The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is back for its fourth year this February, with participants having an extra leap year day on February 29 to clock up their rides.
The month-long workplace Challenge, organised by the NZ Transport Agency partnering with Love to Ride, encourages New Zealanders to hop on their bikes and log their rides to be in to win some great prizes valued at over $30,000.
In 2019 there were a record-breaking number of participants with more than 22,000 people from over 1,900 organisations taking part, including over 4,700 new riders. Participants collectively made more than 289,000 trips by bike and cycled nearly 3.7 million kilometres. Sign-ups this year are on track to overtake this.
The Challenge is part of the NZ Transport Agency’s commitment to lead the way in creating environments where more people walk, cycle and use public transport and other shared transport options, to support vibrant communities which everyone can access.
“Cycling supports thriving towns and cities and supports good quality of life,” says Robyn Elston, Senior Manager System Design, NZ Transport Agency.
“Businesses and organisations have a key role to play in encouraging more people to choose a bike as a transport choice and it’s great to see the support of so many, who get on board with the Aotearoa Bike Challenge each year. For employers, having more of your people riding bikes to and from work, or during the day, means a more alert and healthier workforce, and contributes to increased productivity.”
Taking part in the Challenge is easy. People only need to ride 10-minutes to participate but must register and record trips online. Any organisation – big or small – can get their staff involved in riding and compete against other workplaces of a similar size.
Both an individual participant and their workplace team can earn points for every mile cycled, every day someone rides a bike, and for every person that has been encouraged to sign-up. Every point matters, and everyone in a workplace can contribute to their team’s total points.
The Aotearoa Bike Challenge starts on 1 February and continues until 29 February. Participants must register online at www.aotearoa.bike(external link)
Anyone who signs up before midnight on Friday 31 January will be in the draw to win a Trek Allant+ 8S e-bike powered by Bosch eBike Systems.
What: Aotearoa Bike Challenge
Who: Workplaces nationwide (and their employees)
When: February 2019
Cost: Free
How: Register here www.aotearoa.bike(external link)
Prizes include: A Trek Allant+ 8S eBike powered by Bosch eBike Systems, a Stand Up Paddleboard package and Air Series 300 Tent from Torpedo7, smart helmets from Wattwheels and Livall NZ, cases of GoodBuzz kombucha, and Bike Barn and Ground Effect gift vouchers. Plus, the top organisation in each of seven size categories will win a custom service package from Torpedo 7. See the full list of prizes here(external link)
