Frocks on Bikes Archives

Monthly Board report June 2014

Ko Te Kai a Te Rangatira – Ko te kai a te rangatira, he korero

(The sustenance of leaders are conversations)

Ko te tohu o te rangatira, he manaaki

(The mark of leaders is generosity)

Ko te mahi a te rangatira, he whakatira i te iwi

(The work of leaders is to unite the people)

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities during May 2014 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, Chair of the Grants Committee, Deputy Chair of the Central Joint Funding Committee and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee.

Portfolio Report: Community

Community Grants

The Waitemata Local Board Community Grants Committee met in May to consider applications to the fourth and final round of the 13/14 community grants fund.

The recommendations of the committee are on the June agenda of the Waitematā Local Board.

Housing

In May we were able to celebrate the decision by Council and the Government to not include Spring St pensioner housing in the list of Special Housing Areas that would have allowed for fast track development (and resulted in the eviction of elderly tenants who were guaranteed a flat for life when the housing was bought from the old Auckland City Council).

It was also a win of sorts that, with the support of the Board, the Great North Road ridge was declared a Special Housing Area but unfortunately too late for the Arch Hill residents who are fighting the big box Bunnings development.

However as was discussed at the public meeting I attended on 10 May (facilitated by Board member Deborah Yates) there is still a great deal of uncertainty and anger about HNZ’s current approach to removing tenants which will have a big impact on the diversity our community.

Other issues relevant to the Community portfolio

A range of meetings were attended during May relevant to the Community portfolio – these are listed below.

Portfolio report: Transport

Upper Queen Street Bridge – Grafton Gully cycleway connection

Earlier this year we discovered that the City Centre Transformation team were not looking to deliver the connection between the Grafton Gully cycleway and Ian McKinnon Drive on the Upper Queen Street bridge until 15/16 despite the cycleway being due to be opened by NZTA in September this year (and despite a budget being available for the project)

Fortunately the escalation of this issue has had results and the good news is that the connection will be ready in time! After reviewing the design (right) the transport portfolio has requested a drinking station be incorporated, that pedestrians/riders have priority phasing of the lights and that all steps be taken to ensure way finder signage is installed in time for the opening

Legible Auckland

I continue to log requests for pedestrian signage on streets with NO EXIT signage that in fact have walkway access.

Auckland Transport has confirmed the following streets will receive “walkway” signs:

Sheridan Lane, Freemans Bay
Gwilliam Place, Freemans Bay
Pratt Street, Freemans Bay
Samoa House Lane
Sylvan West Avenue (Albert – Eden Local Board area)
Cheshire Street, Parnell
Wharf Road, Herne Bay
Bayfield Road, Herne Bay
Prosford Road, Ponsonby

There are still many signs on poles that need to be updated with the correct walkway information such as this one on St Marys Bay road.

Auckland Transport Parking Discussion Document

The consultation on Auckland Transport’s parking discussion document went live on 31 May and will be open for feedback until the end of June.

For more on the parking issues and the parking strategy proposed by Auckland Transport refer “Getting Parking Right for Auckland”

Monthly transport update

A monthly update with Auckland Transport took place on 21 May. Current issues are reported back monthly by Auckland Transport on our public agenda including the details of the consultation undertaken with the Transport portfolio on behalf of the Board.

Other board activities

Local Board Plan

During May I have been assisting with finalising our draft Local Board Plan that will go out for consultation on 7 July (the draft is on our June agenda). I’ve also been working on a very exciting event for the launch of our plan. Details will be available shortly.

Janette Sadik- Khan visits Auckland

A big highlight of May was Janette Sadik-Khan’s visit to Auckland. The transport revolutionary presented “Designing Streets for People” to a record breaking Auckland Conversation audience. How the streets of New York were transformed while she was NYC commissioner of transportation from 2007 – 2013 under Mayor Bloomberg, is an amazing story and provides a great deal of inspiration for what we can achieve in Auckland.

Best of all she had time for a Frocks on Bikes ride after doing a walkabout with the Mayor.

Workshops and meetings

In the period 1 May – 31 May I attended:

Effective Meetings for Local Board Chairs and Deputy Chairs – a very useful session looking at styles and approaches that help meetings to run smoothly and generate decisions.

