24 April 2015

Hawke’s Bay – a bike friendly region

Whether you love BMX and pump tracks, mountain bike parks, country roads, the iWay or our trails, Hawke’s Bay is set to become the most bike-friendly region in the country.

A new draft Hawke’s Bay Regional Cycle Plan is being released for public comment this week and its focus potentially cements the region as the cycling capital of New Zealand.

The plan is a group effort by Hawke’s Bay’s five councils and key stakeholder agencies. It identifies regional priorities for cycling infrastructure over the next ten years. It also looks at promoting cycling for tourism, recreation and for transport.

One of the strongest advocates behind the draft plan is Cycling Plan Governance Group chair Cynthia Bowers.

“This is a plan for cycling that targets liveability, health and tourism for the financial and social benefits they can deliver back to our region,” says Ms Bowers.

The public has until Monday 18 May 2015 to comment on the plan, via email to HBRC’s Transport Manager Anne Redgrave,anne.redgrave@hbrc.govt.nz, or posted to her attention, c/- HBRC, Private Bay 6006, Napier 4142. All comments will be considered by the cycling technical and governance groups before the plan becomes final.

The draft Regional Cycling Plan has been developed by Napier City, Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa District Councils, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Bike ON (Bikes in Schools), Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Hawke’s Bay Tourism and The New Zealand Transport Agency.

A copy of the plan is available at hbrc.govt.nz, keyword search: cycle.
Printed copies are available on request from HBRC Transport Manager Anne Redgrave.

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