Holiday Parks Rolling Out Cycle-friendly Facilities

Holiday Parks Rolling Out Cycle-friendly Facilities

Te Anau TOP 10 is the latest New Zealand Holiday Park to invest in cycle-friendly facilities. Their new bike shed features a mechanical workshop, washing station and guest cycle storage, as well as housing a range of hire bikes from children’s go-karts to mountain bikes.

Te Anau TOP 10 owner/manager Bryan McChlery says the bike shed was a natural evolution as more and more guests sought to cycle around the area. ‘Cycling is well and truly on the up around Te Anau,’ Mr McChlery says. ‘An increasing number of guests are arriving with bikes on the back of their cars and campervans, while others are encouraged to ride by the availability of our hire bikes. It’s such a great way to explore the town, especially with the kids in tow.’

Cycling has become a mainstream activity for New Zealand travellers, encouraged by the creation of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network and built on a foundation of some 25 years of track and bike-park building, much of it by local clubs and other community groups.

In response to travellers’ growing demand for cycle-related services, the Holiday Parks Association established its Cycle Hub programme in 2012. Accredited parks offer ride maps and advice, secure cycle storage, bike cleaning facilities and access to mechanical services. Cycle Hub holiday parks may also offer on-site bike hire or contacts for local hire companies, and can assist with shuttles and specialist cycle tours such as winery rides or mountain biking adventures.

Around one-third of the Association’s 300 members are now accredited Cycle Hubs.
The Holiday Parks Association is an official partner of the New Zealand Cycle Trails. HAPNZ Chief Executive Fergus Brown says it’s a logical synergy. ‘While many parks are fortunate enough to lie near or even on a national cycle trail, there wouldn’t be many parks that didn’t have a range of great rides on their doorstep,’ says Mr Brown. ‘With practical facilities, room to move, and safe places for children to practise their bike skills, holiday parks are an obvious accommodation choice for a cycling holiday.’

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