whangarei

Whangarei

http://can.org.nz/VoteBike/

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

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Paul Doherty

Whangarei District Council Candidate, Okara Ward

> 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?

> -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.

I support creating a competitve advantage for cyclists, pedestrians and

public transport users. This may mean use of footpaths where

appropriate. In Whangarei the most dangerous place to cycle is on the

footpath - according to LTNZ crash data that I have analysed, so it may

not be as simple as one thinks. Perhaps if we banned vehicle crossings

of the pedestrian footpaths we may have a good solution?! And think

about the benefit of getting rid of all driveway fatalities in one fell

swoop!

>

> '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

> <http://www.koga.com/uk/segment.asp?collection=7&segment=56> for

> council staff to get around town on.

Yes! In fact I operate a cycle tourism business and we are developing a

fleet bike proposal with the District Health Board. We also run cyclist

education courses to assist people gain confidence in on-road cycling.

If you haven't already I would recommend that you read "Effective

Cycling" by John Forrester. If you haven't already, I would recommend

that you join CAN, the Cycling Advocates' Network www.can.org.nz and

you can borrow his book for free from their excellent library!

Whangarei is ideally suited to a city bike scheme - especially once the

compulsory helmet law is repealed. We can set the inner city speed

limit to 30kph by by-law and have a ped and cycle friendly inner city.

>

> Would you lobby for the installation of bicycle racks on ALL public

> transport vehicles ?

Yes - again a no-brainer! I have a folding bike - and even my Raleigh

20 has been on the bus a few times. No dramas, but a few seats near the

front of the bus that fold up to accommodate bikes, push-chairs,

wheel-chairs seems pretty sensible and achievable to me!! Taxis with

bikes rack, easy. Trains - of course. See the German rail company -

they even hire bikes to complement their network!

>

> 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 ?

Around 90% of my journeys are by bicycle. I "drive" a walking school

bus every morning and take a tandem bike as luggage and pre-school

support vehicle. I ride back home after the run. I am a strong

supporter of utility cycling and have even imported a number of city

bikes from Taiwan to gauge the market here. These had built in lights

(dynamo hubs), internal hub gears (Nexus 8-speed), mudguards,

chain-guard, racks and a lovely comfortable uporight seating position!

>

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

Most definately!

>

> Why? / Why not?

Cycling is a win, win, win!

* Cycling is good for your wallet! Fuel will get more expensive.

* Cycling is good for your health! Naturally! Even in the UK a

health study found that cycling added 20 years to ones life

compared to not cycling! And they have 20 million cars and don't

have a cycle helmet law! See Mayer Hillman, British Medical

Association.

* Cycling is good for the environment. No emissions, well not

many! No noise, except for the occasional, "Yippeee!"

* Cycling is good for your community! Lots of chances to engage

with your neighbours, to smell the roses and to enjoy life! Also

if you are on a bike, instead of in a car, you are not inflicting

danger on your neighbours - and that has to be good!

* Cycling is good for world peace! And doesn't the world need

peace?! If we could reduce our demand on fuel the world would be

a better, cleaner, healthier and safer place! I see the bicycle

as a potent symbol of hope - like Gandhi's spinning wheel - slower

and simpler may actually be better! Will we realise in time?

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou. Kororia ki te Matua, ki te Tama, ki te Wairua

Tapu, Amine.

Paul Doherty

Whangarei District Council Candidate, Okara Ward

100 Church Street

Onerahi, Whangarei

T 09 436 0033

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Rosemary Neave, Bream Bay

Hi alan - go for it, I am a great supporter of cycling - I cycle myself (but mostly on the flat I am afraid) and have just come back from China where there are heaps of bikes - and women riding in their best clothes and high heels etc ... IN beijing they seem to have a normal width lane in many places that is just for cyclists and motor cyclists. I confess to being a little nervous about them not having helmets, but if it is a dedicated lane then that should be OK. Although even cycle on cycle accidents can be dangerous.

Someone in whangarei is working on having hire bikes you can ride from one part of the city to another. I am a strong advocate of having a wider verge on all roads for safe biking and walking, and including safe cycling as one of the 'objects' or key parameters in all new road/pavement work and repairs.

hope this helps

rosemary neave

standing for bream bay ward in whangarei district

Yes

'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.

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 ?

I do not cycle regularly. I live close to town and have small children, so generally walk with a buggy. However, I would cycle with a child seat on the back if there were proper cycle lanes to ensure the safety of my children and me.

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

Yes

Why?

Good for fitness

Good for environment

Good for finances

Sometimes is a way for people to be involved socially

Sally McGunnigle-Trail

Candidate Okara Ward

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SIMON BLISS

Having cycled around Copenhagen, I know what a great experience that can be. I think we have a long way to go to get whangareiites to take to the streets. We have a culture of arrogance in this town that is far from congenial. The interesting thing, though, is that there is probably a bike hanging or standing about in most garages. This being the case, it will take a hiccup in the petrol energy scene for us all to get our velocipedes out. Still the council has made some progress with cycle lanes, etc.

Dont you think it would be a shame to resind the laws governing helmets? Why only the other day I patched up a lady who had fallen from her bike and she was glad of the hat. She rides every day a great distance to college where I work. My co worker is Kevin McKenzie. Do you know him? There are lots of bikers around me and two bikes in my shed.

Yes I would lobby for bike racks in fact they used to have them on the buses once apon a time in this town.

Hope this helps you in your quest, keep on pedalling.

Regards,

Simon Bliss

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