Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
ReBicycle EkeRua which upcycles donated, second-hand bikes and gives them to refugees and other people in need in Wellington, received the top honour at the On the Go Awards in Dunedin on Thursday night.
The On the Go Awards (formerly the Bike to the Future Awards) are organised by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in partnership with Cycling Action Network and Living Streets Aotearoa. They are an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and contribution of projects that support a healthier, cleaner and safer transport system.
ReBicycle EkeRua gets people on bikes and transforms lives. The project enables free healthy transport options, prevents useful resources ending up in landfill, and reduces transport carbon emissions.
Hilleke Townsend from ReBicycle EkeRua says, “The project is a massive team effort involving the mahi of our many volunteers and coordinators, and also donations from people all over Wellington. But it’s the people who we serve who make this work truly rewarding. We’d like to thank Waka Kotahi for this recognition and share it with the wider ReBicycle EkeRua whanau.”
There were six award categories won by a range of different organisations:
Shifting the dial award winner – Ecomatters Bike Hubs by Ecomatters Trust. EcoMatters Bike Hubs offer education and information about basic bike repairs and maintenance, low-cost used bikes, bikes to borrow, and information on routes, to support and engage the community of Auckland around cycling.
Workplace or School award winner – Here comes the sun, a play street event by Point Chevalier School, Auckland. A play street creates play spaces by temporarily closing streets so the space can be used by the community for play activities and interaction. The event is one of a number of initiatives the school has delivered to increase the number of students who get to school in an active way.
Taking communities on the journey award winner – The Kuaka Gateway – Delivered by Waka Kotahi and WSP with thanks to Napier City Council and Napier Airport. The Kuaka Gateway was designed to improve safety at one of the top six high-risk rural intersections in New Zealand, improve regional walking and cycling connections, unlock economic growth and create an iconic northern gateway for Napier and the Heretaunga Plains.
Making communities more people friendly award winner – ReBicycle EkeRua, Hilleke and Mike Townsend. ReBicycle EkeRua upcycles donated, second-hand bikes and gives them to refugees and other people in need in Wellington.
Built excellence award (walking) winner and Built excellence award (cycling) winner – He Ara Kotahi, delivered by Palmerston North City Council and with thanks to Rangitane o Manawatū, Massey University and Linton Army Camp. He Ara Kotahi is Palmerston North’s newest riverside pathway, that winds its way along the river providing breath-taking views of the river and city, before leading you through farmland, native bush and pa sites. The star attraction of the walkway is the 194-metre long He Ara Kotahi Bridge, that connects the Victoria Esplanade with the other side of the Manawatu river.
Deborah Hume, Waka Kotahi Establishment Manager Multimodal and Innovation, says, “Our judging team was impressed by the range of innovative projects being undertaken across the country and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate all of their hard mahi.”
“The awards are part of the government’s wider commitment to increase the share of travel by walking, cycling and public transport to help shape a more sustainable transport system. All of the projects and people recognised at the awards contribute to driving this shift by encouraging more people to walk and cycle as an everyday transport option.”
The awards were held at the 2WALKandCYCLE conference in Ōtepoti (Dunedin).
Full list of award recipients and finalists:
|
Category |
Winner |
|
Supreme Award Winner |
ReBicycle EkeRua – Hilleke and Mike Townsend |
|
Shifting the dial award winner |
EcoMatters Bike Hubs – Ecomatters Trust |
|
Shifting the dial first runner up |
Locky Docks – Big Street Bikers |
|
Shifting the dial second runner up |
Ka Tipu nga Kahikatea – Growing the Kahikatea Tree – Sport Hawke’s Bay in association with Irongate School, Hastings District Council, and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board |
|
Workplace or school winner |
Here comes the sun (play street event) – Pt Chevalier School, Auckland |
|
Workplace or school first runner up |
Movin’March and Portable Pump Track Project – St Anthony’s School Seatoun |
|
Workplace or school second runner up |
Safe School Streets Pilot – Auckland Transport and Owairaka District School |
|
Taking communities on the journey award winner |
The Kuaka Gateway – Waka Kotahi with thanks to Napier City Council and Napier Airport |
|
Taking communities on the journey first runner up |
Ōpaoa River bridge – Waka Kotahi with thanks to Marlborough District Council and Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and Ngāti Rārua |
|
Taking communities on the journey second runner up |
Brightwater Main Street Upgrade – WSP, Tasman District Council, Fulton Hogan, and Brightwater School |
|
Outstanding contribution to making communities more people friendly winner |
ReBicycle EkeRua – Hilleke and Mike Townsend |
|
Outstanding contribution to making communities more people friendly first runner up |
Clare Scott – Nelson |
|
Outstanding contribution to making communities more people friendly second runner up |
The Big Bike Film Night – Brett Cotter |
|
Built excellence walking winner |
He Ara Kotahi – Palmerston North City Council |
|
Built excellence walking first runner up |
Peninsula Connection Project – Dunedin City Council, GHD, Isaac Construction, Fulton Hogan, and Bonisch Consultants |
|
Built excellence walking second runner up |
Te Ara Ihutai (Christchurch Coastal Pathway) – Shag Rock to Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club – Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group, Christchurch City Council, and Fulton Hogan |
|
Built excellence cycling winner |
He Ara Kotahi – Palmerston North City Council with thanks to Rangitane o Manawatu, Massey University and Linton Army Camp |
|
Built excellence cycling first runner up |
Omarukaikuru / Point Jerningham, Stage 1 of the Evans Bay Cycleway – Isthmus Group, Wellington City Council, AECOM, Downers & GHD |
|
Built excellence cycling second runner up |
Quarrymans Trail – Christchurch City Council and ‘Peloton’ Design Team (Beca, Stantec and GHD) |
The awards were judged by:
- Caroline McElnay, the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health,
- Simon Kingham, the Chief Science Advisor at the Ministry of Transport,
- Greg Lazzaro, General Manager of Safety, Health & Environment at Waka Kotahi
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