Cycling Action Network

Cycling Action Network (CAN) is a national cycling advocacy organisation in New Zealand. It was established in Wellington in November 1996 to represent people who cycle, particularly in discussions about cycling as a practical form of transport. Rather than operating as a bicycle manufacturer, retailer or sporting body, CAN works to influence the conditions in which cycling takes place. Its advocacy covers transport planning, road and street design, safety, public policy, local-government practice and public understanding of the benefits of cycling. The organisation engages with central government, local authorities, businesses, community groups and other transport advocates. Its stated goals include promoting integrated cycle planning, explaining the benefits of cycling, improving safety, encouraging the creation of a supportive cycling environment and developing local cycle advocacy and action. This places CAN within New Zealand's wider sustainable-transport and active-mobility movement, with an emphasis on everyday cycling rather than only competitive or recreational riding. CAN also acts as a coordinating and capacity-building network. It has been associated with approximately 20 local cycling advocacy groups around New Zealand, including Bike Auckland and Spokes Canterbury. These relationships give local campaigns a national connection while allowing community organisations to focus on the specific transport conditions of their cities and regions. CAN has also worked with walking-advocacy organisation Living Streets Aotearoa and has participated in broader discussions involving the national cycling sector. A significant part of CAN's public role has been its contribution to professional and civic events. The organisation helped establish and support the New Zealand Cycling Conference series, which began in Hamilton in 1997 and subsequently travelled to other New Zealand locations. From 2012, the cycling conference series was combined with the former New Zealand Walking Conference series under the 2WALKandCYCLE name. These events created forums for local authorities, transport practitioners, advocates and other participants to exchange ideas about walking and cycling infrastructure and policy. Since 2003, CAN has organised the annual Cycle Friendly Awards. The awards recognise initiatives at national and local levels that encourage cycling or help create a more cycle-friendly environment. Their ceremonies have attracted public-sector participation, giving CAN a mechanism for highlighting effective projects and institutions as well as advocating for higher standards. CAN has also communicated with members and supporters through Chainlinks, its network magazine. First published in 1997, Chainlinks was historically a full-colour print publication and later became an electronic newsletter published several times a year. It has served as a channel for advocacy information, organisational updates and material relevant to local authorities, cycling groups and the cycling industry. The organisation was originally called Cycling Advocates' Network. Its name was formally changed to Cycling Action Network at the annual general meeting held on 20 March 2016. The change reflected its continuing role as an action-oriented national network rather than a single-issue publication or campaign. CAN's public identity remains focused on transport cycling, policy advocacy, collaboration and practical improvements to New Zealand's cycling environment.

Cycling Action Network was founded in Wellington in November 1996 under the name Cycling Advocates' Network. It emerged as a national voice for people seeking better conditions for cycling as transport. Its remit has included engagement with central government, local councils, businesses and community organisations on planning, infrastructure, safety and the wider benefits of cycling. From its early years, CAN combined national advocacy with support for local action. It became associated with a network of local cycling advocacy groups, including Bike Auckland and Spokes Canterbury, helping connect city and regional campaigns to a national perspective. It has also worked alongside Living Streets Aotearoa and maintained relationships with organisations in the wider cycling sector. CAN was represented on the board of BikeNZ from that body's establishment in 2003, but resigned from the organisation in October 2007 while continuing to cooperate on advocacy matters. CAN contributed to the creation and continuation of the New Zealand Cycling Conference series. The first conference took place in Hamilton on 15 October 1997, followed by events in Palmerston North, Christchurch, North Shore, Hutt City, Napier and New Plymouth. In 2012 the series was combined with the former New Zealand Walking Conference and became 2WALKandCYCLE, with later events held in Hastings, Nelson, Auckland, Palmerston North and Dunedin. The organisation established the Cycle Friendly Awards in 2003. Held annually, the awards recognise initiatives that promote cycling or create more supportive cycling environments at both national and local levels. Public-sector participation in the ceremonies has helped make the awards a visible part of New Zealand's cycling advocacy calendar. CAN has disseminated information through Chainlinks, a publication first issued in 1997. It was originally a printed colour magazine and later became an electronic newsletter distributed to members and supporting organisations, including local authorities and cycling-industry bodies. In 2016, at its annual general meeting on 20 March, the organisation formally changed its name to Cycling Action Network. The renamed organisation continued its focus on integrated cycle planning, improved safety, cycling promotion and practical cycle advocacy.

