Glen introduced the restructuring plan and reviewed existing CAN structure- somewhat mixed up connections/roles, and a lot of work for exec. Review of CAN's reasons for being. Need to separate governance and operations roles. Question about need for portfolio coordinator role. Implementation tasks needed- restructuring, business case for funding, communications, develop central govt lobbying/ relationships plan.

Questions:

• is the portfolio coordinator like a CEO in other organisations? This role is generally not optional. Hard to make it work as voluntary role.
• need to coordinate response at local level
• portfolio coordinator role may need central govt funding
• could CAN take on more of a role as 'advisors' rather than 'advocates'? 'Public face' role could be taken by BikeNZ?
• Dirk: portfolio coordinator isn't a CEO, more an administrative role.

Phillip Darnton, Chair, Cycling England

Cycling England- 4 staff. A 'non-departmental public body'. Not a public-facing organisation.

Need to be careful politically- can't lobby. Mission is 'More people cycling, more safely, more often'- short urban trips. Need to align all initiatives with reducing congestion and pollution- Department of Transport objectives.

Don't talk to existing cyclists- aim at current non-cyclists who might start cycling. We are ambassadors for cycling whenever we ride- importance of Frocks on Bikes etc. Also don't have many women cycling yet- as mums, and will influence next generation.

Two main projects:

• Bikeability- people need to be taught to ride on the road
• Demonstration towns- need to focus and find a 'leader' for each project (London's increases in cycling are a result of mayoral leadership, more than anything else (congestion charge etc.)).

Try to join things up- Sustrans, CTC, British Cycling- need to coordinate voice.

It isn't really about cycling- more about what sort of streets & communities we want. This can be easier to sell 'invisibly' as well.

Discussion:

• How could we introduce congestion charging here? Was done in London in spite of huge opposition.
• Now is a very interesting time for cycling- a turning point. Need to keep sense of purpose in the midst of contradictions.

Fiona McColl, Executive Officer, Australian Bicycle Council

ABC is a bit like an unfunded version of Cycling England. Can advocate to government, but only transport-based (not recreation). Coordinates implementation of cycling strategy- currrently developing fourth cycling strategy (2011-2016). Board is made up of representatives from transport organisations, bike industry, health (nominally), Bicycle Federation of Australia.

• Happy to share information-e.g. via Cycling Promotion Fund.
• Improving coordination- e.g. compatible data.
• Cycling Resource Centre- web-based information hub.
• Have statistical info for both Australia and NZ (because NZ is part of Austroads).
• Integrated transport and land use planning- e.g. bike station in Brisbane.
• 'Aus Cycle'- cycle training programme, also based on Bikeability.
• Cycling material is now distributed throughout the new Austroads guidelines, rather than restricted to Part 14 as before.
• Contact Fiona McColl here.
• Bicycle Federation of Australia may be about to disappear- state groups have split off and one is trying to dominate.

Cycle Action Auckland

• New chairperson is Mark Bracey.
• GetAcross project led by Bevan Woodward, campaigning for cycle and pedestrian access to the Auckland Harbour Bridge: demonstration in May with 5000 people. Since then have developed a good working relationship with NZTA and a solution seems possible, possibly involving tolling. Difficult decision to stage demonstration but resolved differences of opinion.
• Frocks on Bikes: Pippa Coom is taking a year out from work and had free time for voluntary work, helped out with Frocks on Bikes by Unity Finesmith (Auckland Cycle Chic blog). Used CAA funding for events, e.g. Frocks Day Out. Frocks get media attention, and get more women on bikes- part of everyday transport experience.
• Big Bike Ride on 350.org day of climate change action. Frockers plus cyclists of all persuasions.
• 5 December: Ride Planet Earth, also for climate change action
• Great Urban Rides: use ridges in Auckland, advertise that ridges are good routes, not hilly. Presentation with NextBike, $30K funding from city council, hoping to attract funding from National Cycleway project.
• Barb Cuthbert: building relationships- has been useful despite recession, good relationship with NZTA, e.g. got funding from NZTA to ARTA for motorway signs. Lake Rd (North Shore) has a cycleway, but there is pressure to have it removed- NZTA putting funding pressure on council (will have to pay back subsidies if they remove the cycleway).
• Crashes- huge profile, 2 TV, 7 newspaper and 5 radio interviews. Tamaki Drive working party.
• Kirsten: Veer bike culture film screening attracted 200 people. DVD is available for groups to show- contact Kirsten for details.
• Got $3M funding put back into North Shore annual plan.

