Biking to work, to coffee, and to the grocery store has become rampantly popular this year. With the ‘Green’ ecological movement, variable petrol pricing and increasing traffic congestion issues, biking or cycling has become a new way of life for thousands of Kiwis country-wide – many of whom would never have thought of biking for transport before.

Like any trend which is taken up, we’re now seeing the biking backlash – lead by those who are unhappy with the behaviour of cyclists on inner city roads. It has been a common topic in the opinion media lately – are cyclists arrogant and inconsiderate to every other road user?

A recent TV3 News piece assessed popular cycling roads around St Heliers in Auckland, particularly Tamaki Drive. The road, which does not have cycle lanes, is often congested with groups of 10+ cyclists who, according to some pedestrians, will not stop at crossings, cycle 3 or 4 people side-by-side (instead of the legal maximum of 2), and keep traffic at 30kms per hour, making the short drive to Auckland city take up to an hour.

What do you think of cyclists’ behaviour on central city streets? Are they arrogantly disobeying road rules, or simply trying their best to stay safe on the roads, looking out for opening car doors and overloaded 4WD’s, while enjoying themselves socially and keeping fit?

Once we’re over Christmas, another exciting event is on the horizon: the Big Day Out 2008.

Or should I say THE BIG DAY OUT. That’s how big it’ll be.

I, along with hundreds of others, am looking forward to it. Butterflies in the stomach kinda thrilled about it, actually. Don’t tell anyone, but this is my first time. With a stellar Big Day Out lineup announced, this year’s event is sure to be a winner. Alternative songstress Bjork is my top pick, but Liam Finn (the bearded boy wonder), Phoenix Foundation (ah, the songs of Kiwi summers) and indie-stars Arcade Fire are also high on my list of must-sees.

Playing at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, on January 18th, will be:

Local bands and musicians:

The Phoenix Foundation, Shihad, Katchafire, The Clean, Liam Finn, SJD, Motocade, Cut Off Your Hands, White Birds and Lemons, Op Shop, Pluto, Scribe, Die! Die! Die!, Tiki Tanne, Havoc, Collapsing Cities, Bleeders, Supergroove, The Checks, Young Sid, Antagonist, Dam Native and other New Zealand bands.

And of course, international music acts:

Rage Against the Machine, Bjork, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Spoon, Brand New, Anti-Flag, Carl Cox, Kate Nash, Shy Child, Enter Shikari, Operator Please, Unkle, Krafty Kuts & MC Dynamite, The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello acoustic), Dr Octagon with Kutmaster Kurt, Aceyalone, Dizzee Rascal, Paul Kelly, Battles, Hilltop Hoods and Billy Bragg.

For a day of summer sun and music, book your ticket at the official Big Day Out site, any Ticketek outlet, Real Groovy and selected music stores nationwide.