Contents:
- 2WALKandCYCLE Conference 2016
- Bike to the Future Awards
- World Health Organisation makes it plain: build cycle infrastructure
- World bicycle ownership going downhill
- Lower Hutt mum petitions for kids footpath cycling
- Health benefits of cycling outweigh pollution effects
- Spain tops new count of bicycling growth
- Carbon credits pay for Bucharest bike lanes
- Norway builds bike highways for carbon neutrality
- Weblinks
2WALKandCYCLE Conference 2016
Early bird registrations close on 20 May, so get in quick!
Auckland will host the third 2WALKandCYCLE conference at the Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland from 6 - 8 July 2016. Renowned international keynote speakers include Gil Penalosa from 8 80 Cities and Ben Rossiter from Victoria Walks.
The theme of the conference is "moving towards healthy communities", with a focus on enabling active, human-powered transport to achieve healthier, smarter and more liveable cities.
More information and registration are available here:
http://www.2walkandcycle.org.nz
Bike to the Future Awards
Over the last two years, the wheels have been turning in an unprecedented gear change to create a better environment for people who choose to cycle. The change is occurring both to the physical environment, in the form of more cycling infrastructure, as well as the social environment - so that more people feel encouraged to choose cycling as a way to get around.
The wheels of change only turn when people are pushing on the pedals. The Bike to the Future Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate all the pedal-pushers out there, people and organisations working tirelessly and creatively to make cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice.
If you know of a project, person or organisation that deserves recognition, read more about the awards here and make your nominations today. Self-nominations welcome!
The award categories are:
- Innovation Hub Award
- Taking Communities on the Journey Award
- Big Bike Bling Award
- Get On Yer Bike Award
- Bikes in Business Award
- Outstanding contribution to a bike-friendly future
The Awards will be presented by the Minister of Transport at the 2Walk and Cycle Conference on 7 July 2016.
More information and an online nomination form are available here:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/cycling/bike-to-the-future-awards
Entries close on 27 May 2016. Please share on your social media, websites, blogs, rants in the cafe, and anywhere else you think nominations might be talked about!
World Health Organisation makes it plain: build cycle infrastructure
7 April 2016- In a major new health report the World Health Organization stresses that Government's across the globe have to get people out of cars for short journeys, and create better built environments so people choose to cycle and walk instead.
The World Health Organisation has published a report that says inactivity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes, a disease that is growing so fast it could bankrupt national health systems. The report says: "Urban planning and active transport policies can ensure that walking, cycling and other forms of non-motorized transport are accessible and safe for all.
Diabetes now affects nearly one in 11 adults across the globe; cases had nearly quadrupled to 422 million in 2014 from 108 million in 1980.
WHO's report says: "Urban planning and active transport policies can ensure that walking, cycling and other forms of non-motorized transport are accessible and safe for all."
Read more here:
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/world-health-organisation-makes-it-plain-build-cycle-infrastructure
World bicycle ownership going downhill
17 February 2016- Bicycle ownership around the world is declining amid rising wealth levels and increased use of motorised vehicles in developing countries, a study has found.
Four out of ten households on the planet own a bike, according to a paper based on surveys from 150 countries between 1989 and 2012. But the growing popularity and affordability of motorised transport, such as cars and scooters, "have disfavoured bicycle use", the researchers say.
China in particular experienced a collapse in bike ownership rates since 1992, when 97 per cent of households had bikes. However, this dropped to 63 per cent by 2009, the study shows, with ownership rates in most other countries either flat or decreasing.
Read more here:
http://www.scidev.net/global/transport/news/world-bicycle-ownership-data-motor-vehicles.html
Lower Hutt mum petitions for kids footpath cycling
8 May 2016- A Lower Hutt mum has petitioned Parliament for a law change that would allow children under 14 to cycle on footpaths.
Jo Clendon said all states in Australia allow under 12-year-olds to cycle on footpaths and there is lobbying to raise the age to 16. Tasmania, Queensland and ACT allow adults to bike on footpaths.
