Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one Million Reasons to Copenhagenize Christchurch

389 Responses

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  • Sophie Fern,

    While we're thinking about Holland-ing and Scandinavi-nization, can we have some of their building codes on insulation please? It's the first of winter and us in the South are sitting with our feet on the heaters to keep warm. We could re-build Christchurch and no longer have a smog problem because we have finally got the building code up to scratch.

    Hobart, Australia • Since Jun 2011 • 7 posts Report Reply

  • Clubfoot .,

    Thanks David. Enjoyed the nine-to-noon summary, however I'm unsure about the appeal of tree climbing dogs. I noticed in Melbourne last year that cyclist behaviour is heavily moderated by cycle paths and lanes - people get really dependent on them. Even friends with a rebellious streak urged me back when straying from the designated areas, in places without trams.

    What about cycle-friendly architecture? I'd be interested in hearing more about 'verandah hopping' post-earthquake. Ducking and diving through heavy rain showers used to be easy in urban ChCh - you could always find a big shop verandah for shelter. The newer 'gull-winged' pedestrian shelters are to small for walkers and bikers to share, especially if its windy. I propose a four-legged 6x6m platform shelter with a ladder so you can picnic on top.

    Cook Strait • Since May 2009 • 9 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood, in reply to Gareth Ward,

    Re the shower/change facilities at workplaces - how do people usually make this work? As in, how do you get your corporate worky clothes to said facilities - drive once a week or something?

    My work section (Otago Univeristry) has about 30 staff and of those 4-5 are daily commuting cyclists. The building has a shower but most people don't use it, instead just taking an easy pace on the cycle in (admittedly, the placement of the University means that the to work ride is downhill for most). More important I think in making your life easier than a shower is clothing storage- I actually have a wardrobe in my office, other people have lockers. It means you can have several days supply of clothes, and carrying in new clean clothes to replace things you take home at the end of day. Having a few days store means that, even if you get caught in a thunderstorm and the clothing you are taking in gets wet, you still have a supply. (I should also admit that as I work in an academic environment I only get suited up on occasions when I am acting in an official capacity to others. In days when I am writing and doing administration I might remain casually dressed all day (not that I own any lycra)).

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Clubfoot .,

    I propose a four-legged 6x6m platform shelter with a ladder so you can picnic on top.

    With the added benefit that it could be a vertical tsunami evacuation structure.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Duncan McKenzie,

    There is some potentially good news for cyclists in Auckland.

    The NZTA in its Waterview Connection application stoutly resisted providing a cycleway parallel to the proposed 2.3 km tunnel extension of SH 20 from Allan Wood Park through to Point Chevalier. Submitters (incluidng the community groups I was the planning consultant for) considered that this extension should be provided. The Board of Inquiry, in its draft report and decision (warning, 400 page document) agreed with us. It will be Auckland Council/Auckland Transport's responsibility to secure the route (it is mostly through Council park but there will be a rail crossing involved, as well as passage through Unitec grounds) and once they can certify that has been achieved, NZTA is obliged to come up with $8 million.

    My clients are delighted, Auckland Council a little stunned, and NZTA rather grumpy.

    There is a lot that could go wrong (NZTA could appeal on a point of law, Auckland Council fail to meet its obligations and forfeit the money), but here's hoping...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • bill schoffelmeer, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    As long as we dont Finlandise Christchurch Im not too fussed.They have a similiar suicide rate to us.This is because like us and Israel,they are forced to wear impact mitigation devices.Perhaps before we copenhagenise,we should ask the danes (and the dutch!) why they dont see the need for this.I suspect it could lead to an increase in cycling.
    Yes,I am over 40.

    Wakapuaka • Since Jun 2011 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Van Dykes 'n' parks...

    Now, can I get you to help me out with a way to "Amsterdamize" the CBD???

    What? Morey Amsterdam?

    49cc of raw power...

    When I was at Canterbury uni, there was a tradition of powered cycles which looked like they had a motor mower strapped to the front wheel. Are these still around?

    I'm thinking you mean the wonderful Gallic invention, the Vélosolex rather than the home conversions...

    Gimme Shelter...

    I propose a four-legged 6x6m platform shelter with a ladder so you can picnic on top.

    which might also be useful for those religions who like air burials, this would encourage buzzards and vultures and other carrion eaters to the central city as well - now that the lawyers, finance companies and accountants have left....
    of course we'd have to introduce some of these birds.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Finland has some fine policies eg the wealthier you are, the more you pay for traffic violations; you can only buy hard liquor at state-owned stores; and Leningrad Cowboys are compulsory listening for all Finns aged 15 years or older (note: only one of these claims is wrong)

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    @ Ian. That is what I was thinking of--commonly known as Solexes. It took some courage to ride one--I could barely hold it upright.

