Every year there’s a global get-together for all those interested in the promotion of cycling. Transportation experts, mayors, town councillors, consultants for ‘liveable cities’, documentary film-makers -and of course cycling advocates- attend the V\u00e9lo-city Global Conference. The European Cycling Federation organises the event, and this year it was held in Adelaide, South Australia. \u00a0Nearly 600 delegates attended.<\/p>\n
Over 150 speakers covered a broad array of topics -from tandems for use by the visually impaired in Tokyo to experiments on different bike-lane markings in Wellington, but highlights that colleagues mentioned were the promotion of ‘active travel’ (walking & cycling) as a human right, since the allocation of too much road space to motorised traffic often hampers free movement.<\/p>\n Good to keep in touch with international developments in cycling promotion: V\u00e9lo-city Global gave great new knowledge and inspiration, as well as the opportunity to discuss Dublin and Nelson’s recent surge in cycling and good facilities. \u00a0Next year it will be in Nantes, France.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n New Zealand-based attendance was estimated at close to 50, with a good contingent from the Mainland including several staff from Christchurch City Council. Patrick Morgan of CAN attended. A few of the more sporting Kiwis rented a car for a quick mountain-biking outing in the Flinders Ranges after the conference.<\/p>\n – The image of cycling and its impact on choosing to cycle – Simon Kingham from Christchurch. Focus groups, questions, qualitative. 32 participants (from Fitt’s (researcher)’s snowboarding cohort) asked to assess culture round mountain-bike image and road-racing bike image. Found ‘mountain bike’ image reflected ordinary user; some hostility for ‘lycra’ user associated with road-racer bicycle user. Four reasons given for choice of car or bike for certain trips – totally different reasons cited for taking bike!<\/p>\n – Simon Kingham and Glen Koorey presented on Christchurch’s rebuild- $70 million found by Council for cycling infrastructure (little support from central government). Demonstration projects for houses for living in the city.<\/p>\n – Michael Ferigo also discussed Christchurch- – Isabella Cawthorn of Frocks on Bikes is new Cycling Champion of Wellington, gave a slide show on Frocks\/ Cycle Chic (would be good to invite to Nelson?)<\/p>\n – Alastair Smith on overtaking distances – measurement in Wellington (by long-lens camera) of how far cyclists distance themselves from parked cars when overtaking, and how far motorists leave from cyclists. 1.5 being observed by 85%; 1.0m clearance was OK. Cyclists not clearing door zone.<\/p>\n – Simon Kennett on navigation – amazing historical (c. 1910) cycling map of NZ. Interesting discussion on cycling route-planning and a cycling map of Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Three attended from Dublin Cycling Campaign and Cyclist.ie- All three were invited to speak on various topics- <\/p>\n Velo-City Conference Website<\/a><\/p>\n ECF V\u00e9lo-City page<\/a> or ECF Newsletters, with summaries of conference proceedings<\/a><\/p>\n Axel Wilke report<\/a><\/p>\n[print_gllr id=4729]<\/code><\/p>\nThemes emerging –<\/h3>\n
\n
Highlights-<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Kiwi presentations of interest-<\/h3>\n
\n‘On foot, by Cycle’ is the notional national strategy. CCC had an earlier strategy. Post-EQ ‘Accessible City’ Plan. ‘Share an Idea’ programme: Cycling (and trees!) featured strongly in many of the ideas & submissions. Council supported (against funding pressures) provision of entire cycling infrastructure strategy immediately. Capital funding allocated. Needs to be followed up with maintenanace, promotional education budget. Good support from the ‘interested but concerned’ public<\/p>\nIrish presentations of interest-<\/h3>\n
\n1. Kirsten Doherty, former Chair of Dublin Cycling Campaign. Kirsten made a presentation, ‘Barriers and incentives to cycling among staff in an Irish academic hospital’ was based on her experience of promoting cycling in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin;
\n2. Jonivar Skullerud (of Maynooth Cycling Campaign and Steering Committee member of Cyclist.ie). Jonivar’s talk was ‘From marginalised to mainstream? Cycling in Ireland 2005-2015’. Jonivar also was invited to the launch of the World Cycling Alliance.
\n3. Will gave a brief slide show<\/a> summary comparing Irish and New Zealand national policies.<\/p>\nMore Information-<\/h3>\n