Is cycling in Auckland growing to the extent it needs it’s own book?
First off – NO, we haven’t published a book, this is an entirely independent undertaking by NZ Herald staffer Catherine Smith. Cycling Auckland received a copy for review and you must admit, it’s a catchy title!
Catherine is a long-time rider and just the sort of cyclist we like at CIA. Over the years she’s had children road-racing competitively and a husband charging around Lake Taupo encased in Lycra, but she still appreciates the bike as the simple machine that it is. A machine you can jump on in your everyday clothes and ride up to university, down to the dairy or off to the park with the kids. A pleasurable low-stress device for getting from A to B.
When I first picked the book up I was puzzled by the photograph on the cover. “That bike has no front wheel”, I chirped at the kids. Maybe the graphic-designer hasn’t ridden a bike in a while or thought we just wouldn’t notice? We noticed. It also reminded me of a certain Auckland cycling institution.
Inside there were some technical errors that annoyed me too, but they’re probably close enough to being “right” to not really matter in the grand scheme of things. If there’s a sequel in the making a once-over by a cycling authority, a bike-mechanic or such wouldn’t go amiss.
Once I got going I started to enjoy the book more. There’s lots of useful information for those new to cycling or returning after a long absence. Advice on bike-selection, clothing choices, accessories you shouldn’t be without. The often touchy subjects (amongst bike advocates anyway) of helmets, high-vis and Lycra are handled well and there’s some good tips on potential hazards and safe route-planning. Many points are illustrated with black & white line-drawings.
Various categories of bicycles are described, riding with infants and young children is covered, key sections of the road-code summarized, indeed most of the stuff you need to know to cycle around Auckland with confidence is in there.
The last 71 pages (approaching half of the book) covers 20 rides in the greater Auckland area, most with accompanying maps. The routes I had ridden were described accurately and are a good starting point for stretching your legs, although I question Ponsonby Road’s “Suitable for Kids” rating?
Would I buy this book? Probably not, but I’m an experienced cyclist and this title is aimed more at the beginner. Much of the content can be found on the internet (some on this very site), so as a web-savvy cyclist you probably wouldn’t buy it either. But it’s nice to have this information all wrapped-up in one volume for easy reference and it would make a wonderful gift for someone who’s itching to get pedaling in the City of Sails.
Author: Catherine Smith
Publisher: New Holland
Paperback / Black & White Text / 160 pages
Recommended Retail: $29.99
Disclaimer: The book was provided free-of-charge for review by the publisher.
The author was interviewed on 13 Jan on Radio NZ
Here’s a summary of the conversation.
Author of “Cycling Auckland”, Catherine Smith interviewed by Lynn Freeman, Radio NZ
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/kiwisummer/audio/2507078/cyclist-catherine-smith.asx
Cycling is increasing. Are rising petrol prices a factor?
Cycling is a cheap and fabulous way to get around, get fit and build families and conmunities.
It’s not one thing or the other. Try it one day a week.
Is there funding for cycle ways?
Yes for new projects e.g Thames Kopu bridge has a cycle lane. We’re making progress.
Dangerous in cities?
Yes in NZ. We do it on the cheap here – painted lanes.
Can cars and bikes share?
Not easy. Mentions US blogger (Russ Roca) punched by driver last week in Wellington.
But it is manageable.
Advice: get involved in a cycling organisation, e.g relearning cycle skills. Includes route planning as well as stopping, indicating etc.
Traffic is busier. Times have changed – got to more careful.
Cyclists need to be careful.
Dooring – e.g. Don McGlashan, woman on Tamaki Drive.
A solution from overseas – cycle lanes are on the inside of parked cars. Less chance of dooring. (Copenhagen lanes)
Pedestrian as victims of cyclists.
Cyclists run red lights, run through pedestrian crossing (salmoning).
NYC transport czar Janette Sadik Khan on a major drive to improce cycling. Some residents dislike this.
Are poor road surfaces dangerous for cyclists?
Also weather can make roads slippery – that’s where training helps. Confidence helps.
There are wonderful off-road cycling options e.g Hastings, New Plymouth, Nelson.
Helmets?
Growing up in Pukehoke we never wore helmets.
Father was a GP, mother was ER nurse, warned us of everything that could go wrong.
Some cyclists resent wearing helmets. Why?
Concussion has got to be less wearing helmets.
Whangamata, lots of helmetless riders, also in Europe.
Name checks Frocks on Bikes.
Is the helmet law enforced?
Heard it is strongly enfoced – ironic, easy and dangerous, Supports it for chicldren, fluoro, flags.
Unlit cyclists a hazard.
Mad-keen cyclist: trend for fixies – need a tattoo? Plaid shirt, woolly shirt, beard.
Writer has a lovely sit-up-and-beg bike with 20 gears.
1.5 metres – would prevent dooring.
You have to make a choice riding in the lane or moving closer to the left.
Not 1.5 m from parked cars 1.5 m gap by vehicles passing bikes.
Glass and rubbish make riding on the shoulder difficult. Have to make a difficult trade off.
Email from walkers re cyclists on footpaths. Should treat walkers with respect.
If path is a shared bath it’s ok to use it.
It’s about courtesy: do unto others etc.
Favourite tracks:
Auckland: Pakuranga Rotary pathway, Tamaki estuary
Otago Rail Trail
Nelson – triangle trail
Marlborough – vineyards
Electric bikes?
Like them, clever compromise, getting lighter