Many may be thinking with the National Cycleway we may have the leg up on the Americans in this category but as we’ll see many cities in the US are at the beginning of their own bicycling booms.
Here in NZ generally small amounts of money are allocated to bicycling infrastructure from Central Government or Local Councils via the NLTP. Talking to the NZTA recently about the SH16 widening project I got chatting about bicycling and it was brought to my attention that often the meager funds allocated to bicycling or not fully spent. While the National Cycleway is a good start it will not create a fully NZ wide corridor as many of us had hoped at it’s announcement. Bicycle lanes are developing in our cities though at a snail’s pace, in Auckland mainly as part of state highway projects.
Looking at some specific examples in the US we can see a culture growing in selected cities, mainly major centres but also some smaller centres that have focused on bicycling such as Boulder, Colorado (one of three cities to receive Platinum awards by The League of American Bicyclists, the others are Davis, California and Portland, Oregon). In New York a large move is happening to increase the bicycle friendliness in the city. The New York Department of Transport has to increased bicycle lanes from 260 kms to 360 kms in just three years. Bicycles are allowed on all subways and most commuter railways and provision for bicycle parking around the city is growing exponentially.
Here is a video from Street Films, an excellent alternate transport info source, about the changes in New York:
If you want to learn more about US cycling and what good ideas we can copy have a look at what they are doing in Chicago, New York, Portland, Davis and Boulder. If we can get similar numbers of people commuting to work as the best of these centres (around 10%) by copying the great ideas, we will be able to relieve congestion for cents on the dollar compared to large heavy rail and state highway projects.
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I cycle religiously. But living in Palmerston North has made it easy for me as the city center is close, uni is not too far away, there are cycle lanes everywhere and the city is mostly flat (all apart from a slight hill into Massey that makes me sweat before class). But living in other centers it is a bit more difficult, especially Auckland and Wellington, as the suburbs are soo far away from the CBD. This is the same in the U.S. where the suburbs are a life time away from the huslte and busle of the CBD. It maybe easy to get people to cycle in small towns and crowded cities such as NYC and Chicago. But in most U.S. cities, the car seems to be the driver of Developments as the distance of sprawl is huge. Its all about trying to encourage people to enjoy cycling and getting people to make those small trips by bike (no more than a couple of km’s)
Cycling is the way forward (hahaha)
I cycle to work in london from north london(kentish town) to east london(canary wharf). 30 kms/day ( 15 each way ) Equivalent to say titirangi to queen street. It might seem a long way, but on a good day i can do it in 31 minutes. Taking the tube takes 45 mins and is extremely unpleasant. I love the tube off peak, but on peak is soul destroying. No point taking a book to read as there’s not enough room to hold it in front of you.
Key enablers are:
#1 – facilities at work, i have secure bicycle parking in the car park under the building and showers at work. These really are crucial, people are not going to cycle the longer routes unless they can shower at work. For the ladies this means putting in mirrors and hairdryers.
#2 extensive bus lanes. I can ride safe and fast in my own lane for 80% of the route. There are a few bus lanes in london that are horrendous ( jam packed with buses and taxis ), but fortunately the ones on my route are empty enough to be pleasant and fast. This is not for all cyclists. For the occasional sunday cyclist, they prefer dedicated cycle lanes. For the longer distance commuter, cycle lanes are hell, single lane, nowhere to overtake, and full of blinkered pedestrians. Give me a bus lane anyday.
#3 street parking. not so much for the commute as you park at work, but if i’m heading into the center for a beer with some friends or maybe some shopping. They are doing a good job putting more and more cycle parking in london, but demand is growing faster supply. Nothing is more annoying than having to walk half a mile to find something to lock your bike too. It doesn’t have to be fancy ( & presumably expensive) bike parks like one picture above, all you need is a solid metal pole.
Looking forward to cycling in auckland when i return in a few years. It going to be fascinating to compare the experience.
Dan is going to be pretty disappointed. I cycled all over London in the 20 years I lived there: and I also cycle around Auckland, as it is my main means of transport. The London experience is so much better because the steps taken to encourage cycling there have been real (and probably have been helped by the fact that lots of journalists, public officials and politicians actually use public transport or cycle), whereas Auckland is more than a little half-hearted about it (and most journalists, public officials and politicians seem to accept as a given that car dependency is the start and end point of all discussions about transport, with everything else being a fringe concern). The Herald and Talk Radio seem to allow frequent anti-cycling diatribes that would be rejected by most London papers; there was even a commentator on Radio NZ National today talking about how it is time to ban cycling on state highways because it is too dangerous both for cyclists and drivers. So Auckland is in need of a changed mind-set about cycling, which is going to take more than a few years. But hurry on back, Dan, because the best prospect for change is a critical mass of people determined to remind car drivers that there is the cycling alternative, with all its advantages in terms of cost and the better connection with the outside world: and that if they don’t want to take up the advantages, they should at least have a better awareness of the existence of cyclists.
