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Inia Ashford, Candidate City Ward, New Plymouth District Council.

Some questions for you :

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 (as it is wherever utility cycling is well-established ) ? Yes

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 (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? Pavements that are striped for half for peds and half for cyclist would be safer – mnay footpaths are narrow and cyclists can be a frightening encounter from behind for peds.

-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. Aware of this – New Plymouth has a specially built Walkway – that is designed for peds, cyclists, skateboards etc – and si used by all. However, as peds – it is still quite a shock tohave cyclists come zooing up from behind.

'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). NZ needs to become more cycle friendly as the European states are so that we can encourage cycling tourists

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 council staff to get around town on. It woyld be great if towns had fleets of cycles available for citizens to use – pick up here and drop off there concept.

Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle racks on ALL public transport vehicles ? need to be reintroduced – same as pram racks that are virtually non-existent these days

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 – a regular cyclist – cycled Chch to Invercargill a couple of years back

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

Why? / Why not? Can be fun, fresh air, health, environment friendly

Thanks for your time and interest.

From: Inia Ashford, Candidate City Ward, New Plymouth District Council.

Cheers Inia Ashford

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Alison Rumball

Recently I was in Munich and spent a couple of afternoons cycling around that city where it would appear that cyclists are more important than either vehicles or pedestrian traffic. I was singularly impressed and relayed the same opinion to our Mayor and also emailed our General Manager of Community Assets while I was still away! My daughter , son-in-law and their two children aged 3 and just 1 year old also travelled on the bikes with us.

The thing that impressed me the most was the general public's attitude towards the cyclists. Singularly courteous and polite. Oh that all our cities were like that.

The Council has recently endorsed a Cycling Strategy and subtitled it 'New Plymouth - The Cycling District. I wholeheartedly endorse it

Alison Rumball

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Shaun Biesiek

interesting questions and we have been sent many like this, But I will answer what I can.

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?

I believe that we need to look at policies that will make it easier for cycling within th CBD,

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 ) ?

I am not sure this is a Good idea and would need to see some compling evidence that this is needed, maybe on off road cycle ways and inner CBD this can be an option.

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

New PLymouth is currently looking and working on a cycle strategy and cycle paths are part of this and I support it fully.

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 DO AGREE but also need some common sense on this as well.

-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.

'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 ? I WOULD AND MAKE GOOD BUSINESS SENSE TO DO SO.

e.g. actively lobby for the acquisition of a fleet of utility bicycles for council staff to get around town on.

Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle racks on ALL public transport vehicles ? NEED TO LOOK AT THE OPTIONS NP DOES NOT HAVE A GREAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO START WITH.

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 I DO CYCLE I OWN A MOUNTAIN BIKE AND MY WIFE HAS A ROAD BIKE.

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

YES I DO

Shaun Biesiek

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Kevin Moore

Sorry, I don't have time for your questionnaire, but if you contact Kyle Chapman, who I understand is a candidate for Christchurch and get hoold of a copy of my book 'Surviving the Future, (or research www.oilcrash.com) you will see that I am totally committed to cycling. Indeed it will soon be virtually the only option.

Kind regards

Kevin

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Trevor Creagh.

Thanks for the questions about promotion of bicycles. I note you live in

Christchurch which is predominantly flat. New Plymouth is hilly in

comparison and frequently windy.

You refer to Copenhagen. Last year I spent one week in that city with its

very wide streets and dedicated cycle lanes. It was interesting to see the

volumes of traffic give way to cyclists within the blue lanes. Similar cycle

lanes do not exist in the narrow streets of Copenhagen however. The hotel I

stayed in fronted on to a narrow street.

In Brugge Belgium no one form of transport has any privilege over another. A

big bus just has to follow a slow cyclist no horn beeping just follow what

ever is in front. Truly sharing the road reserve.

To answer your questions.

1. Pursue polices for cycling. Unlikely for New Plymouth due to the hills

and insufficient width in many streets to give a true safe cycle lane.

2. Rescind cycle helmets NO.

3. Network of cycle lanes. Do not exist in New Plymouth at present. Unlikely

to be popular with many people due to the hills.

4. Lobby to allow cyclists to use footpaths. NO. Your description of the

European bicycles means that they tend to travel slower than the common 10 +

speed ratio on most bikes in New Zealand

5. Lobby for acquisition of bicycles. This would have to be nationwide and

not individual councils.

6. Bike racks on public transport. Somewhat contradicts the need for cycle

ways. When it rains take a bus. I doubt if a bus could handle 30 or more

bikes.

7. Cycle myself. No due to medical problem with my knee joints. Hence not in

future.

8. Recommend to others. Unlikely in New Plymouth due to the terrain.

Trust the above is of use to your survey.

Trevor Creagh.

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Barry Easton.

I’m all for cycling as a healthy form of exercise, and as a practical means of getting from A to B.

As a younger person I lived in the country and did a lot of cycling. Then, it was my only means of transport.

For the last 30 years I have lived in New Plymouth, which is a very hilly city. We have cycle lanes here, and these are regularly used. We also have a walkway which leisure cyclists share with pedestrians. It is made of concrete and being very wide, pedestrians and cyclists mix quite well.

In answer to your questions:-

1/ No

2/ No – I’m in favour of helmets, especially while a no faults ACC system is in place.

3/ No, people have to park their cars somewhere, and there is already a serious shortage of parking space in N.P. I take the point that if enough people used bicycles instead of cars, there would be more parking space available, but many people would find this impractical.

4/ No way. I walk 10km daily, six days a week, all on footpaths. There is a constant flow of foot traffic on these footpaths, and in New Plymouth, cycle lanes are right beside these on the main routes. I believe your logic about there being few pedestrians using the pavements, at least in New Plymouth, to be seriously flawed!

5/ I would support an awareness campaign.

6/ If the need arose, yes.

7/No, not currently, and I enjoy walking too much to consider cycling in the future.

8 /Younger people, yes.

I hope this answers your concerns. By the way I am a candidate, not an aspiring candidate!

Regards,

Barry Easton

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Jonathan KP Marshall

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 (as it is wherever utility cycling is well-established ) ?

NOT SURE OF THIS ONE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION

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 (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

-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.

'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 ? YES

e.g. actively lobby for the acquisition of a fleet of utility bicycles for council staff to get around town on. YES

Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle 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 ? YES

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

Why? / It is good for everyone, I use to cycle 10 k’s per day to go to work and home again. I loved it and still do. Although because of limited time I have in the day I drive to work now and cycle for pleasure.

Jonathan KP Marshall.

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