INDEPENDENT NEWS

Go By Bike Day celebrates 15th birthday

Published: Fri 4 Feb 2011 10:28 AM
News release from Cycle Aware Wellington
Go By Bike Day celebrates 15th birthday
Hundreds of Wellington cyclists will converge under the sails at Queen's Wharf on Wednesday 16 February to celebrate the fifteenth annual Go By Bike Day in Wellington.
The event, organised by Cycle Aware Wellington (CAW), will see bikers enjoying a free breakfast, bike checks, freebies, entertainment and guest speakers from 7:00 until 9:00 am.
Go By Bike Day celebrates cycling as a great way to get around, to reward those who are already riding regularly, and to encourage others to give it a go.
Cyclists have much to celebrate, says CAW spokesperson Patrick Morgan.
“The new Thorndon Quay clearway is much safer for the 500 people who use this key route every weekday morning.”
“Traffic speed reductions along the Golden Mile also makes the CBD a more pleasant and safer place to ride.”
He says recreational cycling is booming, thanks to a growing network of mountain bike tracks, and scenic rides such as the Great Harbour Way and the Makara loop.
As fuel prices rise, more people are discovering the many benefits of getting around by bike, says Mr Morgan.
“Cycling costs just 7 cents a kilometre compared to about 60 cents for a car – and parking is free.”
“Cycling provides exercise that helps keeps people healthy and happy, so reducing costs to the health system. Cycling also decreases pollution and traffic congestion, both of which cost New Zealand over a billion dollars each per year.”
“So you can get fitter while your wallet gets fatter.”
Over the 14 years the event has been held in Wellington attendance has grown. "The success of Go By Bike Day reflects the growing number of people riding to work," says Mr Morgan.
"The past three censuses tell us that Wellingtonians are taking to their bikes more than ever, bucking a national trend. In 1996, 1.5 per cent of people rode a bike on census day, rising to around 2.1 per cent in 2001 and 2006. We expect this healthy trend to continue on census day 2011," says Mr Morgan.
Go By Bike Day is part of national Bike Wise month. It is supported by Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Revolve, Ground Effect Clothing, local bike shops (On Yer Bike Avantiplus, R sport, Burkes Cycles, J’ville Cycles, Rocket bikes and i-ride) and CAW volunteers. Breakfast goodies are supplied by Hubbards cereals, Peoples Coffee with Zany Zeus organic milk, CommonSense Organics fruit, and Whittakers chocolate.
So jump on your bicycle, ride on down, and join in for free breakfast fun!
ENDS

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