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.
16 comments
Matt Nolan says:
February 27, 2009 at 3:41 pm (UTC 12 )
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,
Note:
“High level sources say Prime Minister John Key is particularly enthusiastic about the cycleway”
agnitio says:
February 27, 2009 at 3:44 pm (UTC 12 )
I’ll defintiely use it one day for an epic Auckland to Wellington cycle mission, I still think it’s a waste of money…
Matt Nolan says:
February 27, 2009 at 4:01 pm (UTC 12 )
There is nothing hypocritical with thinking that a policy is wasteful but still taking advantage of it …
agnitio says:
February 27, 2009 at 4:07 pm (UTC 12 )
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:)
goonix says:
February 27, 2009 at 4:29 pm (UTC 12 )
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.
Matt Nolan says:
February 27, 2009 at 4:43 pm (UTC 12 )
“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?
goonix says:
February 27, 2009 at 4:55 pm (UTC 12 )
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!
Matt Nolan says:
February 27, 2009 at 5:08 pm (UTC 12 )
“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
goonix says:
February 27, 2009 at 5:36 pm (UTC 12 )
If I don’t believe in something then I don’t want to support it. It’s called principle.
rauparaha says:
February 27, 2009 at 7:03 pm (UTC 12 )
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!?
Mike says:
February 28, 2009 at 10:12 am (UTC 12 )
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)
Matt Nolan says:
February 28, 2009 at 10:54 am (UTC 12 )
“If I don’t believe in something then I don’t want to support it. It’s called principle.”
But you’re an economist
Matt Nolan says:
February 28, 2009 at 10:56 am (UTC 12 )
“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
Matt Nolan says:
February 28, 2009 at 10:58 am (UTC 12 )
“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
John says:
March 5, 2009 at 9:41 am (UTC 12 )
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)?
John says:
March 6, 2009 at 8:21 am (UTC 12 )
If the cycleway was a good idea I think it would go under the radar due to the lack of services required?