News

Paul Doherty has been appointed Executive Director of Cycling Support N.Z. Inc.
He will take up the position on 22 April 2002.

Mr Doherty is 37 and graduated from the University of Auckland with a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering. His professional experience has been in the design and construction of highways both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom where he lived and worked for six years.

Mr Doherty says that his background in highways will stand him in good stead for his role as New Zealand's first full-time cycling advocate. In fact it was his...

The Government's draft transport strategy is welcome because it is looking at a transport system where people have real choices about how they move around, said the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) today.

"The strategy starts to redress the imbalance in funding that has seen people encouraged to drive and created conditions where biking, walking or taking public transport is too unattractive" said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson.

Allowing the current growth in motor vehicle travel is economically and environmentally unsustainable. It also creates huge costs in the health system,...

The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), the national group representing cyclists as road users, today welcomed the Government's road safety package. CAN Campaigns Secretary Robert Ibell stated that "The proposals are a significant improvement over the status quo, and we offer our qualified support. We're disappointed, however, that the Government has not committed itself to working towards a vision of zero fatalities."

"Given that around 20% of trips are undertaken on foot and by bike, we appreciate the increased focus on the safety of these modes", Mr Ibell said. "The commitment to...

National cycling organisation the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) today called on national and local government to invest much more heavily in creating a bicycle-friendly environment to help tackle the obesity epidemic.

"It's vital to get New Zealanders to build physical activity back into their daily lives," said CAN chairperson Robert Ibell. "Government at both a local and national level have to invest much more money in developing environments that will encourage people to cycle or walk for everyday journeys."

Welcoming the new report 'Tracking the Obesity Epidemic',...

New Zealanders have until the end of the week to nominate their favourite cycling project or cycling champion for a CAN Cycle-Friendly Award.

The second national Cycle-Friendly Awards aim to celebrate initiatives that promote cycling and create a cycle-friendly environment at both national and local levels. The awards are administered by the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) and proudly supported by SPARC.

There are four award categories:

- Best Cycle Facility Project
- Best Cycling Promotion- Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Business
- Cycle-Friendly Commitment...

The winners of the inaugural CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards have been announced. Four special trophies were presented on Friday 10 October at a dinner held at the NZ Cycling Conference being held in the Bruce Mason Centre, North Shore City.

The four winning organisations are:
Best cycle facility project: Porirua City Council (Ara Harakeke Pathway)
Best cycling promotion: Bike Wise (National Bike Wise Week 2003)
Cycle-friendly commitment by business: Cycle Surgery, Dunedin (child cycling skills programme)
Cycle-friendly commitment by public organisation: SPARC (...

Cyclists welcomed today's announcement of an expanded role for the Ministry of Transport and creation of a new transport programme delivery agency, but called for greater openness and consultation at the Ministry, and for a much stronger focus on cycling.

Jane Dawson, spokersperson for the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), said that CAN was generally pleased with the changes to Government transport agencies announced by the Minister of Transport though it would have liked to see the changes go further, particularly in the area of integrating state highway management with local...

New Zealand's first awards for achievement in promoting cycling have been launched. National cycling organisation the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) today announced the creation of the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards. The awards aim to recognise individuals or organisations who have helped to create a bicycle-friendly environment at a national or local level. CAN is calling for nominations for awards in four categories: -best cycle facility project -best cycling promotion -cycle-friendly commitment by a business -cycle-friendly commitment by a public organisation CAN chairperson Jane Dawson...

The winners of the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards 2003-4 will be revealed at a function at Parliament on Monday 22 November.

The Awards are being presented by the Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Transport, at a ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Wing Foyer of the Beehive, Parliament Buildings.

Many of the finalists from around New Zealand will be represented at the function. Winners will receive a uniquely designed "bicycle-bell" trophy, a certificate, and a subscription to CAN.

The thirteen finalists include bike parking facilities, a promotional video, staff "...