Bike Wise

Bike Wise Month - February 2010

Bike Wise Month is nearly here! February 2010 will see a huge selection of fantastic, fun-filled, safe cycling events nationwide, for all kiwi’s to enjoy. Maybe you haven’t been on a bike in years, or maybe you’re teaching your kids to ride, perhaps you’ve been thinking about riding to work but don’t know where or how to start, or it could be that you just love cycling already. Whatever your state of mind, there will be something for everyone when Bike Wise month rolls round again.

Key Dates

Bike Wise Month, 1-28 February 2010
Go By Bike Day, Wednesday 17th February 2010
Mayoral Challenge, can be held any Saturday or Sunday during the month
Bike Wise Challenge (formerly Battle), 1-28 February 2010

Events in your area

There are loads of cycling events happening all around the country during February, so check out our Events page and find out what’s happening in your region.

Event Coordinator Registration

Go By Bike Day: 9 November to 11 December 2009

Mayoral Challenge: 9 November to 11 December 2009

School and general events: 9 November 2009 to 22 January 2010

Bike Wise Challenge

The Bike Wise Challenge (formerly Bike Wise Battle) is a fun, free competition which encourages people to have a go at riding a bike. Organisations compete against each other to get as many colleagues as possible to ride a bike for just 10 minutes or more over the four week Challenge period, from 1 February to 28 February 2010. Experienced cyclists can help mentor the "newbies" and support them to give it a go.

People can ride wherever they feel comfortable and at anytime over the Challenge, for just 10 minutes/2 kms or more. It’s not about cycling the most kilometres, it’s all about getting more people to experience and remember how fun and easy cycling can be.

As well as the health benefits, cycling offers a cost-effective way to commute, with savings made on petrol, parking fees and even gym memberships. There are heaps of prizes that you and your colleagues could win just by taking part, including 3 Avanti bikes, cycling gear, Avanti and Ground Effects vouchers, workplace treats and loads more!

Learn more about the Challenge and check to see if your organisation is registered.

Exclusive to Auckland - Bike Wise to Work

Bike Wise to Work is a new challenge aimed at people who have been thinking about biking to work but haven’t quite had the time, courage or motivation to get out there and try it. This free, individual challenge is open to all workers in the Auckland region, and supports new cyclists with a series of emails with advice and tips on how to make the journey to work in a fun and healthy way.

We challenge you to make a small commitment to cycling to work – just 10 trips over 12 weeks from 18 January to 9 April 2010. During this time we will support you with regular emails which will help you to plan, prepare and discover the benefits of cycling to work!

Each person that registers will receive a free cycle map of their area (North Shore, Auckland, Waitakere, Manukau) to help you to manage your route to work and there are 50 registration packs to be given away. Plus, every trip that you log to work will be an entry in the monthly prize draw. There are cycle packs and an Avanti bike to be won! Find out about prizes here.

So set yourself a target for how much cycling you would like to do, and register for Bike Wise to Work!

Safe Cycling

We all want to have a safe, comfortable and enjoyable ride when we jump on our bikes. There are loads of things you can do to maximise the fun and minimise the risks, including:

Plan your route to take advantage of cycle lanes and quiet streets
Check your bike regularly and make sure your tyres, brakes, chain, reflectors and lights are all in good working condition
If you are not a confident rider, practice your skills away from traffic, and see if you can find a more experienced buddy to give you some advice and support

The NZTA have just released the Official New Zealand Code for Cyclists. The code is useful for people who are just learning about cycling on the road or those teaching someone else to ride. The code can be downloaded for free, and provides guidance on a range of topics from road rules to roundabouts.

For more safety tips read our Hey Cyclist flyer.

Tell us your story - and the winners are…

During April and May we asked people to tell us their inspiring tale about cycling. All stories submitted went in the draw to win a prize pack containing a copy of the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Guide, an Avanti cycle shirt and an Exelite High Visibility Belt.

Our winners are: Jessica Eaton, Janie Sutherland, David Graham and Doug Leybourne - congratulations to the four of you.

Janie Sutherland was competing in a women’s only triathlon and had this great story to tell:

"I could hear some funky sister music ahead of me and as I came closer to the sound, I saw a gorgeous well rounded woman not only competing but sharing the sounds!! Her ipod loaded onto her handlebars with speakers attached, complete with a shower cap over the lot! Kiwi ingenuity to the max!!

Most folk keep the motivation to themselves by plugging in for their ears only but not this lady, she was manaaki plus! We tried to get her to come forward at the end of the event but she had already completed her event, not interested in any spot prizes and was biking home!! She was the winner for me that day and it always makes me smile"

Bike Wise Month is managed by the NZ Transport Agency, supported by the Ministry of Health.