nelson

http://www.can.org.nz/events/elections07/campaigns.htm

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Mike Ward. Mayoral Candidate for Nelson.

Would you lobby to rescind the law that compels cyclists to wear helmets in order to make it discretionary on the rider (as it is wherever utility cycling is well-established ) ? No, As irksome as it may be for some folk to wear a helmet there are far more pressing and far less controversial issues to be dealt with.

Would you give preference to a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining the right to curbside parking?

I have long advocated (in Parliament, in council and as a cycle advocate) cycle lanes on all roads and taking whatever measures are required to make this possible. While some roads are clearly not wide enough to accommodate cycle as well as traffic lanes, as long as cycles are permitted to share the space their safe zone needs to be clearly marked so that motorists don’t attempt to pass if they can’t pass without entering the cyclists space.

Would you lobby to rescind the law which prohibits cyclists from using pavements (at least as an interim measure for the years it will otherwise take to establish real separation from motorized vehicles)to enable 'slow cyclists'(e.g.the elderly)to take up utility cycling?

Yes for slow cyclists. I regularly cycle on the footpaths at night. Making it legal would make teaching the sharing etiquette i.e. cyclists give way to pedestrians, sound the bell when passing etc. much more relevant

-Before you answer this question, next time you're out driving, take note of how few pedestrians are actually using our pavements and keep in mind that there are places in the world where cyclists and pedestrians co-exist harmoniously in significantly greater numbers.

'Leaving it to the market to decide' is not working as virtually none of New Zealand's bicycle importers or retailers are taking the initiative to either promote or make available the types of bicycles and technologies which would make utility cycling practicable by a much broader range of people(e.g. the elderly ) or practical (e.g. for carrying children or shopping).

To ensure that fleets of utility bicycles become established throughout New Zealand's urban areas, would you promote or support a campaign that will create awareness of utility cycling technologies among the public to help to stimulate consumer demand ?

e.g. actively lobby for the acquisition of a fleet of utility bicycles for council staff to get around town on.

Have you seen the cycles that council has for staff and the article on utility cycles in the latest CAN magazine? As well as persuading people to add more bikes to the existing fleet there is much to be said about retrofitting existing bikes by lifting the handlebars, changing the seat, adding the basket, mud and chain guards etc. There are also a heap of older style cycles awaiting recycling and a little TLC, but I agree that most modern bikes weren’t designed for comfort.

Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle racks on ALL public transport vehicles ? Yes

Do you cycle yourself? - And if not at this stage in your life, what would it take to get you to take up 'utility' cycling in the future ?

Never learned to drive, already have a recumbent and a racing cycle and a third bike would be excessive consumption but I have long recommended comfy bikes to prospective cyclists and would consider converting the racing bike if I stopped racing or trading in for a step through model… Once had an old step through Granny Roadster which was the ultimate in comfort and convenience.

Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle?

Yes I do… cycling has to become an important component of any comprehensive transport strategy, with very real health and environmental benefits, but I did not allow my children on the roads until they were much older. In the absence of clearly delineated safe routes for children commuting to and from school, and in view of the risks and the high accident rate for cyclists, I find it remarkable that there are no limits to who is allowed to cycle on our streets. Consider the measures we go to keep drivers safe… warrants of fitness, licenses, age limits, seat belts, driver education etc. etc.

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Andy Clover

Thanks for your email, on a subject I’m very interested in. As you can see from my policy page on my website (www.andyclover.com) I’m promoting cycling strategies as part of a package of better transport options that can delay or prevent road building. My answers are interspersed below.

Regards

Andy Clover

Would you actively pursue policies that would enable utility cycling to develop along the lines that have made it the transportation mode of choice for so many in Copenhagen?

Yes

Would you lobby to rescind the law that compels cyclists to wear helmets in order to make it discretionary on the rider (as it is wherever utility cycling is well-established ) ?

That’s a tough one. I support helmets for safety reasons, but I also respect the rights of the individual to choose their level of safety. I think I’d have to hear more of the arguments for and against and to be persuaded on that.

Would you give preference to a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining the right to curbside parking?

I’m not sure. If there was growing public pressure for cycle lanes, I’d certainly consider it.

Yes, I think I could support that idea. It makes sense to me.

e.g. actively lobby for the acquisition of a fleet of utility bicycles <http://www.koga.com/uk/segment.asp?collection=7&segment=56> for council staff to get around town on.

