> Kia ora, gidday, I’m Paul de Spa. I’ve been reading this forum since last
> year, when I (along with many of the people who were posting here at the
> time!) was standing in the local elections (Chch City Council,
> Spreydon-Heathcote ward, missed out by a couple thousand votes)… but this
> is the first time I’ve posted. I’ve been invited to be a guest speaker for
> a week, in my role as chair of SPOKES.
>
> Quick bit of background: My day job is teaching environmental education
> programmes through the regional council (ECan); a decade ago I was a
> primary school teacher. Between 2001 and 2007 I was an elected member of
> the Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board. I’ve worked for a number of
> volunteer organisations, most with a green / environmental purpose.
> Promoting organic food, helping restore ecosystems, collecting for
> Amnesty… all have claimed a share of my time over the years. I joined the
> Green Party in 1999, stood as the party’s candidate in Wigram in 2002, and
> served as National Co-convenor (i.e. party president, or the male half of
> this gender-balanced role) from 2003-06.
>
> Since last year’s election I’ve decided to have a bit more time with my
> family: my partner Justine and sons Luka (15) and Connor (12) have always
> been my top priority, but it’s hard to make room for everything…
> However the one “cause” I am sticking with is promoting cycling, and
> advocating for a better deal for people who cycle (and the thousands more
> who would like to) in Christchurch. I am currently chair of SPOKES
> Canterbury, Christchurch’s cycling advocacy group, and a member of the
> national organisation CAN (Cycling Advocates Network).
>
> SPOKES has a membership of just over 1000 people. It’s easy to join as
> there is no membership fee – all you have to do is visit our website
> www.spokes.org.nz and sign up to receive our (monthly email) newsletter.
> SPOKES aims to improve the state of cycling in Christchurch (within or
> near the city boundaries), including:
>
> • Increasing the safety and efficiency of streets (and off-road paths) for
> cyclists.
> • Improving the number and quality of all cycling facilities, and of urban
> design generally, in order to encourage many more people to choose cycling
> as a means of transport.
> • Giving a “cyclists perspective” in public debate, be it submissions to
> councils, the mainstream media, or open forums like this one..!
>
> OK, now it’s time to play “What Was The Question?” Let’s say the answer
> is:
>
> “Invest significantly in high-quality facilities, promotions and other
> incentives, to make cycling in our cities and towns as safe, efficient and
> enjoyable as possible for all people.”
>
> So, what was the question..? Was it:
> 1) What is the most cost-effective strategy to reduce transport-related
> carbon emissions?
> 2) Identify a public health measure that will reduce the incidence of
> diseases such as type-2 diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, and depression.
> 3) How can central and local government best support their citizens to
> deal with the rising cost of fuel, and future-proof our communities as oil
> supplies begin to dwindle?
> 4) How can we help kids travel to school the way they would most like to?
> (See: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/saferoutes/#data )
> 5) How can we give people the means to raise their general level of health
> and fitness without requiring them to spend any additional time or money
> doing so?
> 6) What can we do that will give people more fun in their everyday lives,
> and yet save rather than cost them money?
> 7) What about a way to reduce noise pollution in the inner city, make the
> streets safer and more pleasant for people to walk along, and reduce
> traffic congestion, making it easier for those who need to drive to get
> where they’re going?
>
> (NB – even the small percentage of the population who are very young, very
> old or have a disability that means they can’t ride a bike will still
> benefit from implementing the answer to the questions above.)
>
> “Invest significantly” means a decent chunk of the roading budget (say 10
> percent instead of current levels around one percent), and maybe some of
> the health budget too..?
>
> … feel free to add your own questions into the mix.
>
> … or to ask me any different questions, raise challenges, etc.
>
> … have a look at www.spokes.org.nz and sign up if you want
>
>
> Paul de Spa
>
> Info about Paul de Spa: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/pauldespa
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/6EtL9tPbbrQ3kywapGYMs4
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