Bike new places with family and friends this summer!

Transcription

1 Bike new places with family and friends this summer! region Events Guide 15/16

2 Get on your bikes & ride this summer! Summer is the perfect time to dust off your bike and ride to work or explore the region s great scenery. Whether it s coastal roads, rural roads or off road along a scenic trail, you ll find something to suit you. There are lots of opportunities to get out and have some fun at family-friendly events this summer. You ll find details for events to suit all ages and abilities inside this guide, along with tips on how to negotiate traffic safely and links to useful cycling information. Get Pedal Ready this summer! Like riding a bike but not in traffic? Learn the skills you need to ride on the road on one of our bike skills courses and get cycling around town! Cost: $20 or FREE for workplaces! To find your nearest course, go to: To find out more please visit: Check out the region s best riding locations! Cover photo: Bike the Trail 2015, Upper Hutt City Council, Proshoot Photography

3 December January February March SAT 5 SAT Pedal Ready Bike Skills Frocks Shop By Bike Weet-Bix Tri Training Lower Hutt WORD Bike-a-Palooza Wainuiomata Weet-Bix Tri Training Lower Hutt Weet-Bix Tri Training Lower Hutt JAN SAT SAT 30 TBC Huri Huri Bike Festival Wairarapa Te Ara o Whareroa Trail Opening QE Park, Kapiti Electric Bike Bays Ride Pencarrow Coast Ride Eastbourne Frocks Garden Magic region 15/16 WED 10 WED 10 WED WED 17 SAT 20 MON MON 29 Go By Bike Day Go By Bike Day Upper Hutt Go By Bike Day Kapiti Miramar Ciclovia Miramar, Frocks Love to Roll Go By Bike Day Lower Hutt Rimutaka Rail Trail Upper Hutt Breadcraft Kid s Tri Masterton Bike the Trail Upper Hutt/Lower Hutt Breadcraft Kid s Tri Masterton SAT 5 MON 7 FRI 11 SAT TUE Karapoti Classic Upper Hutt Breadcraft Kid s Tri Masterton Grupetto Ride to Work Cycling amongst Giants Wainuiomata BAMBA Open Day Belmont Regional Park Weet-Bix TRYathlon Weet-Bix TRYathlon Lower Hutt Frock-nic by the sea Paekakariki Events Guide gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling

4 Stay safe this summer Be Safe Be Seen When you re cruising the streets drivers will be looking out for you. Bright clothes and reflective material make it much easier for motorists to see you and when the sun goes down bicycle lights are essential. See Greater s lights test to find out which lights are best: No Surprises Policy Riding a steady line past parked cars, pot holes or broken glass makes it easy for cars to give you a wide berth. A safety margin of 1 metre when passing parked cars is needed to avoid being doored. Bus Lanes Top tips for negotiating traffic Using bus lanes can help to get around quickly but there are a few important things you need to know to stay safe: You may use a Bus Lane, as long as there isn t a Bus Only sign Be extra considerate of buses the size of a bus means bus drivers often can t see cyclists Vehicles turning left may need to cross bus or cycle lanes. The law states they must give way to all vehicles using the lanes. But you still need to be careful if a vehicle is turning left just ahead of you as the driver may not see you, or may wrongly guess your speed. Advance Stop Boxes Advance Stop Boxes are painted green and are on many City streets. Use them to position yourself in the full view of traffic at intersections. When the lights turn green you ll get a head start on any turning vehicles. If there is a row of small diamonds painted on the road, ride over those to trigger the lights. Bunch Riding Sudden braking or swerving are common causes of crashes in bunches. Group rides work best when riders communicate hazards and rotate the lead rider smoothly. Riding two-abreast is legal (unless you are passing other vehicles or holding up traffic). Riding three-abreast is never legal. Sharrow Road Markings A Sharrow road marking is a distinctive new marking on some shared traffic lanes designed to improve cyclist safety. The marking - a white bicycle with two arrows above it - is used to indicate where cyclists should ride to be most visible and avoid hazards like car doors. The mark also provides a reminder to drivers that they should watch out for cyclists and share the road. For more information: Credit: City of Ithaca, New York

