Christchurch: New activities at rescheduled cycle event

19 September 2013

New activities at rescheduled cycle event

Organisers are putting the final touches to a revised programme of activities for the rescheduled free Open Streets event this month.

Originally scheduled for the July school holidays, Events Production Team Manager Chloë Dear postponed the cycle-themed event after it became clear the weather would be unsuitable for outdoor activities. It will now be held on Sunday 29 September.

She is excited at the prospect of fine spring weather and a refined programme for Open Streets.

Mayor Bob Parker is encouraging people to take the chance to explore the Central City as it evolves.

“Spring is all about new life and opportunities and there can be no better time to take in the increasingly visible signs of the rebuild, on the day Daylight Saving begins too. Open Streets allows 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.

“It will be fabulous to see the streets full of people enjoying the diverse activities our events team has put on, kicking off the school holidays and launching one of the busiest times of year for events and activities.”

Open Streets will feature activities and entertainment on a selection of streets linking to Transitional City projects and shopping precincts, coinciding with the school holidays. Activities will be held between 10am and 4pm, with the streets closed to vehicles, enabling people to cycle, skate or walk around while being entertained by buskers and music.

Chloë Dear says there is a community focus to the Open Streets event, and this is reflected in the support received and number of organisations involved.

“There are spot prizes, markets and a parade will be led by the Bicycle Band performers playing instruments while riding bikes and featuring Frocks on Bikes. The interactive Nature Play Park will be open and there will be free bike tune-ups, penny farthings, Gap Filler’s cycle-powered cinema, free skateboard lessons and valet bike parking for cycles and scooters, as well as food and shopping.

“We have been fortunate to have good support from partners Healthy Christchurch, Spokes Canterbury, and Living Streets Canterbury. Other organisations have taken the opportunity to join with the event and this has enabled us to bring together a diverse programme of activities that will be entertaining and invigorating.”

Open Streets is one of a series of Christchurch City Council events to encourage people back to the Central City. It is based around ciclovia events which are gaining popularity around the world. The term translates from Spanish into English as "bike path".

If the weather is unsuitable, the event will be cancelled.

What: Open Streets
When: Sunday 29 September 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

Click for big version.
The map shows the Open Streets route and possible access points and parking options.

ENDS

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