Spotted this beauty at the BIG Auckland ride last Saturday and I suppose cargo bikes are available for sale in Auckland now! Interested parties should ring 021-180-1542.
Pick from the selection below. Add sunshine and a bike ride. Kisses guaranteed!
From today’s Daily Telegraph. Who’d have thought we’d see cargo-bike sharing in the land of the V8?
Image Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE first bike library in Australia will be based in Sydney, allowing people to loan cargo bikes and bike trailers.
The Watershed Bike Library, based in Sydney’s inner-western suburb of Newtown, has been set up to meet the growing popularity of commuter and recreational bike riding. Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore described the library as an “affordable, convenient, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to running errands in cars”. ”This unique library will encourage more people to use bikes to get around their local area,” she said. Mayor of Marrickville Sam Iskander said: “This is an innovative concept that encourages the local community to relinquish the car and borrow a specialised cargo bicycle or trailer for up to three days instead.”
“The Bike Library will expand the imaginations of local residents on what is possible to achieve by bicycle.”
The fleet consists of specialist cargo bikes and trailers to allow cyclists to carry equipment and objects that might otherwise require a car; from shopping to household items and more.
The Watershed, in partnership with Bike Sydney, will run the Bike Library for a 12 month trial period. It consists of two cargo bikes and a number of specialist trailers.
Anyone can become a member for a small fee, items are available for up to three days loan, and the first three hours are free.
Borrowers can use the City of Sydney cycling map to plan their route, explore local back streets, and avoid roads with heavy traffic.
It will be officially launched tomorrow.
THE first bike library in Australia will be based in Sydney, allowing people to loan cargo bikes and bike trailers.The Watershed Bike Library, based in Sydney’s inner-western suburb of Newtown, has been set up to meet the growing popularity of commuter and recreational bike riding. Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore described the library as an “affordable, convenient, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to running errands in cars”. ”This unique library will encourage more people to use bikes to get around their local area,” she said. Mayor of Marrickville Sam Iskander said: “This is an innovative concept that encourages the local community to relinquish the car and borrow a specialised cargo bicycle or trailer for up to three days instead.” ”The Bike Library will expand the imaginations of local residents on what is possible to achieve by bicycle.”
The fleet consists of specialist cargo bikes and trailers to allow cyclists to carry equipment and objects that might otherwise require a car; from shopping to household items and more.
The Watershed, in partnership with Bike Sydney, will run the Bike Library for a 12 month trial period. It consists of two cargo bikes and a number of specialist trailers.
Anyone can become a member for a small fee, items are available for up to three days loan, and the first three hours are free.
Borrowers can use the City of Sydney
…
The message is clear.
Young boy with car keys sitting invitingly in his hand, resting on a sexy looking (and probably powerful) car. It explains everything really. The problem and solution for cycling lies in this single, simple, powerful image.
In case you haven’t seen this before; it’s an advertisement for a bank.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists
Recently, have you felt a stirring in your bell ringing finger? an urge to put flowers on your bicycle? or found yourself strangely drawn to your more colourful clothing?
These are all classic symptoms of ‘Frockishness’ brought on by the arrival of … **Spring**
… to relieve these symptoms, release your inner ‘Frock’ and join Frocksonbikes for a Spring Celebration of Cycling!!
A pot of gold was found in Mt Roskill-they are regularly popping up all over the city.
Cycle Action has developed a knack of becoming a magnet to alot of wonderful and skilled people. These people just keep popping up and are wanting to offer their time and expertise. This speaks volumes for the type of organisation Cycle Action has become. These people all share a common vision. They are ordinary people who just want to see Auckland fulfill its destiny of being a world class city focused around its people. They are people who see a city that is vibrant, healthy and thriving on the back of excellent transport infrastructure and urban design. They envision a city that embraces the needs of all transport users; be they walkers, cyclists or public transport users.
