Letter in response to Alan Preston's submission to Environment Canterbury
2.2.10 Promotion/education methods Encourage the development and use of pollution-free and low-polluting technologies, including leadership by example by public bodies [Responsibilities: all Government agencies.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6.1 Leadership ( Page 28 of Draft Canterbury Regional Travel Demand Strategy 2007 ) "TDM is a transport planning approach that by its nature is reliant upon involvement and co-operation between the community and the implementing organisation.
This places community leaders in a prominent position that is essential to the success of demand management programmes.
Their understanding, support and leadership is fundamental to the successful implementation, as well as during the early planning stages of a TDM implementation plan, where priorities and funding levels are set in LTCCP's."
10.16 Rejection of submission to Environment Canterbury's 2008/09 draft Annual Plan.( with Regional Land Transport stated policy)
2008/10/16 Alan Preston
From Environment Canterbury 24 July 2008. Our Reference: COMM/PLAN/0809/2C
Dear Mr Preston Submission to Environment Canterbury's draft annual plan 2008/09
Thank you for your submission to the Environment Canterbury draft annual plan. The Council subsequently considered all submissions.
The following was noted in relation to your submission ( a summary of your points, in italics, is followed by the council's response):
You submitted that Environment Canterbury should set aside funds to purchase a small fleet of state of the art European style urban appropriate utility ( and folding) bicycles for use by E-Can staff to showcase the technologies that will make cycling practicable practical and preferable to a much wider demographic than that to which it is currently limited. Your verbal submission also asked for a working party to focus on a commuter culture for cycling and widening the cycling demographic.
Environment Canterbury already has a number of pool bikes available for staff to use when on Council business, as well as hybric electric vehicles and pool metrocards. Staff also walk extensively for meetings in Christchurch CIty.
A high proportion of staff cycle regularly to and from work.
Such new investment would be better used more wisely in promoting cycling in the widest sense, and not on a particular form of cycling technology.
In relation to a working party, you may be aware that Environment Canterbury has convened, via the Regional Transport Committee, an Active Transport Working Group.
This working group is tasked with advising the Regional Transport Committee on Active Transport issues and it seems the appropriate forum to raise your issues around cycling commuter culture.
Your name will be passed on to relevant ECan staff, with a view to the working group contacting you in person in relation to your thoughts on these matters.
2. You submitted that judging for the situation in countries where cycling is prevalent where the wearing of helmets is neither compulsory nor commonly practiced , it must be concluded that the compulsion to wear elmets is unnecessarily dissuading many people from taking up cycling. You support the rescinding of the helmet law to make it discretionary on the rider.
There are many reaons why cycling is popular overseas, including cultural attitudes to private transport, the effects of historical events on transport system evolution, driver attitudes, road rules, geography , weather, speed differentials with general traffic, and provision of dedicated facilities.
Until there is conclusive evidence of a link between the popularity of cycling and the wearing of helmets, ECan supports the safety measure.
3. You also submitted that the compulsion for cyclists to ride onthe road is a factor that is limiting a much broader demographic from taking up cycling . An extensive network of shared pathways already exists throughout our cities ( currently designated as 'footpaths') Why persist in thiis nonsensical prohibition of cyclists using them? You support a relaxation of the law that prohibits cyclists from using the 'existing network of shared pathways'.
Environment Canterbury is not responsible for bylaws that would permit cycling on footpaths and has no plans to take up any advocacy role in that respect.
This matter should be raised with the relevant city or district council.
4. In Christchurch City there is a significant problem of broken glass on the roads and pavements. Environment Canterbury should work with its Territorial Authorities to find a way to keep the roadways clear of broken glass.
This is a city and district council responsibility.
These matters should be raised with Christchurch City council. We appreciate the time taken to make your submission .
You can view a full copy of the adopted annual plan on our web-site at www.ecan.govt.nz
Yours sincerely Jill Atkinson Acting director regional programmes. ==================================================
Environment Canterbury invites public submissions on either or both of the following strategies:
The draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy (dRLTS) 2008-2018.
The dRLTS is prepared under the Land Transport Act 1998 and represents an update of the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2005-2015.
The update reflects significant new areas of work undertaken between 2005 and 2008, notably referencing the Christchurch Urban Development Strategy 2007 and the Proposed Change 1 to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement.
The draft Canterbury Regional Travel Demand Management (dTDM) Strategy 2007. The dTDM Strategy is prepared in accordance with the Land Transport Management Act 2003, which amended the Land Transport Act 1998 to require the Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) to include a TDM strategy with targets and timetables appropriate for the region.
Travel Demand Management refers to a range of methods that influence whether we travel, how we travel, when we travel and where we travel.
The aim of TDM is to maximise the efficiency of the land transport system by removing the least productive trips or shifting them to times of less demand.
It is part of a more holistic approach to transport planning than the traditional 'predict and provide' model, a recurring cycle of road building to meet ever increasing forecast levels of traffic demand. TDM's role, in this new approach to meeting transport needs, considers the movement of people and vehicles, evaluating the wider social, economic and environmental consequences of the land transport system and its further development.
