Image/Flickr
‘Come together’ is a theme that will be pushed by me for the next while. And ‘while’ really means for as long as it takes. Even though I know it’s corny, I love the part at the end of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, just before the big battle scene. All the troops are gathering together with a common purpose to defeat ‘evil’ or die in the process. That’s a bit OTT for for our purposes. I don’t expect to lead anyone to their death in the process of bringing life to our city. Cars are cool. We just want a bit of equity in the sharing of road (read ‘public’) space.
There will be lots of opportunities to come together this year. And I am really hoping that people who cycle, in all their shapes, sizes and colours will seize all the opportunities as they occur, to be a part of the change. To show the politicians that there is another way.
Cycling is in the ascendancy. There are still some who care to deny it or ignore it. So what better way to show that cycling is here to stay than to turn up to community events that promote cycling. You may even find that turning up to such an event on a bike could have a long lasting influence. The cold, hard reality is…without cyclists on the streets or supporters at cycling events, influencing our city’s decision makers is made more difficult. I know it can be done. Hundreds turned up for last year’s 350 ride. Hundreds turned up for the Cycle Style evening. Let’s keep up the impetus. Come along and bring a friend, your grandmother. Help put cycling back where it belongs.
Sunday, July 25 presents the next opportunities to come together.
1. Mt Roskill SH20 Cycleway- Official opening. Ceremony starts at 9:30am. Meet at the entrance to the mountain. Refreshments available.
2. Manukau Harbour Crossing- Cycle across the new bridge from 2:30pm to 3:00pm. Details can be found here.
I hope that we will eventually be in the exciting predicament that Copenhagen finds itself in where events to promote cycling are not needed anymore. Where cycling is a welcome part of the city’s culture. In the meanwhile we can continue to come together for a good cause.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland — a voice for cyclists
Would love to be there Mark but I will be in Melbourne for the weekend for Mikaels talk http://cyclingauckland.co.nz/front/2010/06/cycle-chic-rock-star-in-melbourne/ and a bit of planned civil disobedience – watch this space!
Does "entrance to the mountain" mean the park at the base of Mt Roskill?
Excellent.
The event will be held in the area that used to be the Winstone Park Tennis Courts, adjacent to Dom. Rd. It's all looking rather lovely thanks to the work of Richard the architect. There is a long history that goes with the opening of this section of the cycle way and there are many individuals who have worked patiently and persistently in getting this missing link completed. The palisade fence looks terrific but the cattle stops on the path will be a pain for those of us not on mountain bikes.
Does anyone know which 'dignitaries' will be there to cut the ribbon, be it real or figurative?
I think Steven Joyce will be doing the honours at the Manukau Crossing. That's his 'pet' project as the Minister of Transport. Richard Barter, Chair of Roskill Community Board will be one of the officials at the the Roskill event. He has been pushing to complete this cycleway for some time. He deserves a virtual boquet for services to cycling. He is a real cycling champion!! And I'm glad this is being held on a Sunday. More people will be able to attend. Normally these events are held during the week.
Missed the official opening but had a fun day out nevertheless. We loaded up three bikes and parked at Mount Roskill at about quarter past two and went down from there.
The new cycleway sections are lovely, particularly beside Keith Hay Park and at the Mount Roskill "palisade". Just a shame not all of it was actually open – the stretch going up to Queenstown Road was still fenced off, since there wasn't any barrier installed between the cycleway and the two-lane onramp. (Some kind soul opened the fence up later on so we snuck on for a little while on the way up… much nicer than the Queenstown hill…)
The Manukau Crossing was interesting to try out with lots of people on bikes, even though riding on loose metal and then hauling a bike up temporary stairs at the Mangere end wasn't the best (couldn't help drawing comparisons with the convenience of last year's harbour bridge crossing…).
A lot of people seemed to go on to have a crack at the Waikaraka cycleway afterwards too.
Many thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. We had a great time.
@Sam. I'm glad you made the effort and enjoyed it. It was a great day for cycling. The Queenstown Rd stretch that you mention is so close and I am in regular contact with the contractors about it. The reasons for it not being open are genuine but it won't be long now.