Cycle Friendlier Transport.

Getting on your bike and riding to work can't work for everyone can it....?
We can't all live within 5km of work or Uni, it isn't feasible.
And unfortunately we don't all live within walking distance of a train station or a bus stop thats timely enough for us to use it.

How about combing the two? Ride your bike and getting onto the said bus/train?.... But what about my bike you ask?

why don't you take it with you? I know Auckland doesn't offer this service on buses, but plenty of places in the world do, take Portland Oregon for example a city that has become known for its accommodation of the cyclist.
The bus and rail system there allows for bikes to be carried on designated bicycle racks on transport.
Simple enough isn't it?
Take a look at the Trimet sight to see how it works
http://trimet.org/howtoride/bikes/index.htm

Auckland Trains can carry bikes and they charge a small fee for the convenience of taking it with you, but adding this to buses would be an easy improvement,  a matter of installing a rack on the front of the bus as seen here.

To check out how you can get your bike around Auckland hit up the maxx website
http://www.maxx.co.nz/info/how-to-travel/cycling.aspx

All Cyclist are Lycra Wearing Hippies...

Cyclists cop a lot of flak, drivers have little respect for them and I have witnessed first hand drivers cutting cyclists off, pushing them off the road and generally abusing them. At times this is deserved, and I agree some of the snobbish groups riding the waterfront on their Italian rides decked out in pro gear need to find some manners, no a group of 3 abreast is not OK in Saturday morning traffic.

As with most things a select few create a bad image for the whole scene.
The good news is that these cyclists stopping you from getting your hangover curing double shot coffee while driving (well maybe you do deserve it..) do not make up the entire cycling scene.

You'll have seen typically young guns riding BMX (Bicycle Motocross) around town, making use of open space and the urban environment to entertain themselves and others. This has created a whole culture and a pretty impressive use of the humble bicycle. If this video doesn't prove that, I don't know what will.

Another sub-culture to rise out of cycling are those that choose to ride fixed gear bikes or fixies, there's a bit of a love-hate opinion poll out on this style, I'll let you decide for yourself. In case you didn't know a fixie is a single speed bike that doesn't coast i.e. when the bike moves so do the pedals check it out.

These two sub-cultures show the diversity of cycling, give it a go before you rubbish it, who knows you may enjoy it....