Cycle Aware Wellington is set to advise the council how to set up good cycling infrastructure. Add your suggestions and comments here.
Also remember the Oct24th Great Harbour Way cycle rides!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Cyclists injured; hit by car on Tamaki Drive Auckland
This statement from The Green Party about the cyclists hit by the car on Sunday morning in Auckland tries to inject some sanity into a heated and messy debate on the NZ Herald comments page. Journalist John Campbell waded into the debate by finding out what is happening with Sydney cycle paths. Watch the short video here.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Carnage as vehicle crashes into bikes (again)
Sunday morning in Auckland and a motor vehicle sideswiped a group of riders leaving four cyclists in hospital. The NZ Herald reports that this violent incident left one rider with critical head injuries; another with a broken vertebrae in his neck and broken ribs; a third a deep gash...and a broken kneecap requiring surgery; a fourth had his collarbone, shoulder blade and thumb broken.
"Seven cyclists have been killed so far this year on New Zealand roads. Last year 10 riders were killed and almost 900 injured, with most crashes occurring at intersections on urban roads."
My guess is the car didn't see the cyclists, misjudged the cyclists' speed, or as in the case in the road race crash in November 2008, became aggravated and tried to rush past with little regard for the safety of the cyclists. Metal on skin on concrete= carnage.
It has emerged that the woman drove through a stop sign. No charges yet. Tv3 has the evening report on the incident. The comments beneath have been interesting to say the least. There is a lot of rage at cyclists out there. It goes both ways: Fear and loathing. AucklandCycleChic reacts.
Why aren't drivers charged with negligent or reckless driving more often?
When cars hit bikes and pedestrians it always seems to be the cyclist's or the walker's fault. Given the risk involved i.e a cyclist or walker is much more likely to be injured/killed in a collision, it is no surprise that they occasionally go a little apeshit when cars come too close too fast. 1.5 m is the suggested passing distance according to the NZ road code, but cars routinely pass cyclists (especially in Wellington) much closer than that.
These two incidents in the U.S show that drivers need to be trained to drive more defensively; that people need space to ride, walk and play safe from cars, and kids need to learn how to ride near/on roads. Both incidents involve SUVS and kids. One involves a kid on a scooter and one a car hitting a bike in a residential area.
I found these comments regarding a pedestrian fatality from The Weekly Carnage enlightening:
"Every time something like this happens, we keep hoping that it will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. We keep hoping it will wake people up to the… culture of blaming victims, the need for safer streets, and the desire to honor the lives of those needlessly lost by changing our car-centric culture.
Unfortunately, this will just be chalked up to some blanket statement, like "the guy probably didn't have the right of way," or "it was dark outside, it's not his fault," or "New Yorkers are bad drivers."
What will it take?!
February 11, 2009
Oscar
"What will it take? Probably some celebrity or model being run over by an immigrant"
"Seven cyclists have been killed so far this year on New Zealand roads. Last year 10 riders were killed and almost 900 injured, with most crashes occurring at intersections on urban roads."
My guess is the car didn't see the cyclists, misjudged the cyclists' speed, or as in the case in the road race crash in November 2008, became aggravated and tried to rush past with little regard for the safety of the cyclists. Metal on skin on concrete= carnage.
It has emerged that the woman drove through a stop sign. No charges yet. Tv3 has the evening report on the incident. The comments beneath have been interesting to say the least. There is a lot of rage at cyclists out there. It goes both ways: Fear and loathing. AucklandCycleChic reacts.
Why aren't drivers charged with negligent or reckless driving more often?
When cars hit bikes and pedestrians it always seems to be the cyclist's or the walker's fault. Given the risk involved i.e a cyclist or walker is much more likely to be injured/killed in a collision, it is no surprise that they occasionally go a little apeshit when cars come too close too fast. 1.5 m is the suggested passing distance according to the NZ road code, but cars routinely pass cyclists (especially in Wellington) much closer than that.
These two incidents in the U.S show that drivers need to be trained to drive more defensively; that people need space to ride, walk and play safe from cars, and kids need to learn how to ride near/on roads. Both incidents involve SUVS and kids. One involves a kid on a scooter and one a car hitting a bike in a residential area.
I found these comments regarding a pedestrian fatality from The Weekly Carnage enlightening:
"Every time something like this happens, we keep hoping that it will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. We keep hoping it will wake people up to the… culture of blaming victims, the need for safer streets, and the desire to honor the lives of those needlessly lost by changing our car-centric culture.
Unfortunately, this will just be chalked up to some blanket statement, like "the guy probably didn't have the right of way," or "it was dark outside, it's not his fault," or "New Yorkers are bad drivers."
What will it take?!
February 11, 2009
Oscar
"What will it take? Probably some celebrity or model being run over by an immigrant"
Cycle on October 24th in Wellington
Frocks on bikes had a rainy but successful day in Auckland.
Was there a Wellington event? No- it's still coming on October 24th!
There are some rides happening on October 24th to promote the Great Harbour Way.
One leaves from one end at Days Bay in Eastbourne at 11 A.m, and one from the other at Shorland Park Island Bay at 12 p.m. Click for more information here.
There is also an urban ride that leaves the Railway Station at 1pm. Click for more information about this ride
All the bike rides will end up at the Macs Brewery on the waterfront.
Was there a Wellington event? No- it's still coming on October 24th!
There are some rides happening on October 24th to promote the Great Harbour Way.
One leaves from one end at Days Bay in Eastbourne at 11 A.m, and one from the other at Shorland Park Island Bay at 12 p.m. Click for more information here.
There is also an urban ride that leaves the Railway Station at 1pm. Click for more information about this ride
All the bike rides will end up at the Macs Brewery on the waterfront.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Road Cycling Wellington
If you click on the title you find some useful information about grades of road climbs for cycling in the Wellington area. Compare your commute to the category 4 climbs on Le Tour!
Dangerous intersections for cyclists
This is a list of dangerous intersections on a google map for cyclists.
View Black Spots for Cycling in Wellington in a larger map
View Black Spots for Cycling in Wellington in a larger map
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