RobiNZ Personal Blog

I'm with Katie, have no time for cycling snobbery

I thought the 'velominati' was a funny parody of cycling snobbery, then found some take it seriously as 'rules'. I mostly ride solo, in cycle kit but go out of my way to find non-sponsor branded team stuff. The thing that really gets me, and I don't (yet) want or own an e-bike, is the bidirectional rubbish that goes on with them. Some bike riders regard e-bikes as 'cheating', some e-bike riders think they are superior 'it's so much better'. I just think if they get more people out there, or let them ride longer, it is all good. A... Read more →

Hobsonville Road Cycleway on the way!

Good to see this update on the proposed Hobsonville Rd Cycleway to link Westgate to Hobsonville Point. Even better to hear staged construction to start mid-2025. I ride this road quite often, will be a nice option. Hobsonville Road Cycleway | AT Project update for February 2025 We've been working on the final design of the cycleway. The design is based on feedback from the public consultation and key stakeholders on the route. The design is now available and we're planning to start construction in mid-2025 with plans for download at at.govt.nz/hobsonville-road-cycleway Read more →

Defending the Federal to Nelson Street Cyclepath and Victoria St Linear Park Project | Wayne Brown

Sent to Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland. CC Ken Turner (my local Board), Dean Kimpton AT Hi Wayne, I've always thought you were a bit of a dick and didn't vote for you. Seeing your comments in the NZ Herald article on the Victoria St linear park project and temporary cycle link from Federal St to Nelson St seems to confirm this. Here's my position on the project: Living in the West, working at Victoria Park Market I need that cycleway to get me to/from the new Te Waihorotiu Station or beyond to Queen St, Albert Park, Aotea Centre, and... Read more →

Transport Minister Simeon Brown raises road incident risks

Sent today regarding changes to reverse community consulted speed limit reductions: From: Robin Capper Sent: Tuesday, 1 October 2024 7:08 AM To: Simeon Brown Subject: Regarding speed limits and safety Dear Minister, I live in West Auckland and mostly commute to the CBD, if drive at all, or adjacent suburbs. My average speed over 401.4km (tank brim/brim) driving Auckland suburban/motorway/CBD (West, City, North Shore, Panmure) in a mix of on and off-peak traffic? 34km/h... (1). I'm sure bumping that average up to maybe 36-39km/h, raised limit - traffic/intersection time lost, will be transformative. You demand Local Authorities provide evidence... Read more →

Tern BYB P8 Bike in a box, the Tern Airporter Slim ready for the world

The BYB in my Tern BYB P8 folding bike mode name stands for 'Bring Your Bike'. The wonderful thing about a folding bike is taking it, anywhere. When I saw the Tern Airporter Slim case, on their site, the idea of an easily flyable bike really appealed. It isn't for point-to-point touring, more 'hub and spoke' (day rides from a base) but that is the type of cycle touring I like. Photo from Tern Website Trying to buy one... None of the local Tern dealers had one in stock. Rouleur, where I got my bike, were happy to order it... Read more →

Missing the link? Hobsonville Rd Proposed Cycleway and SH16 Cycle Path

AT are currently seeking consultation on a roadside cycleway link between Westgate and Hobsonville Point. From there it will link into the existing Upper Harbour path/cycleway to connect to the North Shore. It will run along the existing Hobsonville Rd with provision for bikes added to the road intersections along its length. Hobsonville Road Cycleway | AT Site Link Auckland Transport is working to deliver a connected safe cycle network across Auckland. The Hobsonville Road Cycleway will provide safer access for cyclists to the Hobsonville Ferry Terminal and the new bus interchange at Westgate serving the Western Express. This is... Read more →

The Big Bike Film Night Matinee ride

Back in early May I, guiltily, DROVE to The Big Bike Film Night in Avondale. It was due the grim evening weather; sporadic torrential rain and the thought of sitting in damp clothes for a few hours didn't really appeal. The Hollywood is a great venue, and it was awesome to see a huge turnout for Brett's evening of cycling inspiration. The quality and wide subject range of films—from bike packing adventure, amazing MTB families, endurance cycling on vintage bikes, e-bike enabling mobility, and school commuting, to name a few—year after year is amazing. Even the pre-run promotions, many of... Read more →

Modern 'cars' aren't safer for those outside them

A mention in David Slack's (brilliant) More than Feilding Substack led me to an opinion piece by Auckland (National) List MP Paul Goldsmith opposing reducing speed limits 'because cars are safer' and he included the Auckland CBD in his argument. I wrote to him... Sent: Saturday, 6 May 2023 16:19 To: [email protected] Subject: Cars are not safer, for pedestrians Hi Paul, Take issue with your 'cars are safer' and citing reducing CBD speed limits in Auckland as an example of poor policing in this recent NZ Herald article: "Auckland Transport has proposed the entire area of the CBD inside... Read more →

Missing Greg at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival 2023

Today it's the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival 2023. This time last year I was in Hokitika, mid-ride on the West Coast Wilderness Trail, and had hoped to see, Kiwi musician, Greg Johnson performing at the 2022 festival. It was a bizarre coincidence as his music played a significant role in my decision to take off around NZ on a bike and he lives in Los Angeles. When I rode the trail was decided, by other fixed events, before I even realised the Festival was that weekend, never mind Greg was performing. That our paths crossed on the remote West Coast of... Read more →

Cycling to look at the new electric and hybrid Italians

The Fiat 500e, but not yet the Abarth 500e, is just being launched in NZ. I got an email invite from Andrew Sims who had the 500e press preview car for test drives today (Sat Feb 11) & tomorrow prior to the Autumn public release. Decided not to waste their (limited) time booking one—as I won't be buying—but was curious to see the 500e in the metal. I typically go for a bike ride on Sunday but with Cyclone Gabrielle approaching, forecast arrival Sunday evening through to Tuesday, Saturday was a better bet. The morning was dedicated to my usual... Read more →