Cycle Action Auckland
Encyclopedia
Cycle Action Auckland (CAA) is a pro-cycling advocacy
group in Auckland
, New Zealand
. The volunteer-driven group aims to improve infrastructure and conditions, as well as perceptions of cycling to encourage more "everyday people" to use bicycles, including for commuting and recreation. Affiliated with Cycling Advocates' Network
, the group focuses on Auckland, New Zealand's largest and very car-dominated city. The group also more generally calls for increased funding for cycling infrastructure and safety measures, noting that walking and cycling together account for less than 1% dedicated funding in the national-level transport budget, despite the fact that cycling alone has much higher actual use rates.
The former chairman (up until 2008) was Bevan Woodward. The current chair is Barbara Cuthbert.
to improve safety for cyclists and other users on Auckland's main roads, such as Tamaki Drive (one of the major cycling routes of Auckland, which also saw some high-profile accidents), working with the New Zealand Transport Agency
on improvements to the Northwestern Cycleway
and other cycleway projects along motorways, such as the Waikaraka Cycleway
sections around the new Manukau Harbour Bridge at Onehunga
.
In early 2010, the group also successfully helped convince North Shore City Council to retain the Lake Road cycle lanes after opponents had been campaigning for their removal, and had gotten over 2000 signatures against the lanes. An even larger counter-petition, as well as expert opinions on the efficiacy of the lanes, were eventually successful in retaining them, and having cycling improvements included during further Lake Road upgrades.
During 2010-2011, Cycle Action submitted in the Board of Inquiry approvals process for the Waterview Connection motorway project as a submitter and participated in transport and open space discussions with expert witnesses. The Board praised Cycle Action's 'detailed' and 'thoughtful' evidence and submission work. The Board eventually decided to favour arguments in support of a cycleway as part of the Waterview project, and had $8 million set aside towards construction.
Another long-term aim is to get a cycle route crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge
, achieving a connection between the North Shore
and the Auckland CBD
, which at the moment do not have any cycle route connections between them save for bike transport via ferries. While there are close links, the GetAcross campaign is distinct from CAA.
In December 2011, Cycle Action Auckland will help organise, together with Auckland Transport and NZTA
, the TelstraClear Challenge cycle race and community cycling festival, including rides over the Auckland Harbour Bridge
and on the Northern Busway
.
ferry company to produce a similar map for Waiheke Island
.
in 2004 for its commuter challenge held earlier that year.
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
group in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The volunteer-driven group aims to improve infrastructure and conditions, as well as perceptions of cycling to encourage more "everyday people" to use bicycles, including for commuting and recreation. Affiliated with Cycling Advocates' Network
Cycling Advocates' Network
Cycling Advocates' Network is a national cycling advocacy group founded in November 1996 in Wellington, New Zealand. It aims to achieve a better cycling environment for cycling as transport and tourism...
, the group focuses on Auckland, New Zealand's largest and very car-dominated city. The group also more generally calls for increased funding for cycling infrastructure and safety measures, noting that walking and cycling together account for less than 1% dedicated funding in the national-level transport budget, despite the fact that cycling alone has much higher actual use rates.
The former chairman (up until 2008) was Bevan Woodward. The current chair is Barbara Cuthbert.
Activities
Current campaigns and projects of CAA (as of 2010/2011) include working with Auckland CouncilAuckland Council
The Auckland Council is the council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It began operating on 1 November 2010, combining the functions of the existing regional council and the region's seven previous city and district councils into one "super council" or "super city" governed by a mayor, 20...
to improve safety for cyclists and other users on Auckland's main roads, such as Tamaki Drive (one of the major cycling routes of Auckland, which also saw some high-profile accidents), working with the New Zealand Transport Agency
New Zealand Transport Agency
The New Zealand Transport Agency is a New Zealand Crown entity tasked with promoting safe and functional transport by land, including the responsibility for driver and vehicle licensing and investigating rail accidents. It was created on 1 August 2008 by the Land Transport Management Amendment...
on improvements to the Northwestern Cycleway
Northwestern Cycleway
The Northwestern Cycleway is a 12 km mostly off-road cycle route connecting the Auckland CBD in Auckland City with Henderson, Waitakere City in New Zealand...
and other cycleway projects along motorways, such as the Waikaraka Cycleway
Waikaraka Cycleway
The Waikaraka Cycleway is an off-road cycleway in the south of Auckland City, New Zealand, running from the Wesley suburb in southern Auckland City along New Zealand State Highway 20 to Onehunga and then continuing along the shoreline of the Manukau Harbour beside mostly industrialised areas until...
sections around the new Manukau Harbour Bridge at Onehunga
Onehunga
Onehunga is a suburb of Auckland City, New Zealand and the location of the Port of Onehunga, the city's small port on the Manukau Harbour. It is eight kilometres south of the city centre, close to the volcanic cone of One Tree Hill, Maungakiekie....
