'Why I ride'

Cycling in New Zealand is popular, and has the potential to be a safe, healthy and enjoyable means of travel. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions when it replaces other forms of transport. Cycling can even be a much way to commute, especially over shorter distances and in Auckland's city centre. Communities that encourage cycling are vibrant, prosperous and a pleasure to live in. Cycle-friendly initiatives show that combining walking with cycling improves quality of life in local businesses and communities. Why you might ask? Because high levels of foot traffic support business and social networks.


Then why is it that less than 1% of New Zealand's annual spend on road transport goes to cycling? While cycling has some support in transport policy, cycling and walking initiatives are inhibited by a decent amount resistance. In addition, many motorists are against cycling initiatives. Why? Because New Zealanders rely heavily on their private motor vehicles and often regard cyclists are a nuisance. Econation. (2011) http://www.econation.co.nz/cycling.html, Cycling, (Accessed: 29/05/2011).


If any of you caught the 60 minutes segment on cyclist a year or so ago, you would have been introduced to Susan who is a lifelong Kiwi and cyclist. Susan has lived most of her life in Auckland and has been riding her bike for almost as long as she can remember. She grew up in a family of eleven; even before she knew how to ride on two wheels, she recalls riding her tricycle with her siblings along the coast in Mission Bay.


Today she works as a housekeeper and rides her bike to her various jobs around Auckland. She says the bike is a little heavy, but she loves it. “I like the exercise. It makes the legs strong, and helps me breathe better.” What does she not like? “The 18-wheelers. Those aren’t so nice.” She feels safer in the new bike lanes in Mission Bay, but states that the shared "bus/cycle lanes in Auckland's CBD are constantly occupied by motorists who think they own the place."


And it turns out that for Susan, biking is more than just a cheap way to get to work. “Even when I’m not working, sometimes I ride for hours, just for exercise.” These rides often take her into the Michael Joseph Memorial Park, and even down to Saint Heliers. While Susans dedication to cycling means that there is one less car on the road, it also means that she knows all the surrounding neighborhoods really well. “You always see interesting  things around you on a bike." More of us need to be like Susan in order to counter Auckland growing congestion issues.

Susan on her way to work. (Gudkov, D. 2010).

This video can be accessed at http://www.3news.co.nz/Vicious%20Cycle/tabid/1258/articleID/127450/Default.aspx

Ideas from:
http://www.econation.co.nz/cycling.html