Cyclewatch

32 comments on “Cyclewatch ”

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1. Pat 1

   19 May 2009 at 11:53 am

   Only 54 days and the biggest hurdle (funding) has been overcome. Hard to fault progress on this so far.
2. Eddie 2

   19 May 2009 at 12:45 pm

   You’ve got to be kidding Pat. $50m won’t get you near the 4000 jobs Key promised. Not unless you want to pay each employee $12,000 and have them source their own construction material.

   It’s a joke.
   • Tim Ellis 2.1

     19 May 2009 at 4:33 pm

     Sounds like sour grapes, Eddie. Even the Greens are on board with this one as a great idea. Jeanette has spoken in glowing terms about it and how it’s been added to the MoU with National.

     The greens seem to be cooperating with National on far more constructive things than they ever achieved with Labour.

     It’s also clear from Jeanette’s statements that the MoU was not a Russel Norman jack-up of the Greens. Norman is obviously very well supported in his caucus. Much as Labour Party activists want to paint Norman as an evil influence in the Greens (mainly driven by animosity towards Norman being unctuous enough to stand in Mount Albert), evidence suggests otherwise.

     At the risk of thread-jacking, I see Mr Mallard’s attempt to sideline Norman in Mount Albert is very similar to the way that Labour sidelined the Greens for the last nine years.
     • burt 2.1.1

       19 May 2009 at 4:42 pm

       The Green party boys are supposed to be subs for the dominatrix Labour bitches

       That’s how it’s always worked and Norman is asking for a bloody good whipping if he keeps up this outrageous debacle of speaking for himself and his own party without tugging his forelock to his Labour mistresses. (and Trevor)
     • r0b 2.1.2

       19 May 2009 at 4:48 pm

       The greens seem to be cooperating with National on far more constructive things than they ever achieved with Labour.

       Really? Examples please? It will be interesting to compare with the Greens record in say the last term with Labour. How do you suppose the greens feel about the gutting of the RMA?
       • Maynard J 2.1.2.1

         19 May 2009 at 5:01 pm

         If you’re stupid enough to believe the hype around the cycleway then you probably think that it’s a big thing that the greens and national have added it to the mou.

         Look at it this way: the Greens support 50% of National’s recession-busting policy! You can’t blame the Greens that 50% of National’s recession-busting policy amounts to pissing into the wind.

         Disclaimer: I, too, think it is a great idea. It’s just not that big a deal, won’t save many jobs and is over-hyped. Sour grapes my arse tim, if it gets built I will cycle down it singing ‘kumbaya, John Key, kumbaya’. If Greens-NACTMP extended the 9-day scheme to the public service instead of letting their jobs be lost by the hundred you might get a nice word out of me. Unlikely given the PS are all second-rate citizens these days.
       • Tim Ellis 2.1.2.2

         19 May 2009 at 5:08 pm

         Home insulation, energy efficiency, natural health products, and now the cycleway are all part of the MoU r0b. The Greens get full access to cabinet papers, officials, and input to government decisions, and cooperation with ministers.

         I would say that’s pretty good given just six months ago the Greens said they wouldn’t enter into any deal with National. It shows National does know how to manage MMP relationships.

         I expect many more of these things to come.
         • r0b 2.1.2.2.1

           19 May 2009 at 5:16 pm

           Home insulation, energy efficiency, natural health products, and now the cycleway are all part of the MoU r0b.

           Some good stuff, and some inconsequential. But in no way, as you claimed, “more constructive” than what the Greens achieved with Labour:

           http://www.greens.org.nz/achievements

           It shows National does know how to manage MMP relationships.

           For six months yes, wonder if they’ll last a full term. If they keep pissing the Maori Party off (like Key’s total mishandling of the Fiji visit) off they may not…
3. George D 3

   19 May 2009 at 1:38 pm

   Yeah, what’s with the Greens supporting a cycling project? Haven’t they got the memo? Everything this Government does is bad.
   • Duncan 3.1

     19 May 2009 at 1:49 pm

     The concern is that yet again the Greens have turned a PR debacle for National into a piece of greenwash.

     The cycleway’s a great idea in isolation, everyone agrees with that. The problem is when it’s used as a substitute for a jobs plan (remember it was launched at the jobs summit).

