February 3 2010

Mid Canterbury employers are being urged to encourage their staff to swap their cars for bicycles this month.

February is Bike Wise Month and businesses are being given the opportunity to vie for the title of New Zealand’s most bike-friendly workplace through the annual Bike Wise Challenge.

 Many organisations have already signed up to give cycling a go, with the Bike Wise Challenge just one of a series of two-wheeled events taking place through out the month.

 Bike Wise Month is New Zealand’s annual celebration of two-wheeled transport, with Kiwis of all ages encouraged to give cycling a go at one of hundreds of events taking place across the country.

 New Zealand Transport Association national manager road user behaviour Michael Cummins said Bike Wise Month is aimed at highlighting the benefits of cycling and getting as many New Zealanders as possible onto their bikes.

 The Bike Wise Challenge is a fun, free, online competition which encourages organisations to get their staff on bikes from throughout the month.

 “It’s all about participation and encouraging people to give cycling a go. Participants can ride whenever and wherever they feel comfortable for just 10 minutes or 2 kilometres, and there are prizes for the organisations who get the highest percentage of staff participating,” Mr Cummins said.

 The challenge is a great team-building exercise for organisations that get involved.

 Experienced cyclists can help mentor the newbies and encourage them to give it a go.

 As well as the health benefits of cycling for individuals, there are also numerous benefits for the wider community, particularly when bikes are used for commuting which eases congestion on local roads.

 It’s also a cost-effective way to commute, with savings made on petrol, parking fees, and even gym memberships, Mr Cummins said.

 “Cycling is also a great way to boost workplace morale – it gives teams that wouldn’t normally communicate a chance to interact, and encourages a bit of healthy and fun competition at work.”

 Open to any company or organisation in New Zealand, businesses of a similar size compete against each other in their region to see who can get the highest percentage of their members or staff in the saddle.

 Last year more than 14,000 participants signed up for the Bike Wise Challenge, with more than 13,000 of those logging at least one ride during the month.

 For more information on how your organisation can take the Bike Wise Challenge see www.bikewisechallenge.org.nz.

 ** Mid Cantabrians are being encouraged to pump up their bike tyres and dust off their seats in preparation for Bike Wise Month. Bike Wise Month, funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Ministry of Health, is an annual celebration of the bicycle which kicked off on Monday.

 Mid Canterbury is doing it a bit differently this year, with the mayoral challenge traditionally held at the Ashburton Racecourse on a Sunday morning, being held after work on March 2.

 A corporate challenge is also on the agenda, with the dates yet to be decided. Go By Bike Day will be held on Wednesday, February 17.

Pictured: ATS staff Bill Zhang, Grant Cullimore, Allan Lilley, Peter Jacob, Rob Read, Lisa Cartwright, Alison McDowell and Aaron McCleery started Bike Wise Month on a positive note yesterday by biking to work. - Photo Sarah Chamberlain 010210-SC-266