Nominations are open for the 7th edition of the coveted CAN award for the best cycling facilities, initiatives, and its champions. Continue reading to find out more about the awards and the sponsors.

Download entry forms as MS WORD DOC (214 KB) or Adobe PDF file (246 KB)

The CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2009, anticipated to be presented by the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon. Nathan Guy in New Plymouth, on Thursday 12th November at 5 pm. The Award ceremony will be held at the NZ Cycling Conference 2009 in the TSB Showplace, Devon Street. 

2009 Finalists have now been announced - see here.

What are these Awards for?

The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) has pleasure in announcing the seventh annual Cycle-Friendly Awards, celebrating initiatives to promote cycling and create a cycle- friendly environment at both a national and local level in New Zealand.

Many exciting things are starting to happen around New Zealand, encouraging more people to cycle for transport and recreation. The Awards are designed to acknowledge and reward some of the most notable achievements in the country each year.

Last year's Awards, presented in Christchurch by the Minister of Commerce the Hon. Lianne Dalziel, were successful in helping to identify and honour some of the wonderful efforts in the wider community. This year, we aim to get an even bigger and better selection to choose from - that's where we need your help!

For details about previous award winners and finalists, see here.

What are the Award Categories

There are five categories that nominations are called for:

Avanti Award for Best Cycle Facility Project

for the transport infrastructure project in the past year that has had the most significant impact on promoting cycling and a cycle-friendly environment. Possible examples could include new cycleways, cycle parking facilities, or general roading projects that assist and encourage cycling.

NZ Transport Agency Award for Best Cycling Promotion

for the education or encouragement project in the past year that has had the most significant impact on promoting cycling and a cycle-friendly environment. Possible examples could include publicity campaigns, school education programmes, or promotional cycling events.

NZ Transport Agency Award for Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Business

for the private company that has made significant strides in the past year to encouraging and supporting cycling by its staff and customers/clients. This category includes both general businesses and those directly involved in the bicycle industry. Possible examples of cycle-friendly actions include cyclist parking / changing facilities, employee support and incentive programmes, and company "pool" bikes.

ViaStrada Award for Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Public Organisation

for the public or government organisation that has made significant strides in the past year to encouraging and supporting cycling by its staff and its public users. This category includes all central or local government agencies, and public organisations such as health boards, universities or airports. The examples given previously for cycle-friendly business activities would also apply here.

Taranaki Regional Council Award for Cycling Champion of the Year

Designed to recognise the contribution made by individual New Zealanders to the promotion of cycling.

Nominations should be based on activities carried out during the 18-month period January 2008 – June 2009. Ideally this time frame should include both an implementation period and any evaluation phase.

Notes:

• Previous finalist entries for specific projects and promotions in the Projects and Promotions categories cannot be nominated again (but the nominated organisation can be for different Projects and Promotions). Likewise finalist entries for Business / Organisation / Champion categories can be nominated again for different endeavours.
• Individual projects and promotions should be considered first for the relevant Project / Promotion categories and not for the Business / Organisation categories.
• For the Business / Organisation / Champion categories, you should consider identifying ALL cycle- friendly actions that the nominee has taken over the nomination period.

Who can make nominations

Any individual or group can nominate someone / something for an award, even if you are involved with the nominee organisation. There's no limit on the number of nominations that you can make.

This year every valid nomination received by 4th September enters you into the draw to win a $150 Gift Voucher from Groundeffect

How to make a nomination

Nominations must each be accompanied by a copy of the official entry form together with whatever supporting information you feel is necessary up to the 1MB, 5 A4 pages document limit. Download entry forms as MS WORD DOC (214 KB) or Adobe PDF file (246 KB) .

Electronic submission is preferred. Note that the maximum entry size is a 1 MB document of five A4 pages (including images & attachments such as pictures and diagrams) as a DOC, RTF or PDF file format for any nomination.

At the very least, nominations must include an adequate summary description of the nominee (used for any subsequent publicity) and sufficient information on how it meets the four main judging criteria (see below). Although the judging panel may independently seek additional information on nominated entries, it is in your best interests to provide as much detail with your entry up to the document limit.

Nominations (together with all attachments) should preferably be emailed to CAN by Friday 18th September 2009 (or 4th September 2009 for the nominating person to be entered into the prize draw).

Alternatively, nominations and material can be posted to:

How will the Awards be judged

A judging panel comprising of some CAN Executive members and other cycling industry people will assess all entries and determine the winners. The following criteria will be taken into account when judging nominations:

• Coverage, in terms of number of people (potentially) affected by this initiative/person.
• Success to date of the initiative/person in encouraging cycling
• Potential widespread applicability of initiative to other locations or organisations
• Commitment demonstrated by person/organisation.
• Relative uniqueness and innovation of this initiative/person's actions in NZ

Decisions by the judging panel will be final.

When will the Winners be announced

Award winners receive a custom - "bicycle bell" trophy mounted on an engraved plaque

The judging panel will announce a shortlist of usually up to three finalists in each category by mid October. The finalists (or a representative of their choice) will be invited to attend the awards ceremony on 12th November in New Plymouth at the Cycling Conference 2009, where the winners will be announced.

Category winners will each receive a specially designed "bicycle-bell" trophy to adorn their cabinet. All finalists will receive a certificate.

Not sure if your nomination qualifies? Contact us first to check, or have a go anyway!

For further information, contact the Cycle-Friendly Awards Co-ordinator:

Gaz Sanvicens

email: awards [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz

Phone: +64 21 0231 5758