Gemini Cycle-Friendly Awards 2008 nominations called for

08 June 2008

Nominations have just been opened for the Gemini Cycle-Friendly Awards 2008. Kiwis are being asked to put forward their favourite cycling projects or cycling champions for the Awards, sponsored by Gemini Bicycles and supported by the Ministry of Transport.

Devised by the Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN), the national organisation promoting everyday cycling, the Cycle-Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in New Zealand that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment.

Nominations are being called for in five categories:

1. Avanti award for best cycle facility project;
2. Land Transport NZ award for best cycling promotion;
3. Land Transport NZ award for cycle-friendly commitment by a business;
4. ViaStrada award for cycle-friendly commitment by a public organisation and
5. Roger Boulter Consulting award for cycling champion of the year

Projects need to have been undertaken or completed between January 2007 and June 2008.

The Awards co-ordinator, CAN's Gaz Sanvicens, said "Many Kiwis will know of an organisation, an individual or a project that's made a real difference for them as a cyclist. It's really simple to nominate them for a Cycle-Friendly Award - all the details with a downloadable entry form are on the Awards website at http://can.org.nz/Awards."

Last years Cycle-Friendly Award winners included:

• Transit NZ for Basin Reserve Cycle/Pedestrian Crossings
• Massey University PR Team for On Ya Bike
• MWH New Zealand Ltd for Green Kilometres on “pool” bikes
• Nelson City Council for Nelson City Council – Pedalling Along
• Tama Easton [VORB Owner/Director, Editor of Spoke Magazine]

The Minister of Transport, the Hon Annette King, will present the awards to the finalists. The ceremony, supported by Environment Canterbury, will be in the Canterbury Provincial Buildings Stone Chamber, Durham Street, Christchurch, on Friday 3rd October. Winners will receive a uniquely designed “bicycle-bell” trophy, and a certificate. This year every valid nomination received by 25th July will be entered into the draw for the nominating person to win a $150 Ground Effect gift voucher.

Nominations are due by Friday 8th August.

Download entry forms from http://can.org.nz/Awards, complete and email to: awards@can.org.nz or post to: CAN, Gemini CFA08, P.O. Box 6491, Auckland.