Tamaki Drive goes T2

-- Back in the vehicular firing line

It was a cycle commuter haven – a warm current running parallel to the impatient line of cold hard nose-to-tail steel. The 2km bus/commuter lane between the Tamaki Yacht Club and the perilous Ngapipi Road intersection was a fine place for the rush hour cyclist.

For sure, an ear was kept out for an infrequent Nifty-Fifty and a bus or two, which I must say always treated cyclists with great care.

And what a place, that lane, to safely observe the habits of queue humping drivers: texting so few young female drivers can resist; the middle-aged accountant’s deftly folded newspaper for hands-free steering wheel presentation; and the constant detainment by one’s own rear view mirror reflection. And of course Lipstick. Apply it at 25kmh, no problem.

Driving sins they are, but more threatening to front running drivers than to cyclists minding their own business in the neighbouring lane.

But the 2km burst of rush hour cycling freedom has been snatched away.

The big white T2 tells me the lane is now accepting rush hour cars (for two hours, 7-9 a.m., and only cars carrying at least one passenger) and rabid taxi drivers.

Now what for the work-commuting cyclist? Back in the vehicular firing line, that’s what.

For long stretches there is no shoulder for safe passing.

Cars freshly liberated from their jam will revel in the clear space of T2.

In this lane cars will travel much faster – the press release says “several minutes faster”. All 250 of them every hour.

Please be nice.

The boil has burst

-- Septic origins trace a distinctly New Zealand streak of vicious intolerance.

The recent collision between Tamaki Drive cyclists and a car doesn’t need further examination here.

But its fetid aftermath shows us for what we are – mean spirited knuckle-heads. The trait squirms under the skin like an angry caterpillar struggling to burst free and eat away decency.

It’s quite strange. We’re good at hiding it from international visitors, who consistently tell us that we’re the friendliest bunch of people they’ve ever met.

Maybe we are, until we hit the road and the caterpillar squirms and intolerance takes hold.

NZ travel guides should come with a warning – the whole friendly thing is a ruse. PR behind which innate spitefulness simmers.

If the silent conversations of road users took voice an awful din of threats and abuse would drown out almost everything: “I’ll show you. I’ll teach you a lesson. Shouldn’t be on the road.” And a thousand other variations.

Why does New Zealand road travel gas common decency and respect?

Do we have large bags of crisps on our shoulders, like the Aussies say? An inferiority complex of small angry man proportions looking for a vent. And what better place than the road, where might is right and little lessons and shows of indignation are so easily dished out.

It’s time we grew up.

We don’t need more laws or special provisions.

Just maturity.

We’re all the same people, just traveling by different means.

Look out for one another and accept that the vast majority of road users are decent people just trying to get some place, without inconveniencing or injuring anyone on the way.

Breathe in breathe out, enjoy the trip and if, along the way, you are inconvenienced, try smiling and waving instead of improvising a demonstration of anger.

Everyone be cool. Be nice. Show respect.

New lobby group fresh impetus for Auckland harbour bridge cycleway

-- Auckland City Councillor and cycling commentator Toni Millar likely patron

Dear Councillor

Long time cyclist and first time e-mailer, Raoul.

Firstly, happy New Year.

In writing I was hoping to appeal to your political instincts and interest in more efficient motorised travel along Auckland’s Tamaki Drive.

Last year on Campbell Live you expressed dissatisfaction with cyclist behaviour along the Waterfront and the extra time and trouble shoddy riding cost motorised road users.

Just because I’m an enthusiastic Tamaki Drive cyclist doesn’t mean I reject your concerns. Hell, everyone makes mistakes. Lord knows I’ve run my fair share of red lights and knocked down the occasional slow-walking pedestrian. Forgiveness is a great thing.

Anyway, you will be aware of the cycle lobby group Getacross, which failed to convince the Transport Agency to consider a Harbour Bridge cycleway.

But here’s a thought. In my mind, the opportunity to cycle across the Harbour Bridge is a cyclist draw card possessing attraction similar to Tamaki Drive. Both routes offer magnificent harbour views and provide cyclists with a route destination that defines their ride.

Surely, then, an Auckland Harbour Bridge cycleway will alleviate cycling congestion along Tamaki Drive. Afterall, a cyclist can’t be in two places at once.

With this in mind, I’m investigating the formation of a new lobby group (Auckland Regional Transport Authority calling Getacross a “dead horse” gives it a branding problem).

We’re still working on a name, but wondered if you’d consider being our patron. You are already part of the cycling conversation. Perhaps more importantly, becoming the figurehead of a pro-cycling group will help you to win back the goodwill of Auckland’s significant cycling community.

Please let me know.

Chopper Guard