Cycle Action Waiheke

• Held road closure event to promote permanent closure of coastal route to car traffic.
• National Cycleway: putting in application, going to Auckland City Council transport committee. Michelle Boag pushing the issue (crossing political boundaries, coffee networking). Waiheke is 35 minutes from downtown Auckland, accessible to international visitors. Barb Cuthbert liaises over coffee with roading engineer, now keen to deliver cycling projects.
• Group ride for thank-you to supportive roading engineer, following on from direct action last year. Better to follow up direct action by making a win for people who did it.

Bike! Whangarei

• LTCCP process ignored walking and cycling, frustration led to emulate Bike Taupo and initiate bike trail building.
• Volunteer and sponsored construction firms, putting a link on Raununga Stream, Hospital and Polytech to downtown. 500m strategic link.
• Walking and Cycling Reference group has become an action group. Done consultation with property owners by volunteers, property developer (alliances across political boundaries). Got councillors to working bee.
• National cycleway: new people (e.g. economic development) want to push this. Identifying many possibilities in Whangarei.
• Police on bikes: have 4 bikes, training. Get experience from Australia?

Led by Bevan Woodward.

• How can advocates remain sane and avoid burnout?
• The book "In the Tigers Mouth: an empowerment guide for social action" (Katrina Shields) is good resource on avoiding burnout.
• Burnout is an occupational hazard for high acheivers. Advocates are particularly prone, because they often have a lack of support, working on their own.
• Symptoms include: exhaustion, rest doesn't re-energise, can't sleep, dependence on drugs or stimulants.
• Solution: have to stop.
• Prevention: be aware it can happen to you, no matter how strong you are. Need to reduce goals: otherwise you can get overwhelmed by the number of problems that emerge.
• Aspirational goals take a long time to acheive. Have some achievable goals. Bevan has big goal of getting cycle and pedestrian access on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, but also works on local pathway projects, speed limits etc.
• Self care: reward yourself- massage, yoga, meditation, taking days off. Supervision and counselling.
• The work should be fun, even if the goals are serious (think M*A*S*H!).
• Work smart- don't bang your head against the (Berlin) Wall. Wait for shifts in circumstances that can be used. Is the NZ National Cycleway the fall of the Berlin wall for NZ cycling?
• Have a hobby that is nothing to do with your advocacy.
• We must tackle burnout so we don't put off potential volunteers.

Questions and comments:

• Delegation is important in avoiding burnout.
• How to manage email? Can set a certain time slot to deal with email, e.g. turn the computer off before 9.30 pm.
• Also need to remember maintenance of the group: keeping the group together, teamwork.
• Important to recognise burnout in time, in the early stages.
• important to remain positive, so people help.
• Skills such as 'Compassionate Communcation' (Non-Violent Communication) or 'Verbal Judo' can be useful.
• Personality and relations are an important feature of advocacy.
• Sustainable Business Network has had instruction from a Buddhist nun on meditation.
• Do what you enjoy. Allocate tasks according to what people enjoy, don't do things that no-one enjoys.
• Keep an eye on burnout in others in your group. It can be difficult to see.
• Keep in mind that as a volunteer, tasks are not being imposed on you from outside- you are offering your time and energy.

Cycle Aware Wellington

• Great Harbour Way: Boffa Miskell consultants have done a concept report. Ride held as part of the 350.org climate change day of action. Wellington and Hutt City Councils have submitted funding applications to NZTA.
• Wellington City Council Cycling Plan: funding cut reversed, advisory group formed, has a say in spending on infrastructure.
• Speed limits: 30 km/h limits being introduced in some areas.
• Newtown: Safer Roads plan: 40 km/h limits on suburban streets, advanced stop boxes.
• Bikes on trains/ buses: bikes on trains now travel free (but this led to limits of 2 bikes per train). New train units have more space. Bikes on bus initiatives e.g. Karori.
• Bikeability training.

