New Zealand cycles into Bike Wise Month

New Zealand cycles into Bike Wise Month

Kiwis are getting on their bikes to celebrate Bike Wise Month, an annual programme that encourages New Zealanders to enjoy cycling.

Events will be taking place from Whangarei to Invercargill during February, with plenty of activities for everyone to get involved.

Last year, more than 56,000 Kiwis took part in more than 370 events during Bike Wise Month. This year even more Kiwis are expected to take part.

Bike Wise is a national cycling programme run by the NZ Transport Agency that promotes cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel.

NZ Transport Agency’s National Cycling Manager Dougal List says he is looking forward to seeing more people out and about on their bikes.

“We are dedicated to making cycling a bigger part of the way Kiwis get around, Bike Wise is a fantastic way for Kiwis to enjoy fun and safe cycling, so we’re really looking forward to seeing the country get involved.

“We have a target of more than 10 million more cycling trips by 2019, and we’re hoping that Bike Wise will encourage more people to jump on their bikes to help us reach this milestone.

“Cycling is a great way to bring people together, something you can do with family, friends or work colleagues. It’s the 14th year of Bike Wise and we know more and more Kiwis are on board so we’re hoping it’s the biggest one yet!”

Massey University Professor of Exercise Physiology Steve Stannard says cycling is a fantastic mode of transport that not only saves you money, but provides health improvements at the same time.

“A real benefit of cycling is that you’re at one with the environment; you’re not in a shell like a motorist. If you’re riding your bike or walking, you smell the smells and see the sights. You’re going at a pace where you can absorb what’s going on – I think that’s what makes cycling attractive to many people.”

Sarah Ostergaard, head trainer for RPM, an indoor cycling workout class at Les Mills, raced at a competitive level for years, and represented New Zealand overseas. Ostergaard says that cycling to and from work is a fantastic way to let all the daily stresses go.

“Out on the road, just feeling the sun on your back or wind in your face is the best feeling. My favourite ride is along the waterfront in Auckland. We’re so lucky to have such beautiful spots to cycle in New Zealand!

“We’re looking forward to supporting Bike Wise Month this year, and are excited to encourage more Kiwis to take up cycling as a mode of transport.”

The full calendar of cycling events across New Zealand for Bike Wise Month includes National Go By Bike Day on 10th February 2016, when Kiwis are encouraged to ditch their cars, cycle to work or school and in some regions enjoy a free breakfast on the way.

The calendar of events can be found at http://www.bikewise.co.nz/events.

Before getting on your bike, 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. With more than one million* cyclists on our roads, it’s important that both cyclists and motorists look out for one another and share the roads safely,” Dougal List says.

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.

For a printable copy, 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 download our fact sheet here

Bike Wise Events

• Big Bike Tune Ups, November 2015 - February 2016

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 2016

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

• Go By Bike Day, 10 February 2016

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 websitewww.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

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