Bike Wise Week Breaks Records

Bike Wise Week Breaks Records

Bike Wise Media release [date]

Over 100,000 Kiwis are expected to ditch their cars for bikes as Bike Wise Week rolls around for another year. This time will be the biggest yet with more than 500 events being run throughout the country.

Bike Wise Week (February 24 to March 4) is a national celebration of cycling. Last year’s 94,000 participants had so much fun that they’re back again this year – with their friends and family!

Bike Wise Programme Director Brent Skinnon says messages about personal fitness and the need to reduce our carbon footprint are getting through, and people are ditching the car in favour of their two-wheeler.

“The week’s events are fun and suitable for people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels. Why not take part? You’ll have a blast, and it could be the start of a whole new relationship between you and your bike.”

New Zealand has about 411,000 active cyclists, approximately 15 percent of the population. Since 2001, a million bikes have been imported into the country, or one for every four people. In 2006, 230,000 bikes were imported, outstripping car imports (just 200,000) for the first time.

“The face of cycling is beginning to change with more people using bikes to commute instead of just for recreation,” says Brent Skinnon.

“An estimated 250,000 cyclists are already on our roads every day, going to school, work or the shops. It’s a fun way to get around that saves time and money. You can get fit while going about your daily business – without harming the environment. What have you got to lose!

“If you’re interested in giving cycling a go, keep your eye out for Bike Wise Week events in your region.”

Events this year include:
• the Mayoral Challenge (25 February) where regions compete to have the most people ‘ride behind the mayor’ and win the coveted title of New Zealand’s Cycle Mad City 2006
• Go By Bike Day (28 February) where thousands of New Zealanders choose to go to meetings, universities, schools and social engagements by bike. As a reward, they can call into designated centres to enjoy a free breakfast and live entertainment.

More information is available from your local council or from the Bike Wise website: www.bikewise.org.nz.

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