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 when someone asks you what you are up to on the weekend. Put it on your social networking site. We really do want the world to know.
How else are we going to get to that fruit higher up in the tree. They are ripening nicely and will soon be ready for picking.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists
Cool. I'll be wearing my "I'm spending my kid's inheritance" t-shirt.