INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cyclists welcome transport changes

Published: Thu 17 Jun 2004 02:38 PM
17 June 2004
Cyclists welcome transport changes
Cyclists welcomed today's announcement of an expanded role for the Ministry of Transport and creation of a new transport programme delivery agency, but called for greater openness and consultation at the Ministry, and for a much stronger focus on cycling.
Jane Dawson, spokersperson for the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), said that CAN was generally pleased with the changes to Government transport agencies announced by the Minister of Transport though it would have liked to see the changes go further, particularly in the area of integrating state highway management with local transport needs.
CAN particularly welcomed the move to bring the work of safety agencies into the mainstream of transport planning.
"Safety has been considered an end in itself for too long." said Ms Dawson. “The new set-up will help to build policy that encourages people to make better choices about how they travel.”
“It’s been frustrating for everyone having to separate cycle safety programmes from activities that encourage more people to bike more often, merely because the funding comes from different Government panniers!”
CAN has some concerns about the potential for political manipulation of the levels of funding assistance to local authorities. “Used well, this could make a critical difference to the way that local authorities provide for cyclists and pedestrians. But if it is misused in the future, it could undermine the aims of the NZ Transport Strategy,” said Ms Dawson. “We hope that the new legislation creates sufficient controls to ensure a stable outcome.”
"With more staff and a stronger local presence the Ministry should be able to do much more for cyclists, but they have to start taking seriously the Government's desire to promote cycling." Ms Dawson said. “We look forward to working with the new-look agencies, to identify all those small, low-cost things that will make people feel like cycling to work, school or the shops.”
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media