I would really like to bike to work at least one day a week, rather than taking my car every day. The trouble with biking to work is that there are not many bike lanes around the CBD, certainly none that are safe during the morning rush hour - but it seems silly that I cannot get from Ponsonby to Epsom without being concerned about being knocked off, at least once a week.
My idea is that the city council, or whoever, should push the idea of a car-free day for everyone. It would need to be well-publicised and there would probably need to be extra public transport available. This would mean more school buses (so that there wouldn't be thousands of cars with just one child in each sitting around schools polluting the air the kids are breathing), more regular buses and trains, and maybe more cops out, keeping an eye on road safety for people cycling, roller-blading or walking.
I'm pretty sure that there is something like this in Ottawa, and probably elsewhere. The main thing is that it would have to be heavily sponsored and persevered with by the council, and anyone who cares at all would have to really push the idea with family, friends, and co-workers to start with.
I think it could be done... but who should be organising it?
- ‹ previous
- 107 of 142
- next ›
bike friendly
For Bike days --
Well you could look into the activities of Cycle Action Auckland for Auckland activity on this. They are involved with the annual bike to work day (in collaboration with Akl City Council I think).
These happen in Feb or March. You might like to get involved with this to see what's involved in coordinating a day when more people than usual bike to work. They have bike "trains" where a bunch of people meet at a pre-arranged point and ride together to the event. It's fun!
For cycling from Ponsonby to Epsom --
Best to get out a detailed map and look out for parks, footbridges, alleyways etc that can help you get across town without spending too much time on the busy arterial roads.
E.g. There's one I use going thru Mt Eden/Epsom/One Tree hill, all on backroads and using parks and schoolgrounds...
Check it out on a map and then go exploring, allowing more time than you think you need to check out hidden alleyways etc that sometimes don't even make it onto the maps.
We used to run "cunning rides" in Cycle Action Auckland, showing people such routes, but currently don't have a coordinator for that, but you might find the maps we made of these routes on the website www.caa.org.nz.
i cant go 2 km
bike safety is horrendous. my mum won't let my bike perhaps maybe a k along manakau rd she's so worried. I want bike lanes and i want them now! are any other cyclists fearing for their lungs with all the trucks rumbling past spewing out fumes?
Peace
Love
White
Light
diesel fumes
Lusea said: "are any other cyclists fearing for their lungs with all the trucks rumbling past spewing out fumes?"
At least you can dodge on a bicycle.
Imagine me one day in a borrowed low slung open sports car jammed at the lights with a 100mm diameter diesel exhaust directed at my head an armslength away. I could have done with a very large potato!
Perhaps you saw the 60 minute documentary a few days ago on diesel pollution in Auckland and associated health problems. Those black particles go straight into lungs and blood stream. 90% of vehicle pollution health problems originate with the diesel fleet. The govt won't go for emmission testing (yet), too expensive, but no one evidently had suggested emmissions testing just for diesels since that is where most of the problems lie.
Noel
*cough*
I walk to school most of the time and I try to hold my breath when I'm walking directly past exhaust fumes, but I can't hold my breath all the way. I could go through the park, but I barely arrive on time now. I suppose now that you have confirmed my fears I really should but that would mean leaving so early . . .
Peace
Love
White
Light
cycle safety
I like the idea of bike-friendly days - I think they would raise drivers' awareness, which benefits all cyclists.
I am convinced that as dangerous as our roads are for cyclists, one way to increase safety is to cycle more, increasing drivers' awareness of cyclists. If too many of us abandon cycling as an option because of safety concerns, I believe the roads will become even less safe for cyclists as drivers reach a point where they think they don't need to consider cyclists at all.
Naturally I worry about my children's safety on the roads so I take every step I can think of to add to their safety when out on their bikes. I would be interested to hear other ideas for increasing cycle safety.
I wear a flouro vest I got at one of the $2 shops. I haven't found flouro vests small enough for a child yet; if I don't soon, I will buy a couple of the large ones and see if I can take them in. When passing cars, we ride far enough out in the road that if someone opens a car door, it will miss us. I try to educate drivers who cut me off or fail to give way or open a car door when I'm passing, letting them know what they did was dangerous (and illegal).
As suggested above, we choose routes away from busy roads. It's amazing how by poring over a map, beautiful scenic routes can be found that incorporate quiet streets, little paths linking streets, and tracks beside streams and through parks. If we have to cross a particularly busy road, we often get off our bikes and cross at a pedestrian crossing. It takes longer than if we'd followed the most direct route but is a more pleasant experience.
Lisia
http://lilsview.blogspot.com/