JAG (Julie Anne Genter) is once again losing her RAG (Raging Activated Gene), which causes her to angrily wander off into her parallel universe; one completely devoid of reality. This time, unsurprisingly, she is more than a little upset by Simeon Brown’s transport policy announcement. She describes it as “terrible”. It comes at a time when, she says, people are biking more than ever. Maybe in her parallel universe they are, but certainly not on Auckland’s roads. Not on the rest of the country’s roads either. If I were Simeon Brown right now I’d be asking for parliament security protection.
It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Julie Anne’s obsession with cycling could cause her believe there are packs of cyclists careering along cycleways in lycra clothing. The reality, of course, is very different. The odd cyclist here and there is what most of us observe. Unfortunately for Julie Anne, this Government is largely not interested in pandering to minority transport groups. Pedal power is quite rightly not a priority, nor should it be.
Julie Anne says the programme “only deepens our dependence on fossil fuels while kicking climate action down the road”. Without realising it, in making that statement, she is admitting that the uptake of electric vehicles has been a failure. We all know that to be true. Julie Anne bemoans the fact we won’t see more children walking or cycling to school. Why not? I don’t see how this plan prevents that – join or start a walking school bus. Cycling is still an option if the child or parents want. Most don’t do either because they don’t want to. They prefer to be dropped off or get a bus.
There is little point in Julie Anne rabbiting on as if she’s trying to reinvent the wheel. All the things she promotes are freely available. Walking, cycling or using public transport are all modes of getting around that already exist but are a matter of choice. The problem Julie Anne has is that most people choose their car to get from A to B. In Auckland in particular it is the most convenient form of transport, even allowing for the resultant congestion. Auckland, indeed most of the country, is populated in a way that makes public transport not an attractive option. Empty buses are testament to that.
Much to Julie Anne’s despair the current Government recognises that and has designed a programme realistically centred mainly on Auckland, which I shall call GAMA (Get Auckland Moving Again: could also be MAGA.) This includes roads of national significance, a reduction in cycleways and speed humps and an increase of speed limits. The aim is to get people and freight around the country more efficiently and expeditiously. There will be significant savings to businesses, particularly freight and courier companies.
It would be unfair of any one of us to expect Julie Anne to have any understanding of business wants and needs. Shane Jones, who possesses a business brain and a vision for the economy, wants no part of a green parallel universe. He sees them for who they are and describes them as having manikin thinking. Anyone who cycles to the hospital while in labour has, in my view, an abnormal obsession with the bicycle. She says there was the option of her husband riding the cargo bike with her in the front, but with the hospital bag there would have been too much weight. How comical.
If you wanted an illustration of just how loopy the Greens are that would be hard to beat. No doubt Julie Anne would like to see a myriad of cycleways with everyone on their electric cargo bikes. A firm in Christchurch is advertising them and if you have a spare $5,000 to $8,000 you can be the proud owner of one. The Greens might be with us physically but mentally they’re somewhere else. Most of us are with Simeon Brown who is interested in transporting us to places quicker without having to leave the country. All power to him!
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
Julie Anne says the programme “only deepens our dependence on fossil fuels while kicking climate action down the road”. Without realising it, in making that statement, she is admitting that the uptake of electric vehicles has been a failure. We all know that to be true. Julie Anne bemoans the fact we won’t see more children walking or cycling to school. Why not? I don’t see how this plan prevents that – join or start a walking school bus. Cycling is still an option if the child or parents want. Most don’t do either because they don’t want to. They prefer to be dropped off or get a bus.
There is little point in Julie Anne rabbiting on as if she’s trying to reinvent the wheel. All the things she promotes are freely available. Walking, cycling or using public transport are all modes of getting around that already exist but are a matter of choice. The problem Julie Anne has is that most people choose their car to get from A to B. In Auckland in particular it is the most convenient form of transport, even allowing for the resultant congestion. Auckland, indeed most of the country, is populated in a way that makes public transport not an attractive option. Empty buses are testament to that.
