Cycle Action Auckland

Cycle Action Auckland

Cycle Action Auckland is active in the Auckland Region.

Auckland Region
Abbreviation CAA
Motto A voice for cyclists.
Formation 1998
Type NGO
Legal status Incorporated Society & Registered Charity
Purpose Advocacy
Headquarters New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand
Region served
 Auckland
Membership
 Private persons
Official language
 English
Chair
 Barbara Cuthbert
Parent organization
 Cycling Advocates' Network
Website http://caa.org.nz/
Though mainly engaged in advocacy, CAA also organises events or recreational rides, often aimed especially at getting novice cyclist on bikes (again).
'Bikes for Life' event, December 2010.

Cycle Action Auckland (CAA) is a pro-cycling advocacy group in Auckland, New Zealand. The volunteer-driven group aims to improve infrastructure and conditions, as well as perceptions of cycling to encourage more "everyday people" to use bicycles, including for commuting and recreation.[1] Affiliated with Cycling Advocates' Network, the group focuses on Auckland, New Zealand's largest and very car-dominated city. The group also more generally calls for increased funding for cycling infrastructure and safety measures, noting that walking and cycling together account for less than 1% dedicated funding in the national-level transport budget, despite the fact that cycling alone has much higher actual use rates.[2]

The former chairman (up until 2008) was Bevan Woodward.[3] The current chair is Barbara Cuthbert.[4]

Activities

Current campaigns and projects of CAA (as of 2010/2011) include working with Auckland Council to improve safety for cyclists and other users on Auckland's main roads, such as Tamaki Drive (one of the major cycling routes of Auckland, which also saw some high-profile accidents),[2][5][6] working with the New Zealand Transport Agency on improvements to the Northwestern Cycleway[7][8] and other cycleway projects along motorways, such as the Waikaraka Cycleway sections around the new Manukau Harbour Bridge at Onehunga.[9]

In early 2010, the group also successfully helped convince North Shore City Council to retain the Lake Road cycle lanes after opponents had been campaigning for their removal, and had gotten over 2000 signatures against the lanes. An even larger counter-petition, as well as expert opinions on the efficiacy of the lanes, were eventually successful in retaining them, and having cycling improvements included during further Lake Road upgrades.[10][11]

During 2010-2011, Cycle Action submitted in the Board of Inquiry approvals process for the Waterview Connection motorway project as a submitter and participated in transport and open space discussions with expert witnesses. The Board praised Cycle Action's 'detailed' and 'thoughtful' evidence and submission work.[12] The Board eventually decided to favour arguments in support of a cycleway as part of the Waterview project, and had $8 million set aside towards construction.[13]

Another long-term aim is to get a cycle route crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge, achieving a connection between the North Shore and the Auckland CBD, which at the moment do not have any cycle route connections between them save for bike transport via ferries.[14] While there are close links, the GetAcross campaign is distinct from CAA.

Meetings and events

The group conducts monthly meetings, and supports a number of affiliated events and groups, such as with Frocks on Bikes,[15] Campaign for Better Transport and other sustainability initiatives. It also organises pro-cycling rallies such as the 'Bikes for Life' event and cycling culture events such as the 'Cycle Style Gala'.[15]

In December 2011, Cycle Action Auckland will help organise, together with Auckland Transport and NZTA, the TelstraClear Challenge cycle race and community cycling festival, including rides over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and on the Northern Busway.[16]

Cycle Mapping

Together with ARTA, Cycle Action produced a comprehensive set of cycling maps for the Auckland Region in the late 2000s.[17] They also cooperated with the Fullers ferry company to produce a similar map for Waiheke Island.[18]

Awards

The group won a Cycle Friendly Award in 2004 for its commuter challenge held earlier that year.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Building a cycle culture for the Supercity" (PDF). Minutes of the Auckland Council Transport Committee. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Barbara Cuthbert: Safe cycling and driving messages require review". The New Zealand Herald. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  3. ↑ Shepheard, Nicola (24 February 2008). "Nicola Shepheard: Two-wheel zeal". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "CAA Committee". CAA Website. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Tiffen, Rachel (26 October 2009). "Team to tackle safety issues on Tamaki Drive". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  6. ↑ Dearnaley, Mathew (29 December 2009). "Cyclists welcome hazard sign to alert motorists". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  7. ↑ NZTA closing the gap (NZTA press release, Auckland Regional Office, 4 November 2009. Accessed 2009-11-08.)
  8. ↑ Horrell, Rhiannon (25 November 2009). "Cycleway work begins". Auckland City Harbour News. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  9. ↑ "Manukau Harbour Crossing - Safe Crossings Ahead" (PDF). NZTA Project Newsletter. April 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Thompson, Wayne (10 February 2010). "Shore cycle lane petition grows as council decision looms". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  11. ↑ Thompson, Wayne (10 March 2010). "Cycleways survive despite road-widening plans". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  12. ↑ "Draft Report and Decision of the Board of Inquiry into the New Zealand Transport Agency Waterview Connection Proposal - Volume 1" (PDF). Board of Inquiry. Environmental Protection Authority, New Zealand. May 2011. p. 71. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  13. ↑ Dearnaley, Mathew (9 May 2011). "Objectors get their way on towers". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  14. ↑ Dearnaley, Mathew (21 February 2008). "Politicians support study into cutting bridge-lane width". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  15. 1 2 Smith, Catherine (30 June 2010). "Cyclewear: Get into the right gear". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  16. ↑ "Bridge Bike Ride A Celebration Of Cycle Culture In The Super City". Voxy Newswire. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  17. ↑ "Cyclists have it all mapped out". Central Leader. 6 January 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  18. ↑ Warner, Kirsten (19 December 2010). "Waiheke: Slow down to sight-see". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 January 2011.

External links

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