Two wheels rule on Go By Bike
21 February 2008
Pedal power will rule this Wednesday (27 February) as Kiwis of all ages, shapes and sizes hit the streets on two wheels to celebrate national Go By Bike Day.
Those who give cycling a go on Wednesday will be rewarded with free breakfasts and entertainment in 49 centres from Whangarei to Dunedin.
Go By Bike Day events are being organised around the country by councils, sports trusts, cycle groups and other organisations as part of national Bike Wise Week (23 February to 2 March). Bike Wise Week is a nationwide campaign aimed at getting more Kiwis on their bikes.
The latest data from the Ministry of Transport’s Household Travel Survey shows that while there are 1.3 million cyclists in New Zealand, only a small proportion use a bike for transport, with just two percent of journeys to work by cycle.
The draft update of the New Zealand Transport Strategy has proposed a target of 30 percent of all urban trips to be by bike or on foot by 2040 - almost double the current figure of 17 percent.
Land Transport NZ Chief Executive Wayne Donnelly said Go By Bike Day is part of a concerted effort to make progress towards that target and increase the use of active, healthy transport modes like cycling.
Mr Donnelly says Go By Bike Day is designed to encourage more Kiwis to give cycling a go and consider it as a regular means of transport.
“Cycling is fun, healthy, and good for the environment. It costs much less than running a car, and is often faster and more convenient. Two-thirds of all car journeys in New Zealand are for less than six kilometres. That’s a distance most people could easily cycle in not much more time than it takes to drive around and find a park.
“Lots of Kiwis are starting to think about a more active lifestyle, and cycling ticks all the right boxes. It’s great exercise and an excellent alternative for those concerned about their health and the health of the planet.”
Cyclists of any shape, size or experience level can come along to enjoy the fun on Wednesday, and organisers predict numbers will be way up on last year, when around 6,000 breakfasts were dished out in 35 centres.
Healthy breakfast food and prizes are donated by sponsors, and entertainment is often provided by local performers.
Bike Wise is funded by Land Transport NZ and the Ministry of Health. Healthy breakfast food and prizes are donated by ABE’S® Food Company, Barker’s Fine Foods, Fresh Connection and Dole Superfoods.
Go By Bike Day encourages people to ride safely and at most centres, volunteer bike mechanics are on hand to give free safety checks and maintenance tips, and to show riders how to set their bikes up for the most comfortable ride.
If you’d like to give cycling a go on Go By Bike Day, or find out about other Bike Wise Week events in your area, please visit www.bikewise.co.nz
Mayors take the lead in cycle-mad city contest
14 February 2008
Mayors throughout New Zealand will soon be calling on local celebrities and cyclists to join them in the quest for the title of New Zealand’s most cycle mad city or town.
The Bike Wise Mayoral Challenge is a highlight of Bike Wise Week, a nationwide campaign aimed at getting more Kiwis on their bikes.
The latest data from the Ministry of Transport’s Household Travel Survey shows that while there are 1.3 million cyclists in New Zealand, only a small proportion use a bike for transport, with just two percent of journeys to work by cycle.
The National Transport Strategy has set a target of 30 percent of all urban trips to be by bike or on foot by 2040 - almost double the current figure of 17 percent.
Land Transport NZ Acting Chief Executive Noel Lee said Bike Wise Week and the Mayoral Challenge were part of a concerted effort to make progress towards that target and increase the use of active, healthy transport modes like cycling.
Mr Lee says interest in the Mayoral Challenge is growing, with more mayors and locals getting involved each year.
“The challenge is a fantastic way for people to get out and do something active and fun while showing they’re proud of their city or town. There’s no better time to rescue your bike from the back of the garage or garden shed and have some fun.”
With 39 cities and districts set to take part, the challenge promises to be a popular and hotly-contested event for the third year running.
