The Ministry of Economic Development is planning to expand the New Zealand Cycle Trail.
It intends to add a number of back country routes to the 18 predominantly off-road trails being built.
The first expansion ride will be on State Highway 43, known as the Forgotten Highway, which runs through the King Country and Taranaki.
Ministry of Economic Development spokesperson Sarah Berry says other routes will follow.
The economic benefits of environmentally smart cycle tourism can drive a recovery in provincial New Zealand and have the potential to double the amount tourists spend annually – from $320 million to $640 million, tourism leaders say.
At the Ecotourism 2010 conference in Rotorua this month, cycle tourism leaders explained the power of pedallers and applauded the injection of $9 million of the prime minister's $50m cycleway fund into "quick start" ventures that will see new multi-day routes operating this summer.
Funding has been confirmed ahead of schedule for the construction of eight new cycle trails under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) project.
The government has confirmed $18.85 million for the construction of the eight trails. These trails, together with five trails already approved, are expected to provide 1,700km of trail once completed .