Good comment guys, thanks for sharing that…
Regarding the “are we falling behind the US” theme, it is important to remember the US is a very large and diverse country, and what may be the case in Portland, Oregon, may not be the case in say Oklahoma City.
It would be nice to see stats on PT use in the US versus NZ, taking both countries as a whole. Also is the US the most car dependent country with us, or are there other rivals for that title?
Nicholas, I think there are cities in the USA where per-capita public transport usage is lower than Auckland, but not that many of similar or greater size. Houston and Phoenix come to mind as two – apart from them usually US cities have higher per capita PT usage than Auckland.
In terms of “auto-dependent”, I guess the question is “how does one measure that?” I don’t think car ownership is necessarily the best measure, perhaps PT usage or “distance driven per person per year” or something like that.
Nationwide American commuting trips via “transit” is about 4.6% (up 0.2% on a few years ago), by cycle 0.7% IIRC…
Check out this download for some really detailed info:
http://www.apta.com/gap/policyresearch/Documents/APTA_2009_Fact_Book.pdf
Some interesting stuff such as the total amount spent on transit in the US in 2007 was $48 billion, highest ridership levels for a long time too…
Other very car dependent cities are Detroit and Kansas City, although Detroit has more serious problems such as a school system in crisis and a steeply declining population (the second most likely causing the first as central government doesn’t handle education there)…
I’d agree that even by crappy US standards, Auckland doesn’t fare too well on the cycling front. And compared to those few cycle friendly cities they have there, it pales. I’d love to see a dedicated effort to improve conditions for cyclists here. Indeed, my interest in improving PT here is based on a wish for better cycling and walking (and living) by reducing car traffic than a desire to ride buses or trains.
I disagree with Brent C that things are too far away in auckland or wellington for people to cycle – we all know the stats on the average length of car trips, and I’m sure the average commute isn’t all that far. There are plenty of suburbs close to work centres (within 5km), including the CBD.
I agree with Nick on points 2 and 3 though would like to see more dedicated cycle lanes rather than shared bus/bike lanes. I dffer on point 1, as it suggests that cycling is a sweaty, sporty activity. This may be the case for some, but need not be. I’ve cycled everywhere for years and have never liked the idea of cycling to work and showering there. It really complicated things. I prefer to wear normal clothes and slow down so as not to sweat – this is what the slow bike movement encourage.
The biggest thing is too is that there needs to be recognition that different riders want different things.
For instance I’m one of those ‘lycra-clad Lance Armstrong wannabe’s’ (for want of a better term) for who sitting in with usual urban speeds (especially during rush hour) isn’t a problem and finds ‘bike paths’ like the pathetic example on Tamaki Dr absolutely useless.
Then you have commuters who would also find that particular bike path useless but find things such as the bus lanes and the North-West and Upper Harbour bike paths handy.
Then you have those who would be part of the slow bike movement who find that sitting at 15k an hour on the Tamaki Dr bike path is fine for them (anything much more than 15k an hour is a problem there).
To be honest if we’re ever going to see an increase in cycling as a commuting tool its the cruisers followed by the quick commuters that we need to pander to which means more bike lanes, seperated bike paths and basically making things as safe for them as possible.
Funny that – When I was in New York last christmas I didn’t see one cycle lane or one cycle parking, even any cycle priority so this was actually a surprise to me. I think I would have noticed if I did see any.
However New York is massively populated and a sprawled out so their would be alot of cyclist in certain area’s I didn’t notice any cyclist during my travels apart from central park but it was in the middle of winter, snowing and bloody cold. Good to see.
Joshua, there is a bike lane right down broadway, lots of east-west paths below 23rd st, one all the way up 8th ave and a shared ped/bike path around Manhattan. There are also extensive paths in Brooklyn. Crucially, all the bridges onto Manhattan have bike paths. Williamsburg is crawling with cool kids on their fixies. There aren’t yet loads of cyclists though the numbers are increasing quite quickly now. I’ve never seen one of the pictured bike parks though – any idea where that is Jeremy?
Trickster, I agree that difffernt cyclists have v. different needs. I’m comfortable in traffic but hesitate to recommend less experienced friends head out into the fray – one got hit by a bus the other day, another car-doored then run over about six months ago. You are right that the Tamaki drive path is not a good example of providing for cyclists and that is reflected in how much it gets used (hardy at all). There are good NZ standards for paths now and, if followed, would make be great facilities. It’s really bad when a crap path gets built and motorists think that cyclists are no longer allowed on the road.
