Cycling in New Zealand
Cycling in New Zealand is carried out for commuting, racing and recreation. While relatively popular as a sport, it is a very marginal commuting mode, with the share hovering in the low single percentage digits in most major cities. This is blamed on very hostile attitudes of motorists towards cyclists[1], and relatively low levels of funding by both central and local government[2].
History
The bicycle reached New Zealand in the 1860s in the form of the velocipede, also known as the 'boneshaker'.
Cycleways
In recent decades a number of cycleways have been established through New Zealand, most of them rail trails.
- The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150 kilometre walking, cycling or horse riding track in the South Island. It runs in an arc between Middlemarch and Clyde, along the route of the former Otago Central Railway.
- The Little River Rail Trail is a cycling and walking track established near Little River on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island. The first section opened in May 2006.
- The route of the defunct Dun Mountain Railway is regularly used for cycling.
- The Rimutaka Incline, replaced by the Rimutaka Tunnel in 1955, has now been established as a cycling route.
- In early 2009, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, also proposed a New Zealand Cycleway, and in mid 2009, $50 million for the first three years was set aside for construction of a network of 'Great Rides'.
- In Auckland, there are a small number of urban cycleways.
Events
A number of cycling events are held around the country as fun rides, fundraisers or competitive cycling events:
- The 160 km Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has been held since 1977 and is predominately a non-competitive event. The event raises money for the Lake Taupo community.[3]
- The Christchurch to Akaroa Le Race has been held annually since 2000.[4] The 2001 event was marred by the death of Vanessa Caldwell, a competitor in the race who struck an oncoming car.
- The Tour of Southland is a road bicycle racing stage race held in Southland.
- The Tour de Vineyards is a road cycling race held in and around Richmond. The race exists of both a men's and a women's competition over four stages.
Cycling organisations and institutions
Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) is a national cycling advocacy group founded in November 1996.[5]. It aims to achieve a better cycling environment for cycling as transport and tourism. Major initiatives are the annual Cycle Friendly Awards and support for a biennial Cycling Conference.
CAN is the parent organisation for some 20 local cycling advocacy groups around the country[6], including Cycle Action Auckland, Cycle Aware Wellington and Spokes Canterbury.
BikeNZ was created in July 2003 to act as an umbrella body embracing all national bike and cycling organisations including, BMX NZ, CAN, Cycling NZ, Mountain Bike NZ and NZ Schools Cycling Association. It is the national governing body of cycle racing and has a strong focus on sports cycling. CAN was a member of BikeNZ and provided one board member from BikeNZ's inception in July 2003. CAN resigned from BikeNZ in October 2007[7], but continues to work with BikeNZ on advocacy issues[8].
Vorb is an online forum set up by Tama Easton as a place for stories and photos from mountain bike trips of a group of friends. In early 2001 it became public, got mentioned in the media and quickly grew into one of the most used sports and outdoors websites in New Zealand, long extending beyond just mountain biking or even cycling. The Vorb community has grown into tens of thousands of cyclists, trampers, climbers, paddlers and others.[9] Vorb has won "Best Sports and Recreation Site" at the People's Choice Netguide Web Awards for 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the 'Best Sports and Recreation Site' category.[10][11][12]
NZ Cyclist is a sociable cycling group that encourages safe cycling, organises group rides and promotes an environment whereby its members can feel free to share their knowledge and experience. The support and consideration they afford each other are cornerstones of NZ Cyclist. They organise various training rides for all levels in North Shore City/Auckland.
Helmets
Since 1994 it has been mandatory by law to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bicycle in New Zealand. The law was enacted after intense lobbying by Rebecca Oaten after her son was injured in a cycle accident.
A study on bicycle helmets using cost-benefit analysis found that the law was only cost-effective for the 5-12 year old age group.[citation needed][clarification needed] A Massey University study in 2006 found that compulsory bicycle helmet laws led to a lower uptake of cycling.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ Cyclists fear the bash - The New Zealand Herald, Sunday 14 December 2008
- ^ http://can.org.nz/media/2009/cyclists-angered-by-funding-cuts Press release on funding levels
- ^ Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
- ^ Le Race
- ^ ChainLinks magazine Issue 6-2006 refer page 4
- ^ http://can.org.nz/local-groups
- ^ ChainLinks magazine Issue 4-2007 page 16
- ^ http://bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?Id=747
- ^ http://www.vorb.org.nz/rez_page.php?id=about About Vorb
- ^ http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=39887 2009 People's Choice NetGuide Web Awards results
- ^ http://www.id.co.nz/240a1.page 2008 People's Choice NetGuide Web Awards results
- ^ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0705/S00028.htm 2007 People's Choice NetGuide Web Awards results
Further reading
- Kennett, Jonathan (2004). Ride: The Story of Cycling in New Zealand. ISBN 095834907X.
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External links
- Land Transport New Zealand - cycling resources
- Cycling Advocates Network
- NZ Cycling Conference
- Vorb - a cycling forum
- Cycling NZ
- NZ CYCLIST
- Cycle Trails New Zealand (New Zealand Cycle Trails website for local and international tourism)