16 February 2005

Record numbers biked to breakfast

Mayor Dick Hubbard joined an estimated 500 keen cyclists this morning for breakfast in Aotea Square for Auckland City’s annual Bike to Work Breakfast.

The mayor and Councillor Richard Simpson, Transport and Urban Linkages Committee chairperson, cycled into the CBD sporting the slogan ‘one less car’ on the back of their eye-catching red t-shirts.

In his speech this morning, Mr Hubbard encouraged all Aucklanders to get out of their cars and on a bike as a fun, healthy alternative way to travel.

“This year’s event attracted almost double last year’s number of participants and shows there are people keen to use their bikes to travel.

“As we continue our commitment to improve and develop cycling facilities in Auckland city, we hope to encourage more people out of their cars. We’re not saying Aucklanders shouldn’t use their cars at all, but think about cycling as a realistic travel option,” says Mr Hubbard.

One participant cycled 20 kilometres from Hobsonville and another had been coming to the event every year since it began in 1998.

Two mountain bikes were given away and several people won spot prizes. Live music played and bike stunts were performed in front of the crowd.

For more information on the Bike to Work Breakfast 2005 see www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.

Auckland City’s Bike to Work Breakfast is an annual event in support of National Bikewise Week.

ENDS

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