And as well as these new, energetic people beating on the door, we also enjoy the services of some long standing and outstanding committee members. John Gregory is one of those people. He won’t like me stating this in a public forum but he really deserves to be recognised as Cycle Action’s living treasure. He is the holder of the organisations institutional knowledge. He is the ‘go to’ guy when we need a historical perspective on things. He has a great analytical engineer’s mind who willingly and graciously takes on a wide and various list of tasks. He also makes good company on the ride home from the monthly committee meetings. And maybe, most importantly, he embodies the 3P’s (in the title).
The SH20 section of the cycleway that goes past the Mt Roskill cone was for a number of years, a missing cycle link. For what seemed like an age, this part of the cycle path looked to remain a narrow, broken footpath. John was involved in this project right from the beginning so it was very fitting that Mt Roskill cycling champion and Mt Roskill Community Board Chair, Richard Barter invited our John to cut the ribbon when it was opened recently.
On the day of the opening, as I was riding my bike to the opening ceremony, I was pleased to see a large group of cyclists riding in the direction of the mountain. It was of course ACTA (Auckland Cycle Touring Association); one of Cycle Action’s many allies. John is an active member and I encourage you to check them out if you would like to enjoy group rides to fantastic destinations around the greater Auckland region and beyond. And of course, coffee breaks are always an important part of the itinerary.
It’s great to see a growing band of walkers, cyclists and public transport advocates marching steadily and in unison in pursuit of the rewards that a city with world class transport options can offer. The rewards are real and worth pursuing. Join in and be a part of the change.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice …
Proceed with caution but do proceed.
The last word from John Campbell at the end of the Mayoralty debate on TV3 was poignant. One third of all New Zealanders live in the Auckland electoral region. This large group of people will be going to the polls shortly under a new governance system. It is very important that as many people as possible exercise their right to vote.
Cycle Action have been watching Mayoral candidates Banks and Brown very closely in the run up to the election. And what I love about democracy in New Zealand is that we the public are given such accessibility to our politicians.
It was back in January that the committee had the opportunity to meet with Len Brown. It was a good opportunity to listen, question and share our views of what Auckland transport requires to make it a vibrant world class city. It seems a long time ago and I am pleased to say that since then, Len has grown into the role. He looked comfortable and resilient.
Mid year, the committee also had the opportunity to meet with John Banks. Once again we went to listen, question and share our views. In order for an advocacy group like Cycle Action to be successful, it is important to engage positively with all the power brokers. John Banks was honest and straight up just like in the TV debate. That is why he is so popular I guess. He gives the appearance of the neighbour who would lend you their lawnmower if you asked for it. Mr Banks reassures us that he has transmogrified himself-American Heritage Dictionary definition: To change into a different shape or form, esp, one that is fantastic or bizarre.
At the meeting, he gave the committee his views of cycling but made no promises. So it didn’t come as much of a surprise when I read on the weekend that he is back tracking on the proposed changes to Dominion Rd. It is disappointing that a proposal like this is still seen as so controversial. With the growing transport problems Auckland faces and the growing body of evidence to show that the best solutions do not involve cars, it is doubly disappointing.
I am looking forward to pinning down all the political candidates prior to the election; to find out about their commitment to making Auckland’s transport work. Who wouldn’t? I think it’s time to ask our future politicians to step into the unknown.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists
Some more photos from the “Switch” Open Day. The rain managed to back-off for the 45 minutes we got to ride and then came bucketing-down just as we were departing. Wet brake-pads on steel rims led to a chocolate-starfish-moment for me as I careered down the access-ramp at full-tilt and found I had no brakes whatsoever! Screams of “no brakes – coming through” seemed to do the trick as I scythed through a group of riders, white-knuckles on the bars and soles scraping on the pavement.
If this many Aucklanders are turning up to ride their bikes on a stormy winter’s day I think we are in for an urban cycling explosion this summer. Cycling is on-the-up I tell ya!
Thanks to Cycle Action Auckland and NZTA for the opportunity.
If you turned-up after 3.15 you missed-out!
It's easier than it looks.
I LOVE families on bikes.
The Viaduct Boys. Dad's the proud new owner of a Brompton folding bike.
Enhancing my web presence on the ride in.