Kapiti Cycling

• Have a very good council to work with at present.
• First cycleway/walkway/bridleway strategy has been completed.
• 10 new bike stands installed in a retail upgrade at Paraparaumu Beach.
• New foot/cycle bridge over Waikanae River.
• Promise of 30 km/h zone in a retail precinct- though some opposition from engineers.
• NZTA proposal to link Kapiti communities (MacKays Crossing to Peka Peka): to take local traffic off SH1- but this was subsequently stymied. Conflict of interest problems with consultants?
• Memorial ride for Frank van Kampen.

Active Transport Cambridge and Te Awamutu

• Currently consists of two people (Rob Love, John Maclaren).
• Submissions: local council, Safer Journeys, National Infrastructure Plan.
• Some useful films being shown at present- The Age of Stupid, Food Inc.
• A culture change is needed before widespread change will occur.

• Written feedback from Simon Kennett: 1) agree that a change in course is needed; 2) 5 people is a good committee size- 8 may be too large; 3) Networking Project was expected to have a finite life- if funding ceases next year, would be a good time to wrap up, with essentials of member support handled by a contractor and volunteers; 4) Any staff we retain should be used to reduce the committee's workload and increase effectiveness as advocates; 5) To reduce committee workload, could hire staff on a contract basis (to remove payroll etc. admin); 6) Could have a committee member on each portfolio group, rather than a portfolio coordinator; 7) Use the Cycling Conference to generate income as Living Streets does, and instead of a project/ portfolio coordinator, have a Director to front CAN.
• If we were starting again, probably wouldn't do anything like the proposal? True, but we aren't starting again, and the proposed structure is scalable- can be adapted to suit changing circumstances.
• Have been discussing with BikeNZ- need to coordinate messages. Difficulties in the past- possibly partly a result of industry interests? Does CAN need an MOU with BikeNZ? Relates to table of what will still be done by CAN in proposed new structure.
• Value of paid staff? Big "yes" from local groups.
• Cycle Action Auckland could possibly help develop upper North Island groups? Mentor support- maybe Wellington, Christchurch as well. However, still need staff support in Auckland because the problems are big.
• CAN is still mostly a bottom-up organisation, mainly voluntary. Both national and local levels need each other.
• If we employ a CEO, need to keep them on no more than a 1 year contract.
• Living Streets has had a Director from the start- but is currently looking at structure again.
• Need a paid CEO to achieve vision? Though CAN may not be the 'public face' of cycling.
• Funding for CEO would have to come from outside government. Is the Cycling Promotion Fund still worth looking into? No- funds can only be spent in Australia. What about environmental funding? Or Hikurangi Foundation?

Cycle Action Waikato

• Submitted to councils, but not interested in cycling.
• (Great photos of Europe, Brisbane!)
• Draft Regional walking and cycling strategy.
• Weakness of Cycle Action Waikato is lack of a social side (might look at things like Frocks on Bikes).
• 55% subsidy for council funding has been cut.
• "Donkey trail" (National cycleway): 3 projects in the Waikato region.
• NZTA lost cycle champion to Tauranga.
• Funding crossing to botanical gardens, repairs to main river trail. Parks and gardens staff don't like bikes.
• Cambridge bypass: some good off-road access.

Rotorua Cycle Action

• Group is now two years old- thanks to help from CAN staff.
• 4 people in main group, 50 people on email, 20 using the website.
• Website useful for sharing- would like to tailor more to the group's needs now.
• Critical mass rides: issues with children; spiral into town to increase number of left turns. Got people out and felt safer in a group. Lot of interest in getting kids on bikes.
• Ride to work breakfast.
• Bikelove swapmeet- to trade bike stuff.
• Main emphasis in Rotorua is on mountain biking, one cycle access route to provide way from hotel to MTB trails.
• Submissions to LTCCP, safer roads.
• Rotorua in Gear project: BikeNZ aim to get more people on bikes. Cycle education. Rotorua is a trial, plan to roll out to other cities. Bike recycling.
• Eastside schools project: improving access to schools on East side of town. Time to get all principals on side. 4 schools all connected by residential streets. Heavy traffic at entrances. Previous improvements to arterials, now looking at cycle routes to school.
• Councillors getting more friendly towards cycling. May influence old-style engineering officers.
• For the future: West side commuter link through parks and reserves.
• Membership: trying to pick up recreational/sport people into advocacy.
• Relationships: council, DHB, iwi, regional linkages.
• Critical Mass every 3 months.
• Capitalise on events e.g. single speed world champs.

