Spokes Canterbury brings you a series of public talks on a variety of cycling topics. Doors are open early, so please support our host venues by ordering food and drinks. You can order food from The Craft Embassy via the bar at Little Andromeda.
For our third talk of Biketober,we have Professor Simon Kingham from the University of Canterbury speaking on “Cycling in Christchurch: Learning from the past and planning for the future”.
In the past decade, Christchurch has seen significant growth in cycling as a mode of transport. This is likely a result of the investment in cycle infrastructure, specifically the Major Cycleways, developed and built since the earthquakes of 2010/11. In some parts of the city, bicycle mode share for commuting is now nearly 20% (while in others it is below 1%). What can we learn from this? The political landscape of our city and nation has changed and funding for cycling may become more difficult to secure. What needs to happen to see cycling as a mode of transport continue to grow? And what can those of us who understand the benefits cycling do to encourage this?
Simon Kingham is Ahorangi o te Matawhenua/Professor of Geography at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha/the University of Canterbury in Otautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. He teaches and researches on a range of issues related to the impact of the urban environment on wellbeing, with a specific focus on transport. He was seconded to the New Zealand government as their Kaitohutohu Matua Pūtaiao/Chief Science Advisor for Te Manatū Waka/the Ministry of Transport for six years till May 2024, where his role was to try and ensure that government policy was evidence-based.
