News

Berlin cycling - it just shouldn't work!

23
Jul

I was stunned at the high numbers of cyclists in Berlin.  It’s certainly a different from the one I'm used to in New Zealand and Ireland.  Here’s a typical Berlin scene- Dad and his wee daughter, negotiating a huge and very busy intersection in Neukolln.  He does have an air of concentration about him, and a kids’ helmet dangling from his hand, but he seems to be happy to have her cycling independently- and she’s less than five I reckon.

Amazingly, Dad isn’t alone...  

All round Berlin we saw relaxed, carefree cycling providing transport for all ages, all genders, and...

July 23, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE

Impressions from 2 Walk and Cycle Conference 2016

21
Jul

caption: Alastair Smith receives a Bike to the Future Award for Wellington's Ciclovia from Hon Simon Bridges

by Catherine Elliot
Lecturer and Active Living Researcher, Lincoln University


The hotel bike racks were jam-packed with bikes of every variety: cargo, commuter, touring, electric and folding. It was clear, the delegates of the 2016 2WALKandCYCLE Conference...

July 21, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Welcome Aboard

20
Jul

 

CAN is the national voice for people on bicycles in New Zealand.  

We link local cycling action groups, partners and supporting organisations and people with a passion to:

Promote the benefits of cyclingImprove safetyEncourage the creation of great cycling environmentsIncrease the number of people on bikes

 

CAN collaborates with government, councils, businesses and individuals and we welcome your involvement. Be part of the journey with us.

Our policy statements are posted here.  ...

July 20, 2016 admin READ MORE

Call for Vision Zero to be adopted for NZ to bring down road toll

15
Jul

 

Call for Vision Zero to be adopted for NZ to bring down road toll

 

With the number of road deaths currently increasing in New Zealand, a group of organisations has come together to call on Government and local authorities to adopt a Vision Zero approach to road safety – aiming for zero road deaths and injuries. The #VisionZeroNZ campaign was launched at the 2 Walk and Cycle conference recently held in Auckland. Vision Zero is an approach used in a growing number of countries and cities around the world and at its core is the principle that life and health can never be...

July 15, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Benefits of investing in cycling - NZTA guide

14
Jul

Benefits of investing in cycling in New Zealand communities [PDF, 1.5 MB] provides information about the key benefits of investing in cycling, for councils, communities and individuals.

The benefits include:

more liveable towns and citiesimproved conditions for travelling within towns and citiesstronger local economiesreduced costs for councilsless impact on the environment, andhealthier and more productive people.

We also know that that providing cycling infrastructure responds to what a significant percentage of people say they want.

July 14, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

NZ’s best of the best cycling projects honoured

11
Jul

NZ’s best of the best cycling projects honoured

Cycling projects across New Zealand were recognised at the Bike to the Future Awards in Auckland tonight.  Winners included a cycling junior football team, a power company and a rural school with a 60% commute-by-bike rate.

 

...

July 11, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Highlights from the 2 Walk and Cycle conference July 2016

11
Jul

Auckland hosted the national 2 Walk and Cycle Conference, 6-8 July.
Six people were invited to share their thoughts at the close of the conference.

Dougal List, NZTA: tell the "why story" - why we are investing in cycling. Collaborate, benchmark against high quality projects, celebrate the wins.

Ellen Blake, Living Streets Aotearoa: advocate for walkable compact cities, for everyone from 8 to 80s. NZTA, where are the targets, and  money for walking?

Jack Jiang, AECOM: Good to see...

July 11, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

NZ’s best of the best cycling projects announced this week

4
Jul

Media Advisory: Monday 4 July NZ’s best of the best cycling projects announced this week

The top contributions towards making New Zealand more cycle-friendly will be recognised at the Bike to the Future Awards in Auckland on Thursday.

The awards will be presented by Hon Simon Bridges, Minister of Transport at the 2WALKandCYCLE conference. More than 60 nominations have been received across six award categories:

Innovation Hub Award

...

July 4, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

2WALKandCYCLE conference 2016

4
Jul

There's no doubt cycling is on the up. Along with walking It is an essential part of our transport networks. With more than a million and a half New Zealanders riding bikes, cities and towns are investing is cycling - for leisure, toursim and transport.
Join us in Auckland 6-8 July for the national walking and cycling conference.

July 4, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

OUR WEBSITE HAS A FACELIFT!

17
Jun

This is the first step towards improving our communications with our members and with everyone interested in CAN's goal to get more people on bikes, more often.

Our next step is to restructure and refresh the website content – Rome didn't get built in a day!

We would appreciate your help. If you find any issues on the website please email webmaster@can.org.nz with a screenshot and short description of the problem. And if you know Drupal and are keen to volunteer to help on the CAN journey, our webmaster would love to hear from you!

June 17, 2016 moava READ MORE

Minimum Overtaking Gaps for Cyclists

9
Jun

The trialling of mandatory minimum overtaking distances for motor vehicles overtaking cyclists was a key recommendation of the New Zealand Cycle Safety Panel in 2014.
CAN is represented on an Opus / NZTA advisory panel.