5 Cycling to Work Why cycle to work? It s fun, good for your health and can be fast and convenient! Commuting Tips If you re new to commuting by bike, see these FAQs from Cycle Aware : Workplaces Fitter, Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper There are a number of easy, free or cheap actions workplaces can put in place to promote cycling to work. For more information, download the Cycle Friendly Employer and the Get Your Workplace Moving guides: Active a2b Active a2b is Greater Regional Council s health and wellbeing initiative. January through early April 2016 will see Active a2b run for its 7 th straight year. Active a2b is offered free to workplaces and employees. Last year 150 workplaces and more than 1,100 employees participated. Employees are provided a range of resources: merchandise, tools, personalised support, workshops, challenges, and trackers. Individuals select offerings to assist them as they become active commuters. Active a2b 2016 will include a refreshed website, a new activity tracker, and engaging competitions for individuals, groups, and organisations. Find out more at: Bike Buddies The Bike Buddies programme matches aspiring riders with experienced, volunteer cyclists in their area. The Bike Buddies meet their aspiring riders and provide the guidance that less-experienced riders need to feel comfortable and confident as they travel by bike. Bike Buddies can help with: selecting the most appropriate routes safely navigating traffic tackling new riding environments and conditions setting-up and selecting equipment Find out more and register at: Travel Toolkit

6 Where to ride region s cycling hot spots Käpiti Coastal Cycle Route Wairarapa Valley Cycle Trail Queen Elizabeth Park Masterton Recreation Trails Carterton Mountain Bike Park Ara Harakeke Karapoti Gorge Rimutaka Rail Trail Greytown Rail Trail Harcourt Park Cycle Track Tawa Stream Path Whitemans Valley Hutt River Trail Wainuiomata Trail Project Pencarrow Head City Trails Makara Loop Makara Peak/Karori Park Miramar Trail Project Great Harbour Way Miramar Peninsula South Coast Kids Track Mt Victoria Wild Coast (Turakirae Head) The region has some great places for riding both on and off road. Whether it s café and beach hopping along a coastal road, touring country vineyards or taking the scenic route along a river trail, you ll find something to suit you. You ll find cycling maps for the region at your local i-site and you can find out the best way from a to b using the Walking and Cycling Journey Planner:

7 December 5 Pedal Ready - Cycling in the City Lyall Bay, Time: 9am - 12pm Location: Lyall Bay Primary School, Cost: $20, register online This is Pedal Ready s urban cycle skills course based in City. The three-hour workshop for adults will teach you the basics of safe cycling and build your confidence riding on the road and in traffic. It is perfect for all of your on-road riding goals whether they are riding to work this summer or riding around the bays on the weekend. The course is designed to cater to all levels of riding experience. 5 Frocks on Bikes Boutique Shopping by Bike - Time: 1pm pm Location: Milk Crate (35 Ghuznee Street), finish at Blue Belle cafe in Island Bay Photo: Frocks on Bikes, Pre-Christmas boutique shopping by bike: Take a tour of sustainable and design oriented boutiques in Cuba Street, Berhampore and Island Bay to find some Christmas gifts for your loved ones. Compulsory cafe stop to start and finish! Get your pannier bags, racks and baskets sorted for carrying those gifts home. Check the Frocks on Bikes facebook page for more details.

8 6 Weetbix TRY Training Sessions Sunday 6 December: Hutt Park, Seaview Sunday 13 December: Hutt City Council carpark, 531 High Street, Lower Hutt Sunday 20 December: Avalon Park, Avalon Time: 10am - 2pm Kickstart your summer training for the Weet-Bix TRYathlon on a set course with cycling guru Simon Gilbert. Simon will help you through the course and will provide expert assistance to you during your practice session to ensure you get the most out of it and have some real fun. Bike fix-up stations will also be available thanks to the Biketec team as well as a BBQ (gold coin donation) and refreshments for after you finish your ride. Contact: Jaimee Lampard WORD Bike-A-Palooza Time: 9am- 1pm Location: Wainuiomata Mountain Bike Park, Waiu Street, Wainuiomata Cost: $15 New Zealand s best, super fun, most rad mountain bike event ever is back! The trails of Wainuiomata will be taken over by 4-17 year olds on two wheels. With four awesome courses to choose from, there is something for every skill level. Bring on the fun! Register online at: Photo: Meg Riversdale, Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon

