Hi

Here are some more suggestions for making Chch more cycle friendly...

1. Schools could encourage kids to cycle by including cycle gear in the school uniform (ie jacket and waterproof trousers as part of uniform). They should provide a cloakroom where wet gear could be checked in and hung up for the day, so it isn't scrumpled up in a tiny locker. They could have trousers as an option for girls - those kilts are not suitable for biking. They could organise cycling busses to encourage kids to cycle in groups - get the kids cycling and they'll grow into cycling adults - currently many kids, especially teenage girls think cycling is uncool (sad as they are missing out on the freedom and fun).

2. Panniers - its almost impossible to source panniers made for shopping/carrying a laptop etc - ie big open baskets like NZ Post couriers use. For many people (especially women if they are like me) cycling with a heavy backpack is not comfortable and can be destabilising

3. Integrate public transport with cycling - all buses to have the ability to carry lots of bikes (how about replacing some of the seats seeing as most buses are empty most of the time) and having bike shelters at bus stops. I'm a Lincoln student and cycling all the way from home in Bryndwr to Lincoln is fun but...sometimes it would be nice to cycle to the bus stop in Riccarton and take the bus from there - but I don't fancy leaving my bike chained to a bus stop day in day out.

4. Places of work to provide covered bike sheds as well as showers - not nice at the end of the day to find your bike seat soaking wet.