Red Shoes, Red Rims

New Heels for a Night in Town

I'm not entirely sure on the law about drinking and biking. Test results from the weekend proved it is more dangerous for the rider than for anyone else (a friends fall after some wines), so as long as we still believe in the freedom to choose as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, then keep putting on those heels and get pedalling.

The way it should be...

Work on national cycle trail begins

By TRACY WATKINS - The Dominion Post

Work on the first $3 million leg of the Government’s job summit-inspired national cycle way has begun.

Prime Minister John Key turned the first sod at Waipa Domain on the banks of the Waikato River today.

It is the last section of a 100km cycle track following the Waikato River and passing five hydro lakes.

Mr Key said it was the first of seven 'quick start' trails picked to get the national cycle way under way.

He unveiled the cycle way logo, which will be used on track signs.

The logo, Nga Haerenga, means "the journeys" and will also be used in offshore marketing.

The national cycle way was one of more than 20 ideas thrown up by a February job summit to help create jobs.

The Government set aside $50 million for the project over several years.

Little River Rail Trail

Christchurch really could be one of the best places in the world for cycling. It is nice and flat and has some hills for those who are into that, there are even great little towns surrounding Christchurch that are starting to be linked up with cycle tracks to give the weekend rider (unfortunately the same people who wear lycra) a chance to enjoy a leisurely ride, see some of the country side and to cool down at some nice cafes. The Little River Rail Trail was an old railway line that was converted into a cycle track a few years ago. It currently links the blip on a map town of Motukarara to Little River which is slightly larger. Eventually it will continue right into the Christchurch outskirts.

The Trail Runs Beside Lake Ellesmere


Lush Cycle Pathway

Hopefully in the future there will be an increasing number of cycle lanes connecting up outlying towns and suburbs to encourage more cycle day trip activity. This is much more environmentally friendly and just as fun as going on a day's road trip in a car. Also if the tracks are popular it will encourage people to commute more by bike, hopefully resulting in better cycle lanes within Christchurch. This would actually make Christchurch one of the best places in the world for cycling, but until then it is only potentially the best.

Cycle Path Bridge Over Sheep

Sheep Under Cycle Path Bridge

More info at www.littleriverrailtrail.co.nz

Butler the Bike

The new butler bike purchased off trademe for $53. Made in Christchurch New Zealand by Britten Cycle Makers, circa 1950's

Cycling and the Long Arm of The Law

The Christchurch police have decided that getting 'on yer bike' (the police on their bikes that is) is a better way for them to deal with the cities notorious crime problem.

Obviously they are just trying to catch up with style and culture trends. But unfortunately they failed when they made the cycle police wear high visibility vests. Surely seeing they aren't really going to fight any crime, but just fighting the perception of crime they could just be the boys in blue.

Christchurch police are getting on their bikes to fight crime.

Officers will patrol the central city on new bicycles as part of a police campaign to tackle perceptions that the city centre is unsafe.

Central area commander Inspector Derek Erasmus said the four new bicycles, equipment and uniforms cost about $7500.

"In terms of visibility, this is great bang for our buck," he said.

"We have some perception issues we deal with in this very safe city of ours.

"They [bicycle patrols] are here to respond quickly when we have to deal with built-up traffic and want to approach scenes quickly and quietly."

Hopefully the thin blue line will cross over to the thin white lines that are Christchurch's so called bike lanes. And when the police realise that Christchurch may be a safe city crime wise, it is pretty poor when it comes to cycle safety and will help bring in some decent bike lanes, so that people don't have to wear ridiculous high-vis clothing.

Article and video at:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/3008445/Wheelie-quick-response-to-crime-in-Christchurch#share

350 Day of Action/Frocks on Bikes Launch

It was great to see lots of people out celebrating the launch of the Christchurch 'frocks on bikes' campaign and to support the 350 campaign. Ch-ch-ding-ding had its sign out, totally showing off our aim, 'Better bike lanes to battle global warming'. The reasoning goes better bike lanes (see video from two posts ago) will increase safety which will in turn reduce the need to look like a safety nerd on your bike and bring back the classic cool into biking, therefore making the cycle movement larger which in turn will reduce carbon emissions from the those swapping over from driving to cycling.

350 Website
Frocks on Bikes Website