Local Board workshop on 6 May
Community Development portfolio discussion on 6 May
Presentation to PBA members on the feedback received on the draft Ponsonby Road master plan on 7 May
Site visit for the Cowie Street Road Extension / Newmarket Level Crossing project (Parks and Transport portfolios) on 8 May
Meeting with Ashley Church, Newmarket Business Association
Local Government New Zealand Zone 1 meeting in Whangerei on 9 May
Housing public meeting at the Grey Lynn Community Centre on 10 May
Meeting with Alan Pack regarding a new underpass design for the Newmarket Level Crossing
Communications meeting on 12 May
Attended the St James Theatre site visit with the Mayor and Councillors (ahead of the governing body’s confidential agenda item on the future of the St James)
Open Streets Initiatives in NZ The gateway drug for walking, cycling and connecting communities– watched the webinar with Christopher Dempsey and Vernon Tava
Catch up with Heart of the City
Briefing: Downtown Shopping Centre Block Re-development Future Options for Queen Elizabeth Square Report on 13 May
Meeting with Luka Hinse regarding a Pecha Kucha collaboration for launching the local board plan
Auckland Transport parking strategy workshop for elected representatives on 13 May
Planning meeting for Local Board plan pop-ups
Waitemata Local Board business meeting at Parnell on 13 May
Briefing on Pioneer Womens Hall on 14 May
Catch-up with Alex Williams, SBN to discuss Project NZ and social enterprise in Waitemata
Ponsonby Road master plan meeting
Meeting to go over feedback on the draft local board plan
Auckland Development Committee workshop re Downtown Shopping Centre redevelopment & Waitemata Local Board
Waitemata Local Board workshop on 17 May
Local Economic Development workshop with Councillors and Local Board members
Central Joint Funding Committee Workshop – Auckland City Cultural Heritage Fund applications
Meeting to sign off on Waitemata Local Board plan
Maori Responsiveness training for elected members on Te Kai-A-Te Rangatira: Building relationships with Māori – a forum for elected members to raise questions, share ideas and converse with Council’s subject matter experts (I learnt the Whakatauki that starts my report at this session)
Meeting to discuss community-led place making with Parnell Community Committee (part of my Community-led development champions work stream) on 19 May
Meeting to approve the draft local board plan to be attached to our June agenda
Waitemata Local Board workshop on 20 May
Meeting with Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, Bunnings and Arch Hill representatives regarding a proposal to remove the kerb extension on King Street
Ponsonby Business Association Board strategic planning session
Monthly transport portfolio meeting on 21 May
Mayoral Tour on 21 May including a visit to Pt. Erin Pools (photo right) and Art Station
Waitemata Local Board update Briefing from Waterfront Auckland
Meeting to finalise Local Board Plan summary
Waitemata Local Board Grants Committee meeting on 22 May
Auckland Transport’s public meeting on the Cowie Street bridge/Sarawia underpass at Jubilee Hall, Parnell on 22 May
Community place-making champions group meeting on 26 May

Events and functions

In the period 1 May – 31 May 2014 I attended:

Cycle Action Auckland’s Associates Breakfast at the Auckland Art Gallery on 1 May
First Thursday on K’rd and K’rd and Newton Plans drop in session
POP project 02 / The Park / blessing of the hives in Victoria Park on 3 May
Judge for the regional New Zealand Environment Entrepreneurs on Sunday 4 May
Fair Trade Auckland event at Ponsonby Central (photo right)
Plastic bag Free Auckland meeting held at the Grey Lynn Community Centre
Te Kanano mobile ap launch at AUT
Artist Studio opening at 3 Ponsonby Road on 9 May
On Saturday 10 May visited the craft fair at Art Station, Station Square market, tree planting at Waipapa Stream with Parnell Heritage, members of the Board and community ; attended a Fair Trade afternoon tea, the Ponsonby Cruising Club Art Auction exhibition and popped into the Pollen Hotel Workshop part of POP Projects 02: The Park
Launch of GridAKL, Wynyard Quarter on 16 May
Auckland Writers Festival event
TRENDZ conference launch, Viaduct Event Centre, hosted by ATEED
Velo –City conference meet- up for attendees from Auckland
Gathering for Janette Sadik-Khan sponsored by MR Cagney on 23 May
Taste Ponsonby – Ponsonby Primary fundraiser on 23 May
Popped into HACK AKL at AUT and the mini music festival on Lorne Street for NZ music month on 24 May
Frocks on Bikes ride with Janette Sadik-Khan
Auckland Conversation presentation by Janette Sadik-Khan (NYC, Commissioner for Transportation 2007-2013) followed by dinner hosted by the Mayor
Velo-City Global 2014 Celebration of Cycling, Adelaide 27 -30 May (conference report back Attachment B)
Place making workshop with Ethan Kent on 30 May (to be reported back next month)

Frocks on Bikes bike ride with Janette Sadik-Khan

Frocks on Bikes is delighted to welcome to town New York’s transport revolutionary Janette Sadik-Khan, with a frockalicious bike tour along central Auckland’s scenic paths and shopping streets on Saturday 24th May.

