Bike Wise announces supreme winner of NZ’s Favourite Place to Cycle

Date: 2 March 2015 – for immediate release

The Redwoods in Rotorua has been voted New Zealand’s Favourite Place to Cycle, for the second year running, in the annual Bike Wise competition.

This summer, Bike Wise asked Kiwis to nominate and vote for their favourite places to cycle from around New Zealand. After receiving thousands of votes, New Zealand has spoken! The winner of the esteemed title of ‘NZ’s Favourite Place to Cycle’ is The Redwoods in Rotorua.

The Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest) also took out the category win for NZ’s favourite ‘off-road/adventure ride’ this year. Areas from around NZ competed against each other in four categories with the winners decided by popular vote. The 2015 category winners are:
• Nga Haerenga - NZ Cycle Trail: Otago Rail Trail
• Off-Road or Adventure Ride and overall winner: The Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest), Rotorua
• Urban Trail or Commute: Taupo lake front trails
• On-Road Ride: Taupo and surrounds

Dougal List, National Cycling Manager for the NZ Transport Agency, the organisation which funds and coordinates Bike Wise, says the competition is about Kiwi’s identifying, sharing and celebrating their favourite places to cycle.

“The many thousands of votes and nominations received demonstrate just how many Kiwis love to cycle and the myriad of well-loved places where we can ride our bikes.

“The Redwoods in Rotorua has taken out NZ’s Favourite Places to Cycle two years running, so it shows what a popular destination this is for people who cycle,” says Mr List.

People who placed nominations and votes were automatically entered into a draw to win an Avanti Montari mountain bike and helmet sponsored by Avantiplus.

NZ’s Favourite Places to Cycle competition was first launched in February 2014 to celebrate Bike Wise Month, which takes place in February each year and involves a festival of fun cycling events.

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Places to Cycle background information

For more background information about NZ’s Favourite Places to Cycle visit:

• https://www.bikewise.co.nz/news/2015/01/21/bike-wise-launches-nz%E2%80%99s-favourite-places-cycles

• 2014 Places to Cycle media.

About Bike Wise

Bike Wise is New Zealand’s national cycling programme, promoting cycling as an enjoyable, fun, healthy and safe transport mode.

Bike Wise is funded and coordinated by the NZ Transport Agency. Cycling activities and events are delivered through a strong and dedicated network of regional and local coordinators from councils, regional sports trusts, cycling advocates, district health boards, businesses, schools, NZ Police and volunteers.

Activities and events happen year round with a particular emphasis on Bike Wise Month, which takes place in February each year and involves a festival of fun cycling events such as Big Bike Tune Ups and Go By Bike Day. Beyond these events, there are other school, community and biking related activities held throughout the year.

The Bike Wise calendar featured over 850 events over the past year with an estimated 76,100 New Zealanders taking part.

Find out more about Bike Wise: www.bikewise.co.nz.

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