9 January 20 Huri Huri Bike Festival Wairarapa: January Wairarapa is the place to get on your bike over Anniversary weekend! Huri Huri, in association with the New Zealand Cycle Classic - features the world s premier road cyclists. It includes a range of exciting cycling events such as the Ruamahanga Trail Ride, Pedal for Parkinson s road cycling challenge, Town to Tide multisport race and an inaugural trailblazer up the Atiwhakatu Valley in the Tararua Forest Park. wairarapabikefestival@gmail.com Te Ara o Whareroa official trail opening Time: 10am - 2pm Location: Queen Elizabeth Park, MacKays Crossing, Käpiti Official opening of the Te Ara o Whareroa trail - a family-friendly walking and cycling trail connecting Paekakariki and Raumati South. Following the opening, some food and music and activities for the family. Check out the Greater Regional Council Facebook page for more information on how to get involved! Photo: Bike N Hike, Huri Huri Wairarapa s Bike Festival, Catherine Rossiter-Stead

10 24 Electric Bike Bays Ride Time:1pm - 5pm Location: Switched on Bikes, City Bring your electric bike and meet other ebike riders or hire one from us and see what all the fuss is about. Starting near the waterfront, we ll ride to Shelly Bay and back again with stops along the way. Please pre-register to ride by 15 January to ryan@switchedonbikes.co.nz. If you d like to hire an ebike please let us know early and include your height (limited availability, hire cost is $45). The Grand Opening of TE ARa o WHaReRoA walking & cycling trail Get involved - music, food stalls, dress up your bike competition and more! 30 Pencarrow Coast Bike Ride Eastbourne Time: 10am - 1pm Location: East Harbour Regional Park, Burdans Gate entrance Cost: $15/adult, $5 under 14 Adventure south on your bike from Eastbourne 13.5kms past the Pencarrow lighthouse to Baring Head. Throw your bike on the truck and grab a bus back to your car. Bikes must have a minimum of 20 inch wheels. Moderate fitness required. To book: or bookings@gw.govt.nz Saturday 23 January 2016 Queen Elizabeth Park, MacKays Crossing, Kāpiti Opening ceremony 10-11am Festival 11-2pm

11 February 10 Go By Bike Day Time: 7am - 9am Location: Queens Wharf (under the sails) Cycle Aware Go By Bike Day celebrates everyone who cycles in - whether you are a year-round rain or shine bike commuter, you use your bike for fun and fitness, or you are just trying it out for the first time. Come along for free coffee and breakfast under the sails on Queen s Wharf. We ll have a travelling photo booth taking images for the Share the Road campaign, so get your best riding gear on, whether it s a frock, high-vis or your work clothes for a pose! There will also be a bus set up for people to try out a driver s seat view plus entertainment, stalls, free bicycle checks and prize draws. Contact: Shailie Pidcock Cycle Aware Go By Bike Day Upper Hutt Time: 7.30am - 9am Location: Upper Hutt City Council buildings Join fellow cyclists for a FREE breakfast and coffee. No wheels - No worries! You can come and enjoy a ride on a spin bike to get your breakfast! We ll have a travelling photo booth taking images for the Share the Road campaign, so get your best riding gear on, whether it s a frock, high-vis or your work clothes for a pose! Photo: Hariata Hema and Patrick Morgan at Go By Bike Day 2015, Cycle Aware

