Posts by Russell Brown
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to James Littlewood*,
If I’m not feeling attentive, I’ll toodle along the footpath or the tramline.
Not recommended.
Er, yeah. My only cycle crash in years was a result of not paying attention to the lines there ...
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to Steve Barnes,
The biggest problem I encountered in the UK was the ubiquitous London thug, who on seeing a bike would toss it down the nearest railway embankment or in the nearest creek or canal, if you had the audacity to lock your bike up it would be bent beyond repair out of frustration and sheer anger at not being able to engage in the art of bicycle tossing.
I rode a lot when I lived in London in the late 80s. It was literally faster than driving – not that I had a car. There were a lot of slow and stationary cars to whizz past, and only the odd terrifying Elephant and Castle roundabout.
Certain parts of the city now boast stands full of "Boris Bikes" (as with many good works attributed to the mayor, the credit actually lies elsewhere). But in some ways, it seemed dicier to me when I visited late last year – there's so much construction and construction means trucks. But the Cycle Superhighways now under construction look awesome.
I did try to do the same when I arrived in Auckland, only to discover that Auckland motorists seem to have the attitude that cyclists are the scourge of the road and do their damnedest to eliminate as many as they can, I gave up and joined the mongrel mob of motorists, without the genocidal motive I must add.
Amsterdam, on the other hand, was cyclist heaven, free bikes, little traffic. It still has the canals but they seem to have a different purpose there. There were other delight too, cafés to die for, if not in and cycling after coffee, cake and a nice little shmoke made the whole experience a delightful and intrepid journey.
I wish I'd discovered the joys of cycling Amsterdam sooner. It is, as you say, a lovely experience.
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to Jolisa,
I secretly love it when people lock bikes to the poles that hold the “No Parking” signs!
<LIKE>
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to Kevin McCready,
t’s 3 km to our local supermarket. When we set out with a backpack to do some shopping our friends who were staying over nearly fell over with amazement. “You can’t walk that far?” For serious loads we use the bike trailer.
I usually manage with one pannier – two for the big jobs, but one holds a hell of a lot. I think my record for one bag included a two-litre bottle of milk, a six-pack of beer, a chicken and sundry other items.
Too much weight on your back while cycling is uncomfortable and dangerous.
Yeah, it's a bad idea.
And we NEVER cycle in the door zone (another cyclist wiped out recently on Tamaki Drive). And while I have the floor – I think it should be illegal for cyclists to cycle in the door zone.
I'm not sure that helps a lot. I naturally avoid door zones, but I'll proceed with caution where necessary. Bike Grey Lynn has noted the problem along the side of Western Springs Park. If I'm not feeling attentive, I'll toodle along the footpath or the tramline. I think the trick is to not ride at speed where there's risk.
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to Jolisa,
I noticed during the recent consultation on the redesign of our local Pt Chev “village green” that the new proposed design takes away the well-used and very sturdy racks outside the library in favour of installing a ramp, but offers no obvious replacement for bike parking.
That's a shame – although at least there are plenty of poles around. As you say, that spot under the eaves would be ideal.
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This Stu Donovan post on TransportBlog examines the claim in a fevered Paul Henry editorial that Auckland rates are “out of control” – which is also, of course, the animating concept of Auckland Future.
He determines that, however you dice it, Auckland super city rates have risen less against baseline than the rest of New Zealand’s. Mere data aren’t going to stop these people saying these things, of course. But it seems noteworthy, to put it mildly.
Edit: TransportBlog say they've since learned that Auckland removed Watercare costs from the rates total in recent years, so the difference probably isn't quite as dramatic as the graph indicates. But still not "out of control" or anything like it.
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Hard News: Bringing an order Auckland…, in reply to Ben Ross,
Seems Simon also thinks the same as I do that the looser group of pragmatists from Council (both Left and Right) often rally around Deputy Mayor Hulse.
And as he points, apart from being a vehicle for National (one potentially at war with the established vehicle for National), what exactly does Auckland Future represent? Whence would they take us?
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Hard News: Bringing an order Auckland…, in reply to Tom Semmens,
We can now all get the popcorn, because you can guarantee that the Tea Party faction of the Auckland National party (Slater/Brewer/Quax/Collins) will regard the NINA (National In Name Only) Future ticket as their true sworn enemies.
Yep, I think the Slater rage has already begun. As it was always going to, given Boag's involvement.
Ordinary Aucklanders have every right to think this shit isn't their damn problem.
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Hard News: Bringing an order Auckland…, in reply to Ben Ross,
The Isthmus and east (Fletcher notwithstanding apart from the Unitary Plan) are more driven by ideology and wonder why they get frustrated around the Governing Body.
That, sir, is an interesting observation.
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Access: Social media, disability…, in reply to Sacha,
I worked for many years trying to set up such a thing. Got resisted and diverted, naturally. There are real structural disadvantages that make disabled people and families very hard to coordinate and represent.
We've got a guest post about the problems with planned power cuts coming. The people most affected don't get consulted.
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