September 2024 Newsletter

https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz/september_2024_newsletter

Kia ora koutou - 

Good golly gosh, all of a sudden after a wee spell of well earned liquidity in the cycling hedge fund, people on bikes are apparently on the cusp of attaining elite status!! Quite the to do! This hot take is according to a recent opinion piece published by The Post.

We have to confess, it is somewhat amusing to see this supposed ‘rise in social standing’ for a mode of transport. Yes, the recent investment in cycling infrastructure in Wellington is truly welcome, - deserved, even of course 😜 - but seriously, for everyday Wellingtonians travelling by bike to be the 'new elite' seems far-fetched to us.

The evidence is clear; adding safe, separated cycling infrastructure makes streets safer for all road users, and congestion actually reduces when more people opt for space efficient modes of travel like bikes, buses, or boots.

Read on below for our pick of the more constructive bike-related stories we’ve enjoyed recently.

Keep it regal out there, fellow ‘elites’ - and keep pedaling! 👑🚲😂

Ngā mihi nui

Linda Beatson and Alex Dyer
Co-Chairs


Upcoming bikeness

2024 Cycle Wellington Annual General Meeting

6pm Tuesday 1 October 2024

Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, and online (sign up to our website and we will share the meeting link via email).

Join us at our 2024 AGM. All supporters are welcome to attend. To cast votes on the various resolutions, you need to be signed up to our website and have made a donation to Cycle Wellington in the last 3 months.

At this year’s AGM:

  • Patrick on his trip to the 2024 VeloCity Conference.
  • Bike network progress report from WCC.
  • Constitution update.
  • Chair’s Report.
  • Treasurer’s Report.
  • Nominations, voting, and appointments
    • Secretary (Currently vacant - nominations welcome)
    • Chair
    • Become a CW officer*
  • Review of membership fees.

*What’s involved with being a CW officer?

Officers help CW pursue the Objects in our constitution, and it depends what you can bring to the effort. It’s great if Officers can join most of our monthly meetings too.

If you would like to become an Officer, or put yourself forward to contest any position, please email CW or just attend the AGM and raise your hand when we ask for nominations.

 

Picnics in Parks

11am - 12:30pm weekly on Fridays

Changing locations

Every Friday (weather allowing) we meet up somewhere in central city Wellington in an on-street parking space. Join us for a chat and coffee, and sometimes: knitting, board games, and puppies, and help passers-by rethink the use of public space. We’re usually near a cafe, so come support a local business for your lunch as well.


Project updates

WCC

Read this great update on the Golden Mile from Joel.

Berhampore town centre & ‘KFC corner’ work is underway.

Stage 1 Evan's Bay expected to be finished in October. Stage 2 (Greta Point to Cobham Drive) preparation works are underway.

Wadestown Part 2 bike lane deferred.

Some council teams are undergoing restructure to adapt to political conditions.


Recent goings on

Swapping car parks for cycleways: Business destroyer or new opportunity?

Bicycle Junction are now ‘Elite Cycles’ for the rest of September

The mystery of the killer bike lane

Checking out BICI progress - Wellington, NZ

Are New Zealanders ‘sick and tired’ of spending on cycleways?


Calls to action

Support Cycle Wellington to make cycling better

Hi team! Please be our stoker*! Only in tandem can we keep making biking better in Pōneke.

Cycle Wellington depends on donations from our supporters to make progress. The current government is forcefully against making cycling and our streets safer and giving everyone real options to get around. We need to step up our efforts to ensure that politicians understand the importance of getting more people on bikes.

Please consider setting up a recurring donation, to support the work Cycle Wellington does to make biking better in Wellington. 🙏🚲🥰

If you agree it takes two (baby), please head over two our support page two chip in a monthly $2 coin or 2. With our powers combined, we'll be a duo to reckon with. Tu meke! 👨‍🤝‍👨

*Stoker - the rear rider on a tandem bicycle.

Keep our streets safe - Sign the petition

The Green Party of Aotearoa are calling on the Government to: 

  • Keep the speed changes that were consulted on following the 2022 Rule changes. 
  • Continue to allow Councils to set appropriate speed limits on local roads 
  • Keep permanent speed limit changes outside schools 
  • Stop the proposed blanket speed increases 

Learn more and sign here!

 

Add your business to the Cycling Works campaign

Ask your employer to stand up for your right to a safe cycling route to work. Have a look through the statements in support from these excellent cycling leaders:

Logos of businesses that have signed up in support of better cycling in Wellington.