Shadow Footprints

Link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/3948015a13.html

This is a good start.

Bike imports pedal past cars

Bicycle imports into New Zealand outstripped car imports last year, Bike Wise Programme said yesterday.

The organisation's director Brent Skinnon said Statistics NZ figures showed that 230,000 cycles were imported in the year ending June 2006, up 40 per cent since 2002.

He added just over 200,000 new and used cars were landed in 2006, down 30,000 on the previous year, according to the Motor Trade Association.

Mr Skinnon added he was delighted by the figures but not surprised.

"Cycling is low cost, helps you keep fit, and is good for the environment. But above all, people really want to do it. Over 750,000 New Zealanders own bikes and cycling has become a way of life."

Cycle Action Auckland chairman Bevan Woodward also welcomed the news.

"New Zealand has allowed itself to become one of the most car dependent nations on earth. We have 3.2 million vehicles for a population of just 4.1 million.

"Traffic causes significant air and water pollution, growing climate change emissions, congestion on our roads and damage to our society."

He added obese children were now driven on journeys which only one generation ago would have been walked or cycled.

"I'm glad of any indications these trends are reversing."

Avanti Cycles NZ sales and marketing manager said the rise in petrol prices over winter was one reason why New Zealanders were turning to pedal power.