On your bike: Over one million Kiwis to cycle into summer

On your bike: Over one million Kiwis to cycle into summer

More Kiwis are embracing cycling as a favourite pastime, with new figures revealing that more than one million New Zealanders will be on their bikes as the New Zealand Transport Agency launches their annual Bike Wise programme this month.

According to the latest Nielsen research, cycling is a sporting interest of over one million[1] New Zealanders over the age of 10, with over 420,000[2] Kiwis saying they are likely to take up cycling in the next six months.

The programme kicks off with a number of regional events taking place over the coming months and concludes with Bike Wise Month, February 2015, which aims to inspire more Kiwis to give cycling a go while encouraging cyclists and motorists to share the road safely.

“Bike Wise encourages more Kiwis to enjoy fun and safe cycling this summer. Whether it’s a family fun-day or as part of an exercise programme, it is important that both cyclists and motorists ensure they look out for one another and share the roads safely,” says the Transport Agency’s National Cycling Manager Dougal List.

“The Bike Wise programme for 2015 features plenty of great events up and down the country, providing some wonderful opportunities for people to get involved. Cycling is a great way to bring families together, socialise with friends, and meet like-minded enthusiasts.”

There is a full calendar of cycling events across New Zealand, including Big Bike Tune Ups, where mechanics conduct free maintenance checks to ensure bikes are safe, road-worthy and a good fit for the cyclist. The calendar can be found at http://www.bikewise.co.nz/events.

Before hitting the road, download the official New Zealand code for cyclists for a comprehensive guide to safer cycling and also consider these key tips for sharing the road safely:

Safety Tips for Cyclists

• Be prepared: Plan a safe route and check your bike before you start – brakes, tyres, chain, lights and reflectors

• Be aware: Watch for car doors opening, potholes, rubbish, grates, pedestrians and other hazards

• Be confident: Ride in a straight line, at least one metre from parked cars and take the lane when you have to. Use cycle lanes when you can

• Be considerate: Try not to hold up the flow of traffic – if necessary, pull over to allow vehicles to pass

• Be predictable: Make eye contact with other road users and signal your intentions clearly

• Be seen: Wear high visibility or brightly coloured clothing. Use front and rear lights at night, in low light and rain

• Be patient: Slow down near parked or lined up vehicles. Pass slowly and only when safe.

To see the above safety tips for cyclists in a fun and engaging way, download our fact sheet here

Safety Tips for Motorists

• Be aware: Watch for cyclists, especially in low light or rain, before opening car doors and at intersections. Cyclists may be travelling faster than you expect

• Be patient: Slow down near cyclists and if need be, wait behind them. Pass slowly and only when it is safe. Ideally, leave a space of about 1.5 metres

• Be considerate: Cyclists sometimes need to use the traffic lane for their safety. Please give them time and space to move in and out of the lane

• When turning left: Remember that if you have passed a cyclist just before approaching a traffic signal, driveway, bus stop or junction, it is very likely they will end up on your left-hand side or just in front of you – assume the cyclist is in one of your blind spots.

To see the above safety tips for motorists in a fun and engaging way, please feel free to download our fact sheethere

Bike Wise Events

• Big Bike Tune Ups, November 2014 - February 2015

To ensure bikes are safe, road-worthy and are a good fit for the cyclist, a series of Big Bike Tune Ups will be held throughout the country over spring and summer. People are encouraged to bring their bikes along to a local Big Bike Tune Up where mechanics will conduct a free maintenance check.

• Bike Wise Month, February 2015

A number of fun cycling events will take place throughout the country during Bike Wise Month to expose Kiwis to the many benefits of cycling. Events include recreational rides, bike festivals and family fun rides.

• Go By Bike Day, 11 February 2015

Bike Wise Month’s key event, Go By Bike Day, encourages Kiwis to leave the car at home and cycle to work or school. In a number of regions, they can even enjoy a free breakfast on the way.

See http://www.bikewise.co.nz/events for a full list of events.

For more information on the Bike Wise programme, activities happening in your area, cycle routes, bike info and more, visit the Bike Wise website www.bikewise.co.nz. You can also share your cycling stories and get frequent updates on the Bike Wise Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bikewise) and on Twitter www.twitter.com/bikewisenz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media