No sorry David, looks like Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx to me, for a map of the lanes, trails and bike parks see here:
http://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/nyc-bike-map/
Haha maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention, or it was covered in snow. whichever it is, it is definately good to see.
I’m glad to see, a thread on cycling has drawn some passionate cyclists out of the wood work… It can be a big part of the answer to both our congestion and obseity problems I think…
David – there are plenty of mongols out there who just don’t understand road law whatsoever. They also tend to be the ones who try and tell us what to do which is ALWAYS highly amusing.
“You can’t ride two abreast” – well actually…
“You have to use the bike path” – quote me the actual law that says that… oh wait, thats right….
Hahaha.
The Trickster – In the biking rule book it actually does say you must ride single file while sharing the road with motorists – plus it’s just respectful and cudious to do so, and if you want people to show you the same respect…
*just got his HIGHLY AMUSED moment of the day*
Epic understanding of the law fail!
Please state and quote the EXACT law where you think it says that.
Or conversely you can read the actual law (from the same law that banned cellphone usage in its update however the two abreast rule has been around for significantly longer):
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (SR 2004/427) (as at 11 December 2009)
11.10 Riding abreast(1) A person must not ride a cycle or moped on a roadway so that it remains abreast and to the right of—
(a) 2 other vehicles that are cycles or mopeds; or
(b) 1 other cycle or moped while that cycle or moped is overtaking and passing another vehicle, including a parked vehicle; or
(c) any other vehicle having 3 or more road wheels (including a motorcycle fitted with a sidecar).
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if cyclists are participating in a race that is subject to a traffic management plan agreed by the road controlling authority.
So what that says is two abreast is fine except when you’re passing parked cars. Three plus (unless in a race subject to traffic management – eg. Round Taupo) however is not.
Yeah, fair play on the respect thing, however generally we do and most motorists do.
*waits for the “ZMOG I’ve seen people riding more than two abreast”* (got a hint on that one too 😉 )
Ok, That is the law and I did misinterpreted the wording of the law sorry about that, however I do think it comes down to using commonsense on the road.
Interesting how cycling threads always end up with the most heated debates.
Nah, I just end up giving people a windup 😉
There are plenty of things that I could do within the law but that doesn’t mean I should do them. At the end of the day its about courtesy, drivers should give cyclists as much room as possible and cyclists should be aware that they may be holding other traffic up and try to make it as easy as possible to let them pass.
@David- I’m drawn to those rail suburbs of Wellington that are too far away (however my Dad still cycles to the CBD from Tawa once a week over summer). There are also sprawled areas in Auckland, such as Howick and Albany which are too far away from the City Centre (for the a average cyclist). The lack of cycling facilities in these cities, it makes these distances even further away for the cyclist, with a potential more dangerous trip.
Attitudes towards cycling also seem to be an issue in NZ. As I wake up and bike to work at 530am, people think I have either lost my license due to drink driving or simply just don’t own a car. I simply say to them that 530am is probably the nicest time of day to be on a bike!
If cycling was safer, more people would get on a bike and use it (basic truth). Why should a first time commuter cyclist want to navigate 4 lane roundabouts and raging motorists?
@Trickster/Joshua – I didn’t know cyclists had rules? There is always someone that has to spoil the fun! Kinda pointless to follow rules at 530am anyway…
I think there is a coherent argument to be made that many of the laws that apply to cars shouldn’t apply to cyclists. Cyclists have a far greater road awareness and control than cars as well as less potential to harm others. A cyclists code based on basic give way rules and courtesy would make much better sense to me than the current road code that is based on rigid control of cars.
Brent, as has been pointed out on this blog on many occasions, it is a relatively low proportion of jobs that are in the CBD. Auckland has a widely distributed population, but similarly widely distributed places of work. I’m not sure what the average distance from home to work is, but clearly many are within comfortable cycling distance of their place of work (about 8k is an easy 30 min bike ride for nearly anyone). Personally, I’d happy to cycle 15k each way if it weren’t through heavy traffic. Even 25k each way is only an hour for a reasonably fit cyclist – plenty spend that long commuting on other modes.
I agree that NZ motorists behave badly towards cyclists. Indeed, they don’t behave very well towards each other either. Is it a small town thing that many have grown up with where they expect a clear, unimpeded passage when they are on the roads? Who knows, but whatever it is, it’s a sad fact that many have no idea of the joys of riding a bike…
@David – Palmerston North has a slower pace which suits cycling. People are also used to cyclists on the streets, often within dedicated cycle lanes, with most motorist accommodating at intersections where they interact. Most towns and cities where people don’t often cycle, drivers are not aware and don’t understand their role in the transport system. This has been the case lately in Auckland.
