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The aim of the Networking Project is to strengthen the capacity of national and local cyclist user groups to participate effectively in transport planning and decision making processes.

Chair’s report on CAN’s key achievements
We are delighted to report on the completion of the Networking Project. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past three years.

CAN continues to make a strong contribution towards the goal of getting more New Zealanders on bikes more often. The local cycling groups through the Networking Project have become more active in the transportation planning and consultation processes . They have had significant input into their local Long Term Council Community Plans and Annual Plans in regards to funding being allocated to cycling and cycle strategy implementation projects.

We believe that cycling addresses many challenges facing New Zealand. Getting more people on bikes more often reduces traffic congestion, lowers fuel and road building bills, promotes accessibility, improves health and reduces the threat of climate change. It also contributes to attractive, liveable streets.

With two thirds of urban trips shorter than 6 km, cycling has huge potential to improve living standards for New Zealanders.

Our challenge is to improve safety and reduce crash rates, through sustained programmes of engineering, education, enforcement and encouragement. We have high hopes that the Model Communities programme will demonstrate cycling’s many benefits.

An over-riding theme for CAN has been adapting to new Government priorities and the state of the economy. We detect a surge in the mood of the country towards cycling, thanks in no small part to the networking efforts of CAN and our local groups.

Key achievements:
• Cycle commuting has increased by 110 percent in Wellington since 2006.
• Cycle commuting has increased by 27 percent in the Auckland region since 2009.
• Cycling has increased by 10 percent in Christchurch since 2007.
• CAN members and other stakeholders continue to benefit from networking, training, resources and support provided by CAN’s staff and volunteers.
• Growth in the culture of cycling in New Zealand. Public discussion about cycle trails, Auckland Harbour Bridge crossings, shared pathways and cycling safety demonstrates popular support for investing in cycling.
• CAN has developed and delivered the Bikeability cycle training programme.
• CAN has played a role in the development of a national cycle trails network; initially via planning work under the auspices of the Hikurangi Foundation and more recently as a result of the Government’s New Zealand Cycle Trails programme. Local CAN groups have been active in proposals for trails.

A 2009 stock-take of walking and cycling strategies in New Zealand found that 54 (out of 85) local or regional Councils have prepared a cycling strategy or combined walking/ cycling strategy with another ten under development. This compares with a similar study around the time of the “Getting There” strategy launch in 2005 which found only 28 such strategies.

CAN, its local groups and advocates certainly merit credit for their efforts in getting many of these initiatives underway and for providing useful input into the subsequent strategies produced. They have also played a key role in ensuring that sufficient funding is provided to many of them as part of long-term Council funding programmes.

Other significant achievements included:
• CAN Do 2009 in New Plymouth: essential face-to-face networking and training for 50 cycling advocates from around New Zealand
• CAN Cycle Friendly Awards: rewarding best practice, presented by Hon Jonathan Young on behalf of the Minister, Steven Joyce
• Growth in submissions, campaigns, promotions and meetings with stakeholders by local cycling groups; an estimated 50 percent increase in the numbers of these activities nationwide compared with 2007/08.
• Higher media profile: both pro cycling and safety messages; 20 media releases by CAN over the past year; CAN members featured on national radio, television, internet, and major newspapers.
• News media coverage has traditionally portrayed cycling as risky, irresponsible and an inconvenience for other traffic. Increasingly, media tells a more positive story: how cyclists are taking responsibility for improving behaviour, and how cycling is stylish and aspirational.
• CAN’s website: giving cyclists a more effective and efficient networking tool for local group activities, topical discussions and national CAN staff and Committee management.
• Collaboration with BikeNZ, Bike On NZ and other key stakeholders in the transport, health and urban design sectors
• Frocks on Bikes blossomed with assistance from CAN and attracted positive media coverage. This is a significant sign of progress in building biking culture and normalising cycling, particularly for women.
• Cycle Action Auckland participated in advocacy and discussions for the Auckland Harbour Bridge Get Across campaign, including presentations and discussions with NZTA and local authorities. The issue attracted widespread media coverage.
• Cycle Aware Wellington led a successful campaign to support the Wellington City Council’s proposal to restrict morning rush hour traffic on Thorndon Quay.
• CAN’s Being Cycle Aware workshop was delivered to Wellington bus drivers, with interest from other regions.
• Cycling has increased by 10 percent in Christchurch since 2007.

These achievements demonstrate the power of networking and developing group resources.

Priorities for 2010–2011
We are focusing on three themes: safer speeds, share with care and invest in a winner.
After significant growth in numbers and groups, CAN is consolidating existing groups and building our long-term ability to deliver value through income diversification, fundraising and collaborating.
Having identified the range of challenges in ensuring groups function effectively, we are targeting support where it is needed most. We are focusing on effective structures, workload, recruitment and retention of members and maintaining regular contact with external stakeholders.

The current economic climate presents a strong opportunity for positioning cycling as an efficient route to productivity and economic development. This was one of the key aims of the 2009 New Zealand Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Thanks
Thanks to the many local cycling groups and volunteers around the country who have contributed to another wonderful year for cycling.

We have appreciated the advice and input from NZ Transport Agency walking and cycling staff over the past 3 years and look forward to working together in the future.

We would like to thank all of our hardworking staff over the past year. Patrick Morgan and his team continue to go above and beyond the call of duty. Cyclists around New Zealand are better off for it.
Thanks finally to the rest of our Executive Committee for their assistance throughout the year.

Graeme Lindup and Glen Koorey
CAN Chair and Deputy Chair
Cycling Advocates’ Network

Cover photos by Matt Grace