PRESENT: Lisa Rowland; Richard Balm; Thomas Schwarz; Mike Langley; Karyn Hutton; Alex Fierro and Keith Crate

APOLOGIES RECEIVED: Pete Masters; Mel Whiting

A brief background on Bike Taupo’s history was given to Karen, Alex and Keith

It was also noted that John Taylor (Treasurer of Bike Taupo) sadly passed away on Friday 1 June 2007 after a short terminal illness.  The committee acknowledged his great commitment to Bike Taupo over the past few years, not only as Treasurer but as a valued track builder.  His many hours spent particularly on the Rotary Ride were appreciated and he will be sadly missed.

CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:  Committee agreed that minutes of 25 April 2007 as amended were a true and correct record, Accepted by Thomas/Richard

MATTERS ARISING:

1.       Walk Taupo has now paid their account.  Still to receive Life Cycles overdue one.

INCOMING/OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:

Incoming:

1. 8 May 07 - advice of hearing date re annual plan
2. 18 May 07 - Oxfam re challenges available around the world (cycling)
3. 17 May 07 - Bike  NZ (on behalf of Odyssey) with cheque as donation
4. May 07 - Strettons - GST return for period ended 31 May 2007

Outgoing:

1.       30 April 07 - TDC - annual plan submission

2.       2 May 07 - Odyssey invoice for marshall services

Accepted by Thomas/Alex

TREASURERS REPORT: 

No report available

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

Urban/Rural Cycle Facilities:

1.       We need to do a letter to Transit regarding the blister islands at Waitahanui - they are not cycle friendly.  A lot of bikes use State Highway one and its dangerous they way they are currently designed.  Lisa will prepare

2.       Regarding the yellow lines on Spa Road Denis Lewis of TDC is checking with Bob Hopkins as to when the paint contractors are due as they will extend the dotted yellow lines at each intersection.  Thomas is going to contact Jill Cook of Taupo Times to have an article done on the Spa Road - need to keep it public.

3.       Richard reported that at the Annual Plan submission hearing, the councillors couldn’t say enough good things about our off-road activities but when it came to talking of urban infrastructure, they were not so receptive.  Richard proposed to them that they fund a Traffic Plan on urban design (by Via Strada) but they didn’t seem too interested.  He proposed to the committee that Bike Taupo raise the funds to do this Plan as its something that has to be done to give a holistic approach to changing town infrastructure to suits all modes of transport.  All agreed.  Richard will approach Via Strada to get an estimate of costs for the project. 

4.       Richard to do a letter to Ted Anderson (head of Roading) regarding the Traffic Plan.  He will also make a reasonable request that Bike Taupo be a part of the interview process for staff appointments (handling roading infrastructure) and will suggest that new staff attend a Planning Fundamentals Course (the next one is in November 07).

5.       We will look at directing questions regarding cycle friendly commitment at local body candidates for Council.

6.       Lisa has emailed Thunes Cloates of TDC regarding the Walking and Cycling Strategy Review (this is due for review). 

7.       The Bungy track realignment starts next week - need to promote it publicly.

Media Promotion and Website:

1.       We talked about Newsletters and the idea was bounced to shorten the newsletter and make it easier and quicker to read for members.

2.       Endurance Magazine was to do an article featuring a Cycle Advocacy Group and Bike Taupo has been chosen.  Richard said he will put something together using information he has.  Lisa said she would be able help if he needed it.

3.       Mike and Richard will work on an article on John Taylor and his community input for publishing in the Taupo Times.

4.       Thomas reported that regarding the proposed Government digital Strategy fund and redesign of websites affiliating all cycle advocacy groups - the application will be back by the end of July - it’s through the first round.

5.       Lisa is to investigate the NZ Cycle Conference application to present there in November.

6.       In August Thomas and Lisa will look at the feasibility of doing the Gullies Treasure Hunt again in October.

7.       The committee acknowledged that we are not very good at promoting ourselves and knows that we need to be more proactive in the area - especially notifying the media of our activities

Maintenance:

1.       Still chipping away at maintaining tracks.  Pete McFarlane recently did some work on the Rotary Ride. 

Wairakei Forest Mountain Bike System

1.       St Patricks School have recently hosted a little race at Wairakei.   Also the Taupo Intermediate hosted the Regional Mountain Bike Champs with 10 Intermediates attending.

2.       The Craters Classic race is coming up in June.

Submissions:

1.       None since the annual plan. 

Funding/Projects:

1.       Oxfam is giving 1% of their profit back to the community regarding the Trailwalker.  Bike Taupo has applied for $2,000 to upgrade the tunnel track.

2.       Richard learned from Keith Crate recently that Youthtown (three gaming outlets) have a lot of money to put back into the Taupo area.  We will apply to this fund for funding to cover the Traffic Plan by Via Strada.  The funds are applicable to projects affecting people under the age of 25 years and so we will base our application around safe community routes to school.

W2K Track

1.       The archaeologist has completed his report and is very happy with the proposed route in that it does not interfere with tapu sites.  He will now prepare a letter to the Hapu groups for their acceptance. 

CAN Update

1.       Thomas attended a 3 day strategy meeting in Auckland last weekend.  Now CAN has a media strategist on board there are exciting times ahead!  The ‘Getting There’ process is being worked on currently. 

2.       Thomas showed the committee an Environment BOP Bike Week package which was very impressive.  He thinks it would be good to get Environment Waikato to have a similar commitment.

3.       CAN recognises that the rate of children biking to school has nationally dropped and they are looking at this problem.

4.       The committee agreed that community advocacy groups lack the knowledge to educate schools and other people as to the benefits of cycling etc.  Simon Kennett is now that person within CAN who is travelling around gaining information on what the community advocacy groups need.  He recently had a visit to Taupo and met with some committee members.  He now needs to give out templates to help these groups. Cycle Skills courses within schools is one avenue.

5.       Currently the networking project within CAN is funded by Land Transport NZ for 1 year but now that they have merged with Transit NZ CAN could lose it after the year is up.

6.       Thomas made a motion to request from CAN a hard version of the Chainlinks magazine for all committee members and for selected key people in Council.  This might cost a little more in our membership per annum but it would be worth it as the magazine is now top professional material with interesting articles on cycling.  Thomas will also look into Bike Taupo using some of the information in this magazine for their own newsletters.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

1.       The committee agreed that we need to socialise with our members more often and it was proposed to meet monthly on a Sunday for small mountain bike ride and coffee at Hub Café.   Sunday 8 July will be the first at 2pm.  We will invite all members and whoever turns up turns up!

2.       Richard will talk to John Taylor’s wife, Joan, regarding the Taupo Times article on John and the naming of the pumice bluff after John (‘John’s Bluff’). This was particularly one area of the track that John spent many hours hand cutting.

3.       Mike put in his apologies for the next meeting as he will be away overseas until 2^nd August.

4.       Keith said he would be keen to be involved in the W2K track since he is involved greatly in the Kinloch community.

5.       Richard and Karyn (who will take on the role of Treasurer) will get together at the weekend to go over the accounts and particularly get the GST return done for the next week. 

Meeting closed 9:06pm

NEXT MEETING:

•          18 July 2007 at 7pm (or such other date as committee chooses)