hamilton

Hamilton

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

Cycling in Hamilton

Responses from Candidates in the October 13th 2007 Local Government elections to a Questionnaire on Cycling.

Daphne Bell

I am the cycling and walking sub committee chair of HCC transport committee and as a result am an advocate for cycling lanes. We encounter some resistance from residents who do not wish to lose curb side parking but so far have been able to work through this resistance.

I have an electric bike which I ride in to council when it is feasible e.g other commitments and loads. I enjoy getting out of the car. I have adult children so you will have a rough idea of my age.

HCC has a 10 year cycling lane retrofitting programme and is currently budgeting $1.2m to do so in addition to off road provision through parks and along the river paths.

I am a member of Living Streets Aotearoa executive which advocates for pedestrian friendly planning and provision.

I am the Council contact for Communities for Climate Protection so am a voice on Council for addressing climate change. Modal shift in transport is one aspect of this.

We recently agreed to support Julian Hull’s initiative re hire bikes.

I hope this is helpful background.

Best wishes for your campaign.

Regards

Daphne Bell

Hamilton City Council

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Jane Landman.

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, have seen the videos. Have filled in a cycling/pedesitrian survey.In that, I stated that people won't cycle in Hamilton in any numbers unless they feel safe ie wider and integrated cycle lanes and adults model cycling so youngsters stay involved.

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 ) ?

Not until cycling was well established in the city and sufficient safety measures put in place first.

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

Yes, especially in the city. There are some areas that may create difficulties eg outside community houses/centres and similar. The kerbside would then be the focus for debate - might need to have cars parked there where possible. Need to think creatively to come up with solutions.

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?

-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 e.g. in Kyoto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g7K1VfCGso&mode=related&search=

Yes. Many cyclists do in fact use the pavements anyway

'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 your own council for trips within your city/town.

Yes, think that is an excellent idea

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

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 ?

Have done. Do not feel safe cycling in the city as it is. Would need wider and connected cycle lanes and a more bicycle friendly culture.

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

Yes, but with concerns mentioned above. Would be concerned for children except for very quiet streets. Need shopping baskets on bikes to get the best use out of bikes. Basically, going back to how it was but with better bikes. Would like to see it safe before promoting cycling to elderly and children (or anyone for that matter). Fewer cars on the roads will encourage people to cycle more as will the other things on the website eg free inner city bikes, cycle parks, useful bike designs with large baskets, wide and connected cycle lanes, fewer cars, etc

Why? / Why not?

Ka kite

Jane Landman

Home > News > On your bike

Media release

On your bike

Posted On: Thursday, 14 July 2005

More Hamiltonians are using bicycles as a mode of transport than for many years, according to Council's recent annual cycle survey.

The number of cyclists entering the CBD has increased by 30% to 392 compared to 300 in 2004. Similarly, the number of cyclists in selected suburban sites has increased by 44%, reaching 1062 compared to the previous four year average of 735.

The cycle survey is conducted by Council each year in March and surveys the number of cyclists entering the CBD in the morning and leaving in the afternoon/evening. The survey was started in 1980 and has been conducted every year since.

Much of the cycling increase appears to be made up of school students. Of the cyclists entering the CBD, 27% were school students compared to 25.5% in 2004. In fact, school cyclists constitute over half of the total cyclist numbers counted entering the CBD and suburban intersections in the morning of the survey compared to one third in 2004.

Hamilton City Councillor and chairperson of Council's cycling sub-committee Daphne Bell says these results link positively with Access Hamilton.

"Access Hamilton targets the use of alternative modes of transport to the car wherever possible. Hamilton offers excellent cycling facilities and connections and it's encouraging to see people making use of these. Our two recent appointments of a safer routes co-ordinator and road safety co-ordinator will hopefully encourage more Hamiltonians to opt for cycling as an alternative means of transport as road and route safety are improved in the city."

Councillor Bell says that the latest survey results show that some of the investment and focus on increasing cyclist numbers may be starting to pay off.

"These results show that the efforts Council is about to make to improve city cycling infrastructure and safety will be well worth it.

"It is important that these sort of gains in relation to alternative transport modes are locked in and continue to improve as they relate strongly to the vision and goals of Access Hamilton. Results from next year's survey will shed further light on whether these increased cyclist numbers indicate an upward trend."

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Name: Daphne Bell

Designation: Councillor

Tel (Direct): 07 838 6859

Mobile: 021 341 767

Fax (Direct): 07 838 6979

Email: daphne.bell@council.hcc.govt.nz

Name: Naomi Reynolds

Designation: Communication Advisor

Tel (Direct): 07 838 6742

Mobile: 027 413 3448

Fax (Direct): 07 838 6761

Email: naomi.reynolds@hcc.govt.nz

Access Hamilton

Transportation Unit Reception

Hamilton City Council

Phone: 838 6868

Email: Access.Hamilton@hcc.govt.nz

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