One of the reasons many men don’t want to contemplate any alternative form of transport to the private car is that back in the day it was an important rite of passage for a Kiwi male. Having your driver’s licence signified access to adult pleasures like personal freedom and the opportunity to “shag sheilas” at a considerate distance from parental eyes. Naturally, to contemplate riding a bike is threatening for such men. It represents a demotion of status and a loss of the freedom to range further than one’s personal energy can manage via “pedal power”.
Grey St is the habitat of today’s young, on skateboards or en route to Kiwa Pools. They deserve a safer environment through traffic calming measures than your traditional Kiwi male sense of entitlement needs fostering.
Get with the new normal and on yer bike!
Geraldine Oliver
