From CAN spokesman, Patrick Morgan

Caption: Celia Wade-Brown MP speaks at Cycle Wellington's 30th birthday celebrations
Today I feel a storm of emotions.

Pride at the successes of our cycling advocacy community. I recently visited Auckland to meet with Bike Auckland members and talk with bike industry people. I'm impressed with what I saw, although there is still much to do. Our local group, Cycle Wellington marked 30 years of credible and persistent campaigning. On Saturday it was my honour to ride the completed Island Bay cycleway with champion for safe streets and former Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown.

I feel deep sadness as I'm hear reports of a fatal crash in Berhampore, Wellington. While we don't know the details, we'll make sure Police and Council investigations identify and address any issues around street design and road user behaviour. We all deserve to get home safely.

Anger as I read about savage cuts to Council road safety, cycling, walking and public transport budgets from the Government. I fear great harm will result unless we can reverse funding cuts. CAN will never give up fighting for you.

Finally, I feel deep gratitude for all of you: volunteers who give your time and energy for better cities, better streets, and happier people. Today is Giving Tuesday, a time when I invite you to donate to keep our advocacy going. More than ever, CAN's work depends on your generosity.

Advocacy works: direct action and persistence get a result

By Paul Callister

In July 2024, a raised pedestrian and cycle crossing was installed across busy Poplar Avenue leading to Raumati South on the Kāpiti Coast. After the current government’s defunding of such crossings, this may be one of the last built for some time. But, even working within a more sympathetic regime under the previous government, getting this crossing installed was not easy.

Te Ara o Whareroa shared walking and cycling track which connects the villages of Raumati and Paekākāriki was opened in 2016. Since its completion, it has been popular with walkers and cyclists. including children attending nearby schools. But the crossing of Poplar Avenue was always dangerous. 

As a result, over many years individuals had approached the Kāpiti Coast District Council with their concerns about the safety of the road crossing. Some minor safety improvements were made including new signage and a 40km zone was established around the crossing. However, the fundamental safety concerns were not addressed. So, in late 2021 a petition for a safe crossing at this site was launched. The petition was endorsed by Low Carbon Kāpiti, Kāpiti Climate Change Action Group and Kāpiti Cycling Action.

More on how this campaign achieved its goals.

CAN to bus regulators and operators on bike ban: “Sort it out”



Cycling advocates want bus operators to check bike rack compliance as soon as possible, after NZTA issued an industry alert banning bike racks on buses.

Bike racks on buses are a valuable service, used by people throughout New Zealand for many reasons, said Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network

“They expand the number of people who can use buses, and provide a back up to get people home."

The bike ban has a significant impact for many people. For example, people travelling with bicycles through the Lyttelton tunnel depend on bike racks on buses.

“The advice from NZTA is about the possibility that some bicycles on some bus racks may make bus headlights non compliant.

“But surely this is only an issue at night, so it doesn't make sense to ban the use of bike racks during the day.“

Cycling advocates urge the regulators and bus operators to sort this out ASAP.”
 

Have you ever taken a bike on long-distance bus?

by Maurice Wells, Electric Bike Team

This article is about taking bikes on Intercity buses – a country-wide, privately run network of buses with impressive coverage, regular services, flexible cancellation/amendment terms (handy for cycle trips) and reasonable prices. This bus network is far from ‘bike-friendly’, but when approached sensibly, can faciliate some awesome bike adventures. And anyway, it’s all we’ve got other than a precious few train services.

My advice boils down to this: Accept in your heart that it will be up to the driver right at the moment of boarding, whether or not you and your bike gets onto the bus.  More

Promoting e-bike access for all

Have you tried an e-bike? They offer a convenient and fun way to get around. But cost can be a barrier to access. That's where Bike Hubs come in.

The “ebike crew” is a network of researchers, community agencies and government sector representatives who share knowledge and experiences around promoting community ebike use. On this page find reports from ebike trials and videos from around the motu.   More
 

Pass Wide and Slow - CAN supports petition to Parliament

Caption: CAN project manager Patrick Morgan with horse riding advocates

New Zealand must reduce harm from dangerous road users. That means setting safe speeds, legislation that protects everyone using our streets, and effective enforcement. That's why CAN supports the petition to protect vulnerable road users, including people riding horses. .

Sign at https://www.change.org/p/vulnerable-road-user-status-for-new-zealand-horse-riders
 

Join us at the CAN AGM on 11 December

The spring energy is powering hundreds of thousands of people onto the bicycles - to commute, to recreate, to socialise, to do school pickups, to get groceries from the supermarket. Every time you jump on your bike, you are choosing, along with hundreds of thousands others, a different and better way of being in the world! 

Please bring that spring energy to CAN's AGM, on Wednesday 11 December, 7.30pm, location: Online

The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 requires CAN to adopt new Rules to conform with the Act. Overall the new Rules require more record keeping, explicit guidelines for disputes, and importantly, explicit consent to be members of CAN.

Bring your energy, enthusiasm and have a glass/mug/cup of something delicious on hand as we toast the amazing year that 2024 has been.

Please keep your membership current. Contact Adrian, Membership Secretary at membership@can.org.nz if you have questions. For any questions or comments on the AGM, contact the Secretary at secretary@can.org.nz 
 

The mystery of the killer bike lane

Caption: Bike lane on Adelaide Rd, Wellington

Source: The Spinoff.
A chain of three Wellington cafes closed down and the owner blamed cycleways. But none of the cafes were anywhere near one. What is happening? Joel MacManus investigates. 

The people of Wellington reacted with shock to the news that Pandoro Panetteria would be closing its three cafe and bakery locations. In a letter taped to his cafe window, owner Tony Beazley blamed cycle lanes for the closure, alongside the economic downturn and public service layoffs. But that begged the question, which cycle lane was at fault?  More
 

Global road safety organisation is appalled at NZ traffic speed policy

Caption: Crash in Waterview, Auckland

Global road safety organisation is appalled at NZ traffic speed policy. “The evidence is clear, when vehicle speeds increase, more people are killed and seriously injured."

The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), a global road safety international organisation based in Switzerland that has been leading road safety work internationally for over 25 years has expressed its grave concerns about the increase in road trauma that will occur if the draft Speed Rule is approved and speeds increase.

Save the dates

Please join us at CAN Do: CAN's annual advocacy gathering, 22-23 March 2025, Christchurch

The weekend includes workshops, training, rides, plenty of food and drink, and a chance to catch up with fellow bike advocates from around New Zealand.

You will supercharge your advocacy skills, with training on effective messaging, networking, and campaigning.

Help CAN achieve more