Bicycle Nelson Bays

• UpCycle - getting adults back on bikes. Funding from DHB and councils. House44 area in Stoke, low income, little equipment, inappropriate clothing e.g. jandals that broke. But people do acquire enthusiasm. Donated recycled bikes.
• Nelson City Council (high achievers in the Cycle Friendly Awards), Bobbies on bikes suggested by Bicycle Nelson Bays. Police get a picture of what it's like on a bike.
• Still have high crash statistics.
• Top of south cycle route- were already working on it before the National Cycleway proposal. Links needed through the city, could result in traffic calming.
• Media engagement: 1.5m campaign by BikeNZ people, letters to editor, consulted Anne and Marg Parfitt.

North Taranaki Cycle Advocates

• Main work done by Graeme & Nathaniel (who works in roading at council)
• Meetings with Cycling Strategy implementation team, cycle network upgrade.
• $1.35M funding in LTCCP, but being reviewed.
• Safer Journeys submission- CAN template was useful.
• ViaStrada working on intersections.
• Safe Routes to School, now called "School Travel Plans" ("safe" is not appealing to kids).
• Redesigning maps to be orienteering-style real maps.
• Wild West Bike Fest: Wild West blokey bike culture- this year will feminise.
• HelmArt: 12 children brought in old helmets, became object of art, and then got a new helmet.
• Movies in the park, encourage cyclists to go.
• Media coverage: hard to get? Capitalise on Cycling Conference and CAN Do?

Oral submissions

(Fiona Whero)

• November: councils are preparing draft annual plans. One objective of the CAN network project is to get people involved in plans.
• National Land Transport Programme - Lisa Rossiter (NZTA) pointed out at the Cycling Conference that the small budget of cycling and walking was not all spent last year and some was lost (carried over to this year). Every state highway should get a shoulder. Minor improvements programme: Christchurch $1.2M possible source of funding. Need to ask council about it. Check that money is allocated appropriately in proportion to crashes. Explanation of project table funding priorities etc.
• Oral submissions (handout)
• Good to go with someone else who knows local infrastructure.
• Most effective submissions are short, punchy, look like they are from the community (e.g. women). "Cuddle a Councillor"! Bikewise month link with verbal submissions? Selwyn brought mayor over through Mayoral Challenge.
• Humour is good - Nicola (Cycle Aware Wellington) suggested 3 million Chinese students on bikes to demonstrate safety in numbers.
• Cycling projects could score higher, challenge?
• In Kapiti, used film of kids on bridge.
• Can get kids to present (lead in, buy in)

Police being cycle aware

(Patrick Morgan)

• Cycle Aware Wellington police workshop resource kit- give police a view of the cyclist's experience.
• Now available from the CAN website for use in other locations.
• Could be used for other groups as well, e.g. bus drivers.

Media card

(Patrick Morgan)

Business card, checklist of what to do when media calls.

Submissions

(Paul Bruce)

• Submissions have been important in changing thinking of regional councils.
• Great Harbour Way significant. NZTA putting more priority on outcomes for cycling, hopeful for Petone-Ngauranga. Funding may come from rail upgrade budget. Cycle track will provide protection. Synergy between different transport systems. Seems repetitive, but need to do it.
• Value of turning up and speaking to submissions.

Treasurers

(Liz Mikkelsen)

• Handout and disk of resources for treasurers of local groups.
• Role of treasurer. In October, CAN sends letter to groups asking for info about members to calculate levies.
• Keep it Simple. Can split the job: account operator, report to meeting, keep records. Another person can e.g. report to Incorporated Societies. Printed form for input to Excel if treasurer doesn't want to use computer.

Local authorities

(Christine Cheyne)

• Voting for territorial authorities- time to support cycle friendly candidates.
• Get issues on election agenda, e.g. sustainable transport, economic benefits (see Cycling Conference papers).
• Suggest questions for media to ask.
• Find out email addresses for candidates.