Ready to ride?

It’s time to dust off your old ten speed, check your brakes, wipe the cobwebs off your helmet, and get ready for Go by Bike Day.

Go By Bike Day is on next Wednesday (February 10, 2016) and Cantabrians are being urged to leave their cars at home and cycle to work or school.

Go By Bike Day cycle celebration stations will be set up along our city’s most popular cycle routes between 7am-9am.

The stations will be set up at Antigua Boatsheds bridge, Hagley Park (close to Matai Street), outside Community and Public Health on Manchester Street, at CPIT Aoraki on the corner of Madras and St Asaph streets, and at Meridian Energy at 104 Moorhouse Avenue.

People who stop at the cycle celebration stations will be able to get a breakfast snack, make a smoothie on a blender bike, win helmets and other cycling merchandise, get a free bike check-up, ride an electric bike, and much more.

Councillor Phil Clearwater, Chair of the Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee, says Christchurch is perfect for cycling.

“Christchurch is mostly flat, there’s plenty of cycle lanes, and more being built all the time. It’s no surprise that we’re seeing a resurgence in cycling in Christchurch,” Cr Clearwater says.

A recent Neilsen survey indicated 40,000 people would take up cycling in Christchurch in the first half of this year.

“With more and more people returning to our city centre for work, Go By Bike Day is an important way we can encourage people to get out of their cars and give cycling a go,” Cr Clearwater says.

Dr Ramon Pink, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says cycling is good for your body and mind.

“By commuting to work or school by bike, you will also arrive feeling awake and alert having stimulated your blood flow,” Dr Pink says.

“It makes you fitter, healthier and more productive. It’s also great for the environment as it helps reduce your carbon footprint.”

ENDS

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