12 10 Go By Bike Day Kapiti Time: 6.30am - 9am Location: Käpiti District Council library building, Iver Trask Place Join fellow cyclists for a FREE breakfast and coffee outside! No wheels - No worries! You can come and enjoy a ride on a spin bike to get your breakfast! We ll have a travelling photo booth taking images for the Share the Road campaign, so get your best riding gear on, whether it s a frock, high-vis or your work clothes for a pose! 14 Miramar Ciclovia Miramar, Time: 6am - 9pm Open Street Day Location: Miramar Peninsula Ciclovía is a phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. It s a simple concept - close a road to cars and open it to people to experience their city in a whole new way. From its roots in Colombia, to downtown Los Angeles, to Melbourne, Ciclovía is now a a regular summer event in, enjoyed by many! This year we will once again have the Miramar Peninsula closed to cars and motorbikes, so you can walk, cycle, skate, or scooter this wonderful piece of coast, as a family, with friends, or just by yourself! 14 Love to Roll Time: 12 noon Location: Freyberg beach The annual not-to-be-missed cycle ride is back. Celebrate love and cycling with Frocks on Bikes. Meet at Freyberg beach for a leisurely cycle around the bays, to Lyall Bay and around the coast to the Island Bay festival. There will be prizes! To make a day of it, meet up at 10:30 at Shelly Bay and enjoy a car-free cycle around Miramar peninsula as part of Ciclovia, arriving at Freyberg beach to join Love to Roll. Check the Frocks on Bikes Facebook page for more details:

13 17 Go By Bike Day Lower Hutt Time: 7am - 9am Location: Dowse Square, Laings Road, Lower Hutt Hutt City Council s Go by Bike Day breakfast event is back! Come along on your bike and celebrate Bike Wise Month with a free nutritious breakfast. Be in to win free giveaways and spot prizes. We ll have a travelling photo booth taking images for the See the person, Share the road campaign, so get your best riding gear on, whether it s a frock, highvis or your work clothes for a pose! 20 Cycle the Rimutaka Rail Trail Upper Hutt Time: 11am Location: Incline Road, Kaitoke Cost: $25/adult, $5/child for return shuttle from Cross Creek Free for those with own transport. Max 80 people for return shuttles. Enjoy a long (17km) but family-friendly bike ride along the historic Rimutaka Rail Trail. Learn the history of the Fell engine and enjoy a picnic at the summit, site of an old railway village. Bikes must have a minimum of 20 inch wheels. Moderate fitness required. To book: or bookings@gw.govt.nz Photo: Kiri and Jo Clendon at Lower Hutt Go By Bike Day 2015, Hutt City Council

14 22 Breadcraft Kids Triathlon Series Masterton Dates: Mondays - 22 & 29 February & 7 March 2016 Time: 5.45pm (must be registered prior to this) Location: Wairarapa College Grounds, Masterton Cost: $4 per event For kids ages Bike the Trail Upper Hutt - Lower Hutt Bike the Trail is a FREE event for families and individuals, and suitable for all ages. Join Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council on a magical ride from Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt through to Hikoikoi Reserve in Petone. A shorter option from Stokes Valley is available as well. Free transport back to Stokes Valley and Harcourt Park from the finish area. Lock in the date now! Photo: Bike the Trail 2015, Upper Hutt City Council, Proshoot Photography

15 March 5 Karapoti Classic Upper Hutt Time: 10am Location: Karapoti Park, Akatarawa Rd, Upper Hutt Cost: $25-$85 Based in s rugged Akatarawa Ranges, the Karapoti Classic is the Southern Hemisphere s longest running mountain bike event. This adventure ride combines a huge but achievable challenge with superb scenery and an awesome social scene. With options ranging from the feature 50k Classic to the 20k Challenge and the Kids 5k Klassic, there s something for everyone. But be quick... Entries are limited to 1000 starters! 11 Grupetto Ride to Work Newtown - Time: 7am onwards Location: Bicycle Junction, Newtown If you re cycling to work through Newtown, pause for a coffee at Bicycle Junction on the way. Take a chance to meet some of those fellow travellers you normally just see at the traffic lights then ride Grupetto style into town.

