Mercury NZ’s Post

I’m excited to see Dublin City Council's initiative to expand the BikeBunkers program across the city. As someone who has witnessed numerous bikes being stolen or vandalized, including missing seats and wheels, this is a much-needed development. The new bike bunkers offer secure, covered storage for bicycles, which will (hopefully) significantly reduce theft and provide (relative) peace of mind for cyclists. The plan to install 350 bike bunkers by 2026 is a fantastic step towards promoting cycling and making our city more bike-friendly. By offering a secure storage option for just €100 per year, this initiative will support city-centre living and encourage more people to choose cycling as a sustainable mode of transport. The thoughtful approach to placing these bunkers within a certain radius of applicants, considering factors like street lighting and road busyness, shows a commitment to convenience and safety for all cyclists (BikeBunkers) (Dublin People). Let's hope this initiative leads to a significant reduction in bike theft and vandalism in our city! #BikeSafety #DublinCityCouncil #CyclingLife #SustainableTransport

We may think that good weather and a lack of hills are key foundations for a cycling city, and while they don’t hurt, some features are far more important. Infrastructure. According to MomentumMag, there’s one thing that bike-friendly cities have in common, and that’s bike lanes. Not only do they make cities more accessible for cyclists, but they make them considerably safer, especially when they’re physically separate from the road. Behind bike lanes, there needs to be safe places for people to keep their bicycles when not in use. However, it’s also crucial to encourage and educate people on two wheels. These play an enormous role in building a culture of cycling. Ken Mcleod, policy director for the League of American Cyclists, puts it succinctly: “In great bike-friendly cities, biking is normal.” But outside of Copenhagen and Amsterdam, where are we seeing these transformations? #BikeFriendlyCities #CyclingCities #BicycleLifestyle #UrbanCycling #BikeCulture #SustainableTransportation #CyclingCommunity #BikeAdvocacy #PedalPower #ActiveTransport

Awe-inspiring cycling news to kickstart your Friday! 🚲🗞️😍 A groundbreaking legislative step has been taken at the EU level: The European Commission sets minimum bicycle parking standards for residential and non-residential buildings throughout Europe for the first time. 🎉💜 Inadequate bike parking facilities have long been a barrier to the widespread adoption of cycling. This pain point has also been regularly expressed by employees entitled to Vapaus bike benefit, who are considering getting a benefit bike but refrain from doing so because there is no safe or suitable storage space for their dream bike at home or work. This directive is a major step towards creating a more cycling-friendly world and encouraging more people to choose cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. Let's keep pedalling towards a healthier future! 🌿🌍 #cycling #sustainability #EUlegislation #bikeparking Read more from the European Cyclists' Federation article: https://lnkd.in/dKjQPiex

Here is a good article on proving how an enhanced facility from a regular bike lane to separation/buffered/delineation can increase ridership drastically: "The study monitored biking activity before and after the Garden Street project, revealing a remarkable surge in ridership. Within just four months of the project’s completion, bike mode share on residential streets within a half-mile radius increased by 300%, with bike volumes soaring by over 500%. This surge in biking activity extended beyond Garden Street, encompassing surrounding streets as well." #activetransportation #delineatedbicyclespaces #bicycleinfrastructure #bicycleurbanism

Slowly but surely we are transforming Nairobi into a bikeable city. A city where anyone, regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, neighborhood etc will feel safe and comfortable cycling. I hope our policy makers, civil engineers and urban planners are taking note of the shift that's happening. People want to cycle and they are willing to do so even on our crazy roads. Imagine just how many more people would cycle if we had good cycling infrastructure including bike parking. There are so many benefits that the city of Nairobi (which is chronically stuck😞), can realize if it invests in cycling. It has always been assumed by our policy makers, civil engineers and urban planners that: 1. Nairobi doesn't have enough cyclists to warrant investing in cycling infrastructure such as bike lanes and bike parking 2.That most people given a choice, would not choose bicycles as a transport mode 3. That cycling is a dying art and more people would rather use motorcycles or other motorized means. 4. That there's not enough space on our roads to allocate space for cyclists. There's space, there's enough space, it's who has been prioritized is the issue. Why do we need six lanes (highways) in the city center and within neighborhoods? Wide lanes are not only killing people but aren't solving the congestion problem. You can build more wider roads and even cover the whole sky with expressways and bypasses, that won't solve the congestion issue in Nairobi. Nairobi is a small city in comparison to other major cities. People can easily walk or cycle, but they need good and safe infrastructure to do so. Anyway, a big thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday. See you on the 10th of March for 'Toto Mass', our kids version of Critical mass. Feel free to bring your kids (it's so much fun 😊) Adults are welcome, but you ride at the back. It's the kids day.

