Cyclists, walkers to fill Central City streets

8 July 2013

Cyclists, walkers to fill Central City streets

Christchurch City Council is welcoming people back to the Central City with a free cycle-themed event featuring activities on a selection of streets linking to Transitional City projects and shopping precincts.

So anyone who has ever wanted to see a demonstration of bike polo or test themself on a pump cycle track should keep Sunday (14 July) clear in their calendar. That’s the day the free Open Streets event will be held, with activities between 10am and 4pm.

As well as bike polo and the pump cycle track, people will be able to ride, skate or walk around the streets while being entertained by buskers and music. There are spot prizes, a fashion parade, free bike tune-ups, penny farthings, a cycle-powered cinema, free skateboard hire and lessons, and valet bike parking for cycles and scooters, as well as food and shopping.

Mayor Bob Parker says the event is the perfect opportunity for people to explore the Central City.

“Open Streets provides a great occasion for people to reconnect with the heart of the city and experience some of the Transitional City projects and other activities that are helping revitalise the area during the rebuild.

“It will be fabulous to see the streets full of people enjoying the diverse activities our events team has put on.”

Organised by the Council’s events team, Open Streets is part of the TV2 KidsFest programme of school holiday activities.

Streets will be closed to vehicles on the day to enable safe access for participating cyclists and walkers.

Events Production Team Manager Chloë Dear says there is a community focus to the Open Streets event, and this is reflected in the organisations involved.

“We have been fortunate to have such good support from our partners Healthy Christchurch, Spokes Canterbury, TV2 KidsFest and Living Streets Canterbury. This has enabled us to bring together a diverse programme of activities that will be both entertaining and informative.”

Open Streets is based around ciclovia events which are gaining popularity around the world. The term translates from Spanish into English as "bike path".

What: Open Streets
When: Sunday 14 July 10am-4pm
Where: Central City streets, as outlined below:

Location guide:
Oxford Terrace, from Hereford Street to Gloucester Street; Gloucester Street, from Durham Street North to Manchester Street; Colombo Street from Armagh Street linking through Cathedral Square to Lichfield Street; Worcester Street, from Oxford Terrace linking through Cathedral Square to Latimer Square; Manchester Street, from Gloucester Street to High Street; High Street, from Manchester Street to Hereford Street; Hereford Street, from High Street to Oxford Terrace.

Check out Open Streets online at www.futurechristchurch.co.nz/ever-evolving
or www.facebook.com/#!/ChristchurchCityCouncil/events
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj7Ikf0CUU0

ENDS

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