Living Car Free - NZ becoming increasingly bicycle friendly.

I was listening to National Radio 'Morning Report' this morning and was very interested in the amount of discussion around bicycles as transport. The government has been steadily promoting bicycles as a viable transport alternative over the past year or so, but the release of a study this morning where bicycle use is seen as improving the country's economic base is definitely refreshing news. Transit NZ is the overseeing body that administers the roads and highway maintenance here in New Zealand and they are working with local councils to build new bicycle paths and lanes in some of our central NZ towns. They acknowledge that many overseas visitors want to bicycle around NZ, but our state highways tend to be in the main not especially wide two lane blacktop roads designed and built a long time ago that are carrying fast traffic, and these are not good places to be on a bicycle. The spokeswoman for Transit said that they are taking a positive interest in promoting bicycle use and want to continue to explore ways to improve things for the bicycle tourist.

:beer:

Edit: Link Here.... http://www.radionz.co.nz/__data/assets/audio_item/0007/1186756/mnr-20071102-0844-Safer_Roads_For_Cyclists-wmbr.asx

http://www.echosvelo.net/article.php3?id_article=196

http://www.esr.org.nz/events/even2001/cycling.html

I think drivers' attitudes have to improve as well.

I think drivers' attitudes have to improve as well.

Yes very true, but at least now some of those drivers are starting to become cyclists :)

kudos to the kiwis!

:beer:

They acknowledge that many overseas visitors want to bicycle around NZ, but our state highways tend to be in the main not especially wide two lane blacktop roads designed and built a long time ago that are carrying fast traffic, and these are not good places to be on a bicycle.

Those roads aren't all that different from many in Europe that large number of people ride on with impunity. In fact, I did a central-London peak hour ride on those roads a few months ago with no problems whatsoever. As someone said before, it all comes back to driver attitudes. To be fair, New Zealand (or at least the South Island where I toured last year) is light years ahead of Australia in that respect.

Yes I agree Chris. I lived in Christchurch in the South Island for a time and was surprised at first that every block of corner shops would usually have a bike shop amongst them. Out here on the Hauraki Plains where I live is also bicycle friendly and the majority of drivers are very good around cyclists. Auckland though (shudder) is such a traffic nightmare that I lost my nerve over riding there some time ago. :(

Well this is good news, at least for certain local areas. I was in Auckland in June and there was a distinct attitude against cyclists, which really surprised me. I am very happy this is changing!

I'm a big fan of some of the bike paths I see, but painting a couple of lines on a wide road that most people ignore really doesn't constitute "bicycle friendly".

I also think the attitude of cyclists have to change. Maybe if more didn't ride like they were above the law they'd be more respected.

The government is at least showing they are preparing with all this pro cycling stuff, though no real change will occur until we see huge jumps in price at the pump.

I lived in Christchurch in the South Island for a time and was surprised at first that every block of corner shops would usually have a bike shop amongst them.

When did you live here? I've been told by locals traffic here has gotten a lot worse in the past 5 or so years. Certainly rush hour on the arterial roads in the suburbs is not fun... This place is just too sprawling and everythings too far apart, yet everyone seems to think it's great for cycling because there are no hills :rolleyes:

When did you live here? I've been told by locals traffic here has gotten a lot worse in the past 5 or so years. Certainly rush hour on the arterial roads in the suburbs is not fun... This place is just too sprawling and everythings too far apart, yet everyone seems to think it's great for cycling because there are no hills :rolleyes:

Crikey..... I suppose it would be about 10 years ago. My word time flies :rolleyes: