Southerly: One Hundred and Thirty-one Million Reasons to Copenhagenize Christchurch
389 Responses
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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.
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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.
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David Hood, in reply to
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)).
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Carol Stewart, in reply to
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.
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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...
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bill schoffelmeer, in reply to
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. -
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. -
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)
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@ 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.
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Ian Dalziel, in reply to
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 roadonce they got going, great...
but there was all that pedalling
and then dropping the motor
onto the front wheel, while movingthere are some electric step throughs out there
but they are too quiet! -
The Solexes were Ok but I prefer to go a little more Quickly. Check the pipe! Shiny.
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Fraserhead, in reply to
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 :)
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Fraserhead, in reply to
Actually it may have been Lisa. Will read more carefully next time.
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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...
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Lisa Black, in reply to
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.
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Ross Mason, in reply to
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!!!!!
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Lisa Black, in reply to
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.
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Ross Mason, in reply to
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.
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And just in case this little gem has not been linked to:
Wellington Regional Council Folding Bike Deal for trains
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Sacha, in reply to
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.
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Sacha, in reply to
(link to my full writeup, why not?)
Ta. Yay for somone raising "playgrounds for all ages". Have wanted to see that for years.
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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...
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Lisa Black, in reply to
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.
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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.
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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
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