On yer bikes - you might like it

Cycling is an activity that polarises Aucklanders. The pro lobby is working hard to convince the anti lobby to give it a go. Alice Hudson reports.
Jo Beavan rarely sees other cyclists braving Greenlane's roundabout in peak traffic. She can understand why. Auckland drivers are ``really, really bad'' when it comes to looking out for cyclists, she says, worse than back home in London. But the Housing NZ tenancy manager reckons more Aucklanders should get out on two wheels.
``I think the more people there are cycling, the easier it will become.''
Jo's been nagging colleagues to enter the Bike Wise Business Battle, in national Bike Wise Week.
Workplaces that collectively clock up the most cycling kilometres over 10 working days are in to win bikes, clothing and sumptuous ``shouts''.
Bike Wise, run by the Health Sponsorship Council, aims to get more Kiwis cycling, more often.
Jo says its takes 24 minutes to bike the 12km from her Mt Eden home to Glen Innes each morning.
``Going home can take about 45, when there's a headwind and I'm tired,'' she adds.
The keen mountain biker who, next month, will bike across US singer Shania Twain's high country station in the South Island in the Motutapu Icebreaker race, says cycling's not just for the fearless.
``I drive as well. I'm careful and I know the roads,'' she says. ``I also plan my routes. There are not enough cycle lanes in Auckland.''
She encourages her children, aged 9 and 10, to bike to school and to swimming club, and has recently persuaded her husband to bike to work on the North Shore (he has to take his bike on the ferry, as cyclists aren't allowed on the harbour bridge).
An Auckland City Council spokeswoman reports cycling increased by 6 per cent over 2005 and 2006, on top of a 19 per cent increase over 2004 and 2005.
The council's walking and cycling strategy is now under review.
Bike Wise Week Feb 24-March 4. See www.bikewise.co.nz, and maxx.co.nz for lists of Auckland events. Public views are sought - email your views to cycle@aucklandcity.govt.nz.
WHERE TO RIDE What's happening in Auckland for cyclists: Cycle lane projects are underway or recently completed in Avondale, Mt Albert, Ellerslie, Onehunga, Panmure, Otahuhu, Newmarket, Parnell, Grafton and Newton.
Pt Chev, Sylvia Park, Remuera and Waiheke are also being assessed.
The northwestern cycleway is an uninterrupted 9km route from Waterview to the central city, now fully operational. It uses cyclist traffic signals to cross St Lukes and Newton Rds.
Auckland City is placing advanced cycle boxes at selected intersections, including Khyber Pass Rd and Newmarket's Broad-way so cyclists can wait ahead of traffic.
When completed, the Waikaraka cycleway will follow a 12km on- and off-road route from Onehunga to Wesley.