As we all know, every day is a good day for being on a bike but Sundays are just that bit more special. The roads are quieter for a start. Sundays also tend to be more socially focused.
‘The Switch’ ride on the Newmarket Viaduct hit all the right buttons. There was a wide selection of participants with a wide variety of bikes. There were the familiar faces as well as plenty of new faces. The weather did its best to keep everyone smiling. Doug Muir and his safety crew did a fantastic job in keeping all the bike traffic heading the right way. A rain shower passed over but by then, it was time to depart the bridge anyway; our allocated time was over.
After doing a quick tour of the bridge myself, I stopped at the exit to hand out Cycle Action propaganda. It really is an easy sell. The cards were flying out of my hands as fast as my cold fingers could grab them. And what a polite and grateful bunch they were. There will be more occasions to celebrate Auckland’s burgeoning cycle culture in the near future too. Thanks for coming and see you again soon.
I made sure I took a moment to enjoy the view from the bridge.
Big boys and their toys enjoying the big machinery
Fashion on a 3 speed cruiser
Love is...this couple were still holding hands 30 minutes later when they left the bridge.
Grace and style was plentiful today.
Cycling for our children and their children
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists
As submissions close for the Dominion Rd scheme, few will be aware how unfounded are the fears of panicking retailers. If overseas evidence is anything to go by.
Fact is, retailers overestimate the importance of car-borne trade – by as much as 100%, according to sustrans.org.uk. Sustrans’ UK and European research found that retailers significantly overestimate how far their customers travel and the importance of the car, while also underestimating how many shops each customer visits.
As a small business owner I have a lot of empathy for Dominion Rd retailers. But while any change is unsettling, and needs planning to ensure the vulnerable aren’t penalized, casting the Dominion Rd proposal as an epic David and Goliath battle will only compound existing misconceptions. That’s because retailers typically massively over-estimate car-travelling customers as a proportion of their trade.
Retailer perceptions of trade from cars - Bristol
Overall: “Retailers overestimated the importance of car-borne trade by almost 100%, believing that 41% of their customers arrived by car, whereas only 22% had done – actually over half of shoppers walked. National research on number of trips taken by mode of transport show that 61% of all journeys were made by car and just 1.5% by bike. However sustrans.org.uk research revealed that in making local shopping trips only 22% were by car and 10% by bike (over six times the national cycling average).”
Of course this should surprise no one already familiar with the benefits to retail enjoyed when cities make more space for people on foot and on bicycle. And we should bear in mind that the actual mix at the time of the survey is likely to include less and less cars as urban designers and citizens make increasingly smarter choices.
The council has done a very poor of communication, but despite whatever you may have heard, it’s not as if they are about to ram a motorway through these communities. Fact is, the proposal puts much more emphasis on slow transport than the current, unhealthy status quo. A genuinely multi-faceted transport mix, including the overdue promotion of utility (ie slow) cycling will be ultimately much better for Dominion Rd people in terms of health, the economy, communities and retail than the status quo. The devil will be in getting the details, and the transition right.
Imperfect as it is, the council’s proposal cannot be wholly evil, and casting it as such, as the ILDR campaign has so far, not only undermines their own credibility, but will do no service to the real discussion that needs to happen to yield a positive result for people in Dominion Rd and beyond. The ‘debate’ has now been so polarized that it is now going to take an enormous amount of work to enable all the parties to parse the subtleties of the situation, …
With threatening skies overhead we rode around Auckland in a little pool of sunshine, the cycling gods were looking after us today.
Not a big turn-out, but a happy bunch of 30 or so riders cruised through Ponsonby, along K-Rd, over Grafton Bridge, past Newmarket and down to Parnell for coffee. Things got a bit fractured from here and with caffeine coursing through their veins people shot off in all directions – the ride was effectively over. A few of us carried on to the Library as that was the final destination but riding up Queen Street was not a pleasant experience and a first for me. I won’t be hurrying back there.
The group dynamic could have been better if the lead-riders had kept a more sedate pace. The bunch tended to string-out a little and was occasionally severed by light changes at intersections. People still had a good time though and were grouped with those of similar pace, chatting to each other when the traffic allowed it.