• 2016

  Name changed to Cycling Action Network

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  The organisation formally adopted its current name at its annual general meeting on 20 March.

• 2012

  2WALKandCYCLE conference format introduced

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  The cycling conference series was combined with the former walking conference series and rebranded 2WALKandCYCLE.

• 2007

  CAN resigns from BikeNZ

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  CAN resigned from BikeNZ in October while continuing to work with it on advocacy issues.

• 2003

  Cycle Friendly Awards established

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  CAN began its annual awards programme recognising cycling-supportive initiatives.

• 2003

  BikeNZ board association begins

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  CAN provided one board member following BikeNZ's establishment.

• 1997

  Chainlinks begins publication

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  CAN began publishing Chainlinks as a communications outlet for members and supporters.

• 1997

  First New Zealand Cycling Conference

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  The first conference in the New Zealand Cycling Conference series was held in Hamilton on 15 October.

• 1996

  Organisation founded

  [1]Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org

  Cycling Advocates' Network was founded in Wellington in November as a national cycling advocacy organisation.

A national, non-commercial cycling advocacy network focused on transport cycling, safer infrastructure, integrated planning and cooperation among local advocacy groups, public authorities and other active-transport organisations.

• Advocacy recognition programme · 2003

  Cycle Friendly Awards

  An annual awards programme established in 2003 to recognise initiatives, organisations and projects that encourage cycling or contribute to a more cycle-friendly environment in New Zealand. The awards operate at national and local levels and have attracted participation from government representatives.

• Conference and professional network · 2012

  2WALKandCYCLE

  A combined walking and cycling conference format developed from the New Zealand Cycling Conference and the former New Zealand Walking Conference. The series provides a forum for advocates, public authorities and practitioners to discuss active-transport planning, infrastructure and policy.

• Newsletter and publication · 1997

  Chainlinks

  CAN's member and stakeholder publication, first issued in 1997. It was originally a full-colour print magazine and later became an electronic newsletter published several times a year for members and supporting organisations.

• 2003Cycle Friendly Awards

  New Zealand

  CAN created an annual platform for celebrating initiatives that promote cycling and improve the cycling environment.

  Outcome. The awards became a recurring national and local advocacy event with public-sector participation.

  Source
• 1997New Zealand Cycling Conference series

  New Zealand

  CAN helped establish and support a travelling conference series for cycling advocates, practitioners and public authorities.

  Outcome. The series continued through multiple New Zealand cities and later became part of 2WALKandCYCLE.

  Source
• 1996National cycling advocacy network

  New Zealand

  CAN was established to coordinate national advocacy for better conditions for cycling as transport and to engage with government, councils, businesses and communities.

  Outcome. The organisation developed a national network linking local cycling advocacy groups and policy discussions.

  Source

• 2016

  Adoption of the Cycling Action Network nameStrategy

  Background

  The organisation had operated since 1996 as Cycling Advocates' Network while undertaking both advocacy and practical network-building work.

  Action taken

  Members formally changed the name to Cycling Action Network at the annual general meeting on 20 March 2016.

  Aftermath

  The organisation continued its national advocacy, local-group coordination and cycling-promotion activities under the CAN name.

  Source

• 2012

  Move toward integrated walking and cycling advocacyStrategy

  Background

  The existing cycling conference series and the former New Zealand Walking Conference series addressed closely related active-transport issues.

  Action taken

  The two conference series were combined and rebranded 2WALKandCYCLE.

  Aftermath

  The combined event format broadened the professional and advocacy forum beyond cycling alone.

  Source

1. 1Cycling Action Networken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cycling Action Network official websitecan.org.nz