February is Bike Wise Month and Rodney Residents are being called to enjoy the scenic route by taking to their bikes. Events are being organised across the District to entice people out of their cars, off their couches, and onto their bikes.The annual cycling celebration has become so popular that a full month is now needed to accommodate more than 500 events held around the country.
Rodney Road Safety Coordinator, Jacki Dawson says Rodney District is no exception to the nationwide trend. “People in Rodney are looking for ways to become more active, save money and reduce their impact on the environment, and cycling is the perfect way to do all three. Commuter bike sales are up and the increase in people cycling to work is quite noticeable.”
“Bike Wise Month events have a heavy emphasis on fun, and they’re designed to suit anyone. You don’t have to be a professional or own any special gear. Just dust off your bike, grab a helmet, and come along.”
Cycling activities organised in Rodney include:
Bikewise Battle - a free competition where organisations across New Zealand compete with others of a similar size to get the highest proportion of their staff on bikes for at least one day during February.
Go By Bike Day on 18 February - a national challenge to people to use pedal power to get to work, school or the shops on 18 February.
The Mayoral Challengeon 1 March - a highlight of Bike Wise Month. The cycle challenge is part of the national competition to get the largest number of people riding along with their Mayor. A point is earned for each cyclist participating, with extra points awarded for celebrities, business leaders, Councillors and journalists. In Rodney District, Mayor Penny Webster will lead the challenge from the Orewa Surf Club along the Hibiscus Coast Highway at 10.00 am on 1st March 2009. The ride will be approximately 2 - 3 kms and will finish at Orewa Reserve.
Jacki Dawson from Rodney District Council says the Challenge is a great opportunity to have fun and be active.
“We were very proud of the great turn out at the 2008 challenge where we won the title of The Most Cycle Mad City and this year we hope to retain the title with even more cyclists participating. We want New Zealand to know that Rodney District is a cycle force to be reckoned with.”
She says cyclists can bike the route at their own pace and are encouraged to relax and enjoy the ride and the atmosphere.
“Cycling is a healthy and fun way to get around. And you get extra brownie points for being environmentally friendly! If you don’t usually cycle, this would be a great opportunity to discover its joys! So dig that bike out of the shed, or borrow one, and come along. You’d be mad to miss out!”
This will be the fourth Mayoral Challenge and the competition gets bigger every year.
Last year almost 16,000 cyclists from 35 Districts took part. Three Cycle Mad titles were awarded according to population size. Rodney District took the large centre award, with over 2,200 cyclists in attendance. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council got the title in the mid size category, with 684 riders taking part. Opotiki won in the smaller centre category with a total of 603 cyclists.
Bike Wise Month is funded by the NZ Transport Agency and the Ministry of Health. Activities are coordinated around the country by schools, Councils, sporting groups and many others.
For more details about the fun and family-friendly Bike Wise events happening in Rodney and around the country, check out
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