It has been under a year since we started ‘Bike Mount’ and what a lot has happened!
Bring me solutions not problems!
I remember early on talking to our local Councillor Leanne Browne, and she said, “if you come to us with ideas for solutions, not just the problem, you’re much more likely to get our attention”. So that was it. We developed street goggles, riding around with our kids, to work, to the shops, to the beach, and we really started to look closely at what worked and what didn’t. We put ideas out there on Facebook, got comments back and developed our thinking.
We also spent a lot of time finding out what is working overseas and here in our small towns and big cities and it is SO inspiring. On a trip to Christchurch we charged around the city on the Spark bikes. In Motueka we borrowed old Raleigh Twenties and cruised their wonderful separated bike paths, meeting retired locals planting the edges with natives to attract the birds.
All listening ears were switched on
We met with the transport team here and they listened as we spoke of our ideas, and we listened as they spoke of the challenges of transport planning, utility services, storm water, parking, safety, budgets and the push and pull between freight needs, car needs, NZTA, Regional Council, Kiwi Rail, The Port, Smartgrowth, Long Term Plans, Annual Plans, Transport Blueprints, Business cases, Transport Committees, and I’ve run out of breath….
What we have found throughout this journey is a Council and Council staff who really understand that we need to look at the big picture and make some bold moves to ensure our city grows in a sustainable way. What they need is for us to engage, question, get involved, and keep pushing our ideas and local knowledge so the changes reflect the outcomes we all want.
Change at local level IS possible
What we have learned is that it is possible to create change, especially on a local level. Don’t wait for the changes to happen and then grumble that they didn’t get it right. Look for opportunities in your community, get some people around you who think the same way, and get on the phone to your local Councillor to find the most effective way to feed that into the decision making process.
Our vision, to live in a place where we can get around freely and safely by bike between our schools, workplaces, beach and harbour is well on its way to becoming a reality. So we just want to pause and acknowledge the work behind the scenes within a very complex system that is responding and working with us to make it a reality.
By Heidi Hughes
I write for this magazine to celebrate the developing bike culture of the city in 2017.
