I never imagined 10 years ago when I started incorporating my bicycle into my daily life that it would turn out to be such a political activity focused on issues of a public nature. I would never have imagined that I would be spending my time thinking about the implications of urban design, parking and land use at the same time as wanting to tell everyone about the wonders of cycling. It used to be just about the bike. That’s no longer the case. A victory for cycling is a victory for the city and its people. It is great news that cycling is finding allies in areas that I would never have imagined 12 months ago, let alone a decade ago. And I’m noticing that these key words of change are becoming part of the mainstream language. Len Brown seems quite happy to use the words, livable city. The challenge will be to make sure that the words are not just that. We need action to match the words.
I always find it frustrating when politicians promote aspirational dreams but then selectively ignore policies that would really make a difference. It reflects such narrow, destructive thinking. Obviously the tentacles of roading lobby groups are long and flourishing. That’s not to say things aren’t improving. I like the way funding has been provided to Hastings to try to make a difference. How will the money be spent? Cycle tourism could be a way to boost the local economy. But for it to have real bite, the local community will need to embrace sustainable transport to give this experiment any real traction. The big money needs to be spent on coaxing local residents to leave their cars at home. That’s where the big payback will come from.
And when talking about big money, it is important to note that the money being spent is a drop in the bucket of this country’s transport budget. The research is unequivocal. For short local trips, (of which a large percentage are) cycling provides a great rate of return. And while I am on this topic, have a look at this report. I warn you: it’s dense but it gives a good idea of the financial benefits of cycling when incorporated into public transport. Hawke’s Bay is the perfect environment for such an experiment to succeed…flat, dry and compact. How many times do we hear that the veneer of New Zealand’s clean greeen image is less than skin deep? I dread reading the headline…’Cycle tourist hit by local driving to dairy for smokes’.
The internet is a great thing. Ideas and lessons are passed around quickly and easily. Regardless of the negativity that I heard about Twitter, I have only good things to say about it. It needs to be managed, but boy, I have made some great connections. That’s why I am hopeful we won’t have to wait the 40 years that successful European cycling cities had to wait to get to where they are now in terms of cyclabilityness. The tipping point is upon us. No doubt about it. But what will bring the final push? I pick it will happen slowly but with increasing pace. Is it unpatriotic to hope that the oil crunch comes sooner than later? Is that what will be needed to bring some sensibility to the party and stop this mad rush to the edge of the precipice?
Cycling is no longer seen as being a fringe activity. Now we have smartly dressed, articulate, university-educated citizens talking on mainstream media. And some of these leading lights are women! Heaven forbid. Who are the people that you know who cycle? They are definitely white collar. Still mainly men and middle aged but things are moving along nicely.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland – a voice for cyclists