     The Greens have taken a project that’s going ahead anyway, but turning into a PR disaster for the government, and given it a new PR shine. What’s that going to achieve other than prolonging the popularity of this right-wing government?
     • Pat 3.1.1

       19 May 2009 at 1:58 pm

       Wait for the Nats and Greens to add Pig Farm Reform to the MOU!

       A couple of more additions and they may as well make it a full blown coalition agreement.
4. Nih 4

   19 May 2009 at 2:06 pm

   I want a cycleway. I will never forgive the nattard scrubs if they fuck this one up.
   • burt 4.1

     19 May 2009 at 4:48 pm

     But you will vote Labour eventhough they continue to bag the whole idea and do their best to make sure it’s a failure?

     Nih: Not invented here or No intelligence here ?
     • Eddie 4.1.1

       19 May 2009 at 8:34 pm

       burt. No-one’s bagging the idea. They’re bagging the idea that it is a solution to the recession, like Key promised it would be.
5. Natpicker 5

   19 May 2009 at 3:41 pm

   Hope they build it wide enough for Jerry Brownlee….
6. is the standard anti cycling? 6

   19 May 2009 at 3:56 pm

   what about something constructive?
   • Eddie 6.1

     19 May 2009 at 8:36 pm

     Not at all. I’ve repeatedly said that I support building cycleways but we were there, right at the start, saying there was no way a cycleway the length of NZ could be built for $50 mil and it wouldn’t create 4000 jobs or solve the recession by bringing in tourist dollars.

     Cycleways are cool but the Nats have been trying to sell them as something that they’re not. That’s what these posts are about.
7. is the standard anti cycling? 7

   19 May 2009 at 3:57 pm

   Hope they build it wide enough for Jerry Brownlee

   would need to be a 6 lane motorway…. for Gerry
   • Kevin Welsh 7.1

     19 May 2009 at 4:12 pm

     I would say the last time Jerry Brownlie came even remotely close to exercise was they day he arrived kicking and screaming into this world.

     Maybe someone should ask his opinion of the cycleway?

     Shit, they will probably privatise it so he can buy shares in it. 🙂
8. outofbed 8

   19 May 2009 at 5:23 pm

   GREEN AGREE WITH NATIONAL CYCLING PROJECT shock
   Jez Eddie get over it
   Take a look at our voting record since the Nats formed GoV
   We are an independent grass roots Party
   It is not our fault that Labour is in opposition we increased OUR vote FFS

   I would say that’s pretty good given just six months ago the Greens said they wouldn’t enter into any deal with National
   I can’t recall them saying that link ?
   They might have said something about C & S however

   Eddie wonders aloud: “Who’s more deluded, John Key for thinking his cycleway spin would make people forget about unemployment, or Russel Norman and the Greens for joining in and giving the spin a boost?’
   or Eddie who can not see what the Greens are about
9. toad 9

   19 May 2009 at 6:42 pm

   Pat said: Wait for the Nats and Greens to add Pig Farm Reform to the MOU!

   A couple of more additions and they may as well make it a full blown coalition agreement.

   Hey, love it if the Greens could achieve that! Over a dozen media releases, several speeches in Parliament, and oral questions from Sue Kedgley, plus a Private Member’s Bill that, through bad luck in the ballot, never saw the light of day.

   And the Labour-led Government fobbed it all off and still attempted to deny there was an animal welfare issue re pig farming.

   I don’t expect the Nats to do any better, because they are, even more than Labour, in the pocket of the factory farmers who don’t give shite about animal welfare. And David Carter’s comments today don’t bode well!

   But if the Nats can torture themselves and agree to go there, then the Greens would consider extending the MoU to cover it. That MoU agreement is all about policy and trying to persuade the Nats to do something on agreed policy areas (which are rare).

   Some of you Labour people need to smarten up! We’re not under FPP any more, and haven’t been for 12 years. It is all about negotiations to forward a policy programme, but (and mportantly) without trading off other policy areas where we disagree.

   Guess you guys in Labour (or at least your caucus representatives) do this with the Nats anyway.

   It’s just that they fo it informally, like with the “nudge, nudge; wink, wink” agreement that Labour and National will always support each other over progressing “free” trade agreements.

