Launch of Blueskin Low-Oil Commuting group (BLOC)

By Virginia Toy

A new group is to be launched at the Blueskin101010: Climate Change
Hikoi on 10 October. The Blueskin Low Oil Commuting group (BLOC) is
primarily about cycling to work. We're aiming to build peer support
for people who are already reducing hydrocarbon demand and consumption
through everyday activities such as cycle commuting, and to build
simple systems and support to help more people commute by bike. BLOC
will be a user-driven network of people who regularly travel between
the Blueskin area and Dunedin, and who are interested in doing this in
a more 'hydrocarbon-conscious' way, such as cycling, uni-cycling
(yes!), but also walking, or car-pooling. BLOC will specifically
provide the opportunity for more people to participate in occasional
cycle commuting by linking those who cycle and those who can drive
bikes around if the need arises!
I will manage an email-based mailing list to provide a link between
people who travel by bike. We can also network about bike fixit and
repair issues, and other forms of sustainable transport (bio-diesel,
electric?). In the future, I intend to organise regular (monthly,
bi-monthly…?) informal meetings. I'm also hoping to talk about
revitalising the WWW rideshare scheme to any interested parties during
the Hikoi.
BLOC arose from discussions with Scott Willis of the BRCT, who has
been instrumental in finding funding to support our launch at the
Hikoi (for which we want to sincerely thank Sustainable Dunedin City),
and the group is closely aligned with the BRCT. This association will
help ensure BLOC continues to operate effectively in the long term.
To link up with BLOC or sign up for the mailing list email me at
virginia@geology.co.nz