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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 (...

Everyday cycling is under threat of extinction. That's the warning from New Zealand cycling advocates.

“The 2006 Census shows a further decrease in the numbers of people cycling to work, to nearly 2% of commuters,” says Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) chair Robert Ibell.

"Kiwis should have the choice of biking to work," says Mr. Ibell. "But right now that choice doesn't exist for many people because they think our roads are too unsafe."

“People who cycle to work help reduce pollution and congestion. They also improve their own health, which means fewer days off work,...

Cyclists have welcomed some aspects of the Government's Road Safety Policy Statement released today but called for stronger action to make New Zealand's roads safer.

Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) chairperson Robert Ibell said "We're pleased to see a strong focus on education, including changes to driver training, and a continued emphasis on speed reduction. However, the Government has backed away from important safety measures like banning cellphone use while driving, lowering the blood alcohol limit, and reducing motor vehicle numbers."

"Cyclists are particularly...

Finalists in the SPARC Cycle-Friendly Awards 2006 have been announced today. The thirty-one nominations include a nationwide mayoral challenge event, a shared cycle/pedestrian path in Palmerston North, a workplace mileage policy that includes walking and cycling, a staff fitness programme in Mt Maunganui, and free adult cycle skills courses in Tasman and Nelson. Now in their fourth year, the Cycle-Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. The...

With daylight saving heralding changes in riding conditions, cyclists are being
urged to light up and brighten up. Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) spokesman
Stephen McKernon says, “Cyclists should light up for morning, evening,
and bad weather riding. Most of the 12 cycling fatalities that occurred in 2005
happened at night. Cycling fatalities have declined over recent years, at the
same time as high-visibility riding gear and brighter lights have become more
popular.”

CAN strongly recommends high-visibility reflective gear such as...

The government's new transport target to increase cycling and walking to 30% of all trips by 2040 is welcome, but needs to happen much sooner, says Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) spokesperson Stephen McKernon.

Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) announces the launch of a new guide helping cyclists with every day cycling. The guide recognises that cycling is enjoyable, makes a difference, and needs to be done responsibly. The launch supports the National Go By Bike Day on Wednesday 28 February 2007.

‘Cyclists need to be made more aware of the difference they are making’ says CAN spokesperson Stephen McKernon. ‘They also need to be aware of their behaviour on the road. Cyclists today have a responsibility to make cycling work better for other cyclists, for other road users, and for future...

"We would like to express our deepest sympathy and support for the families of the three cyclists who were struck by cars this weekend, two of them fatally,” says Cycling Advocates´ Network (CAN) spokesperson Stephen McKernon. “Cyclists nationwide will be shocked to learn of these deaths.” “Two of these cyclists were struck from behind in Taupo, during the week of a local campaign to educate motorists about sharing the road safely with cyclists. Another was struck from behind in Matamata,” says Mr. McKernon. "Both crashes occurred during what was otherwise a very successful Nationwide...