I have been a little sidetracked by the new website recently ... consequently I'm a bit behind but I can not leave good bicycle photos un-posted so ...
Lots of people cycle in Christchurch ... with their clothes on!
It's so refreshing to see so many people just getting on their bicycles to go somewhere ... not really on purpose ... but just simply getting about!
Oh and don't start me on the bicycle lanes (top right & bottom left) ... I loved them soooo much, I'm going to give them a whole post on their own! Watch this space.
Look at this picture above - not only are cyclist accommodated and respected, but old people can cross the road too ... you'd never get that in Auckland!! I tell you, it was like being in another country!
... and children riding by themselves without fear or head-to-toe fluoro ... and this is in the middle of the city!
You get the feeling that cyclists are respected ... you feel loved ... like they care. It was a real pleasure to cycle in Christchurch.
I even spotted this 'Copenhagen Bakery' - how cool is that! Christchurch has definitely got its role model sorted ... I think Auckland is using Moscow as it's role model!
Moscow traffic
Interestingly, Auckland is on the 'the world’s 20 cities with the worst traffic jams' lists even though we have a fraction of the population of any other city listed - now that's quite an achievement.
Oh, and the bicycles ... beautiful bicycles
Pretty bicycles ...
And even at the airport you get the feeling that bicycles are welcome.
You're making me envious, they even have the best rugby team.
ReplyDeleteIn Auckland cars would be actively accelerating towards the old dear to teach her a lesson about road ownership.
That bicycle assembly area is a stroke of pure genius! It's a real hassle having to ship your bike in a bike box and have to take it apart; having these hanging stands so you can re-assemble your bike at the airport having just landed and get going is superb! I've never seen that before, I am jealous! Who knew that CC was such a bike haven?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
OK someones got to balance this out alittle - With Chch geographical landscape/terrain and width/size with alot less population is why. Easier council road and cycle lane planning. With Aklds interesting landscape with its opposite terrain and width unfortunatly in the city jst itnt as safe for us cyclist . I lived and cycled for over 10yrs dwn there and 10plus yrs up here and if a road cyclist logically stays away from the CBD Akld is by far my fav cycling city of the two because of its rolling coastal and country rds and suburbs. Chch riders all head up th port hills to get off the flat boring terrain (and thats where they get all the road rage and accidents involving cyclist and bully-ing cars). Living, cycling for yrs in both cities I am now a very proud Aklder - yes 1 of th few unfortunatly but hey as long as i dnt say it to the face of a very proud one eyed cantabrian at a rugby match then im happy to own the label of a PROUD JAFFA;-) Just another Fabulous Akld'er Living in Paridise;-))
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