We get quite a few interesting questions from people via this site. A good sign that more people are getting on their bikes! Are you able to help out with some of these?
Cycle paths for tandems and trikes
I am looking for a list on safe and suitable cycle paths in Auckland. I have a group of adults with disabilities that have bikes, some of these are tandems and specially built tricycles. They are just getting started and need some suitable places to ride. Any ideas? –Tracey
Short-term bikes on the campa
We are French and we are going to visit New Zealand with a campervan. We would like to rent or buy some bikes. As we arrive in Auckland and leave from Chrischurch, we think the best solution for us is to buy second hand bikes and sell them when we leave. We would also need baby seats or kid-trailer for our two daughters who are 1 and 4 years old. Could you assist us for that? What do you think is the best solution? Do you recommend some shops? –Sandra
Electric dreams
What do you think the general view of cyclists is towards electric bikes? It could be a way of getting less fit / older people back onto bikes (a little help from a battery) and out of their cars. –Ross
For the campervan and bikes question, check out naturalhigh.co.nz. We do one-way bike and camper rentals and have all the accessories you would need. Email us with any questions you might have. Matt
Try the waitakere twin streams for the trikes.
How awesome is Matt's answer!
Electric bikes – love them. I live in Wellington, and if I had an electric bike my choice of home suburb would probably be different. Sure, there will be a few people (I'm guessing young go-hard chaps) who will have an attitude towards electric bikes, but they have so much potential for building confidence and ability among a huge range of people that I think they will get quite big here.
One of our writers started out with an electric bike, and it made all the difference. http://cyclingwellington.co.nz/2011/02/electric-bikes-the-answer-to-wellingtons-hills/
Mission Bay cycle way is also ok (in parts) for families with trikes. So long as you're not in hurry and can wiat for crowds of pedestrians to move away.
I like electric bikes. But lately i've been seeing an annoying person riding a bike which seems to have been self modified – has an incredibly loud and polluting engine. not so into that
and it's not electric – it's diesel. grrrr
Northwestern Cycleway, from Newton Road along the motorway westwards is fine, though not all is scenic (also one or two zebra crossings and a short section of quiet street in Pt Chevalier to be negotiated though).
The Twin Streams cycleways as mentioned, especially the middle and southernmost parts, especially the western of the two (the eastern path of the two has longer sections along a road – off the road, but directly next to it, so not sure whether that is suitable).
The Waikaraka Cycleway (along the coast from Onehunga eastwards) would be a real great choice for such rides too. Start off at Onehunga Mall, southern end, go through the cycle path underpass under SH20, on your dedicated cycle bridge over Onehunga Harbour Road, and then head east, enjoying the shoreline area.
There's also the associated SH20 cycleway west from Onehunga, though the SH20 one has some gaps that less confident people would not be happt with, so really may only be suitable From the Hillsborough Road to Sandringham Road section (at Mt Roskill there's two cattle grids to be covered, not too bad, but maybe ride the section on your own first to check if you are happy to take that group there).
As for electric bikes, I like the idea – but since batteries are hugely expensive, and wear out reasonably quickly (both in the short term sense as in long term "damage" through use), I don't think they are anything like a silver bullet.
not to mention the environmental nastys in modern rechargeable batteries like cadmium, the embedded energy of an electric bike must be several times more than a weetbix powered one
ironically, the mayor with the tank rode off on an electric bike without pedaling at all, sort of diminishes the health benefit arguments and when the battery runs down (which it will if you use the motor all the time), you're left with a very heavy bike to pedal – I'm not convinced
I like the idea of electric-assist bikes as a range extender if you live a long way from your workplace (or some other frequent destination), or if you are really determined to arrive at the end of every journey without a bead of sweat (which is an entirely legitimate desire, mind you).
So far all of the electric bikes I've seen use wall socket charging – is it too pie-in-the-sky to hope for one where you can also top up the battery with your own excess pedal power as you ride?