Last year 10,500 cyclists from 26 regions participated. The Cycle Mad City title was won by Wellington, with Mayor Kerry Prendergast leading nearly 1,800 cyclists in a ride around the bays. The Cycle Mad town award went to Selwyn District, where 678 riders took part.
Mayoral Challenge events are organised by local councils and cycling advocates, and include spot prizes and free giveaways making them ideal opportunities for parents and their children to participate together. The rides are kept fairly short, and the routes chosen aren’t demanding, so anybody can take part.
Each locality earns one point for every rider who bikes along behind their mayor, who usually dons a yellow jersey. Extra points are allocated for high-profile entrants including celebrities, councillors, business leaders and journalists.
This year cities and districts are holding their challenges on Saturdays and Sundays between 16 February and 2 March. For details on your area’s Mayoral Challenge visit www.bikewise.co.nz or contact your local council.
Participating cities and districts taking part this year include:
Hibiscus Coast, Pukekohe, Papakura, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, Kawerau, Opotiki, Whakatane, Taupo, Rotorua, Waipukurau, Hastings, Wairoa, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hawera, Stratford, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Feilding, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Kapiti, Marlborough, Nelson, Motueka, Takaka, , Omaru, Hokitika, Lincoln, Ashburton, Waimate, Timaru, Alexandra, Dunedin and Balclutha.
Workers gearing up for biking battle
12 February 2008
Thousands of workers from across the country will by vying for prizes and two-wheeled bragging rights in the weeks ahead as more than 500 teams gear up for the annual Bike Wise Battle, from 18 February to 2 March.
Teams will compete against others from similar-sized workplaces to see who can get the highest percentage of staff on their bikes. The battle is a highlight of Bike Wise Week, a nationwide campaign aimed at getting more Kiwis on their bikes.
The latest data from the Ministry of Transport’s Household Travel Survey shows that while there are 1.3 million cyclists in New Zealand, only a small proportion use a bike for transport, with cycling accounting for just two percent of journeys to work.
The National Transport Strategy has set a target of 30 percent of all urban trips to be by bike or on foot by 2040 - almost double the current figure of 17 percent.
Land Transport NZ Acting Noel Lee said the Bike Wise Battle was part of an ongoing effort to make progress towards that target and increase the use of active, healthy transport modes like cycling.
“Cycling is a great form of aerobic exercise, it costs significantly less than motorised travel, and it’s good for the environment. For shorter trips to work or the shops, it’s often quicker than driving, especially during peak times when traffic delays are common and parking spaces are expensive and hard to find.
“The Bike Wise Battle is all about having fun competing as a team. Keen cyclists encourage colleagues who may not have cycled for years or at all to hop on a bike and give it a go. A number of last year’s participants now cycle regularly to work or ride in their spare time for fun.”
The 2007 Bike Wise Battle saw more than 10,000 cyclists in 513 teams clocking up 816,682 kilometres, enough to circle the earth 20 times. It’s anticipated that this year’s battle will be even more hotly contested.
Mr Lee said one of the aims of the Bike Wise Battle is to show employers the value in becoming more cycle-friendly.
“Employers want staff who are healthy and alert, and cycling is an excellent way to get the blood flowing and arrive at work alert and ready to go.
“Reducing their organisation’s impact on the environment is also attractive to many employers, and encouraging staff to ride rather than drive is one of the simplest ways to do that.
“It’s also a great team-building exercise. While the battle is happening, results are published on the Bike Wise website, so teams can see how they are stacking up against the competition. The desire to out-do a rival company, or even another department of the same company, can be a great motivator.”
Teams can sign on any time, even after the battle has started. Registration is free, and can be done online at www.bikewise.co.nz
Bike Wise is funded by Land Transport NZ and the Ministry of Health. Bike Wise Battle national prizes and incentives are sponsored by Avanti, SPARC and Ground Effect Clothing.
Editors’ note: Need photos to accompany the story? See the Media section of the Bike Wise website.
For more information
Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829 or 0212 763 222