Cruising K-Rd (maybe not the best description)
Still on K-Rd
K-Rd. Hey, it's a long road!
No trouble finding parking outside The Strawberry Alarmclock.
Sketching bikes inside.
The finished item. I was sitting in front of that coffee on the right but was apparently invisible to the artist.
The thing I enjoyed most was the smiles and waves from the public, especially when the children came past. I think they recognized we were just ordinary people like them, all shapes and sizes, genders and ages, out in the sunshine having fun.
Thanks to Rob Thomas for organizing the ride. I’m wary of anyone with political aspirations but he rides a bike so he can’t be all bad ;^)
I lost two bike lights in as many weeks. My front light was the first to go—stolen whilst parked at the Viaduct last week. Then yesterday, the rear light came off flying down a bit too fast over a speed hump and was smashed to bits by the car behind me. Sad, sad face. Good thing I carry backup lights! Daylights savings couldn’t come fast enough.
Responses to the rad new Dom Rd scheme close Sunday. It’s important, it’s complex, but here we help you make some sense, and have your say.
So far most of the ‘discussion’ has elicited more heat than light, and has centred on clichéd, emotive storytelling where a much more nuanced discussion is required.
Reality is, and this may be a good thing, that everything will be up for grabs again post supercity elections. So why bother responding now? Because this debate, however messy, sets the stage for future city cycling developments in Dominion Road and way beyond.
The council is to be applauded for much of its proposal, even if it has been inept in its communications. Slow incremental change (a la Copenhagen) can be implemented smoothly without complex consultative procedures, but the more drastic action needed to solve many of our weary city’s urban design disasters will require more sophisticated public education and engagement – this is one thing that seems to be agreed by all the other parties in the discussion.
I really feel for the residents and small business owners in Dominion Rd. They are currently under the threat of having the largest MacDonald’s plonked in their midst (here in the country with the largest concentration of MacDonald’s in the world – second to… some other country).
Most glaringly absent from the council’s proposal, and missed by most observers and debaters is any kind of explanation of the goals and philosophy behind the plan – and so many residents have concluded, rightly or wrongly, that the council is only interested in their neighbourhood in thoroughfare terms.
Along the strip cut from a sheet metal plate (‘cos its just been raining...) are pockets of rich community life which have to struggle in the face of its major use by Aucklanders as a thoroughfare. Heck, it is a road after all, but as we are increasingly becoming aware, that like cycling, there is much more to roading in general, than getting from one end to the other as fast as possible.
And this is, as far as I can tell, the main point of the I Love Dominion Rd folks. I say this because it’s hard to find any specific actual proposals, though in discussion it seems they largely want to maintain the status quo, with a few timezone tweaks. Like some supercity candidates who should know better, much of their rhetoric has been highly emotive, and ultimately appears to support the car is king approach.
However having engaged a little on and offline with one of campaigners I there was a much more nuanced discussion to be had. Though you wouldn’t know it from the rhetoric, the ILDR team includes at least one pedestrian and one …
For me, riding a bike and enjoying all the pleasures of riding a bike are as easy as ABC. Sharing my happy experiences of riding a bike is also a piece of cake. I even find talking about the merits of cycling to be a breeze. I reckon I can just about do it all in my sleep.
Cycling has always been a part of my everyday life. Over recent years it has become more conscious and cognitive. My cycling awareness has become highly sensitive. Which hopefully explains why I got so excited the other day. Some one dear to me but whose attitude to cycling can be expressed by the fact that he will drive his car 100 metres to the shop rather than walk it, was talking approvingly about the proposed Copenhagen separated cycle lanes along Dominion Rd.
I had to do my best to not jump up and give him a big man hug. Just to spell it out; this person represents the fruit that is hanging higher up on the tree and is therefore not so easy to pick. It is these potential cyclists that we need to be reaching out to with better intent and finesse. I often speculate on what it is that will prompt such non-cyclists to start showing an interest in cycling.