.
In early 2010, the group also successfully helped convince North Shore City Council to retain the Lake Road cycle lanes after opponents had been campaigning for their removal, and had gotten over 2000 signatures against the lanes. An even larger counter-petition, as well as expert opinions on the efficiacy of the lanes, were eventually successful in retaining them, and having cycling improvements included during further Lake Road upgrades.
During 2010-2011, Cycle Action submitted in the Board of Inquiry approvals process for the Waterview Connection motorway project as a submitter and participated in transport and open space discussions with expert witnesses. The Board praised Cycle Action's 'detailed' and 'thoughtful' evidence and submission work. The Board eventually decided to favour arguments in support of a cycleway as part of the Waterview project, and had $8 million set aside towards construction.
Another long-term aim is to get a cycle route crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge
Auckland Harbour Bridge
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is an eight-lane box truss motorway bridge over the Waitemata Harbour, joining St Marys Bay in Auckland with Northcote in North Shore City, New Zealand. The bridge is part of State Highway 1 and the Auckland Northern Motorway...
, achieving a connection between the North Shore
North Shore
North Shore can either be the north shore of a landmass , or the north shore of a body of water...
and the Auckland CBD
Auckland CBD
The Auckland CBD is the geographical and economic heart of the Auckland metropolitan area. Bounded by several major motorways and by the harbour coastline in the north, it is surrounded further out by mostly suburban areas...
, which at the moment do not have any cycle route connections between them save for bike transport via ferries. While there are close links, the GetAcross campaign is distinct from CAA.
Meetings and events
The group conducts monthly meetings, and supports a number of affiliated events and groups, such as with Frocks on Bikes, Campaign for Better Transport and other sustainability initiatives. It also organises pro-cycling rallies such as the 'Bikes for Life' event and cycling culture events such as the 'Cycle Style Gala'.In December 2011, Cycle Action Auckland will help organise, together with Auckland Transport and NZTA
New Zealand Transport Agency
The New Zealand Transport Agency is a New Zealand Crown entity tasked with promoting safe and functional transport by land, including the responsibility for driver and vehicle licensing and investigating rail accidents. It was created on 1 August 2008 by the Land Transport Management Amendment...
, the TelstraClear Challenge cycle race and community cycling festival, including rides over the Auckland Harbour Bridge
Auckland Harbour Bridge
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is an eight-lane box truss motorway bridge over the Waitemata Harbour, joining St Marys Bay in Auckland with Northcote in North Shore City, New Zealand. The bridge is part of State Highway 1 and the Auckland Northern Motorway...
and on the Northern Busway
Northern Busway, Auckland
thumb|Passengers boarding a [[MAXX Regional Transport]] Northern Express service operated by [[Ritchies Coachlines]].The Northern Busway is a physically separated busway with dedicated park & ride facilities along State Highway 1 in the north of Auckland, New Zealand, linking the North Shore with...
.
Cycle Mapping
Together with ARTA, Cycle Action produced a comprehensive set of cycling maps for the Auckland Region in the late 2000s. They also cooperated with the FullersFullers Ferries
Fullers Group is a ferry and tourism company in Auckland, New Zealand. It operates in the Hauraki Gulf and in 2007, transported 4.2 million passengers.- Services :Fullers run ferries from the Auckland Ferry Terminal in Quay Street, Downtown Auckland...
ferry company to produce a similar map for Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is an island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, located about from Auckland.The island is the second-largest in the Hauraki Gulf after Great Barrier Island. It is the most populated, with nearly 8,000 permanent residents plus another estimated 3,400 who have second or holiday homes...
.
Awards
The group won a Cycle Friendly AwardCycle Friendly Awards
The New Zealand Cycle Friendly Awards were devised by the Cycling Advocates' Network in 2003. The purpose of the awards is to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment.- History and...
in 2004 for its commuter challenge held earlier that year.