Our team has had thousands of conversations with people across the city about how they move, what gets in the way, and what matters in their communities. Crank brings these insights together with client objectives, project constraints and local knowledge to shape activation programmes that are both relevant to the people they are designed for and effective in achieving project goals.
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Joyful, engaging experiences can help people see different ways of getting around as more achievable and appealing. Drawing on behaviour change principles, Crank develops programmes comprising different activities that target barriers and motivations to walking, cycling, public transport and multimodal trips. Together, these can build confidence, create positive experiences and encourage lasting changes in how people travel.
Crank looks for opportunities to plan and deliver activations with local organisations, groups and individuals who know their communities best. Alongside making programmes more relevant and cost-effective, co-delivery can build local skills, confidence and capability, reducing reliance on ongoing external delivery and helping activity continue beyond the programme.
Activation programmes can include everything from small, repeatable activities that help people build confidence over time to larger events that create visibility and bring people together. The right format depends on what a project is trying to achieve and who it needs to reach, for example:
A bike train is a regular, supervised group ride to school, supported by parents, caregivers or school staff. It helps tamariki build skills and confidence while making the journey to school social, structured and familiar.
Group rides can be tailored to different confidence levels, audiences, routes and destinations. They provide a supportive way to explore local cycling connections, build confidence riding with others and develop more regular riding habits.
Community celebration events bring people together around new connections, destinations and ways of getting around. They can combine activities, entertainment, food and project information to create a visible, welcoming reason to take part, while introducing people to walking, cycling and public transport opportunities in the area.
The role of activation changes as a project develops. Crank plans activity around what a project needs at each stage — from conversation-starting activations ahead of consultation to generating excitement and readiness during construction to encouraging people to make the most of new connections once they open. Activations can also stand alone, supporting a specific project objective such as raising awareness, gathering feedback, connecting with a community or introducing people to new routes, destinations and ways of getting around.
Crank gathers quantitative and qualitative data through activation programmes to understand participation, attitudes and changes in behaviour. Measures are linked to programme objectives, helping clients understand what is working and where future activity can have the greatest impact.
The impact of an activation programme can continue well beyond its final event. Crank designs programmes that help community partners build the skills and confidence to become local champions, while creating opportunities for people to meet others they can continue walking, riding or travelling with. These relationships and local networks help activity continue even after formal programme delivery ends.
Watch the opening of a pump track in Kelston as part of the Streets for People programme.
Understand how people travel, what matters to them and what gets in the way of choosing different transport options.
Bring local knowledge and perspectives into the design process while working within clearly set strategic, technical and budgetary parameters.
Help communities understand a proposal, know what they can influence and provide feedback for project teams and decision makers.
Keep communities informed, manage disruption and maintain relationships while change is happening on the ground.
