• Executive Director of Cambridge Cycling Campaign, Roxanne opened the webinar, highlighting the need to leverage the pandemic to advocate for active travel and improved urban environments.
• Patrick Morgan, Project Manager of Cycling Action Network NZ, provided context on New Zealand’s car-dependent culture and recent political shifts towards embracing cycling.
• He introduced the “Innovating Streets” program, a government initiative funding tactical urbanism projects in cities.

Claire Pascoe’s Presentation:

• Claire Pascoe, Lead Advisor on Urban Mobility at NZ Transport Agency, shared how the pandemic has created a unique opportunity for innovation in urban planning.
• She emphasized the need to be agile and adapt to the changing landscape, letting go of pre-pandemic plans and embracing new possibilities.
• Claire highlighted the existing legal framework in New Zealand, such as the Civil Defence Emergency Act, which allows for road closures and speed limit reductions during emergencies like the pandemic.
• She discussed the challenges of navigating various agencies and the importance of clear communication in obtaining necessary permissions.

Questions and Discussion:

• Roxanne commented on the impressive level of coordination and communication across various streams in New Zealand’s pandemic response.
• Claire emphasized that the real innovation lies in the “permission slip” to experiment, rather than solely on funding.
• Participants discussed the role of advocacy in driving change at the city level, emphasizing the need for compelling stories and identifying champions within local governments.

Final Remarks by Marco te Brömmelstroet:

• Marco highlighted the potential of this moment to reshape cities for the better but warned against the counter-narrative of the car industry.
• He stressed the importance of shifting the narrative about streets, emphasizing their role as public spaces for people rather than just vehicles.
• Marco promoted his upcoming book, “Mobility Language Matters,” and encouraged participants to ask better questions and explore different perspectives.
• He announced that the webinar recording would be available on the Urban Cycling Institute’s YouTube channel.

Additional Notes:

• The webinar highlighted the unique opportunity presented by the pandemic to accelerate the shift towards active travel and improved urban environments.
• It emphasised the importance of adapting to the changing landscape, embracing innovation, and utilising existing legal frameworks.
• The discussion also touched upon the need for strong advocacy, clear communication, and a focus on shifting the narrative about streets.
• The webinar recording will be available on the Urban Cycling Institute’s YouTube channel.