Chicago has by far the largest free bike distribution program in the United States, giving away 2,500 bikes over the last 2 years on the way to at least 5,000. Bike riding more than doubled in Chicago over the past five years, the largest increase in any American city, according to a survey earlier this year.  The study showed cycling was growing even faster on parts of disinvested neighborhoods on the South and Southwest sides, and among non-white cyclists and among households with no cars. We need a multitude of approaches to improve the disinvested areas of our urban areas and this is a cost-effective and straightforward program to address mobility issues. https://lnkd.in/gF_dncrS

From SaportaReport By Delaney Tarr Atlanta’s #cycling community is gearing up for a “game-changing” municipal bike park after the CHESTNUT FAMILY FOUNDATION donated $8 million to the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. project.  The park is set to be the first of its kind in Atlanta: an all-ages and all skill-level set of terrain and obstacles for mountain bikers, cyclists and hikers. Once finished, it will have 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails, an asphalt track, skills course, playground and other offerings. With the hefty donation, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. will be able to exit design and kick off its first phase of construction. But the project still needs to close a $6 million gap in funding – officials said the scope of the first construction phase will be dependent on the amount of funds. Throughout the planning, the park has been called a “premier biking destination” and a future “world-class facility.” It aims to be a destination for everyone: All of the park offerings are planned for different skill levels, with bike trail options for beginners and intermediate riders that will include berms, bridges, boardwalks, switchback turns and rollers. For advanced cyclists there will be a “gravity trail” designed for descending with large rocks and steep drop-offs.  Alongside the mountain bike trails, a bike playground with balance beams, small rollers and gentle turns for a low-risk training ground for beginners. An asphalt pump track will accommodate all wheeled sports with berms and rollers. Plans also include jump lines and an overlook of the bike park and landscape.  The host of features will bolster the Beltline’s inclusivity and sustainability goals, according to officials.  “This park is a critical component of Atlanta Beltline’s mission to provide equitable recreational opportunities and healthy lifestyles for all Atlantans,” Beltline, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs said.  The Beltline CEO called the bike park a “game changer” for the Westside. It comes alongside ongoing Westside redevelopment pushed by organizations like the Westside Future Fund and a recently declared “war on blight” from Atlanta's Mayor Andre Dickens and the city council.  The Executive Director of MTB Atlanta, the local chapter of the @Southern Road Bicycle Association, Brett Davidson said Westside Park is the “ideal location for the landmark project” due to its location, bike connectivity, forest canopy and topography.  “This park will serve as a crucial hub for learning, inclusivity in cycling, and passive outdoor recreation right in the heart of the city,” Davidson said.  While the Chestnut Family Foundation isn’t the end of bike park fundraising, the $8 million donation will be “transformative” for the project. It adds onto a previous grant from The Coca-Cola Company Foundation, too. We from The Dandy Horse, Inc. are excited to see what happens with their property value and usage patterns! WELL DONE!

