Project Manager's report at CAN AGM 2023

Patrick Morgan, Project Manager, Cycling Action Network

Another challenging and rewarding year. While Covid has forced us all to adapt, I'm proud of what CAN has achieved


Thanks to everyone at CAN for your time, energy and passion. I'm impressed with your commitment to serve your community by fighting for better biking. You inspire me. Together, we're stronger and more effective.


As CAN's project manager, it's my job to
- support your advocacy,
- make the case for cycling in social and mainstream media
- build relationships and influence with decision makers in Government, councils, and the community
- help you make submissions on climate, health, and transport policies.
- fundraise
I'm employed by CAN for 30 hours / week. I'm based in Wellington.


Highlights

Working with Hutt Cycle Action on the RiverLink campaign. We're fighting a David and Goliath battle to ensure Waka Kotahi and Hutt City Council deliver great cycling connections in the Hutt Valley. We raised more than $12,000 towards legal action in the Environment Court.We achieved some significant wins, including upgrades to cycle path designs, and a Court finding that Riverlink must improve transport outcomkes such as mode shift.

Biking in the news
CAN provides a credible and persuasive voice for cycling in news media. Themes in news media this year included road safety, the benefits of bike lanes, bike tourism, sustainability, and the e-bike boom. Our project manager and volunteers have presented at three Committees at Parliament, lifting CAN's profile and building relationships.

I was delighted to contribute to Stuff's Mode Shift series of articles. For example:


I'm well aware of our privileged position. As advocates, we have spare time and the resources to campaign for better cycling. But we need to look and sound like the wider community. Working with some volunteers in Wellington, we're exploring ways to improve CAN's accessibility, diversity and inclusion. I look forward to seeing progress on this.

After three years of work, the Accessible Streets package is stalled in the Beehive. It includes a safe passing rule and changes to give way rules to make cycling safer. CAN's Give Us Room campaign puts pressure on the Government to get this done.


Fundraising remains a critical issue for CAN. For several years we have run deficits. This is not sustainable. We are hugely grateful to our supporters who give so generously of their time, energy and money. Together with the CAN Board, we are addressing financial sustainability, but we have much to do.


Regional support

While CAN is focused on national level advocacy, we've been able to assist our members in regional groups. For example, making submissions on local cycling projects and speed limit changes. In Wellington, local government elections delivered a more bike-friendly Council and a city-wide plan for new bike lanes. Our advocacy works.

Away from work, I had opportunities to ride the Remutaka, Paparoa, Old Ghost, Heaphy, Great Taste, and Otago trails.


We face urgent issues in health, climate, equity, and well-being. Getting more people on bikes, more often, has a vital role to play in making our lives better.  I look forward to another year of making New Zealand even better for biking.