New York City’s former Department of Transportation Commissioner worked miracles during her tenure under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Her team transformed many of NYC’s ‘mean streets’ to increasingly friendly shared spaces with innovations such as a pedestrian mall in Times Square, and more than 480km of new bike lanes. Now, as Transportation Principal at Bloomberg Associates (alongside her former boss), she is inspiring other cities to create “complete streets” with space for everyone, whether they are on foot, on bike, in buses or cars, and Frocks on Bikes are thrilled to be able to share their experiences of cycling in Auckland with Sadik-Khan.

Frocks on Bikes, which began in Wellington in 2008 and now has 13 “frock flocks” across New Zealand and Australia, celebrates the casual chic and cheerful freedom of women on bicycles. “Our philosophy is you can ride however often you want, at whatever speed you like, in whatever you love to wear – yes, even a frock!” says Auckland Frocks on Bikes co-ordinator Nic Williams.

“The research is clear: the more women out and about on two wheels, the safer your city for everyone. Women on bicycles are a “indicator species” for a healthy urban environment. The sight of women on bikes sends a message that cycling is fun and that roads are for sharing, which encourages even more people.”

Safety is not the only benefit. New York studies show that bike-friendly streets are great for retail and real estate: Manhattan’s 9th Ave retailers experienced sales increases of 49% after a protected bike lane went in. Potential bike lanes on Auckland’s shopping streets such as Karangahape and Ponsonby Roads are guaranteed to have the same positive retail impact. With baskets and panniers typical on the springy, upright commuter bikes we like to ride, Frockers are well-placed to shop, shop, shop.

And then there’s our health. European studies show that women (and men) who cycle for just 30 minutes a day sleep better, look healthier, think better, concentrate more, live longer, save more money and lower their risks of heart disease and cancer. The best part? Most of this research is based on studies of moderate cycling, the kind of cruisy, pleasant cycling that Frocks on Bikes loves best.

However, says Williams, yet more research concludes that to get more women out cycling, streets must be transformed into bike-friendly avenues. Frocks on Bikes are looking forward to rolling along some of central Auckland’s magnificent ridgeline roads with Janette Sadik-Khan, and hearing her thoughts on how our city can improve our streets for all the people who use them.

Itinerary for Saturday 24 May

2.30pm: Q&A at The Cloud, Queens Wharf, with Janette Sadik-Khan, Mayor Len Brown, Ludo Campbell-Reid and Frocks on Bikes members

3.00pm: Frocks on Bikes ride begins

Dress Code: Frocks or your normal, everyday clothes!

RSVP to: Nic Williams – frocksonbikes.aucks@gmail.com or Ph 021 110 7148

Auckland Council, who is hosting Sadik-Kahn will also have a video recording of her free talk on Monday 26^th May (now at full capacity) – posted to the Auckland Conversations website.

WHAT THE FROCK?! Frock-busting the big myths about cycling in Auckland:

Too rainy? We can count on one hand the number of times we’ve gotten drenched while out cycling in Auckland. (The former North Shore City Council did the numbers: if you rode to work every day of the year, you’d only get wet on a dozen of those days.)

Too hilly? Looks are deceiving! Most Auckland roads are pleasantly manageable. We ride at our own speed and barely break a sweat tootling up College Hill in first gear. We arrive at our destination with a fetching blush to our cheeks.

Too inconvenient? We love our lycra-clad sport-cycling brothers and sisters, but we have no need for a shower and a change of clothes by the time we get to work. The point of Frocking is to be able to ride from A to B in your fabulous everyday clothes. Plus, we can always find a park (and we don’t have to pay for it).

Not safe? While Auckland’s roads can definitely do with improvements, there’s interesting driver psychology in play when more women are cycling in “ordinary” clothes. A UK study showed drivers are more likely to slow down around female urban cyclists (or at least a bloke wearing a long, blonde wig!), and give them a wider berth when passing. This heightened attention to courtesy pays off for everyone on the road.

In other words, there has been never been a better time to ride.