   Meanwhile, on travesties of democracy like the Auckland Supershitty, Greens and Labour stand side by side as comerades in arms.
   • Duncan 9.1

     19 May 2009 at 6:55 pm

     Toad, could you explain to me exactly what the benefit of extendng the MOU to the cycleway is? I’m a lttle confused. It was going ahead anyway, right? Everyone agreed it was a good idea in isolation but that the government deserved ridicule for trying to pass it off as something that will help create jobs and combat unemployment. So what do the Greens and people on the left in general get from this agreement? Looks like more easy PR and greenwash for National from where I’m sitting. They must be pissing themselves laughing at you guys, so desperate to prove you’re over Labour you’ve jumped straight into bed with them. All you’re doing is giving them credibility.
     • Pascal's bookie 9.1.1

       19 May 2009 at 8:12 pm

       Good luck Duncan.

       I’ve asked the similar question, as a green voter (but not a member), a few times now.

       Yet to hear an answer from Toad or oob.

       I don’t think there is an answer and now I’ve got buyers remorse.
       • frog 9.1.1.1

         20 May 2009 at 10:40 am

         The only thing decided about the cycleway is the funding. The exact routes have not, nor have appointments to the advisory board been made. Kevin Hague will have input into these and other such decisions, which will ensure better outcomes. Kevin is interested in your ideas: http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/05/19/gearing-up-for-a-bike-network/

         You will not hear the Greens say the cycleway is a substantial part of any stimulus package, but its a good project and one we’re happy to support.
     • burt 9.1.2

       19 May 2009 at 8:53 pm

       Duncan

       I think it’s great the the Green party have got behind the cycleway. To me it shows the Green party would rather focus on the outcomes of government than the petty bitch slapping partisan crap that stopped Labour and the Green party from working together.

       Perhaps if Labour were not so arrogant and didn’t believe the people had lost their marbles voting for National then Labour might also look at it for what it is – good for the country first and a National party initiative second.
10. climate justice 10

    19 May 2009 at 10:41 pm

    Ive been talking with Jeanette about the MOU and national – will ask if I can print a few of the greens views here.

    Anyone come to drinking liberally weds Auckland at galatos (7pm) for some lively debate on such issues and more (including the left of labour void).

    cheers.
11. Chris G 11

    19 May 2009 at 10:44 pm

    Why are people still defending it as if $50mil is realistic and as if it will ever happen at all?

    Its clearly some class greenwashing and is a PR stunt. So to answer your question Eddie I believe the Greens are the fools for buying in to it.

    And burt spare the sanctimonious crap, lets be honest if Labour came up with a cycleway to pedal us out of a recession after a ‘talk fest’ you would start burning the flag.
    • gingercrush 11.1

      19 May 2009 at 10:51 pm

      ….

      This is clearly going to be in the budget and will happen. PR only works in this case if you actually do it. By spending 50 million John Key will have done it. Now I don’t actually believe its mere PR though some on the left would have you believe anything they do is PR. But if you do buy into the idea that the cycle-war was a PR exercise. It will only work if there is funding for it. There is funding for it and it will happen. It will be economically successful. It will create jobs. It will add to New Zealand’s GDP. It will pay itself in taxes over time. Its actually a good idea.

      And FYI many on the right already hate the Cycleway idea and have done so since it was mentioned.
12. Chris G 12

    19 May 2009 at 11:12 pm

    I’ll be interested to see which wallet the (inevitable) added costs come out of.
13. jarbury 13

    19 May 2009 at 11:44 pm

    I’m pretty sure that since National became the government the Greens have voted against more legislation the Nats have proposed than Labour have. So who’s pandering to the Nats then????

    I mean Labour even voted for the RMA reforms at their first reading. Seriously! WTF????
14. belingwe 14

    19 May 2009 at 11:58 pm

    Road and commuter bicycling were dealt a death blow with the mandatory helmet law imposed in 1994. This cycle path if ever built will remain a white elephant. I say ditch the helmet law and get more people back on bikes. then look at fancy infrastructure.
15. Errol 15

    20 May 2009 at 7:47 am

    Stuff the tip to tail cycle lane, I cycle every day. Here in christchurch and in other parts of N.Z the money would be better spent on teaching car drivers that cyclists have to obey the same road laws, but still drivers cut off cyclists and want cyclists off the road. Why because drivers are blind and stuck up little blind people to lazy to cycle.

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