I also think I would cycle up to 20kms to get to a work place. But that depends on the topography of the land and facilities at the other end (showers etc).
I often ride the opposite way up one way streets (only a small 1 lane street), bike during the pedestrian light phase, but also try my hardest not to piss of the motorist.
Talking about attitudes towards cycling – My old work (an unnamed council) had underground basement parking. To get one of the empty slots, staff put their name into a ballot. Those who won got drawn out got free parking. I didn’t seem to make much sense why someone who lives within an easy walk or cycle of work should get a free car park.
Yes but the rules are there for a reason and should be followed. I think it comes down to fairness, cars have to follow so should other road users. That also applies in the morning at 5:30am as if you don’t need to then why should the car? So then what you would be saying is it’s alright for them to run a redlight at 90km/hr in a 50km/hr zone. Yes commonsence should be used, but I have discovered not everyone has commonsence. Also there are road rules especially for the cyclist to try and make it safer – things you are allowed to do that the motorists are not. I think these need to be publisised more as alot of cyclists seem to be unaware, especially first timers.
Although I do agree that 5:30am is the perfect time for cycling, and personally I do enjoy it. But the biggest thing is showing courtesy, from both the drivers and cyclists.
Joshua – I was just giving you a windup sir, mainly because I was expecting a comment like that and got it. You’re quite right though that it is a thing of courtesy/time and place thing. The reason why I find those who don’t ride trying to quote the law on what I should be doing is a bit like a deer telling a fish how to swim. While many cyclists also don’t seem to know and/or ignore the rules, its real handy to know this stuff as a rider because if I do run into any problems and for some reason or another end up in front of the court I’ll know how to defend my rights. Its not as bad as in the US but there can be an anti-cycling bias (the K2 crash from 2008 comes to mind) to crash investigation and court rulings.
Matt – exactly right.
David – well traffic lights and licensing was originally implemented due to the massive early problems with motor accidents when motor vehicles were emerging.
London might be ok, but a lot of the rest of the UK has bizarre token efforts to cycling that end up being counter-productive.
I am in Manchester, and will only cycle on the road, despite there being lots of cycling facilities. This is because they are more dangerous and slow than the road – ending at random points, having no regard for turning radii, and making you less visible to traffic when you do have to cross roads (i.e. at side streets).
I would say that the motorists are more considerate here than Auckland though.
Thnx Trickster – however I have to say I’m a social cyclist my self – in I’ll cycle to work but not wear all that tight silly get-up. Yet I don’t know all the rules, therefore as a result I think there needs to be more education on the topic.
Yeah, I wear the tight silly get-up and know it looks tight and silly although real comfortable if you’re riding a decent distance. As I’m sure you know, chafing can be a bitch.
Read this:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM302188.html
and know it.
Key ones to know are the keep left rule, the passing on the left rule and the use of lane rules.
Remember unless it states specifically otherwise, we’ve got the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
Some of the regulations are a little silly at times. For instance I don’t have a single reflector on my bike, but most of the time (especially during winter) I run 3 rear lights and a single front light on the bike so I’m lit up like a Christmas tree.
I have been cycling in Auckland for about 8 months now. Up Sandringham road, Bond street, into Ponsonby. With its bus lanes I have found Sandringham road to be very safe for cyclists and as such noticed numerous other cyclists on the route.
However, one thing i have noticed is that broken glass and the likes (which cause punctures) are not often cleaned by street sweepers.
It would be nice if streets with bus lanes could be recognised as a higher priority for street sweepers as there is a higher likelihood that they will be used by cyclists.
NB: I recognise there is an marked cycle route that takes you up the backstreets in between Dominion road and Sandringham road, but its less direct, with more intersections and more hilly than cycling straight along Sandringham road.
Trickster asked Joshua to Please state and quote the EXACT law where you think it says that “you must ride single file while sharing the road with motorists.”
Actually, it says so in the Keep Left rule, which pre-dates both velocopedes and horseless carriages, having been introduced in 1876.
Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (SR 2004/427) (as at 11 December 2009)
2.1 Keeping left
(1) A driver, when driving, must at all times drive as near as practicable to the left side of the roadway unless this rule otherwise provides.
(2) If a driver’s speed, when driving, is such as to impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, that driver must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, move the vehicle as far as practicable to the left side of the roadway when this is necessary to allow following traffic to pass.
Compare: SR 1976/227 r 4″
also compare:
” The Public Works Act, 1876.”
s99. Of Offences on Roads.
(13.) does not keep any vehicle driven by him on the left or
near-side of the road when meeting, and on the right or
off-side when passing, another vehicle, or does not leave a
reasonable portion of the road for any vehicle passing him :”