Positive messages and images are essential. Education is a must. Seeing Frocks on Bikes looking fashionable and cool is definitely helpful. Dedicated infrastructure that is designed to make a cyclists’ experience safe in a real and perceived sense would make a very big difference. And of course, the simple experience of witnessing loads of everyday cyclists young and old, male and female, out riding together and having fun, will make a big impression on a non-cyclist.
This weekend there will be some opportunities to Come Together and be an everyday cyclist, young or old, male or female, having fun riding a bike.
Two of the organised rides on offer this weekend have come about in response to a request. Both of these rides will take place on motorways. Someone tried to tell me that there was an element of irony in this; cyclists riding on a motorway. Hah. I don’t see any irony at all. I just see another chance for Aucklanders to celebrate a growing cycle culture together. We did it well last month on the Manukau Harbour Crossing.
The Details:
1. Cycle along Manukau’s newest motorway. Saturday 28th August, 1-2pm (last access will be 1:30pm), Entry and exit is via the eastbound on-ramp at Cavendish Dr.
2. A Once in a Lifetime Chance to ride on the Newmarket Viaduct, Sunday 29th August, 2:45-3:30pm, – entry and exit via St Marks Rd.
3. Celebrating safe cycling in Central Auckland- Saturday 28th August, 9:30am departure from Ley’s Institute, St Mary’s Bay. Check it out here.
So please get along and enjoy these rides. And remember to let the world know about these and future events. Drop it into the conversation at work …
London is really getting it! Check out these fantastic videos from Transport for London … promoting cycling positively
So, if anybody from the Super City is watching … can we have some like this please.
From AKT:
Skateboarders, whose skate park was dislodged because of the Vic Park tunnel project, have finally got a new playground.
Auckland City Council, with NZTA funding, has now opened a temporary skate park in Victoria Park.
Located in the unused southern bowling green of the Victoria Park Bowling Club, the temporary park offers facilities for both BMX riders and skateboarders, and includes two quarter pipes, a medium grind box and a mini ramp.
A new permanent skate park will be built at its former location after the tunnel is completed.
My brother took this on the Gold Coast this week. I’ve seen cats and dogs on bikes before but never a parrot. This pair are a regular sight on the Gold Coast Highway.
There’s a group ride around the central city happening next Saturday August 28 from 9:30am – 1:00pm. Check out the Facebook page for further details.
The business card that also works as a pick axe.
Are you getting ready for the big one? Will you be prepared? Because it’s getting closer; bigger by the day. The swell is building. You are sure to have witnessed some of the signs yourself.
Who would have predicted the speed of change? But it sure is amazing to watch the winds of change blowing positively through our city. It is easy to remain optimistic when you consider that the majority…have at some point in their lives experienced the pleasures of cycling, or…would like to experience the pleasure of cycling, or…want their children to experience the pleasures of cycling. Humans are social creatures; cars are not a natural fit. But things become ingrained. We become creatures of habit. Blind to the world of possibilities. A bit of prompting is all that is needed.
It is my desire to help keep this beautiful peddling revolution moving. It is my desire to have Cycle Action on the lips and minds of as many people as possible. Cycle Action is providing the picks and chisels to help break the dam down so the trickle will eventually become a torrent. Keep a look out for more opportunities to break rocks together. They will be coming thick and fast.
And visit the Cycle Action website to find out how you can become a financial part of the organisation. In that way you can tell your friends and family that you really were an active participant in the revolution. And, of course, keep/start riding your bike – you are the best advertisement.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists
I was feeling a bit ill today and I have to admit that I chickened out of riding my bicycle because it was cold and a bit showery …. what a wimp!!
Of course sods law dictated that this video should pop up on my RSS feed to make me feel ashamed and pathetic! Beating self with Lemsip box as we speak.
Cycling in Auckland is a grass roots collaborative website. So what does that mean? Well, what it really means is that it’s written by a diverse bunch of people with different opinions and ideas about cycling that are borne out of their own experiences of riding in Auckland.
The aim of this website is to strengthen and grow our bicycling community by sharing what we know.
