Posts by Julie Anne Genter

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  There’s no better time to invest in cycling - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  There’s things going on all over the world at the moment that tell us that using bicycles for transport is more than just a fad – it’s a growing phenomenon that offers all sorts of solutions to our transport woes. Cycling is a win-win-win for transport. It reduces congestion. It reduces fuel use. It makes [...] read more
  May 4, 2012 10:46 am - 14 Comments
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  Transport news round-up - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  So much is happening in transport that it’s a bit hard to keep up and put out an informed post on each happening, so here’s a round-up: First, the bad news: The Napier—Gisborne line is hanging by a thread after being washed out. This is a huge blow to the regional freight line, which thanks [...] read more
  March 27, 2012 6:09 pm - 34 Comments
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  On housing affordability and transport: it’s the parking, stupid. - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  There are two parallel debates going in Auckland that really need to be combined. On the one hand, we have a housing affordability crisis. The solution, we are told, in the very disappointing  Productivity Commission draft report, is to free up more land for development on the fringes of the urban area. This will presumably bring down [...] read more
  March 7, 2012 10:52 am - 49 Comments
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  Cycling to Southland — Epilogue - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  This is how the story ends. Yesterday I took apart my bike and crammed it into the small rental car of a friend attending the festival. We drove back to Dunedin airport, where incredibly helpful people gave us materials to pack up the bike. Upon arrival in Wellington, I unpacked it, put it back together [...] read more
  January 24, 2012 3:37 pm - 22 Comments
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  Day 8 – Made it! - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  For those of you who have followed my journey, I figured I’d better let you know that I made it safe, sound, and not even too fatigued at the Keep the Coal in the Hole summer festival south of Mataura. A bit anti-climactic, isn’t it? I woke early this morning, and headed for the hilly [...] read more
  January 22, 2012 12:30 am - 73 Comments
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  Day 7 — Serenity to accept that I cannot change - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  I’ve cycled 120km in one day before. Once, when I was 23. It was exhausting then, though I didn’t have much weight on my bike and hadn’t spent the previous week cycling five to eight hours a day. Oh, and I was probably fitter, too. Eight years later, I thought if there were enough hours in [...] read more
  January 20, 2012 10:31 pm - 3 Comments
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  Day 6 – just 110km or so to go - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  I’m nearly in Southland, having traversed coastal Otago, and headed west into the strong winds this evening. I left beautiful Karitane this morning, after an incredible breakfast that included gluten free pancakes made by my exceedingly generous hosts. The morning was cool and overcast, perfect conditions for cycling, and still very beautiful. The ocean was [...] read more
  January 20, 2012 3:55 pm - 2 Comments
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  Day 5 — Serendipity and Community - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  You know when things don’t go as planned, and it unexpectedly  works out much better? That was my day today. (Long distance solo bike journeys, in my experience, have this seemingly magical effect… Though I’m sure there’s nothing supernatural about it.) The plan was to cycle from Oamaru to the little village of Waikouaiti, where [...] read more
  January 19, 2012 12:52 am - 3 Comments
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  Day 4 — The strawberry trail into Otago (after a slightly emo pep talk) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Disclaimer: the purpose of this trip is not any of the following A. To reduce my own carbon footprint (I try to do that, but the reality is that I have to fly back) B. To encourage others to risk their lives cycling on state highways C. To say that everyone should always cycle or take [...] read more
  January 17, 2012 11:26 pm - 7 Comments
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  Day 3 — The straight and narrow path (to Timaru) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  When I arrived in Ashburton completely shattered last night, I informed Kaye at the reception desk that I would be leaving early. “Perhaps seven,” I said, thinking the earlier I left, the less wind I would encounter. “Oh, but you may just want to have a lie in after all that,” she smiled. “I’ve got [...] read more
  January 16, 2012 10:22 pm - 9 Comments
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  Day 2 — The windy Canterbury Plains - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Okay, I’m not going to lie. Today was tougher than I expected. It all started out very auspiciously, with a sunny still morning, an invite to breakfast at the home of a friend who is a former cycle champion and now transport planner. He made me a fantastic omelette, helped check over my bike and [...] read more
  January 16, 2012 12:11 am - 9 Comments
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  Cycling to Southland – Day 1 (the easy part) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  When I initially conceived of this journey to Southland by bike, I hoped to cycle down the west coast from Picton. But a quick look at the distance (over 1000km) and the calendar made it clear it would be impossible to get to the festival by the 21st. So I decided to take the train [...] read more
  January 14, 2012 11:03 pm - 34 Comments
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  Cycling to Southland – Prelude - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Gareth’s already blogged about the Keep The Coal in the Hole summer festival, and I’m excited to be attending. As the new transport spokesperson, I decided to take a bit of time during the summer holiday to travel to the festival in the most climate-friendly means possible. I’ll be leaving by ferry from Wellington on [...] read more
  January 12, 2012 2:02 pm - 9 Comments
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  The future will be walkable - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Last week I went to watch my colleague and friend Holly Walker on the Backbenches TV show (14’30”). Being a new MP myself, Damien came up to me in the audience for some freshman hazing. He asked me what I hoped to achieve in the next three years. Quite ambitiously, I launched into a short [...] read more
  December 8, 2011 8:02 am - 11 Comments