Actually it may have been Lisa. Will read more carefully next time.

Sorry Gareth - that may have been me linking to http://www.velo-ideale.com/

I've never met you but may I recommend a Guvnor? http://www.velo-ideale.com/product.php?pid=108

Until I can afford one, someone needs to be riding one around town.

Nice thing about Christchurch is that for most areas you only need a singlespeed :)

You're right Robert - there has been a conscious decision to call it the Central City Plan because the CBD (as well as becoming an old-fashioned term for what is really a mixed-use area) is only one element of a central city.

And to be fair to the CCC they've been referring to it as the "Central City" for quite a while now.

Too true Lisa. I was going to mention http://www.velo-ideale.com/bicycles.php but wasn't sure if it was frowned up to mention vendors or businesses here.

The reason I wanted to mention the lovely Dave at Velo-Ideale is that my partner Keiran bought a Pashley Princess (old fashioned city bike) from him a while back.

Keiran doesn't drive, likes using buses, and had put up with a really fugly clunky heavy Bauer 21 speed mountain bike for commuting. She fell in love with city bikes when she had a go on some at a Frocks on Bikes event a few years ago.

While it seemed very extravagant paying $1295 for a heavy 3-speed bike it has become a treasured possession and in many ways is much more practical and better value than many bikes available in NZ. And it's amazing how much conversation the bike generates.

What I was most disappointed about was how difficult it was dealing with retailers when trying to find simple city bikes.

So kudos to people like Dave at Velo-Ideale for taking a chance on something different. Likewise Mamachari (http://mamachari.co.nz/) in Wellington.

Thanks David

That was me who used the term "Copenhagenize" (http://www.shareanidea.org.nz/idea/12772.aspx) though I noticed a few other people did mention "Copenhagen", and of course thousands called for a better cycling infrastructure.

At a time when I feel quite jaded and pessimistic about the future of Christchurch, hearing and seeing people ask for a more cycle-friendly city has really lifted my spirits.

Now, can I get you to help me out with a way to "Amsterdamize" the CBD???