2008 Cycling Mini Conference

Some 70 people attended a Cycling Mini Conference on Thursday, 21 February 2008. The 6th NZ Cycling Conference was held during November last year in Napier. 9 of the 36 papers presented had authors (or co-authors) from Canterbury. 4 of those papers were presented at the CCC chambers.

The evening started casually at 5.30pm with refreshments and mingling at the Civic Offices in the Council Chamber. At 6.00pm we were welcomed by Christchurch mayor Bob Parker for the beginning of the 'Christchurch 2008 Mini National Cycle Conference'. Fiona Whero provided a quick introductory overview to the active transport stakeholder scene in Canterbury. The 4 conference presentations were well received, and Axel Wilke provided an overview of the 5 other papers with Canterbury authors. The conference finished at 7.40pm.

Programme:

6.00pm - Welcome by Mayor Bob Parker

6.05pm - Overview of Canterbury stakeholder groups

Presenter: Fiona Whero - presentation

(Spokes, Living Streets Canterbury, Canterbury Active Transport Forum)

6.10pm - Paper 1 - Predicting Cyclist Perceptions of Cycling Conditions

Presenter: Tim Hughes (Land Transport NZ) - presentation (sorry, no written paper available)

Explains what level of service (LOS) is for cycling and explores how it can be used in other tools for a range of cycle planning activities such as strategies, reviews, prioritising and benchmarking.

6.30pm - Paper 2 - Christchurch Cycle Network Plan: Cyclist Survey Project

Presenters: Shane Turner (Beca) and Michael Ferigo (CCC); Author: Paul Durdin (formerly Beca) and Michael Ferigo - paper & presentation

The first week long cycle travel survey undertaken in Christchurch - this overviews the methods and focuses on some of the most interesting insights the survey uncovered.

6.50pm - Overview of the other 5 local Papers

Presenter: Axel Downard-Wilke (ViaStrada) - overview presentation

The Australian Bicycle Council: A Trans-Tasman link supporting Cycling - Tim Hughes (Land Transport NZ) - presentation (sorry, no paper available)

Innovative Diagonal Cycle Crossing solution for busy Intersections - Axel Downard-Wilke (ViaStrada), Matthew Hinton (Maunsell), Daniel Newcombe (Auckland CC) - paper & presentation

Cycle Network Planning using GIS - Andrew Macbeth (ViaStrada), Tony Barton (VicRoads), Tricia Allen (ARTA) - paper & presentation

Putting the "e" into Advocate: Online Content Management Systems - Glen Koorey, Axel Downard-Wilke, Dave Lane & Jonathan Hunt (Spokes Canterbury) - paper & presentation

The Value of Technical Peer Reviews - Daniel Newcombe (Auckland CC), Axel Downard-Wilke (ViaStrada) - paper & presentation

6.55pm - Paper 3 - Little River Rail Trail Update

Presenter: Don Babe (Christchurch to the Little River Rail Trail Trust) - paper & presentation

An interesting example of a major trail - the trial and tribulations along the way and where it's heading - "it's about the journey and a bit about the destination".

7.05pm - Paper 4 - Are you a Cyclist or do you Cycle? The Language of Promoting Cycling

Presenter: Axel Downard-Wilke (ViaStrada); Author: Glen Koorey (University of Canterbury) - paper & presentation

Do you undermine yourself when you are advocating for cycling - "never score an own goal again". An interesting presentation with examples of subtle and not so subtle terms that may make significant differences to the outcomes.

7.25pm - Closing remarks

Chrissie Williams (Christchurch City Councillor)

7.30pm - Close