New Zealand Cycling

With cyclists all over the country, New Zealand plans on becoming one of the leading cycling nations in the world. About three percent (3%) of the entire population uses the bike for their daily commute to work, or around town. Then there are those that use the bike for leisure and for sport. Cycling in New Zealand is also a significant tourism industry.

Cycling in New Zealand

Sustainability

Worldwide, the use of cycling for transport has declined and New Zealand is no exception.

Bicycles are considered a health indicator for a city. The presence of bikes represent how the community values the human scale, pace and values A healthy city has healthy biking.

In 2002, the New Zealand Government released an ambitious national transport strategy, which includes cycling in New Zealand as a key mode of transport: "By 2010 New Zealand will have an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive, and sustainable transport system."

Commuting, Leisure and Fitness

The bike is a good form of transportation, non-polluting, human powered and it takes up a small piece of the road. All New Zealand cities have facilities for cycling commuters.

A lot of people, especially families, go cycling as well, mainly during the weekends. There are a lot of bike-friendly parks and many places to visit around town.

Finally, cycling is also a major sport in New Zealand. With many cycling events, like the Armstrong Festival of Cycling and the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

New Zealand also boasts of some world cycling champions—namely, Sarah Ulmer—and a strong presence in international cycling sports.

New Zealand Cycling Events

August

• South Island Secondary Schools 2 Day Tour, Blenheim
• NZ Secondary Schools Individual Cycling Championship, Auckland

September

• NZSCA National Secondary School Champs, Levin/Feilding

October

• Bauer Hamilton to Auckland 97 k Express, Waikato/Auckland
• Lion Foundation National Road Cycling Championships, Otago
• K2 / Pearl Izumi K1, Coromandel

November

• Hotel ibis Bike the Lake, Rotorua
• Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, Taupo

December

• Armstrong Festival of Cycling, Christchurch

For further information about New Zealand cycling events, please visit the BikeNZ Event Calendar Web site.

New Zealand Bike Tours

Because of the wide support for cycling, New Zealand bike tours is now a growing industry. It can be as simple as half day bike rentals for trips around the city, or it can be a 15 day adventure tour across the South Island with pre-booked accommodation in the best B&Bs you can find.

New Zealand offers a unique environment for any cycling enthusiast. The variety of terrain, beautiful landscapes and friendly people make it perfect for New Zealand bike tours.

The best times for New Zealand bike tours are October to May, during New Zealand's summer months. You should consider the cooler months as well, when it's less windy and even less crowded.

We also have more information about mountain biking in New Zealand and New Zealand's Great (Bike) Rides.

Click here to view tourism operators for cycling in New Zealand.