Yes, I do want to see the Council lead the way as we introduce more sustainable transport measures.

Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle racks on ALL public transport vehicles ?

Yes, I believe these are necessary.

Do you cycle yourself? - And if not at this stage in your life, what would it take to get you to take up 'utility' cycling in the future ?

Yes I do, more and more.

Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle?

Yes.

Why? / Why not?

Because it’s clean, healthy, good for you. It’s social, enhances community and the experience of living – by that I mean it’s more connected than enclosed within a car.

Andy Clover

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Denise Henigan Nelson City Council Mayoral and council candidate.

Would you actively pursue policies that would enable utility cycling to develop along the lines that have made it the transportation mode of choice for so many in Copenhagen?

Yes. Last year I traveled overseas on a Winston Churchill Fellowship looking at ways of improving cycling and walking. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to get to Copenhagen, but hope to in the future.

Would you lobby to rescind the law that compels cyclists to wear helmets in order to make it discretionary on the rider (as it is wherever utility cycling is well-established ) ?

This is a tough one… Personally I think having a helmet is one of the biggest disincentives to cycling…

Would you give preference to a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining the right to curbside parking?

Absolutely..

I am aware that driveway intersections are one of the least safe places for cyclists and pedestrians… would actively support a law change that placed responsibility for crashes on vehicle drivers, rather than on pedestrians and cyclists such as exists in many European countries. Currently if you are the victim of a cycling crash, it’s up to the cyclist to prove that it was the vehicle drivers fault. Reversing this responsibility so that it rests with drivers of the more lethal weapon would encourage drivers to be more careful.

e.g. actively lobby for the acquisition of a fleet of utility bicycles for council staff to get around town on.

Yes, we currently have a cycle and an old fashioned kick board for getting around the city. As a large percentage of council staff already cycle, I think they largely use their own cycles for getting around town. I have recently started looking for a new cycle that may not be of a more traditional style.

Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle racks on ALL public transport vehicles ?

At this stage there isnt the need, Nelsons public transport utilization is so low. However in contracts it is possible to include specifications that include the provision of cycle racks.

Do you cycle yourself? - And if not at this stage in your life, what would it take to get you to take up 'utility' cycling in the future ?

Yes I cycle most days to work and endeavour to cycle recreationally.

Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle?

You betcha.

Why? / Why not?

Because its good for your health, it takes cars off the road, and simply it feels good.

Thanks… I am Denise Henigan Nelson City Council Mayoral and council candidate.

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Anne FitzSimon

Nelson City Council Candidate

I do believe that parts of europe, perth and japan provide

some excellent models of how we can do things better, but it

won't happen over night.

We are currently fighting for a full off road cycle way

along Nelson North - what they've planned has black spots

including sections where the cycle way 'disappears'. The

width of this cycle way is the bare minimum, but it is

better than no cycleway.

What I'm trying to say is that in a perfect world I

completely support the models you've proposed, but I believe

we won't have anything for cyclists if we don't work with

what we've got. I'd like to see the speed dropped to 30kms

around schools, in urban areas, in the CBD and between

roundabouts. I'd like to see full width off road cycle ways

that aren't arduous or take the long way round where

possible, but will also accept well marked and wide on-road

cycle ways.

As far as the helmet issue goes - personally I hate them -

but make my son wear one and wear one myself. I do have

many european friends who won't ride because they don't want

to wear a helmet. As far as the law goes, good luck

revoking it! New Zealand is notorious for making laws in

panic. Do you know that bringing the helmet law in took

heaps of cyclists off their bikes! I'd make them optional,

but I'm not going to make it my main focus.

I also agree with you regarding the availability of utility

bikes in NZ. I ride a combo bike and made the bike shop put

a chain guard on for me as I cycle to work in work clothes.

I also will be pushing for a lockable bikeport in our main

carpark - montgomery, say taking up 4 carparks attached to

the superloo which is in the middle of the carpark in the

CBD. I would offer commuter cyclists who arrive before 10am

Monday to Satday free lockup bike parking, free locker and

shower facilities in the superloo. Other cyclists would

still have access for the bike lockup if room, but not the

free locker and shower. It's about making it easier for

people to bike to work.

I support the idea of making some footpaths shared cycle and

walkways. We currently have some in Nelson. But we need

good signage and a good education program. Many walkers

walk out in front of bikes, so it needs to be rolled out.

I think I've covered everything off.

Thanks for your time

Anne FitzSimon

Nelson City Council Candidate

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