Thanks Frocks on Bikes – it has been such fun!

In 2010, together with Unity Finesmith (of Auckland Cycle Chic fame), I took over coordinating Frocks on Bikes from the fabulous Jasmine Cargill. Jasmine was one of the founders of the Frock Flock – Aucks (an off shoot of the Frocks on Bikes Mothership in Wellington) as part of a climate action event in 2008.

At the time I was very hesitant about taking on the role as I didn’t have a frocking bike and didn’t feel like a “frocker”. However I soon came to appreciate that Frocks on Bikes is just about getting on a bike what every your style and wardrobe. It is about your destination as much as your journey. It is about fun, convenience and freedom. And over the years I like to think Frocks on Bikes has inspired a whole range of women to give cycling a go for the first time. I love how many more women there are now out there frocking and helping to make Auckland a much better place. Tonight we have a Frock meet up to establish a new crew to take over coordinating Frocks on Bikes- Aucks so we can build on past successes and keep the Flock active. All welcome (or get in touch via FOB website to get involved)

Here are a few of my Frocks on Bikes highlights:

Frocks day out – part of Ponsonby Market day in 2009. It felt so wonderful riding for the first time in a big group down Ponsonby Road
Becoming the proud owner of my Velorbis bicycle after it was loaned to me for 6 weeks by the Urban Bicycle Company to help promote FOB
The first ever Cycle Style Auckland in 2010 – thanks to an amazing crew we managed to pull off an awesome show (I still love watching the video)
Try my bike wine and cheese evenings – fabulous combination to encourage women to give cycling a go on frock friendly bikes
Winning the Cycle Friendly awards in 2010 for Cycle Style
Appearing in Next magazine all glammed up
Pecha Kucha presentation on Frocks on Bikes on a hot summer night in Gisborne
Bespoke at Silo Park in March 2013 – officially my last Frocks on Bikes event

Thank you to everyone who has been such a huge part of Frocks on Bikes- Aucks and helped to make it so much fun.

Special mention thanks to Unity (co-coordinator until 2012) , Hilleke (our mothership support person) and Jena (Cycle Action Auckland)

Hey Coroner am I high viz enough?

A couple of months ago the Coroner recommended complusory high viz vest for cyclists. A lot was written at the time pointing out that this wasn’t based on any evidence that vests are effective and was likely to be counterproductive. (Russell Brown generated an impressive number of responses to his post When Common Sense isn’t and Lucy on Cycling Auckland gives the low down on why the coroner is wrong)

I got interviewed for TV3 on my views (as coordinator of Frocks on Bikes in Auckland). The editing gave the impression I am “anti high viz” and I am still asked about it so I thought the best thing is to respond in pictures. My view is that you have to be highly visible and safe on the road. There are lots of way to do this. Personally it works for me to look like a real person. I feel like I am given far more room on my bike and that drivers look out for me when I am dressed for the business of my day. At night I make sure I am well lit and of course visible.

BeSpoke – Cycle Style at Silo Park

Cycle style – fashion comes together with gorgeous bikes – is back for the third time. This year Frocks on Bikes and Cycle Action have teamed up with Freshconcept, Waterfront Auckland, Auckland Transport and Fashion in the Big Little City to create BeSpoke. This is my last year of Cycle Style ( I’m handing over the Frocks on Bike coordinator role) so I am particularly looking forward to what is on offer this year at a fabulous outside venue. I am also honoured to be taking part in the Dalston show at 1pm with the Velociteers.

Sunday 10 March, 12-6pm, Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter

Cycle Style was born in the streets, markets, and parks we love and ride everyday. So how better to celebrate it than with a full market of local designers and bicycles, fashion shows, street food, music and more in the heart of Auckland’s waterfront.

BeSpoke is a fabulous event for ALL Aucklanders and a great way to introduce friends to the fun of life on a bicycle.

The line up for Sunday

1pm            Dalston (fashion show)
1.45pm       Velociteers (entertainment)
2pm            KAF Kids (kids fashion show)
2.30pm      Sitka (fashion show)
3pm            Kingdom Of. (fashion show)
3.15pm       C-Unit (entertainment, boys on unicycles)
3.30pm      Starfish (fashion show)
3.40pm      Myles and Dan Dj set begins
4pm            We’ar (fashion show)
4.30pm      203H (fashion show)
5pm            Vintage (fashion show)

Videos from previous cycle styles:

July 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SkEfeRD9mU

March 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc8yeQw5b6U