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Cycling is popular in New Zealand and it's a sustainable form of transport. The benefits of cycling are:
- it's healthy
- it's fun
- it's cheap
- it's clean
- it's safer
- it's faster (sometimes)
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Cycling
Cycling in New Zealand is popular, safe, healthy and enjoyable. When it replaces other forms of transport (commuting to work for instance) it also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases.
With the price of fossil fuels on a continuous trend upwards cycling makes financial sense as well.
Cycling is even a faster way to commute sometimes – especially over shorter distances in city centres. In an informal study by the University of Canterbury it proved to be faster than cars, motorbikes and other forms of transport using four out of five different routes to the University.
Communities that foster cycling are busy, prosperous and enjoyable to live in. Cycle-friendly initiatives and cities worldwide show that combining walking with cycling improves quality of life in local businesses and communities. Why? Because the increase in foot traffic supports both business and social networks.
About 30% of New Zealanders cycle every year, but cyclist accidents are only 5% and cyclist road offences about 1% of their respective totals.
Yet less that 1% of New Zealand's annual spend on road transport goes to cycling, and even with proposed increases in the cycling budget, this will remain the case. While there is some support for cycling in transport policy, there is much resistance to cycling and walking initiatives at the regional and local level. In addition, many motorists are against cycling initiatives. Why? Because New Zealanders love the motorcar and motorists often think cyclists are a nuisance, even a hazard.
Cycling Advocates Network (CAN)
You can find out more facts (and myths) about cycling by visiting the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) website. You can also find out how you can make a difference for cycling, and for your wider community.
For example CAN is currently running a campaign to encourage the 26% of voters who cycle to vote for candidates who support cycling. Visit www.can.org.nz/elections to find out more about the campaign and what you can do.
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Quick link:
The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN)
is a voice for kiwi cyclists. This cycling advocacy group works with government and local authorities, and with local cycling groups, to build a better cycling environment. CAN's vision is to have cycling be an everyday activity in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Its mission is to be a national voice for cyclists in promoting cycling as an enjoyable, healthy, low-cost and environment-friendly activity, and as a key part of an integrated, sustainable transport system.
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