Predominantly short trips of 5km to 10km into and across town, commuting between my home in Mornington and work in Northeast Valley. I probably ride between 30km and 60km a week. Generally, I'll only travel off the bike if something is too big to carry or there's too much rain.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
Aside from the exercise and endorphins, I really enjoy the increased mobility and to not be constrained by the specifics of the car-centric road system. I also revel in the smugness factor associated with cycling past a line of cars stuck in traffic and then locking my bike up right in front of my destination.
WHAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO GET AROUND?
I think the biggest issue contributing to how "hard" cycling is is safety, in particular being safe from the actions of other road users. I'm convinced that the change that will make it safer for people on bicycles to get around in Dunedin's traffic is if there are more people everywhere on bicycles. The scariest moments for me always occur on smaller streets where people fail to see me, give space, or be patient enough. With greater turnout will come much greater familiarity for drivers, and I hope an increased level of respect for bicycle riders.
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
Increasing bicycle rider numbers shouldn't be a super hard task and breaking down perceptual barriers is a great start - for that reason I think that wearing a foam hat shouldn't be compulsory. Obviously, increasing the quantity and calibre of infrastructure is the other key element that will get people out riding. For this to happen we have to encourage government on all levels by voting for councillors and MPs who recognise the value and importance of diversifying our transport infrastructure away from automobile dominance.