Much to Julie Anne’s despair the current Government recognises that and has designed a programme realistically centred mainly on Auckland, which I shall call GAMA (Get Auckland Moving Again: could also be MAGA.) This includes roads of national significance, a reduction in cycleways and speed humps and an increase of speed limits. The aim is to get people and freight around the country more efficiently and expeditiously. There will be significant savings to businesses, particularly freight and courier companies.
It would be unfair of any one of us to expect Julie Anne to have any understanding of business wants and needs. Shane Jones, who possesses a business brain and a vision for the economy, wants no part of a green parallel universe. He sees them for who they are and describes them as having manikin thinking. Anyone who cycles to the hospital while in labour has, in my view, an abnormal obsession with the bicycle. She says there was the option of her husband riding the cargo bike with her in the front, but with the hospital bag there would have been too much weight. How comical.
If you wanted an illustration of just how loopy the Greens are that would be hard to beat. No doubt Julie Anne would like to see a myriad of cycleways with everyone on their electric cargo bikes. A firm in Christchurch is advertising them and if you have a spare $5,000 to $8,000 you can be the proud owner of one. The Greens might be with us physically but mentally they’re somewhere else. Most of us are with Simeon Brown who is interested in transporting us to places quicker without having to leave the country. All power to him!
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
6 comments:
Interestingly, America has 250 million internal combustion (IC)cars and 3 million electric cars . It will take 80 years to replace the IC cars at that rate. It is just a fad as the electric cars lagging sales prove
Ms Genter is a bad advert for cycling. A good majority of cyclist can’t be bothered with cycle lanes because they are dangerous, full of dog walkers and push chairs.
Bicycles travelling at 30km/hr don’t mix with people walking.
As an avid cyclist I totally oppose cycle lanes. They cause more congestion, don’t really go where you want to go and are a waste of money.
Ms Genter doesn’t speak for me or 99 percent of cyclist who don’t use cycle lanes.
Disclaimer - " I am a user of a 2 x pedal, 2 x wheel thingy aka a bicycle". In making that disclaimer, I would put to you - " Auckland is not the only place that is a danger to anyone like (and others) and that applies to other major Cities across NZ. Where I reside, I like riding in the morning and have found that I need ' to be lit up like an alien spacecraft' , having been in the position of a driver of a car saying thru the open window, from the driver's seat - "Sorry didn't see you"!
We to have a Mayor (and his buddy) who thought that a cycle lane on a major entry/exit road of the City was "a cool thing" - sadly no one uses it why - to dangerous.
Now the "other dangerous thing" - Julie A G. An American, who came to us from California, a State that has more cars on the road, that the Southern Motorway of Auckland.
I would like to ask her -
[1]- Did she speak volumes about this, whilst a resident in California, and also
[2]- did you speak volumes re people needing to move to a bicycle'?
I wonder what Robert De Niro and/or Gavin Newsom would say..?
Also Julie A G -
[3] - how many Americans have moved to EV's
[4] - will American's ever forgo their "need" for cars that run on gasoline.
[5] - what else do you find wrong with New Zealand??
Yes ,mentally they are somewhere else.
They think it is OK to force you to comply with their thinking.
Absolutely no analytical ability.
JAG is literally the definition of a swivel eyed loon, not to mention being rather aggressive towards anyone who disagrees with her.
The entire Green Party are as thick as two short planks and twice as arrogant.
We won't see the kids on bikes because there are fewer and fewer kids being born. That of course is the other contradiction of these stupid people. they want more cycle ways for their dotage but refuse to want to encourage young people to have more children and bigger families.we are below our natural replacement level now in many countries. Elon Musk has it right. it ens humanity if we keep going down this track.
Post a Comment
Thanks for engaging in the debate!
Because this is a public forum, we will only publish comments that are respectful and do NOT contain links to other sites. We appreciate your cooperation.