Thread by @JulieAnneGenter

Since moving to Wellington earlier this year, I’ve been able to cycle to the airport when I have day trips. It’s been an absolute rediscovery for me of the joy and freedom of being able to use a bicycle for ordinary trips.
/thread/

The first time, I was going to Tauranga for a road safety visit at a school on SH2. It was just a day trip, and it looked like a sunny day, so I decided to try the bike.

I expected it would take a lot longer to go round the bays, and I figured that as I got closer to the airport the experience would be a lot worse due to traffic, etc.

But it was fast - only 24 minutes from Courtenay Place. It was almost entirely on a seperated path or in a bike lane. (Admittedly I was using an e-bike so going a bit faster than I normally would.)

That’s only about 5 minutes more than it would have taken in a car, and faster than the bus. And the return trip all the way to Parliament in the afternoon was only 30min total, including slowing down on the more crowded bit of the waterfront shared path.

If I had taken a car, I really would not have gained any productive time. But I would have missed out on nearly an hour of moderate exercise, and a beautiful and rejuvenating time in the sun around the waterfront.

And no doubt I was happier, more energetic and more productive because I got that activity in on a busy day when Parliament was sitting until 10pm.

A bicycle will not be practical for every person, or every trip. But it can be for many more than it is now. I am so passionate about making it easier and safer because it can be such a lovely experience. It can transform an ordinary day, and it can make you happier.

Many New Zealanders can and want to use bikes (or trikes, or scooters, or mobility devices) for more trips. The single biggest barrier is the lack of safe separated infrastructure and safe traffic speeds.

Building this infrastructure is important for all NZers, not just those who are “cyclists” already. According to their own surveys, 84% of AA members support the development of more cycleways and biking facilities.

In Auckland, a majority of residents (65%) agree that safe separated cycleways are good for their community. In Wellington, 76% of the population over age 18 would consider cycling in some circumstances if safe, separated infrastructure was provided.

On a different day trip to Christchurch I met high school students who cycle most days because their school is near a separated path. They said it was so nice and freeing to be able to cycle without worrying about traffic.

Christchurch has the highest rate of cycle commuting in NZ. A recent survey of cycleway users found 94% of the respondents think the new physically separated cycleways have improved their cycle safety. 15% would have used a car if not for the cycleway.

I don’t blame people for not cycling given the current traffic environment. I cycle because I know how much it benefits me, & I’m used to traffic. But I feel nervous every time I take my baby out in the cargo trike because inevitably we have to be on road for some of the trip.

This is why it is so urgent that we get in place infrastructure that allows more people, esp women and children, the freedom to cycle safely around our towns and cities. Safe infrastructure and speeds around homes and schools should be a basic right.

Otherwise we are saying to people they MUST use a car if they want to be safe and comfortable. That is a disaster for congestion and for the climate. It is expensive and exclusionary. It means people have less time to get outside and be physically active in their day.

Ultimately this is about freedom. I believe our kids should have the freedom to be independent and get around under their own steam - without the threat of high traffic speeds and cars and trucks overtaking them within a metre.

This basic right means our kids and their healthy and safety are a higher priority than having a few extra on-street car parks. Yes, they merit slowing down for a few minutes in dense urban areas and around their schools.

And in the long run, if we design our towns and cities so walking and cycling is comfortable and safe for a much larger number of people, it will mean much less congestion on the roads and more car park availability for those who need to use a motor vehicle.