alan'sletters:bicyclingvscycling

To BikeNZ

August 17th, 2009.

In the BikeNZ Constitution's glossary, 'Cycling' is defined as 'all forms of commuting,recreational and competitive cycling, including road cycling, track cycling, Mountain biking,BMX and cycle touring.'

No mention of 'utility cycling'-the biggest group of cyclists in the world -still virtually non-existant in New Zealand.

'Commuter cycling' from my experience in New Zealand seems to be about getting from A to B in the shortest time, as fast as possible with many of its practioners and advocates sharing the core values displayed by competitive recreational cyclists: hard-out exertion, obsession with speed, and nth degree performance.

'Utility' cycling on the other hand, is simply about getting around, carrying stuff, doing stuff ,- on a bicycle.

Anybody can do it. It doesn't require any preparation or special skill and has no other goal than simply to be a means of transport.

It is as easy as riding a bike. -'Bicycling' - without all the hype of 'cycling'!

When I brought my utility cycling habits from Japan ( where I lived and bicycled for 10 years) I definitely felt like the odd one out riding my 'old-fashioned granny shopping bike with baskets, mudguards and a bell, among all the gung-ho lycra clad commuters in Christchurch.

Where were all the 'ordinary' people I was used to riding with: men in suits, girls in dresses, elderly ladies, school kids?

The Bike NZ definition of 'cycling' shows that their organisational culture reflects the cultural attitude predominant in New Zealand that is oblivious to the notion that ordinary people can simply get around on ordinary 'sensible' bicycles in a relaxed and casual manner,- while being totally disinterested in speed, performance, competition, recreation or 'sport'.

If BikeNZ is really serious about getting ordinary New Zealanders out of their cars and onto bicycles, it needs to start marketing more of what we should be calling 'Bicycling'.

Alan Preston in Mangawhai, Northland.