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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...

A cycle touring track linking the West Coast and Golden Bay will bring economic benefits to the region, says the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN).

CAN, the national organisation for cycle tourists and commuters, says that a bike track through the Kahurangi National Park would avoid the damaging environmental impacts of a road.

"We agree with the Prime Minister that a road between Karamea and Collingwood would do little for eco-tourism", said CAN chairperson Jane Dawson. "But a track for cycle tourists would not affect the wilderness experience of other Park users, and would...

New government policies and more resources are needed to give New Zealanders a better choice of transport options, according to the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN).

CAN is using National Bike Wise Week as an opportunity to call on national and local government to adopt policies that give people the freedom to get around by bicycle. CAN wants to see a national network of cycle routes developed, suitable for commuting, recreation and tourism.

Cycling could account for 10-15 per cent of all trips made in New Zealand, CAN says. Currently only two per cent of journeys are made by...

The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) said it was delighted with this evening's announcement by Mark Gosche, Minister of Transport, that the Government is to develop a national cycling strategy, something which CAN has been pushing for over the last few years.

CAN chairperson Jane Dawson said that a national cycling strategy should be a guiding document for national and local government, setting priorities for further work. "Government policy-making has traditionally been chopped up into discrete areas such as transport, health, and recreation. It has been very difficult for 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...

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...