Cycleway or Hydroslide?
One of the more interesting ideas to come out of the jobs summit is a cycleway across the whole country, I find this comment on the stuff article to be particularly insightful:)
If you’re looking for ideas with tourist potential, I think a hydroslide the length of NZ has much more potential than a boring old cycle-way… If I was a foreign tourist looking for a travel destination with a difference, I think hydroslide is a better seller than cycle-way.
Also, imagine going over Cook Strait in a hydroslide. You could get out and play with the dolphins. You wouldn’t be able to do that if you had a big metal bike with you.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,
Note:
“High level sources say Prime Minister John Key is particularly enthusiastic about the cycleway”
🙁
I’ll defintiely use it one day for an epic Auckland to Wellington cycle mission, I still think it’s a waste of money…
There is nothing hypocritical with thinking that a policy is wasteful but still taking advantage of it …
I find that I often do that as an economist, student loans being the classic example. Stupid policy, but I would have been stupid not to take adavantage of the free money:)
I do it as long as the policy doesn’t benefit the thing I’m not in favour of. e.g. larger student loans make the govt. look bad, so I’ll take them, but I wouldn’t bank with Kiwibank, as more customers makes them look good. 😛
“I find that I often do that as an economist, student loans being the classic example. Stupid policy, but I would have been stupid not to take adavantage of the free money:)”
Indeed,
“I do it as long as the policy doesn’t benefit the thing I’m not in favour of. e.g. larger student loans make the govt. look bad, so I’ll take them, but I wouldn’t bank with Kiwibank, as more customers makes them look good.”
So if Kiwibank offered you $1000 to join them, and everything else was equal, you wouldn’t?
The difference between the banks is never that great, hence I never have had to face such a dilemma. Were I to face it, I imagine I’d take the $1000 then leave them, as the bank giving out $1000 to lots of people would soon generate negative publicity once their profitability fell sharply!
“once their profitability fell sharply”
Unless they had been able to find more profitable investment opportunities …
I was just surprised by your urge to do the opposite of what the government wants – I just tend to nothing them 😉
If I don’t believe in something then I don’t want to support it. It’s called principle. 😛
I’m really excited about the idea. I’m always too poor to fly up to Aucks to visit lost comrades, but this would be a great chance to see the country, get in some solid riding and visit!
You hear a lot about making cities more bike friendly, but what about inter-city commuting? I think it’s an issue that doesn’t get enough attention and I’m glad to see the government’s looking into it. Imagine not just car-free cities, but a car-free country!
Not only would it markedly reduce our national carbon emissions, but it would also result in a fitter, healthier populace and lower healthcare bills! Commuting to Auckland over a few days means more customers for hotels in remote rural places and the rejuvenation of small towns. It also means a slower pace to our lives and a better quality of life.
Think about it… wouldn’t it be beautiful!?
NZ is a big destination for european eco-tourist types, many of whom cycle tour. I think you are underestimating the value to tourism of a cycleway. Ok $50M is a lot but the return would be over an indefinite period of time.
I don’t have numbers to back my claim… maybe someone else does? (hello internets)
“If I don’t believe in something then I don’t want to support it. It’s called principle.”
But you’re an economist 🙂
“Think about it… wouldn’t it be beautiful!?”
I am glad to hear you try a contrarian argument here rauparah 😉
I’m not sure the cycle way would boost small towns much would it – I suspect it might go around lots of them to get the scenery 😀
“NZ is a big destination for european eco-tourist types, many of whom cycle tour. I think you are underestimating the value to tourism of a cycleway.”
They can cycle tour now – we are just making it easier.
As a result, the $50m of spending doesn’t create a cycle tour possibility – it just makes it slightly easier. I am sure we can make a multitude of things with a higher return than that 🙂
Cycle touring is dangerous and unpleasant a vehicles pass a meter away.
What if energy becomes scarce (we can still have a low energy tourism)?
If the cycleway was a good idea I think it would go under the radar due to the lack of services required?