‘CAN Do’ National Cycling Summit in Christchurch, 28-29 Mar

Feeling like you need to be even more inspired about cycling in NZ? Well you’re in luck, as CAN (the Cycling Advocates Network) are bringing their annual “CAN Do” National Cycling Summit to Christchurch this year in a month’s time. Mark Sat 28th & Sun 29th March in your calendar for this year’s event.

If you’ve never been to a CAN Do before, expect to have a great time and come away with your batteries recharged. They are a fantastic opportunity to meet people from all over the country who are also striving to get more cycle-friendly environments where they live. And with the new-found support at national level, including NZTA’s increased cycling programme support and the Govt’s $100 million Urban Cycleways Fund, it’s a great time to be having those conversations! Many of the visitors will also be very interested in what Christchurch is up to cycling-wise as well.

The programme features a range of interesting sessions, including:

• A keynote presentation from Prof Simon Kingham, Geography cycling guru from Canterbury University
• How to tackle the ever-present conflict between car parking and cycleways
• Inspiring stories and ideas from local advocacy groups around the country
• How to tap into new funding sources like the Urban Cycleways Fund
• CAN’s Road User Workshop programme for bus/truck cycle safety
• Using social media to best advantage for promoting cycling
• Plus there’s plenty of riding to whet the appetite and showcase our cycleways, past, present, and future!

Chch Mayor Lianne Dalziel will be opening proceedings on Saturday. Various other politicians and key cycling personnel are still being confirmed, e.g. it is hoped to have Green MP Kevin Hague and NZTA National Cycling Manager Dougal List there.

The Summit is being held at the new Whareora building at CPIT (cnr Barbadoes St & Moorhouse Ave), and registration by March 21st is just $70 for the weekend (or $45/day), with Saturday night’s dinner extra.

Even if you can’t make the whole weekend, why not come along for the free public event on Saturday afternoon from 2.30-4.00pm. There you will be able to practise putting your bike on a bus rack, and also get to try free/discounted fitness assessments from the good folk at CPIT’s The Zone. The folk from RAD Bikes will also be around, demonstrating their community-serving bike-fixing talents. With luck there might even be a truck on hand to have a look around too. You could also be in to win some great prizes from Ground Effect and Addington Coffee Co-op (hint: having an “interesting” bike could help!).

Will you be going to the CAN Do this year?