16 October 2009

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate use

CAN CYCLE-FRIENDLY AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Finalists in the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2009 have been announced today (in no particular order), as follows:

• Nelson City Council for Railway Reserve North Shared Path
• Waitakere City Council for Twin Streams Walking & Cycleway
• NZTA for Electronic cycle / cyclist activated warning signs

• New Plymouth District Council for Wild West Bike Fest (Feb 2009)
• Selwyn District Council for Selwyn Bikewise Month
• Frocks On Bikes, Wellington for Frocks On Bikes

• Transfield Worley Ltd for Commuter Bike Facilities
• Fullers Ferries for Fullers' Integrated Ferry and Bus Service
• NZ Green Bike Trust for Tertiary Hire Bike Programme

• Waitakere City Council for Te Atatu Peninsula Cycleway
• Police Nelson & Nelson City Council for Bobbies on Bikes
• Environment Canterbury for Environment Canterbury initiatives

• Hon. John Key for National Cycleway
• Rod Bardsley for Kapiti Mountain Bike Park
• Bevan Woodward - Auckland Harbour Bridge 50th Anniversary Event

CAN's co-chair Glen Koorey said, "As with last year, we have continued to recognise cycling champions and most notably the Prime Minister, the Hon John Key, is a champion finalist for his determination in driving forward the National Cycleway initiative".

"CAN is keen to see an increase in everyday cycling. These awards recognise initiatives that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. We congratulate the finalists, for working to improve the cycling environment for everyone", said Axel Wilke, co-chair of CAN.

One of our five judges, Warren Lloyd of ViaStrada, said about the 33 entries this year, "I find myself encouraged and inspired by the great work that is happening around the country and more relevantly, how there is always another 'undiscovered idea' that captures the imagination. I think the CAN awards are great, they are a good way to recognise all participants and in particular reward the stand-out people, ideas, and projects. Keep up the great work."

The prize winners in each category will be announced during the 2009 New Zealand Cycling Conference being held in New Plymouth in November. The awards ceremony will be held in the TSB Theatre, TSB Showplace, Devon Street, New Plymouth on Thursday 12th November at 5 p.m. The Member of Parliament for New Plymouth, the Hon Jonathan Young (on behalf of the Minister, Steven Joyce) will present the awards to the finalists. Winners will receive a uniquely designed "bicycle-bell" trophy, and a certificate.

Now in their seventh year, the Cycle-Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. The Awards are devised by the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN), the national organisation promoting everyday cycling.

The lead sponsor is CAN and other sponsors are Avanti, NZ Transport Agency, ViaStrada, Taranaki Regional Council and Ground Effect.

ENDS.

For more information, see http://www.can.org.nz/awards or contact Awards Co-ordinator Gaz Sanvicens, 021 0231 5758, awards [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz.

http://cyclingconf.org.nz 

The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) Inc is this country's national network of cycling advocate groups. It is a voice for non-competitive cyclists - recreational, commuter and touring. We work with central government, local authorities and businesses on behalf of cyclists for a better cycling environment. We have local groups, corporate and individual members throughout the country - see our website: www.can.org.nz.