Bike Waikato January 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter from Bike Waikato:
- Happy Bike Month! Events and opportunities
- Half-price memberships for February 2025
- New Transport Minister – Out with the old, in with the same? Upcoming submission opportunities
- Committee meets with Hamilton City Council staff
Happy Bike Month! Events and opportunities
Happy Bike Month eve!
Throughout February 2025, we will be joining other cycling advocacy groups in celebrating cycling. Whether you are new to cycling, a pro rider, or just interested in meeting new people, be sure to check out our events calendar!
Be sure to join our team on Love to Ride here: https://www.lovetoride.net/waikato/groups/3320?locale=en-GB
We have a goal to ride 15,000 through the month. Can you help us?
Half-price memberships for February 2025
Back by popular demand: join Bike Waikato for as little as $5 for Bike Month! ⭐️
Why join Bike Waikato?
- 🚲 Get access to fun and informative events throughout the year
- 📩 Lend your voice to cycling advocacy in the Waikato
- 🙋♂️ Support our volunteers to attend community events and provide bike valet service
- 💻 Support our fixed costs, including our website (which hosts lots of resources!) and newsletter
- 🚀 Support costs for room bookings, food, and gear for community events
Find more information at our website: https://bikewaikato.org.nz/get-involved/#membership
New Transport Minister – Out with the old, in with the same? Submission opportunities
The Government recently announced a cabinet reshuffle which resulted in a new Transport Minister: the Hon Chris Bishop.
The former Minister for Transport, the Hon Simeon Brown, has a tainted legacy with the portfolio, having preceded over a Government Policy Statement on Land Transport which slashed funding for cycling and walking, safety improvements, and went against international research and expert advice.
Less than a week after the reshuffle, the new Minister for Transport has already announced increasing speed limits on dangerous road corridors where advocates and decision makers have been advocating for reduced speeds for years.
Despite a new Minister, the Government remains focused on an ideological and dangerous approach to transport which will increase costs, harm the environment, and most upsettingly, injure and kill vulnerable road users—including cyclists. There have so far been 4 cyclist deaths in January this year, including an 11 year old girl in Hawkes Bay, and a 19 year old man in the Far North.
Waka Kotahi has opened consultation on the speed limit changes. We encourage you to have your say. Watch this space: we will be sharing a consultation guide from Cycle Action Network (CAN) when it becomes available.
Committee meets with Hamilton City Council staff
On 30 January, the Bike Waikato Committee met with Hamilton City Council staff to discuss upcoming cycling projects and opportunities.
We can confirm that there is a budget available for installing end-of-trip facilities such as bike parking around the city. You can help by letting us know which spots around the city need improvements! Your feedback will be invaluable. Email us at [email protected] with your ideas.
The Council will approve projects at its Transport and Infrastructure Committee meeting on March 11. Watch this space for more information about how you can help get these projects over the line.
