Cyclists welcome investment in health and better transport
Cyclists welcome investment in health and better transport
The $300 million investment in cycling announced today by Greens co-leader Russel Norman pays a triple dividend, says Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Patrick Morgan.
"It improves our health, reduces road congestion and gives people more transport choices.”
"Better cycling is great news whether you ride a bike or not.”
"With obesity threatening to overwhelm our health system, investing in cycling is a smart move.”
Mr Morgan says there's strong public support from the 1.5 million New Zealanders who ride bikes.
"We've invested more than $100 million in the New Zealand Cycle Trails to bring more tourists to New Zealand, and the next logical step is to improve cycling in our towns and cities, where most people live.”
"Increasing numbers of people have been pushing for better cycling infrastructure in towns and cities.”
CAN has a 3-point plan for improving
cycling
1. Linking NZTA funding of local
authority roading to cycling mode share
This
will incentivise Councils to increase the amount of cycling
by linking Government funding to cycling mode
share.
2. Cycle training for all school
children.
As well as making more confident
cyclists, research show that trained cyclists are safer
drivers.
3. A Complete Streets Bill presented to
Parliament
Complete Streets is a framework aimed
at creating a safe, comfortable, integrated transportation
network for all people regardless of age, ability, income or
mode of transportation.
Here are some cycling projects CAN
thinks would benefit greatly from increased government
funding:
Auckland cycling network: routes along northern
and southern motorways
Great Harbour Way between Hutt
Valley and Wellington
Christchurch's 13 cycleways
Port
Chalmers path,
Dunedin
ENDS