March. The Annual Plan gives you to 2 April.
The consultations …
Community Board Plans 2020
The children and a lot of us adults need a few minutes of your time.
Community Boards are now seeking input on what their priorities should be for the next 3 years. Draft plans will implement what they want as …
Council Rates and MCR’s 101
With the local elections the issue of rates has been raised. What raises or lowers rates? What impact have the Major Cycle Routes(MCR’s) had on rates. Councillors Mike Davidson and Vicki Buck have offered some information.
Mike Davidson FB post …
Flashback Friday: Advocating for Cycling
“Simon Barnard” has been a regular contributor to Cycling in Chch since the beginning, providing a lot of useful commentary on cycle advocacy issues in our city. Local cycling advocates Spokes Canterbury have their own website and Facebook …
Biking Events for Aug 2019
Is winter over yet? Not judging by the weather out there; oh well, keep thinking of spring… In the meantime, here’s a few activities coming up this month (including some where you can keep indoors), maintained on our events …