The winners of the inaugural CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards were announced on Friday 10th October 2003 at a dinner held at the NZ Cycling Conference being held in the Bruce Mason Centre, North Shore City.
Devised by national organisation the Cycling Advocates Network and supported by SPARC through its Active Workplaces scheme, the CAN 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. Sixteen nominations were received for the Awards.
Award winners received a trophy consisting of a bicycle bell mounted on an engraved plaque. All finalists received certificates.
The winners of the inaugural CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards were announced on Friday 10th October 2003 at a dinner held at the NZ Cycling Conference being held in the Bruce Mason Centre, North Shore City.
Devised by national organisation the Cycling Advocates Network and supported by SPARC through its Active Workplaces scheme, the CAN 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. Sixteen nominations were received for the Awards.
Award winners received a trophy consisting of a bicycle bell mounted on an engraved plaque. All finalists received certificates.
The four winning organisations
Best cycle facility project: Porirua City Council
Ara Harakeke Pathway
Meaning "the flax pathway", Ara Harakeke is a 3.6km long 3m-wide shared pathway between Paremata and Pukerua Bay. Constructed in conjunction with the adjacent State Highway 1 realignment, it sits between the highway and the Taupo Swamp, a nationally important wetland, and provides a safe traffic-free alternative to the previous on-road cycle route. Its presence has seen a boom in walking and cycling use along this route. Further links are planned north and south to connect up a regional cycling route.
Are Harakeke Pathway
Other finalists in this category were:
- Christchurch City Council (Colombo St cycle lanes)
- Christchurch City Council (Living Streets Programme)
Best cycling promotion: Bike Wise
National Bike Wise Week 2003
This year's national Bike Wise Week was the ninth and most successful annual promotion to celebrate cycling in NZ. Over 250 organisations ran local events this year, including Bike To Work breakfasts, family rides, cycle skills days, and the new Business Battle competition. All up, it is estimated that 40,000 people took part in events and activities during Bike Wise Week 2003.
Bike Wise event
Other finalists in this category were:
- Waimakariri District Council ("Don't burst the bubble" campaign)
- Christchurch City Council ("Lighten Up" campaign)
Cycle-friendly commitment by business: Cycle Surgery, Dunedin
Child cycling skills programme
For four years now, this local cycling shop has run a free programme to teach children cycle safety skills and to motivate them to cycle. The Monday Night Bike Club regularly attracts 30-50 kids between 4-12 years and their parents. A broader "Kids on Bikes" programme is now being developed to take this initiative to schools and the wider community, as well as incorporating cycle mechanical checks. Cycle Surgery have also been involved in a donate-a-bike scheme, aimed at providing roadworthy bikes to needy children.
Cycling skills for kids
Other finalists in this category were
- Ground Effect, Christchurch (cycling support of employees and advocacy)
- Sierra Cafe, Takapuna (cycle racks for patrons)
Cycle-friendly commitment by public organisation: SPARC
Cycle-Friendly Employer resources
As one of its first activities, SPARC (Sport & Recreation NZ) commissioned the development of guidelines for employers wishing to provide a cycle-friendly environment at work. These are now available on their website and widely promoted. As well as practical checklists and tips, a number of case studies from businesses around NZ have also been presented.
Sparc website
Other finalists in this category were
- Environment Canterbury (model cycling strategy and regional framework)
- Christchurch City Council (cycling strategy implementation)