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The national organisation for bicycle tourists and commuters, the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), today lent its support to Nelson MP Nick Smith's call for a mountain-bike track through the Kahurangi National Park.

CAN spokesperson Robert Ibell said Dr Smith's proposed $3 million mountain-bike track linking Karamea and Collingwood would tap into a fast growing interest in cycle touring in New Zealand. "A dedicated mountain-bike trail through the Kahurangi National Park would give cyclists access to an area of great natural beauty, with far less environmental impact than a road. A...

Mad about cars, or just mad about cars? Need a good reason to leave the car at home? This Thursday you'll have two.

The rising cost of petrol make alternatives to your car look more attractive. Not only that, Thursday is Car Free Day, an event being celebrated worldwide.

In NZ, if you're getting on your bike that day you might be the lucky recipient of an apple.

Members of the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) will be joining others in encouraging people to try a new way of getting to work or school. In many centres cycle commuters will be rewarded for their transport...

"Cyclists are good for the NZ economy. We should value their contribution to society instead of discouraging them", says the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) chairperson, Jane Dawson. "Increasing the number of journeys done by bike should be one of the Government's priorities. It would have benefits for the health budget, overseas debt, rates, and the cost of providing goods and services."

CAN, which is the national body for commuting, touring and family cyclists, is pleased that many government agencies have got behind Bike To Work Day this year. CAN hopes that the Minister of...

The Ministry of Health should spend some of its proposed financial support for low income people on supplying them with bicycles, national cycling group, the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), said today.

"Anyone who cycles regularly gets real health benefits", said CAN campaigns secretary, Robert Ibell. "Regular cyclists enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to people ten years younger. And the health benefits gained from regular cycling far outweigh the risks from crashes".

Bicycles also give people access to independent mobility at low cost, says CAN.� They're cheap to buy,...

Toast for NZ's most efficient vehicle
New Zealand's most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle will be toasted outside Parliament Buildings on Wednesday. And no, it won't have taken part in the EnergyWise Rally.

Cyclists will assemble to celebrate the benefits of the bicycle, having been denied the opportunity to compete in the four day rally.

Wellington cyclist Patrick Morgan, a member of the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), tried to enter the rally and found that the rules excluded bicycles.

"Cyclists are powered by toast and emit virtually no...

The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) welcomes the New Zealand Transport Strategy and is pleased to see the emphasis on integrating the different transport modes.

"Cycling has been left off the map for too long," said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson. "It is great to finally see an official document which recognises that motor vehicles are not the only users of roading space."

"It is also pleasing to see a recognition that promoting cycling can improve safety for everyone and improve the health of the nation, and that cycle tourism has a role in regional development."

The...

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...