The first Aotearoa Bike Challenge will kick off across the country next week
The Challenge supports Kiwis to give cycling a go with tailored guidance and tips, friendly workplace competition and lots of great prizes on offer.
More than 760 organisations and 6,400 New Zealanders are gearing up for the month-long challenge which starts on Wednesday 1 February.
It’s not too late to sign up. Registrations will remain open until 28 February and a 10 minute journey by bike is all it takes to participate.
Broadcaster and mum of two, with another on the way, Carly Flynn says incorporating 10 minutes of biking a day is so attainable for so many Kiwis.
"We are relatively new to biking as a family, but now that both our kids can ride it's opened up a whole new world to us. The kids love their new skills and the independence it gives them and I'd forgotten just how much fun it is myself,” she says.
“Now we look for reasons to bike – to school, kindy, the shops or just for leisure after dinner on a lovely summer’s night.”
Carly says biking has become an integral part of their lives. “One of our first purchases for baby number three has been a baby seat for the back of my bike,” she says.
As well as encouraging individuals to cycle, the Challenge is suited to workplaces with different departments and locations able to enter as a team – a great way to make the most of friendly workplace competition! The number of rides clocked up by a team contributes towards the efforts of the organisation as a whole. So the more people you get involved, the more chance you have of winning great prizes.
The Challenge is based on the global Love to Ride platform which has been brought to New Zealand by the NZ Transport Agency.
The Challenge is a great time to give cycling a go, says NZ Transport Agency National Cycling Manager Dougal List.
“Whether you have some experience in the saddle or are completely new to cycling, the Challenge provides riders with support and motivation and the knowledge that thousands of New Zealanders will be doing it with them.”
To give riders an extra incentive there is a brand new eBike, a Panasonic Smart TV, cycling gear, movie vouchers and many more prizes to be won.
To find out more visit www.aotearoa.bike(external link).
