Here's my abstract for a workshop at 2WalkAndCycle conference, 19 March 2024
Patrick Morgan, Cycling Action Network
We face huge opportunities to build a better world, where everyone gets a fair go, and our communities are strong and resilient. Better transport choices are an essential tool as we race to decarbonise our towns and cities, enable affordable mobility, and tackle inequality....
From CAN Chair, Alex Dyer
It is amazing to me that we have a situation in politics where some parties - who like to promote values of individual responsibility, personal freedom, local decision making, market-based economics, trading schemes, and other hands-off, government-lite strategies - are also suggesting the nation needs to defend against an ‘anti-car ideology’.
This frames cars as some kind of universally desired, intrinsically essential component of every New Zealander’s life. An item that needs to be heavily subsidised by our collective behaviour,...
On Car-free Day, 22 September, cycling advocates call for an end to car dependency
News release from Cycling Action Network, September 2023
As record fuel prices put pressure on household budgets, cycling advocates are calling for better solutions.
We must end car dependency, said Cycling Action Network spokesperson, Patrick Morgan.
“Decades of poor transport and...
Do you want safe and attractive cycling in New Zealand? Vote bike.
No matter what kind of riding you are into, now is the time to take action.
The General Election is coming. Election Day is Saturday 14 October. You can vote early if you prefer. Advance voting starts on Monday 2 October.
More than 1.5 million people in NZ ride bikes. Let's demand safe and attractive streets.
How you can help
Vote
Check your enrolment.
Vote for the party and candidate who best reflects your views on biking....
The bicycle as climate hope
by Robert McLachlan, CAN Board member
What role can cycling play in Aotearoa’s climate action? This question tends to prompt two extreme responses that are so far apart as to seem contradictory. On one hand, a bicycle is so obviously a simple, durable, and ultra-low emission technology, that to compare it with a car is almost ridiculous. The bicycle is a role model for what sustainable technology can be. On the other hand, our cities and transport systems are built around cars, and the mode share for cycling is...
Submission to MDC - Lansdowne to Kuripuni Cycleway
https://www.mstn.govt.nz/council/have-your-say/consultations?item=id:2m803f0he17q9sefp2bv
To: submissions@mstn.govt.nz
14 June 2023
1. CAN supports the planned Lansdowne to Kuripuni Cycleway.
It's good to see the Council planning to build protected bike lanes. These are necessary to enable people to make more trips by bike and scooter. Paint is not...
Upper Hutt transport strategy
Submission guide from Cycling Action Network
May 2023
Upper Hutt City Council is creating a new transport strategy. This will guide spending and decisions on cycling and other transport projects for the next 10 years. We don’t think it goes far enough to prioritise sustainable transport, or consider land use.
Please have your say. Here’s our submission guide.
Visit Getting into gear: Improving Upper Hutt's transport network
Have a look at Information Sheets - Vision,...
Lots of people from Cycle Wellington and Wellington City Council have contributed to making Go By Bike Day in Wellington a success over the years.
Here's a partial list of organisers.
Christina Van Dam
Marilyn Northcotte
Annemarie Delaney
Ash Peters
Christina Bellis
Claire P
Hugh Young
Kim Young
Shalee F
Georgia Halley
2023: Trish Given
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,
-...
"An urban myth has taken hold in some parts of Wellington that bike lanes are bad for business. It happened in Island Bay and it’s happening again in Newtown." - source Dominion Post, 2022.
The opposite is true.
An analysis of more than a dozen studies looking at the impact of improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure on business shows a largely positive impact on earnings.
In some cases, there was no impact on business...
News release
Cycling advocates call for climate action, at COP27
7 November 2022
As the COP27 climate conference starts, cycling advocates are calling on the NZ Government and cities to invest more in cycling.
“Bike lanes are the best bang for buck in transport,” says Patrick Morgan from Cycling Action Network (CAN).
Bikes plus trains can compete with driving, say cycling advocates
This is the perfect time for the Government to invest in passenger rail, say cycling advocates.
Cycling Action Network (CAN) spokesman Patrick Morgan says the combination of trains plus bikes can deliver point to point convenience, affordability and speed that competes with road.
Mr Morgan is presenting to the Inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail at Parliament this morning at 10:...
Inquiry into the future of inter-regional passenger rail in New Zealand
CAN (Cycling Action Network) is New Zealand's national network of cycling advocates. We work with government, local authorities, businesses and the community on behalf of cyclists, for a better cycling environment. We've been around a long time. We speak for more than a million people in New Zealand who love riding bikes.
Passenger rail + bikes are a powerful combination that can compete with driving and flying. Togather, they...
The Government is taxing employer-provided bikes at 64%, which limits the uptake of cycling. Employers are exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax on providing car parks to staff, but not bikes. That needs fixing. Please make a submission to even the playing field, and help more people get on bikes.
Background
New Zealand employers want to do their part to reduce emissions, but businesses today are being taxed at...
Here at Cycling Action Network, I am proud of our volunteers and the work we do every day. We’ve achieved a lot. None of this is possible without the generous support of supporters and donors such as yourself. Thank you.
From campaigning for a safe passing rule to speaking up for better biking, we work hard to stand up for your rights. But bikelash is real. There’s so much more we can do. That’s why we’re aiming to raise $10,000 in four weeks for our advocacy work....
What is Reshaping Streets?
The Minister of Transport is proposing a set of regulatory changes to make it easier for councils to make street changes that support public transport, active travel and placemaking. These proposals would enable local authorities to make street changes more efficiently and provide new ways for communities to be involved in changes that affect them.
The proposed regulatory changes include:
• a new ‘Street Layouts’ land transport rule for Councils to use for changing street layouts, piloting street...
It was wonderful to see thousands of people turn out on Saturday morning to attend the opening of Ngā Hau Māngere, the new Māngere Bridge.
A mix of young and old, locals and visitors, walkers and cyclists, and even a local seal joined the celebrations.
The bridge will be a new connection between the communities of Māngere and Onehunga, and a vital part of the safe, connected walking and cycling network we are building in many towns and cities.
With a lovely wide path, gentle slope, and places to stop for a chat or to fish, Nga Hau Māngere is a massive win...
Presentation notes
Patrick Morgan
@patrickmorgan @CyclingActionNZ
Cycling Action Network
Today we're looking at How we can shift the current culture in Aotearoa away from car ownership and towards other modes such as active travel (walking and cycling) and public transport.
The committee will consider:
How car ownership is currently serving New Zealanders i.e., why do people own cars
How we can make other modes more accessible, affordable, and available to New Zealanders
For those who are car-...
Vote Climate at LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
Time to take climate action has never been more pressing. Our politicians seem to be hesitant to make the change needed
Vote Climate is about encouraging politicians to make the decisions that need to be made
CAN is part of a growing coalition covering workers, public transport, walking, cycling, and climate action groups. We want candidates in the upcoming local body elections to sign up to a set of straight-forward, but far-reaching commitments
We're asking local government candidates to sign up to:...
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the 10th birthday edition of ChainLinks.
I attended the first day of CAN Do in Wellington. Wellington displayed fabulous
weather on Saturday – it reminded me why I live in sunny Christchurch. I was very
impressed by the people who arrived by bike in THAT weather. The atmosphere
among the attendees was great – even for a not-that-serious cyclist.
I found it a mixture of fun and learning. The presentations and discussions covered
all sorts of stuff. See page 19 for more details. Fiona Whero and Simon Kennett and
others did a...