INSPECTION AND AVAILABILITY The dRLTS and the dTDM are available for inspection at: • The office of Environment Canterbury at: 58 Kilmore Street, Christchurch; 75 Church Street, Timaru, or Beach Road, Kaikoura; • The head offices of District Councils in the Canterbury Region; • The main public libraries in the Canterbury Region; and • Environment Canterbury Website www.ecan.govt/transport A paper copy of the Draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2008-2018 and/or the Draft Canterbury Travel Demand Management Strategy 2007 documents are available from Environment Canterbury Customer Services at the cost of $10.00 (GST incl) per strategy. These documents can be downloaded free of charge from the website and are also available free of charge on CD Rom from Customer Services phone 03 353 9007 or 0800 324 636. SUBMISSIONS Submissions on the dRLTS and dTDM Strategy are welcomed. Submission forms are located in the front of the Strategy, on the CD Rom or may downloaded from our website www.ecan.govt.nz Please mail your completed submission to: • Freepost 1201, RLTS/TDM Submission, Environment Canterbury, PO Box 345, Christchurch; or • e-mail to ecinfo@ecan.govt.nz, subject line RLTS/TDM Submission The closing date for submissions is 4pm, Thursday 20 December 2007. MORE INFORMATION For further information, contact Environment Canterbury's Customer Services on 0800 324 636 or email ecinfo@ecan.govt.nz Dr Bryan Jenkins CHIEF EXECUTIVE http://ecan.govt.nz/Plans+and+Reports/transport/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- below is the section of the draft Regional Land Transport Strategy relating to cycling in the Canterbury Region ( N.B. not only Christchurch urban area) Submissions WERE open until December 20th 2007 with hearings being held around late March 2008. 29 Cycling Cycling is widely recognised as a healthy, enjoyable and environmentally sustainable way to get around. Travel by cycle is a convenient and efficient option for many people for short and medium-distance trips throughout most of Canterbury due to the relatively flat topography. Some people also choose to travel by cycle for longer distances throughout the region. The environmental impacts of cycling are very low, trips can often be made door-to-door and it is an affordable form of transport compared to most other options. Therefore, cycling forms an important part of a sustainable land transport system for Canterbury. Cycling within Canterbury falls into three categories: • cycling within major urban areas • cycling within districts including within and between towns and small settlements • regional and inter-district cycling. The approaches developed by each territorial authority will vary depending on the needs of their respective areas, taking into account the various types and levels of competency of cyclists. It is important to recognise that different types of cycling environments will suit different people and also that different types of cyclist have different infrastructure needs. On a regional basis the development of a network of cycle routes requires a co-ordinated approach by participating organisations. "Cycling in Canterbury: Strategy for the development of a regional network of cycle routes" forms a component of the RLTS and supports this outcome. Guiding principles providing a set of values to help develop provisions for cycling that are integrated within the land transport system are provided in Appendix 7. Policy 1.2: Support greater use of cycling, ensuring the guiding principles for cycling are applied. To be achieved by: Planning methods 1.2.1 Development of networks of attractive cycling routes in urban areas, particularly in, between and around town centres, local neighbourhoods, schools and transport interchanges to desired destinations, and to public passenger transport stops. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ.] 1.2.2 Ensure that developments are located and designed so that they support cycling as a means of access. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ.] 1.2.3 Provide for cycle routes and cycle priority measures in major developments and infrastructure projects. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ.] 1.2.4 Provide for cycling through supportive land-use planning, demand management policies and associated promotional policies. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, ECan.] Draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2008-2018 1.2.5 Develop a regional cycle network to provide attractive connections between urban areas in Canterbury and links to adjoining regions. [Responsibilities: ECan, territorial authorities, Transit NZ.] Physical methods 1.2.6 Consider and adopt innovative designs in development of cycle facilities. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ] 1.2.7 Provide convenient, secure and covered cycle parking at retail, commercial and community facilities and at transport interchanges, where demand warrants and especially where it enables multi-modal journeys. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities.] 1.2.8 Where barriers exist that make on-road cycling unsafe or illegal, seek to overcome such barriers with safe and direct solutions. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ, Land Transport NZ, ECan.] 1.2.9 Seek to provide physically separated cycling facilities on the strategic freight network and busy arterial roads where cycle safety warrants. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ] Promotion/education methods 1.2.10 Provide safe cycling training and education for all ages. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Police, Land Transport NZ.] 1.2.11 Produce publicity/education materials for all road users to encourage safer and more courteous and responsible behaviour. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Land Transport NZ, ECan, users' associations.] 1.2.12 Actively encourage cycling through travel behaviour change programmes, promotional and education activities. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, ECan, health boards, SPARC.] 1.2.13 Develop best practice methods and training for delivering cycling environments. [Responsibilities: territorial authorities, Transit NZ.] Alan Preston's submission to Environment Canterbury draft Regional Land Transport Strategy