http://www.can.org.nz/events/elections07/campaigns.htm
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Lisa Whyte
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?
Having spent 4 years living and working in Holland, where cycling was one of my options for travelling to work I would support policy changes.
However, there were also trams and buses there, and it was flat.
Bike racks were provided in the town centre, and at the workplace.
There was also very limited car parking facilities and dreadful traffic congestion which made cycling a good choice.
We had our first child in Holland and travelling by bicycle up to the day before I had him helped I am sure - not sure about the cobbled streets, but for fitness and mobility certainly. Also travelling with him in the bike seat from 6 months was fantastic.
I had a 'dutch' bike with panniers for my shopping, a dynamo for my light, and a standard wheel lock for security. My sister now uses this bike getting to and from the Albany bus station to travel to work in the city. She lives in Albany and it is a similar travelling time by car and bike. The secure bicycle facilities at the bus station are fantastic, but underused apparently.
Would you lobby to rescind the law that compels cyclists to wear helmets in order to make it discretionary on the rider?
No, not for children - I believe adults should be free to choose though
Would you give preference to a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining the right to curbside parking?
In the last 3 years on the Albany community board, I have supported introduction of cycle lanes - not a popular policy, but necessary. Last week we approved the lanes for Rosedale Road from Tawa drive to East Coast road.
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 - I believe it makes councils job harder to promote cycling as an option on our busy roads. I believe share with care lanes would be more popular for recreational cyclists and more acceptable to parents, than allowing children to cycle on main roads.
Would you actively work to set up a campaign to educate the pubic about and promote the types of bicycles and technologies appropriate to utility cycling?
no
Would you lobby for the installation of bike racks on ALL public transport vehicles ?
if demand was demonstrated - bikes were not allowed on trams/buses in holland unless they were folded down
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 ?
I have 3 children aged 9,7 and 4 - as the younger one gets more proficient I see us cycling as a family more, but living in Paremoremo it is not a practical option for transport to school and work, so it would be recreational cycling I see in future - at the new sanders park recreational cycling tracks nearby.
Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle?
Why? / Why not?
yes - good exercise, good for the environment but a personal choice
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Fay Freeman ONZM
Alan. Thank you for your email and the access to the other sites which certainly made for interesting viewing. I was in France recently and observed the sharing of bus lanes with cyclists which seemed to work very well. I do own a bike and did a little bit of cycling around Lucca in Italy. Next year I am planning to do the Otago Rail Trail and also a 9 day cycling tour through Vietnam.
To respond to your questions.
1. Yes
2. Would have to be convinced that this is in the best interests of cyclists.
3. Refer to the recently published NS Cycle Strategy
4. Yes absolutely.
5. I would support it but have too many other causes to become a passionate committed advocate.
6. Yes but we are a long way from having sufficient critical mass to justify. I would like a cycle lane over the Harbour Bridge first.
7. See comments above. Unfortunately it is no longer "cool" for young people to cycle to school, or at least not in Auckland.
Fay Freeman ONZM
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Grant Gillon 4 Shore
Candidate
Harbour Ward & Birkenhead Northcote Community Board
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? Support but not actively persue
Would you lobby to rescind the law that compels cyclists to wear helmets in order to make it discretionary on the rider? no
Would you give preference to a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining the right to curbside parking? I would need to think further about the implications of this
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? I would need to think further about the implications of this as elderly people and runners/walkers use pavements and are on the increase. Cycles are too quiet for some people as are electric carts for the elderly.
Would you actively work to set up a campaign to educate the pubic about and promote the types of bicycles and technologies appropriate to utility cycling? support but not actively
Would you lobby for the installation of bike 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 ? no. but, perhaps I know others who do and it looks great.
Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle? Yes if it is safe. I am not convinced of its safety at the moment.
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Viv Keohane
Question 1. Active campaigning. Yes where I thought it would work and not be a cost to the ratepayers and not be used. Eg. Milford, Takapuna and other flatter areas till it became viable and not a huge cost involved.
Question 2. I am probably going to be offside with you on this, but until someone can prove to be that they are not doing the job. I would not campaign for discretionary use of helmets. I thought perhaps off road cycling could be a waiver of helmets, but people can still be hurt there too. Until it is demonstrated that not only are they not doing the job, but it is the majority wish, I will stick with the status quo.
Question 3. Parking vs cycle lanes. I prefer off road cycle lanes where possible I would not be happy supporting on road cycle lanes for safety reasons, mainly motorists ignoring the cycle lanes. Existing cycle lanes should not be allowed to be parked on.
Question 3. I would be happy to lobby to rescind the law concerning non use of footpaths by cyclists. Might need to go back to bells and hooters though, on bikes like they have in other parts of New Zealand and overseas, where cyclists are sharing footpaths.
Question 4. & 5. Yes providing I am not expected to spend all my time on it and others are doing the same.
I do not cycle, used to in my younger days, even had a kid carrier on. It got too dangerous and I am now too hefty and riddled with Arthritis. I prefer my exercycle. Sorry to wimp out on that one.
Anyone should be encouraged to cycle but there are two costs. One hidden, …..“pollution”. The other well known accidents.
Regards,
Viv Keohane
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Dan White.
Its always good to hear views on ways to improve the transport system in Auckland and one that I am particularly interested in myself. Thank you for promoting utility cycles. I have heard of the example of Copenhagen but thank you for extending ym knowledge.
I have answered your questions in the order they were asked as follows:
1)I think encouraging cycling as a means of transport particularly in association with buses, ferrys and trains will be an effctive way to improve our trasport woes. I am in favour of cycle lanes and believe in promoting other means which would effectively get people to cycle.
2)No, I do not think this is a safe option for New Zealand.
3) In areas where cycling throughfares would be successful However I do not believe this would be a practical solution in areas where there is not a large amount of traffic or in its entirety in busy areas. I believe it would be more successful to create "cycle routes" which focus cyclists to certain roads to make it easier for these plans to be implemented.
3) I think this cwould be a good idea and whould certainly be considered.
4)Would you actively work to set up a campaign to educate the pubic about and promote the types of bicycles and technologies appropriate to utility cycling?
5)I would support more bike racks at main public transport sectors like park and rides, town centres and major bus stops and ferry terminals.
6) I own a mountain bike and ride from time to time. It would take me a change of location to take up utility cycling. I live in Torbay a very long distance to cycle to where I need to go and very hill. These types of problems would have to be overcome by linking cycling more with public transport.
7) Yes I think it is a good idea that children cycle to help reduce congestion around schools and that people should seriously consider cycling for small distances ie local shops.
Hope those answers help.
Happy to help in any other way.
Thanks
Dan White
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J Crews. crews.blackcat@xtra.co.nz>
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? No
Would you give preference to a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining the right to curbside parking? Yes
Would you lobby to rescind the law which prohibits cyclists from using pavements No
( 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?
Would you actively work to set up a campaign to educate the pubic about and promote the types of bicycles and technologies appropriate to utility cycling? Yes
Would you lobby for the installation of bike 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 ? Unfortunately I have a disability which affects my legs, but if I could cycle, I would.
Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle?
Why? / Why not? Yes, it’s healthier, it’s fun, and often quicker than car
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