As many of you know I grew up in sunny Hawkes Bay and I absolutely love it there. In fact I have been kindly asked to speak at the Hawkes Bay Chamber of Business in May 2025 on entrepreneurship due to being an old girl of the Bay (I suppose that is old by years and time away!).
I have lived in Wellington since I was 17 as I came down to Victoria University to complete my LLB/BA. Although I had 5 years being a lawyer in London over that time as well. In any event I do think of myself as a Wellingtonian as my three wonderful boys are growing up here and I have many close friends. Although I have to admit I do sometimes get dreamy about the hot weather and local beaches in the Bay. And of course seeing more regularly my wonderful parents who still live in our family home at 84 and 87 years old. I have always felt so blessed with my idyllic upbringing.
Anyhow back to Wellington and you know what - cycleways! People often ask me what my views are on the cycleways, so here they are.
I am quite visual and sometimes I find the little design points fascinating and can tip me from doing something or not. I saw a wonderful image of the Wellington cycleways which was simplified down like the London tube map. It was a fantastic depiction. I really wanted to show you in this newsletter but I just cannot seem to find the image again. For me, I suppose there was a little bit of nostalgia about London but it was more about understanding how all the cycleways interconnect and lead to the heart of the city. I know I sound rather simple but for me design and what the design says to me, makes a difference.
Since seeing that wonderful design and how safe many of the new cycleways have been created I have pumped up my tyres on my bikes again. Yes I say bikes, I have a lady bike (ie basket and all), a mountain bike and an electric bike. I know kinda over done and to be honest they all have not been ridden for years.
We all know we have an obesity problem in New Zealand and if we can exercise more through cycling that will only help. We all know how expensive cars can be and all the pollution that comes with it. We know that non electric cars are bad for our environment. We all know how wonderful Amsterdam and other European cities look when they move to a cycle based society. So, yes we know, I know, and yes to cycleways.
Do I think it has been hard on businesses that are effected by all the road works that are creating these cycleways. Absolutely! I do think there should be some monetary payment to those that have been effected. I would rather see that happening over the numerous planter boxes sitting in odd places like on Cambridge Terrace/ Kent Terrace. Do you know how expensive they are?
So yes, I am all for the cycleways in Wellington. Our city is small enough for people to easily get around on their bikes, we just need them finished so we can get on with all our water pipe problems!
I have lived in Wellington since I was 17 as I came down to Victoria University to complete my LLB/BA. Although I had 5 years being a lawyer in London over that time as well. In any event I do think of myself as a Wellingtonian as my three wonderful boys are growing up here and I have many close friends. Although I have to admit I do sometimes get dreamy about the hot weather and local beaches in the Bay. And of course seeing more regularly my wonderful parents who still live in our family home at 84 and 87 years old. I have always felt so blessed with my idyllic upbringing.
Anyhow back to Wellington and you know what - cycleways! People often ask me what my views are on the cycleways, so here they are.
I am quite visual and sometimes I find the little design points fascinating and can tip me from doing something or not. I saw a wonderful image of the Wellington cycleways which was simplified down like the London tube map. It was a fantastic depiction. I really wanted to show you in this newsletter but I just cannot seem to find the image again. For me, I suppose there was a little bit of nostalgia about London but it was more about understanding how all the cycleways interconnect and lead to the heart of the city. I know I sound rather simple but for me design and what the design says to me, makes a difference.
Since seeing that wonderful design and how safe many of the new cycleways have been created I have pumped up my tyres on my bikes again. Yes I say bikes, I have a lady bike (ie basket and all), a mountain bike and an electric bike. I know kinda over done and to be honest they all have not been ridden for years.
We all know we have an obesity problem in New Zealand and if we can exercise more through cycling that will only help. We all know how expensive cars can be and all the pollution that comes with it. We know that non electric cars are bad for our environment. We all know how wonderful Amsterdam and other European cities look when they move to a cycle based society. So, yes we know, I know, and yes to cycleways.
Do I think it has been hard on businesses that are effected by all the road works that are creating these cycleways. Absolutely! I do think there should be some monetary payment to those that have been effected. I would rather see that happening over the numerous planter boxes sitting in odd places like on Cambridge Terrace/ Kent Terrace. Do you know how expensive they are?
So yes, I am all for the cycleways in Wellington. Our city is small enough for people to easily get around on their bikes, we just need them finished so we can get on with all our water pipe problems!
Anna x
