I am a cyclist and am one of the organisers of the ‘Around Brunner Cycle Ride’ on the West Coast and am also working with another person to assist with Christchurch Charity Hospitals fund raising charity bike ride out in Cust.
I should mention that I do not race myself, I am a purely recreational cyclist and sometimes enjoy biking into town as well.
Regards
Tim Scandrett
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?
The short answer is yes, I believe that we have been heading towards a cross roads with our transport system in this City for some time and now are well inside this cross road.
The city has done well raising awareness of cycling and cycle lanes etc over the past few years and I will support this work and other initiatives.
Copenhagen is Copenhagen so I can only support such policies as long as they are based on well grounded facts and fit with our City and social environment.
Would you lobby to rescind the law that compels cyclists to wear helmets in order to make it discretionary on the rider?
No, I believe that helmets are a must and there is no negotiation on my stand on this.
Would you give preference to establishing a comprehensive network of cycle lanes over retaining curbside parking for cars?
The short answer is yes but! (And there is always a but). Cycle lanes raise awareness of cycling and hopefully also improves and raises safety for the cyclists.
However I believe that vehicle parking must also be provided and it is a balance which we should be after rather than a blanket policy (which I would not support).
The fact is that New Zealand has bean a nation brought up on vehicle travel and to change this attitude won’t happen over night.
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.
No, (generally New Zealand cyclists would not be up to the task).
As I mentioned we have been a nation brought up on vehicle travel and we can see this in our appalling road toll.
To have cyclists sharing pavements would I believe cause more accidents and be detrimental to the promotion of Cycling.
Through education we will have to raise awareness of our behavior on bikes and our cycling use, well before we can promote cycling and pedestrian movement on the same path.
I do see this as an achievable out come for the future but not in the short term and currant environment.
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, this is freedom of choice and as demand increases bike dealers and outlets will change to meet the market needs.
With the internet now being such a vast stream of information, I’m sure many people will know what kind of bike they want or would like before going to the store.
A friend of mine has just brought a, (as you term it) utility bike with a basket which has horrified her children.
Would you lobby for the installation of bike racks on ALL public transport vehicles ?
I can’t see why not but couldn’t give a full answer until I knew any of the issues, (if any) that could cause possible problems with the transport companies.
These would be along the lines of insurances, Health & Safety etc.
Mind you they carried prams for years, so I can’t really see any difference. But as I said, I would need more information on this before I could give an answer.
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 but I’m certainly no Lance Armstrong.
Would you recommend that other people (children/ the elderly) cycle?
Why? / Why not?
Yes and I always do, it’s a great way for families to get or keep fit together. I must admit though, as we have young children I have not let them as yet ride on the road.
I am concerned about the attitude of many drivers on the road and have noticed that many take this attitude with them when they are on their bikes out cycling, which is the most amazing thing I have noticed lately.
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