The petition says:
"That the House recommend a change to the New Zealand Road Rules to allow cycling on the footpath by children under 14 years of age (and accompanying adults), seniors over the age of 65, and vulnerable users (such as those with mental or physical disabilities); make bells mandatory for any bicycle used on footpaths or shared use paths; and allow local authorities to exclude, on a reasonable basis, certain areas of footpath from being used for cycling."
Read more here:
Health benefits of cycling outweigh pollution effects
5 May 2016- People should be encouraged to cycle and walk more, because the health benefits outweigh the negative effects from pollution, a study has found.
Pollution is a leading environmental risk factor for people's health. A recent report from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health suggested that it contributes to around 40,000 early deaths a year in the UK.
However, people have been encouraged to walk and cycle more, even in polluted towns and cities, because regular exercise cuts the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and several cancers.
Read more here:
http://www.webmd.boots.com/diabetes/news/20160505/cycling-benefits-outweigh-pollution
Spain tops new count of bicycling growth
1 March 2016- Bike traffic rose by 3 percent, or 4.6 million trips, between 2014 and 2015 across the dozens of cities, states and countries where France-headquartered Eco-Counter has installed sensors. The company provides pedestrian and cyclist counting services to governments, business improvement districts and more.
The "2015 Eco-Counter Worldwide Cycling Index", released Monday, measures the rate of change in total bicycle counts between 2014 and 2015 at 1,490 of the firm's sensors in 17 countries, and points to Spain as the country with the greatest growth in cycling mode share last year with an increase of 8 percent over the year before.
Among the places where Eco-Counter collects data, Switzerland and Canada tied for second place with a 6 percent increase; Finland and the U.S. tied for third, with an increase of 4 percent. Eco-Counter notes that its 2014 index showed no growth in the U.S. or Canada. They have the growth rate in New Zealand at 1 percent, a drop from last year's 3 percent.
Read more here:
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/countries-most-bicyclists-ranked
Carbon credits pay for Bucharest bike lanes
25 February 2016- Over the past year, people living in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, are seeing more bike lanes and metro stations in their city than before.
There are now about 122 km of cycling paths and four metro lines with 45 stations. It is a welcome sight in a city that suffers from air pollution and where many people tend to use private vehicles. Using bikes and the metro is cleaning up the city and, for some, is a quicker way to get around. And, as its popularity increases, it will likely lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Financing for this new development comes in part from the sale of carbon credits to Romanian power companies by the government, a welcome revenue stream for a stretched city budget.
Read more here:
Norway builds bike highways for carbon neutrality
8 March 2016- Norway is backing up its climate change pledges with some cold, hard cash: the local government has announced it intends to spend 8 billion Norwegian Kroner (roughly US$944,777) on a new bicycle path network.
The network of 10 two-lane, cross-country bike highways will enable cyclists to travel more safely and quickly across cities than before - an incentive the city hopes will drag people away from their cars.
The new bike paths are part of the country's commitment to cut its overall transport emissions in half and become fully carbon neutral by 2050. Part of this plan is to have zero growth in car use between now and 2030, and vehicle taxes are about to be raised to help make that a reality. The government also plans to buy greenhouse credits to offset its emissions.
Read more here:
Weblinks
Cycle-friendly employers: resources from the EU for employers to support biking to work:
http://www.bike2work-project.eu/en/Cycle-friendly-employers/Grants-and-guidelines/
The value of cycling: a review of international studies showing the economic value of investing in cycling infrastructure:
New office to have parking for bikes but not for petrol-powered cars:
NZ's best on-road ride in Taupo:
Amsterdam to appoint 'bike mayor':
http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2016/04/amsterdam-is-appointing-a-bike-mayor/479901/
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To check back issues of e.CAN, go to http://www.can.org.nz/ecan .
About CAN
Cycling Action Network (CAN) is New Zealand's voice for cyclists. We want to see cycling become an everyday activity in NZ. CAN's membership includes experienced cyclists, advocates, engineers, planners, local and regional councils, bike shops, and local advocacy groups throughout the country.
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