CAN says:

People on bikes often say close passing puts them off cycling NZ research will help ensure decisions on overtaking gaps are based on evidenceHaving a public conversation can help foster safer behaviourA rule on minimum overtaking gaps is not a magic fix, but is part of a package of measures to make cycling safer and more...

June 9, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Seeking New Zealand's best bike projects

17
May

Seeking New Zealand's best bike projects
The search is on for the best bike projects in New Zealand.

The Bike to the Future Awards are a joint initiative devised by the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Cycling Action Network (CAN), the national organisation promoting everyday cycling.

"We're delighted to see the quality of entries get better each year," said CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan.

"With strong public demand and political support for investing in cycling, that's no surprise. Cycling delivers more transport choices,...

May 17, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Own a piece of history - Harder Than Nails plaque

16
May

Because cyclists are #harderthannails

Please bid on our fundraiser at Trade Me.
You are bidding on a piece of New Zealand history. This is collectable plaque displays some of the 500 nails scattered on the Island Bay Cycleway on 27 April 2016 by persons unknown.

This auction is a fundraiser for Cycling Action Network (can.org.nz). We campaign for better and safer cycling throughout New Zealand. Don't let the haters win.

These a tacks will not succeed.

As reported on RNZ

 

May 16, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Annual Plan submission from CAN to Wellington City Council 2016

11
May


Tena koutou katoa,

My name is Hilleke Townsend and I'm here today on behalf of the Cycling Action Network.

I've been called in at the last minute so please go easy on me! This is my daughter, Maia, who has promised to behave during the meeting. Also since it's an election year, she'll be available for photo opportunities during the break.

But on a more serious note, having her here serves as a pretty good reminder that the decisions this council makes have long lasting ramifications. They not only affect current residents, but also future Wellingtonians. And with...

May 11, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Get on with Hutt Road cycleway improvements, say cyclists

5
May

67% of submissions received by the Wellington City Council support the Hutt Road Improvements. This includes the submission from advocacy group Cycle Aware Wellington who see the design as a significant and long overdue improvement.

For years now the Hutt Road has been the bane for the numerous cyclists and pedestrians alike who use this route to commute in and out of the city. It has been the scene of many accidents and close calls, which last year led to a protest ride to the Civic Centre to call on the Council to "get on with it" and create better cycling infrastructure.

...

May 5, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Winter cycling tips

5
May

caption: Russell from NoCar Cargo gives winter riding the thumbs up

Cycling through winter

Winter is coming, but that's no reason to leave the bike at home. You can still enjoy the convenience, savings, health gains and fun of riding a bike, whatever the weather.

Sooner or later, everyone is faced with riding in the rain. With a little knowledge and the right gear, spinning through showers can actually be an enjoyable experience.

Light up
Shorter days mean you need to make sure your lights are charged and bright....

May 5, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Love Cycling

7
Apr

Do you want safer and more attractive cycling in New Zealand?

Whether you are a family with kids, a mountain biker, roadie, cycle chic rider, commuter or simply love to ride, now is the time to take action.

The Government and Councils have ambitious plans for building better bike routes, through the Urban Cycleways Programme - great news! But plans can be derailed by bikelash or lack of public support. Now is a good time to speak up for cycling.
Here's NZTA's list of cycling projects.

How you can help

Ride your bike

...

April 7, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

2017 - celebrating the Bike Centennial

7
Apr

2017 marks 200 years since the bicycle was invented, by Baron Karl von Drais. I reckon that's a good reason for a bike party - the Bikecentennial.


Baron Karl von Drais 1817

I'd like to see the Bikecentennial marked with events, story-telling, exhibitions and lots of rides.

Kate Sheppard: the vote, rational dress, Atalanta Ladies' cycling clubNZ bike entrepreneurs the Kennett Brothers, Ground Effect, framebuildersNZ Cycle Trailstrail builderssocial history and the changing role of the bikesporting successcargo biikes, BMX, MTB,...

April 7, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

E-bikes' speed may surprise you

1
Apr

Cycling advocates reminds people not to underestimate the speed of bicycles.

A recent case in Palmerston North highlighted the danger of turning into a side road too soon after passing a person on a bike.

CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan said this is a common cause of bicycle crashes.

"Although on average bikes travel at around 15km/h, a fit person or an electric-assist bike can be travelling at speeds similar to a car. It is the responsibility of an overtaking driver to be aware of the speed of the vehicle they are overtaking."

Patrick Morgan
CAN - Cycling...

April 1, 2016 Patrick READ MORE

Report from VéloCity Global Conference

25
Mar

CAN went to the VéloCity Global conference last month.

VéloCity Global is the global get-together for all those interested in the promotion of cycling.  The European Cycling Federation organises the event, and this year it was held in Taipei, Taiwan.  Our delegate was Will Andrews, from Bicycle Nelson Bays.

The president of Trek Bikes, John Burke


Themes

Industry was one of the major threads this year.  It was good to witness well-thought out presentations from the big bike manufacturers, showing an understanding the benefits of transportation cycling...

March 25, 2016 Will Andrews READ MORE