16 13 Belmont Mountain Bike Club Open Day Lower Hutt Time: 10am - 2pm Location: Belmont Regional Park, Stratton St Experience the fabulous new mountain bike trails in Belmont Regional Park with Greater Regional Council and the Belmont Area Mountain Bike Association (BAMBA). BAMBA will lead group rides on trails such as 4 Degrees, Bull Run, Borderline, New Big Weta and the Stream Track. Riding difficulty will range from Grade 2/beginners through to Grade 3/4 intermediate/advanced. 12 Cycling amongst Giants Wainuiomata Time: 9am - 12noon Location: Wainuiomata Water Collection Area Max 30 people Come for a cruise on the access roads within the Wainuiomata Water Collection area passing lush forested areas with ancient trees. Learn more about the role these magnificent gentle giants play with the water we drink today. Bikes must have a minimum of 20 inch wheels. Moderate fitness required. To book: Phone or parks@gw.govt.nz Photo: Karapoti Classic,

17 Weet-Bix TRYathlons The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlons help kids stay active and healthy through a programme of participation. It s about getting out there, giving it a TRY, achieving a personal best, improving confidence and self esteem. The event is open to everyone aged between 7 and 15, and consists of a swim, cycle and a run. : Sunday 20 March Location: Kilbirnie Park, Lower Hutt: Tuesday 22 March Location: Hutt Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt Frock-nic by the sea Paekakariki Time: Meet at 10:15am (to catch the 10:44 train) to Paekakariki Location: Meet at Railway Station Take the train to Paekakariki and cycle along the Käpiti Coastal Cycle Route, including the new section of paved trail through the Queen Elizabeth Park. We will find a spot for lunch. You can choose to return to Paekakariki after lunch, or continue along the trail to Raumati South. We ll stop at the Raumati Social Club for a refreshment. Return through Queen Elizabeth Park in time to catch the 3:45 (approx) train back to. Check the Frocks on Bikes Facebook page for more details: Roll with Frocks on Bikes! Frocks on Bikes is a unique cycle advocacy organisation that aims to get more women on bikes in everyday life. Through a -based mothership and many flocks across Australasia, Frocks on Bikes holds accessible events and provides services to get regular women onto bikes. Frocks on Bikes, have some great rides planned this summer so grab your bike and join them! Check out their Boutique Shopping by Bike, Love to Roll and Frock-nic events in this guide. Gardens Magic music by bike Frocks will also be riding to a Gardens Magic evening at the Botanical Gardens in January. Enjoy a shared picnic and evening music with fellow Frockers. Event date will be determined once the music schedule is released! Check the Frocks on Bikes Facebook page for details:

18 Resources - where to ride Region Cycling Maps Pick up your free cycling map from i-sites around the region. Cycling Commuter Videos A series of six videos following cycle commuters. Walking and Cycling Journey Planner Plan your own cycle route with the Walking and Cycling Journey Planner. Mountain Biking Käpiti Coast Walking and Cycling Guide Porirua Walking and Cycling Tracks Hutt City Walking and Cycling Upper Hutt Trails Wairarapa Nga Haerenga - NZ Cycle Trail Find out about New Zealand s Great Rides and cycle touring routes. Kennett Brothers Love Cycling NZ New Zealand s leading publisher of cycling history and guide books. General Information Greater Regional Council Information about cycle safety, bike buddies and bikes on public transport. Pedal Ready Pedal Ready is a regional cycle skills programme for schools and adults. Everyday Cycling in Aotearoa New Zealand The road-tested handbook for enjoyable, safe urban cycling; from Awa Press. Bikewise Bike Wise is New Zealand s national programme of activities which promote cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel. The Friendly Cyclist Cycle Aware (CAW) has created a series of fun and informative videos about cycling around. New Zealand Transport Agency NZTA has developed the Official Road Code for Cyclists, a user-friendly guide to New Zealand s traffic law and safe driving practices. Clubs + Bike Shops + Bike Hire Companies Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) Local CAN groups work with NZTA and councils on behalf of people who cycle For a list of local cycling clubs, bike shops, bike hire and tour companies:

19 For more information, contact Greater : PO Box T Follow Greater November 2015 GW/ST-G-15/153