questionnaire2

Questionnaire on Utility Cycling for Candidates

This questionnaire was sent to Candidates in the 2007 (October 13) Local Government Elections in Christchurch and to many of New Zealand's other 85 Local Territorial Authorities.

Responses can be viewed here.

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Dear aspiring candidate.

In the interests of working towards developing a truly sustainable carbon-neutral transport system, I'm working independently to promote the establishment of utility cycling in New Zealand's cities, based on a mixture of the existing models provided by Copenhagen in Denmark and Kyoto in Japan (where I enjoyed 10 years as a utility cyclist).

I've listed some questions below to elicit your views on some controversial but pivotal cycling related issues and will be collating responses to forward to our cycling advocacy group ( which has about 900 members) to provide some idea of who might be most effective in working for cyclist's interests.

Alan Preston

P.S. I have no involvement in any bicycle-related business.

-But first this ..

http://cycleliciousness.blogspot.com/

- an interesting and informative web log about utility cycling in Copenhagen which will give you some idea of what it is like to live in a city ( not so dissimilar to our own ) where utility cyclists account for about 30% of that city's traffic volume ( in contrast with about 2% here ).

On the web log there is a link to an excellent video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5092322980326147472

'Copenhagen,-City of Cyclists.' , 3 short videos

and links to earlier posts on specifically related topics ( with plenty of pictures).

Notice in the video(s) and weblog(s) what kinds of people are riding bicycles, what they're wearing, the kinds of bikes they're riding, the virtual absence of mountain bikes and road racing bikes, that most of the bikes are fitted with baskets, mudguards, chain guards and usually have internal hub gearing systems and internal hub dynamo powered lights...

Keep in mind that the types of bicycles and many of the associated technologies favored by utility cyclists in places where utility cycling is universally practicable are virtually unobtainable in New Zealand.

The wearing of helmets is discretionary on riders and, as you will see. hardly anyone wears them,-as is the case anywhere in the world where utility cycling is prevalent.

Cyclists enjoy real separation from both moving and parked motor vehicles.

In Japan, where pavements are available, large numbers of cyclists share them with pedestrians.

See this 2 minute video clip from Kyoto. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g7K1VfCGso&mode=related&search=

( My web log on utility cycling in Kyoto Japan as contrasted with that in Christchurch where you can find further links to more detailed information .)

http://utilitycyclism.blogspot.com/

Traffic studies in New Zealand show that a large percentage of trips by car are to destinations within distances easily accessible to cyclists.

It is in reducing these numbers of short trips taken by car where utility cycling can play a role that is in everyone's (ratepayers included) interest.

"For every $1 spent on promoting cycling there is a corresponding $20 benefit / reduction in costs"

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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?

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 ) ?

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

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.

'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 council staff to get around town on.

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 ?

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

Why? / Why not?

Thanks for your time and interest.

Alan Preston ( Middleton, Christchurch }

Mob. 027 2128095

urbanbicycles@gmail.com

http://utilitycyclism.blogspot.com/

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