New Zealand’s best cycling projects will be recognised as nominations open for the 2018 Bike to the Future Awards – with refreshed award categories to better reflect the sector.
The awards are a joint initiative between Cycling Action Network (CAN) and the NZ Transport Agency, aimed at recognising the people and projects contributing to a more bike-friendly New Zealand.
As the public's perception of cycling is changing, the award categories have been amended this year. Changes to the award categories include the 'Built Excellence Award', the 'Revolutionary Award' and the 'Bikes at Work and School Award'.
CAN spokesperson Patrick Morgan says a review of some categories was necessary to recognise important work being done across the cycling sector, in particular the growing number of events, engagement projects, and education programmes that are helping to change how cycling is perceived.
“We’ve renamed some of the categories to highlight the diverse range of cycling projects and initiatives in New Zealand, and to better reflect the importance of work that has had a positive influence on changing attitudes towards cycling,” says Mr Morgan.
“For example, the Revolutionary Award is a bit of a catch all category as it celebrates initiatives and events which have educated, inspired, celebrated, promoted or encouraged cycling - whether or not a person then chooses to ride a bike.”
Mr Morgan encourages sector experts, advocates, workplaces, schools, and community groups across the country to nominate projects or individuals, which are contributing towards creating a more bike-friendly culture.
The Transport Agency's System Design Manager Brett Gliddon said the awards are a great opportunity to recognise the dedication and contribution to cycling from people and organisations across the country.
The Te Ara Mua – Future Streets project in Māngere, Auckland won last year's Supreme Award. This community transformation made streets safer and easier for people to travel around, especially by cycling or walking.
Mr Gliddon says this is a great example of how the right infrastructure and resources can help create change in how people choose to move around their communities.
“We are proud to be working with CAN to celebrate the many milestones the cycling sector has achieved this year to encourage more people to get about by bike and to help shift the overall attitude toward cycling,” he says.
This year’s winners will be announced at the 2WALKandCYCLE conference dinner in Palmerston North on 31 July.
If you know of a project or person who deserves recognition, you can nominate them at www.nzta.govt.nz/biketothefutureawards(external link).
Nominations close at 5pm on Thursday 26 April 2018.