Excited to share we’ve been featured in Cycling Electric! E-bike charging is front of mind for UK councils and businesses alike, with national headlines getting near weekly attention. That’s why we appreciate Mark Sutton taking time to highlight the products on the market helping to make e-bikes safe and secure for both riders and the places they visit. In the article, PowerShelter’s Gus Borthwick explains why now is the time to invest in this new technology: “PowerShelter has heard from numerous UK councils that are increasingly seeing the need for more e-bike infrastructure, with 1 in 4 adults in the UK having considered purchasing an e-bike. These lockers both help enable more sustainable transportation, while also diminishing the rare – but physically and reputationally catastrophic – impact of thermal runaway fires in lithium-ion e-bike batteries.” Check out the full article to learn more about what’s shaping the industry: https://lnkd.in/eGdbAiYR #ebikes #cycling #ebikebattery #ebikebatterycharging #batterystorage #sustainability #biking #PowerShelter PowerShelter: E-Bike Battery Charging

Sidewalks & Bike Lanes ++ [improving communities] Ensuring that sidewalks are uninterrupted allows for safer and more pleasant walking experiences. This is particularly important for children walking to school, as it encourages more families to choose walking over driving, promoting physical activity and reducing traffic congestion. Sidewalks can be designed to lead to parks, schools, and community centers, making urban environments more accessible. Including features like benches and pedestrian-friendly crossings can further encourage walking. -- Designating well-placed, clearly marked bike lanes protects cyclists from vehicular traffic. This can encourage more people, including children, to ride bikes to school and other destinations, contributing to healthier lifestyles. By promoting cycling, cities can reduce pollution and traffic congestion. Continuous bike lanes make it safer and more convenient for cyclists, which can lead to an increase in the number of people choosing to bike instead of drive. -- Planting shade trees along sidewalks and bike lanes not only improves the aesthetic appeal of the area but also provides relief from the heat, making walking and biking more comfortable, especially in warmer climates.

Acknowledging Icons Who Have Shaped Our City's Transport Future As we welcome new mayors and councillors across Victoria, it's important to pause and reflect on the trailblazers who have laid the foundation for a safer, greener, and more sustainable future for our communities—especially for those of us who ride bikes. These leaders have been instrumental in shaping transport strategies and infrastructure that benefit all road users. It’s with deep gratitude that we celebrate their invaluable contributions. Sally Capp AO As Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp spearheaded the development and delivery of the Transport Strategy 2030, a transformative vision for the city’s mobility. This 10-year strategy prioritised the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and green spaces, with a clear focus on creating safer environments for all commuters. Before stepping down, the Future of Melbourne Committee endorsed a reprioritisation of key bike lane rollouts, that included the delivery of protected bike lanes along Flinders Street, Bourke Street, Spring Street, and Exhibition Street—infrastructure we look forward to progressing this with the new Lord Mayor and Council. A report presented at the Future of Melbourne Committee highlighted the success of the Exhibition Street protected bike lanes, showing that they have reduced crashes by 46%, increased ridership by 22%, and encouraged more women to cycle. These results represent a significant step toward equitable urban mobility and safer streets for everyone. Jane Nathan A pioneering force in cycling infrastructure, Jane Nathan’s contributions span decades. As Mayor of Hawthorn and later as Commissioner and Administrator at Brimbank City Council in the 90's, Jane played a crucial role in developing several iconic cycling routes, including the Gardiners Creek Trail, the Federation Trail, and the Capital City Trail—infrastructure that continues to benefit the cycling community today. Jane’s visionary work also extended to the creation of 'Victoria for Bikes', a strategy developed by the State Bicycle Committee under her leadership in 1994. This comprehensive strategy secured significant government investment in cycling infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the state’s bicycle network. It addressed not only transport needs but also highlighted the importance of cycling for tourism, health, environment, and community engagement, cementing her legacy as a key advocate for sustainable transport. (Stay tuned for more on this soon.) Bicycle Networks recent survey of 50,000 members, reiterated that their priorities are improving road user behaviour and expanding connected, safe bicycle infrastructure. We look forward to working closely with the new mayors and councillors to complete the missing links in our bike network and ensure that even more people can confidently choose cycling as a regular mode of transport. #SustainableTransport #CyclingInfrastructure #UrbanMobility #BikeFriendlyCities #ActiveTransport