21 August 2009

World Car Free day: Why more Kiwis aren’t looking to cycling for transport.

World Car Free day takes place this Tuesday 22nd September, but BikeNZ says safety concerns for cyclists on our roads is the major factor in prohibiting more Kiwis travelling by bike.

“More and more Kiwis are looking to other solutions than driving for economic, health and environmental reasons. However until government treat cycling safety as a serious concern, kiwis will stay in cars and off bikes,” says BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner.

“Internationally, World Car free day is a celebration of cycling for transport, but in NZ it just highlights the failure of government to provide a safe cycling environment. 

“Cycling is one of the most efficient ways to travel and stay active, providing many of the solutions to our transport and active lifestyle issues in New Zealand. Yet conditions for cyclists on New Zealand roads is deterring Kiwis cycling and holding back the huge latent growth potential for cycling,” says Turner.

The government has recognised cycling has huge potential for tourism and transportation by investing $50m in a national cycleway.  However this commitment must be coupled with investment in cycle safety programmes and new road projects.

 Last week the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) highlighted the risks of not addressing road safety now, and was backed up by a Ministry of Tourism report. The report highlighted speed, volumes of traffic, and motorist attitudes and behaviour around cyclists as a major barrier to the success of the national cycleway

 “We’re urging all New Zealanders to sign the BikeNZ 1.5m to survive petition on RideStrong to make passing a cyclist by 1.5m on the road law. We need the NZ public to stand up, sign the petition, and urge government to look to support cycling as a key transport solution,” continues Turner.

BikeNZ ‘s 1.5m to Survive petition on their community site RideStrong has already attracted over 7500 signatures in just two weeks.

As a way to get drivers to start to comprehend the vulnerability of cyclists, BikeNZ have set Kiwis a challenge: “Will you stand on the spot with your back towards the traffic while a driver passes you in a 13-tonne truck at 100km/h, with just one metre to spare?”

This is the reality cyclists face every day. It’s no wonder parents aren’t letting their kids ride to school as the distance kids cycle plummets.

 “1.5m is a single idea that has a big impact”, says BikeNZ CEO Turner.

“BikeNZ wants 1.5m when passing a cyclist to become law, the flow-on effects including national driver awareness campaigns of the needs of cyclists, a 1.5m buffer when building or upgrading roads, and dedicated motorist and cyclist education programmes.”

“Many of us are both cyclists and motorists. BikeNZ want to find solutions that work for all parties and embrace New Zealand’s growing culture of cycling”.
BikeNZ aren’t alone with their demand for more investment in cycle safety, noting a broader range of Kiwis cycling who have indicated support of the 1.5m to Survive campaign, such as TV presenters Mark Richardson and Mike McRoberts, comedian Jon Bridges, Talkback host Mike Hosking, and World Track cycling champion Alison Shanks.

TV comedian and producer Jon Bridges is right behind RideStrong’s 1.5m to survive.

“There used to be a campaign that said "Don't burst their bubble", and showed a picture of a 1.5m radius bubble around a cyclist. I loved this visual idea of a bubble around me, protecting me. Some car drivers leave you 15m when passing, but others don't seem to think we need even 1.5cm. Some drivers just don't get that we need room.”

World Track Cycling Champion Alison Shanks agrees.

“The BikeNZ 1.5 to Survive campaign is obviously something I feel very strongly about - after all the roads are my 'office space'! I would really appreciate it if we could get 1.5 meters of road for all NZ cyclists.”

BikeNZ hopes the 1.5m to survive petition will go viral and attain the public support needed for government to act quickly. BikeNZ’s online community RideStrong recently launched a viral YouTube video featuring riders in a sheep and cow costume stating: ‘We give room and respect to animals on the road- why not cyclists?’ http://www.ridestrong.org.nz/RS/media/p/3529.aspx

The petition can be found at www.ridestrong.org.nz

ENDS

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