Spokes Canterbury

Spokes Canterbury is the main cycling advocacy group in Canterbury, New Zealand. It was established in November 1998, as a successor to the former Canterbury Cyclists' Association (established in the 1970s). Cycling Action Network is the parent organisation for Spokes Canterbury.[1] It has about 900 members, including "everyday" cyclists, road cyclists and mountain bikers.[2]

Spokes Canterbury
Formation1 November 1998 (1998-11-01)
TypeNGO
PurposeAdvocacy
HeadquartersNew Zealand Christchurch, NZ
Region served
Canterbury
Membership
Private persons
Official language
English
Chair
Don Babe
Main organ
Committee
Parent organization
Cycling Action Network
Staff
nil
Volunteers
about 30
WebsiteSpokes Canterbury

Spokes Canterbury works closely with the local branch of walking advocates Living Streets Aotearoa, as well as the local district of the Automobile Association. It also liaises with other local cycling initiatives, including Frocks on Bikes, Cycling in Christchurch, ICEcycles, Go Cycle Chch, and RAD Bikes.

Structure

An annual meeting of members is generally held in May each year; at this event the annual financial report and a general report of the organisation's activities in the previous year is presented. Elections of a chairperson, secretary, treasurer and executive committee are conducted. General business from members is also considered.

For the rest of the year the organisation is governed by the executive committee which meets as necessary to conduct any formal business requiring attention.

Below the executive is the Core Group, this group carry out the advocacy work of SPOKES. Membership of this group is by request and approval is given by the executive. Meeting monthly, generally on the first Thursday of the month, the Core Group do the advocacy and promotion work. This work includes preparing and presenting submissions, organising and taking part in cycling promotion events and other advocacy work.

SPOKES is an incorporated society and operates under a constitution.

Elected Officers of Spokes

DatesChairSecretaryTreasurer
1998–2004Richard HaymanSteve van DorsserPaul de Spa
2004–2005Glen KooreySteve van DorsserLyneke Onderwater
2005–2006Glen KooreyAndrew CouperLyneke Onderwater
2006–2007Paul de Spa, then Matthew Cutler-WelshAndrew CouperPete Rivers
2007–2008Matthew Cutler-WelshAndrew CouperPete Rivers
2008–2009Paul de SpaMatthew Cutler-WelshPete Rivers
2009–2010Keith TurnerNigel RushtonPete Rivers
2010–2011Keith TurnerNigel RushtonPete Rivers
2011–2012Keith TurnerChrys HornShirley Wilson
2012–2013Clare SimpsonChrys HornShirley Wilson
2013–2014Keith TurnerClare SimpsonDon Babe
2014–2016Don BabeClare SimpsonRobert Fleming
2016–presentDon BabeChris AbbottRobert Fleming

Other people who have served on the Executive at various times include Axel Wilke, Dirk de Lu, Robin Delamore, Fiona Whero, Andrew Macbeth, and John Lieswyn.

Activities
Members of Spokes guided through the Christchurch red zone by Roger Sutton

Spokes Canterbury works primarily to improve cycling in Canterbury, and particularly the region's largest city, Christchurch. For example, they strongly advocated against a 2005 moratorium on cycleway construction in the city[3] – responding to concerns by Councillors about cycle paths not being 'safe' that absolute safety can never be provided, but that cycle paths certainly helped making cycling 'safer'.[4] Spokes has also criticised the reality of 'New Zealand's Cycling City' (Christchurch City Council usage) not living up to its name due to lack of sufficient funding for cycle projects and cycle safety.[5]

However, the group and Council have also often cooperated, such as on the production of the 2010 Christchurch City Cycle Guide.[6] They also welcomed the 2009 Jan Gehl report Council had commissioned, which recommended substantial measures for cyclists as part of a process to make the city more liveable, and to improve its transport system.[7]

Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Spokes lobbied the council to build on the strong support for a more cycle-friendly rebuilt city. This culminated in the Council voting to spend $69 million on thirteen Major Cycleway Routes over five years.[8] However, due to identified resourcing issues, the timeline was later extended out to eight years, much to the concern of Spokes.[9] Spokes continue to work with Council staff and Councillors to provide regular feedback on the ongoing cycleway programme.

Awards

In 2006, Spokes Canterbury was a finalist in the 'best cycling promotion' category of the Cycle Friendly Awards for its campaign on the Christchurch City Council cycleway moratorium.[10]

See also

References
  1. About Spokes (from the Spokes Canterbury website, accessed 2 March 2010)
  2. "Threat to 'nail' cyclists sparks anger". The Press. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  3. CCC Cycleway Moratorium (from the Spokes Canterbury website, updated 30 August 2006)
  4. "Challenge After Cycleway Moratorium Lifted". Press release via Scoop.co.nz. Spokes Canterbury. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  5. "Cyclist hit for third time". The Press. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  6. "2010 Cycle Guide Hits Stands". Press release. Christchurch City Council. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  7. "Proposal puts the pedal to the metal". The Press. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  8. "Cycleways 'save money long-term'". The Press. 14 May 2013.
  9. "Urgent cycleways meeting sought". The Press. 4 April 2014.
  10. "Sparc Cycle-Friendly Awards Presented Tomorrow | Scoop News". scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
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