    Carrion platforms for accountants, lawyers...and property developers. Now is a good idea. If you can't get the birds, Don Brash does a mighty fine vulture impersonation.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    and to answer your question...
    you don't see many of them around any more
    I can't recall when I last saw one
    puttering along the road

    once they got going, great...
    but there was all that pedalling
    and then dropping the motor
    onto the front wheel, while moving

    there are some electric step throughs out there
    but they are too quiet!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    The Solexes were Ok but I prefer to go a little more Quickly. Check the pipe! Shiny.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Fraserhead, in reply to Gareth Ward,

    Sorry Gareth - that may have been me linking to http://www.velo-ideale.com/

    I've never met you but may I recommend a Guvnor? http://www.velo-ideale.com/product.php?pid=108

    Until I can afford one, someone needs to be riding one around town.

    Nice thing about Christchurch is that for most areas you only need a singlespeed :)

    Otautahi • Since Jun 2011 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Fraserhead, in reply to Gareth Ward,

    Actually it may have been Lisa. Will read more carefully next time.

    Otautahi • Since Jun 2011 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Leopold,

    And spare a thought for one of my friends, a keen cyclist. His bike is still trapped behind the Cordon....Expecting to get it back god knows when (if it hasnt been looted by contractors or a friendly CD officer...

    Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Lisa Black, in reply to Fraserhead,

    Or both, more likely :)

    +1 for the beautiful Guvnor and I'll put in a(nother) plug for the Civia Loring as an excellent short-distance commuter/errands bike. Alan at ecovelo has got himself a Civia Bryant (belt drive!) as a longer-haul commuter and is writing careful and clear reviews of how it's working in practice.

    Both of these are stocked by Velo Ideale.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2010 • 71 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason, in reply to Gregor Ronald,

    Blow you Gregor!! I was going to mention that same thing!!! 7 year old kid and all!!!! Yes, I too remember the hoards cycling every which way through and across Chch when I was a kid. The road was the cycle way. AND they looked nice and wide. AND there were bugger all cars. AND...........BRING THEM BACK I SAY!!!!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Lisa Black, in reply to Leopold,

    I feel for him. I was overseas for a month recently and I missed my bike so badly that I ended up buying a cheap crappy (REALLY crappy) one just so I could ride a little.

    This is the problem with bikes. You ride, and then it's like crack or something. My lease ends in October and I've been considering moving out to the Hutt - in part so that I get a decent commute. 15 minutes just isn't cutting it for me.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2010 • 71 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    When I was at Canterbury uni, there was a tradition of powered cycles which looked like they had a motor mower strapped to the front wheel. Are these still around?

    Yup. I picked one up from the tip last year. It was in the re-cycle (ahem) place and I politely asked what would happen if i nicked it. "Only if you are quick". ....I was quick. Needs a bit of TLC to get it going. Sachs model.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    And just in case this little gem has not been linked to:

    Wellington Regional Council Folding Bike Deal for trains

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to JackElder,

    if the infrastructure is in place, people use it

    Voters should note that the current government have just proposed halving the investment in all such infrastructure in the recently updated Government Policy Statement. And that's before their razor gang is let loose.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Robert Urquhart,

    (link to my full writeup, why not?)

    Ta. Yay for somone raising "playgrounds for all ages". Have wanted to see that for years.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • David Haywood,

    I've just modified the 'What sort of cycling infrastructure should we build?' section of this post (actually just restored some deleted bits from an earlier draft). Hopefully this will makes things clearer in response to DaveC's earlier comment.

    I didn't want to get into the whole cycle paths vs. lanes debate, but I will do so as soon as I get my son to sleep -- if I ever do (we've been trying since 6.30 pm).

    More later...

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report Reply

  • Lisa Black, in reply to Sacha,

    Sacha - in that case you'll like the TRAFINZ bitchslap takedown submission on that GPS. It's the most cutting thing I've read in a long time - Craig excepted of course. It is bloody hilarious.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2010 • 71 posts Report Reply

  • JackElder,

    I’ve never met you but may I recommend a Guvnor?

    Pashley do good bikes, but that’s a hell of a lot of money for an ironic retro singlespeed. For a third the price, you could get yrself a functionally identical Linus Roadster. Though that Civia Belt Drive Alfine looks not far off my dream commuter… as in, if it’s running the 11-speed Alfine rather than 8-speed, I’m going to start saving up.

    Wellington • Since Mar 2008 • 709 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Re the shower/change facilities at workplaces – how do people usually make this work? As in, how do you get your corporate worky clothes to said facilities – drive once a week or something?

    The wonderful site Copenhagenize is worth refering to here. I urge anyone and everyone in this thread to refer to it as a reference. Its sister site Copenhagen Cycle Chic does important work too, demonstrating how normal, well attired people cycle to work, play, and everything else. Focusing entirely on commuters, and making things seem like a sweat inducing race - well, that's a problem.

    In places where cycling is normal, you don't wear lycra. Lycra is for people who want to minimise air resistance and sweat heavily. If it's cold, you wear your jacket (the same one that you would wear if you were walking), if it's slightly warmer, your jumper, a shirt, a t-shirt, and so on. There's no "normal clothing"/"cycling clothing" divide. People simply wear their normal clothing while cycling. This works, even in cities with slopes

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

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