Monday 22 November - This year's CAN Awards have been presented in Wellington at a special ceremony at the Beehive. Thirteen finalists were honoured, with four nominees taking out the coveted winners trophies in the following categories.
Monday 22 November - This year's CAN Awards have been presented in Wellington at a special ceremony at the Beehive. Thirteen finalists were honoured, with four nominees taking out the coveted winners trophies in the following categories:
- Best Cycle Facility Project
- Best Cycling Promotion
- Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Business
- Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Public Organisation
Devised by national organisation the Cycling Advocates Network and supported by SPARC through its Active Communities programme, the CAN 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. Twenty-one nominations were received for this year's Awards.
Robert Ibell, chairperson of the Cycling Advocates' Network, said CAN was thrilled by the number and quality of entries in this second crop of Awards. "Many of the projects showed a strong commitment to the promotion of cycling, were imaginative, and had the potential to benefit many New Zealanders," said Mr Ibell.
The Awards were presented by the Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Transport. Most of the finalists from around New Zealand were represented at the evening function. The winners received the now-famous trophy consisting of a bicycle bell mounted on an engraved plaque. All finalists received a certificate and a subscription to CAN for a year.
Transport Minister Pete Hodgson at the 2004 Awards Ceremony
The four winning organisations are:
Best Cycle Facility Project: Auckland City Council
Waterview cycle/pedestrian overbridge
This is a new 25 m long cycle/pedestrian bridge across the busy Waterview interchange, linking a new section of offroad path through the Unitec campus with the existing cycleway alongside the NW motorway. The bridge is of a generous width, has long, gently sloping approach ramps, and has been recently resurfaced with 'ColdGrip high friction surfacing', to provide enhanced traction particularly in wet weather. The bridge provides benefits for cyclists in terms of both safety and travel time.
Waterview cycle & pedestrian bridge
Other finalists in this category were:
- Dunedin City Council / Fulton Hogan ("Cycle Smart @ Marlow Park" training facility)
- University of Canterbury (Covered secure bike parking facilities)
Best Cycling Promotion: Cycle Action Auckland
Commuter Challenge 2004
CAA logoThe Auckland Commuter challenge on "Bike to Work day", Wednesday February 18th 2004 was a contest between a cyclist, racing driver and bus from four different locations in Auckland, finishing in Aotea Square. Prominent Aucklanders and top racing drivers were involved. Cyclists arrived at Aotea Square first, showing that cycling is a viable option in the rush hour. The NZ Herald reported on the race prominently, two radio stations covered the race on the day, and TV1 were filming the finish of the race.
CAA members with Auckland mayor John Banks
Other finalists in this category were:
- Crazy Cranks / Waipa District Council (Cambridge cycle lanes campaign)
- Maniototo Lions (Otago Rail Trail Challenge)
- Jan Nisbet, Weltec ('Wheels Beside The Water' event)
- Nelson City Council ('Cycling in Nelson' video)
Cycle-friendly commitment by business: MWH (NZ) Ltd Christchurch
Bike User Group / staff travel plans
MWH logoConsulting engineering firm MWH's Christchurch branch of 71 employees have a Bicycle User Group. Routinely they have 20 cyclists commuting to work daily during the summer and a dozen in winter. During the 2004 Bikewise Business Battle 37 cyclists (or 52% of the staff), cycled a record distance per employee for large organisations. MWH have also carried out a pilot Travel Plan with Environment Canterbury, encouraging staff to travel in more sustainable ways, and are featured in SPARC's Cycle Friendly Employer website.
MWH team
Other finalists in this category were:
- Challenge Events Ltd (Canterbury Events Equipment Trust)
Cycle-friendly commitment by public organisation: Land Transport Safety Authority
Cycle Network & Route Planning Guide
LTSA logoDeveloped as part of LTSA's Walking & Cycling Safety Framework, the Cycle Network and Route Planning Guide aims "to promote a consistent, world's best practice approach to cycle network and route planning throughout New Zealand". It sets out a process for deciding what cycle provision, if any, is desirable and where it is needed. The guide was developed using a consortium of experienced cycle planning consultants overseen by a wide-ranging stakeholder group. It is intended to help people involved in cycle planning to develop cycle networks and will also help people preparing regional and local cycling strategies.
Cycle Network and Route Planning Guide - cover
Other finalists in this category were:
- North Shore City Council (BUG / staff facilities / strategic cycle plan)
- Christchurch City Council (Staff Bike allowance)