Auckland Triumphs In Cycle-Friendly Awards

Auckland has taken two of the four CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards for 2003/4. Auckland City Council's Waterview cyclist and pedestrian overbridge across the Great North Road was judged the 'Best cycle facility project' and Cycle Action Auckland's Commuter Challenge 2004 won the 'Best cycling promotion" category.

Consulting engineering firm MWH (NZ) Ltd won an award in the 'Cycle-friendly commitment by business' category for the Bicycle User Group and staff travel plans initiated at their Christchurch office. The 'Cycle-friendly commitment by a public organisation' award went to the Land Transport Safety Authority for their recently published "Cycle Network and Route Planning Guide".

Robert Ibell, chairperson of the Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN), the national organisation that established the Cycle-Friendly Awards, 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, at a ceremony at Parliament Buildings in Wellington on Monday afternoon. Many of the finalists from around New Zealand were represented at the function. The winners received a uniquely designed "bicycle-bell" trophy, a certificate, and a subscription to the Cycling Advocates' Network. All finalists received a certificate from the Minister.

Other projects amongst the thirteen finalists included bike parking facilities, a promotional video, an annual run/ride onthe Otago Central Rail Trail, and traffic equipment hire for cycling events.

Ends

For more information, contact Adrian Croucher, CAN Secretary on 09-373 7599 x84611 or 09-815 5033, or Robert Ibell, CAN Chairperson, on 04-972 2552.

About the Cycle-Friendly Awards

Devised by the Cycling Advocates Network, the national organisation promoting everyday cycling, 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 Awards are supported by sport and recreation agency SPARC. This is the second time the Awards have been made.

Nominations were called for in four categories: best cycle facility project, best cycling promotion, cycle-friendly commitment by a business and cycle-friendly commitment by a public organisation.

The finalists for the CAN Cycle-Friendly Awards were (in no particular order) as follows:

Best cycle facility project:
- Auckland City Council (Waterview cycle/pedestrian overbridge)

- 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)

- Crazy Cranks / Waipa District Council (Cambridge cycle lanes campaign)

- Maniototo Lions (Otago Rail Trail Challenge)

- Recreation and Event Management, Team, Weltec ('Wheels By The Water' event)

- Nelson City Council ('Cycling in Nelson' video)

Cycle-friendly commitment by business:

- Challenge Events Ltd (Canterbury Events Equipment Trust)

- MWH (NZ) Ltd (Bike User Group / staff travel plans)

Cycle-friendly commitment by public organisation:
- North Shore City Council (BUG / staff facilities / strategic cycle plan)
- Christchurch City Council (Staff Bike allowance)

- LTSA (Cycle Network & Route Planning Guide)

The Cycling Advocates' Network of NZ (CAN) Inc is this country's national network of cycling advocate groups. It is a voice for all non-competitive cyclists - recreational, commuter and touring. We work with central government and local authorities, on behalf of cyclists, for a better cycling environment. We have affiliated groups and individual members throughout the country, and links with overseas cycling organisations. In addition, several national/regional/local government authorities, transportation consultancies, and cycle industry businesses are supporting organisations.

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