Did you know?
- Cost of running a bike for a year: $180
- Cost of running a car: $5,000 to $8,000!
February is Bike Wise month
February is Bike Wise Month when people throughout New Zealand are encouraged to get out of their cars and onto their bikes. Bike Wise Month is an opportunity for people of all ages to give biking a go. Cycling is a great way to travel short distances quickly. It’s cheap, and good for you and the environment.
As part of Bike Wise Month, the North Shore City Council is hosting its annual Go By Bike Breakfast on Wednesday 18th February. Anybody who bikes to the event on that day will enjoy a free breakfast.
To get you going, the Council is offering free beginner bike sessions for adults aged 18 and over. If you haven’t been on a bike for a while, or want to give cycling a go, these sessions are for you.
Cycling on the Shore
Across the population, cycling is a growing phenomena, not just as an alternative to the car but for fun and exercise. It’s a great way to cover short distances.
It has no harmful effect on the environment and does not contribute to road congestion.
Congestion on major roads and motorways in the region has become unacceptable, and providing alternatives to the private car, such as better bus and train services and safe cycle lanes, makes sense.
North Shore City Council is improving cycling facilities across the city to encourage more people to cycle to work or school by increasing their safety, convenience and enjoyment, as well as help them get fit and stay healthy. It is a part of our plan for better transport in the region.
Through a combination of off-road cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes, we are building a network across the city including “green” paths through city parks, to make cycling safer and easier.
Promoting cycling is also an objective for councils under the government’s national land transport strategy. Currently, 7000 people in Auckland region bike to school or work every day and the strategy aims to double that figure by the year 2016.
To support cycling we need to create an environment where it is safe and practical. That means considering the needs of cyclists in all roading projects and at all stages of land and transport planning.
On roads, we must provide space to cycle and minimizing conflict between cyclists and other road users by providing well connected, visible, on-road lanes. It also requires other measures in support, such as providing safe lock-up facilities at bus stations and ferry terminals, and encouraging employers to provide showers at workplaces.
Low cost, healthy and green
Biking is a very cheap way to get around. Did you know it only costs $180 a year - including two services, a helmet, rear light and a pump - to run a bike?
Compare that with the average cost running a car each year of between $5000 and $8000 depending on the age of the vehicle and engine capacity. This includes petrol, oil, registration, WOF, tyres, repairs and maintenance.
Cycling also increases your fitness. It reduces heart disease, obesity and cholesterol levels and a regular cyclist has a fitness level of someone 10 years younger.
Commuting by bike takes cars off the road, reducing harmful emissions, allowing traffic to flow more easily and cutting fuel use.
Two-thirds of all car trips in New Zealand are under 6km. This distance could be comfortably cycled by most people.
Our plan
The council has a Strategic Cycle Plan which sets out how we aim to meet the needs of cyclists in our city. Click here to read or download it:
Strategic Cycle Plan
Our key aims for cycling are:
- To have more people cycling to work
- More children cycling to school
- Improving safety for cyclists
- Improving convenience for cyclists
- More enjoyment in cycling
To achieve this, we are:
- Developing cycle networks and facilities
- Applying best practice design standards
- Maintaining the cycling routes to a high standard
- Educating road users to improve cycle safety
- Promoting cycling
- Improving coordination amongst groups supporting cycling
Cycle lanes
Establishing cycle lanes is an important part of a bike-friendly city. Cyclists are vulnerable road users and need to be able to cycle in safety, so our network includes both on-road and off-road cycle lanes as well as ‘share with care’ paths for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Cycle lanes on roads are sometimes painted with a No-Parking message, and sometimes not. But at no time can any vehicle park on them – that is a definite no-no and anyone parking in these lanes can be fined.
In addition to our strategic cycle network we’re also working on "Green Cycle Routes" which run along quiet streets and between parks within North Shore City. The strategy shares the same goals as the Ministry of Transport’s national strategy for cycling and walking. You can read the national strategy at www.transport.govt.nz/
For further information
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