24 January 2023
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Aotearoa Bike Challenge
Enquiry
I'm looking to run a local story on the Aotearoa Bike Challenge coming up in February - would I be able to get some comments from the Safe and Sustainable Journeys team or another appropriate spokesperson to the below questions please?
- Why do you encourage people to give the Bike Challenge a go? Why do you think this annual event is a great idea?
- Why is biking a great way to exercise? What other benefits are there?
- Why is Rotorua a great location for a challenge like this?
- Is there anything you would like to add eg. other upcoming community biking events to mention etc
Response
From Rachel Doelman, Rotorua Lakes Council sustainable journeys co-ordinator:
Why do you encourage people to give the Bike Challenge a go? Why do you think this annual event is a great idea?
The main benefit of the ABC being an annual event is that heaps of people know about it now and look forward to it every February. Workplaces can use it in their Workplace Travel Plans and as a Workplace Wellbeing initiative.
February is the perfect month for it to be held, as the weather is usually good and people are still fresh at the beginning of a new year.
The Challenge suits all levels of riders, from total beginners to experienced, and there are heaps of prizes to be won, including spot prizes for just participating.
Participants can get points for encouraging others and the more experienced can ride their little hearts out to compete with individuals nationally for the most kms ridden. Within workplaces, departments can compete against each other which creates comradery and encourages people to commute sustainably. Workplaces of similar sizes are grouped accordingly and compete against each other for places.
Why is biking a great way to exercise? What other benefits are there?
Biking is a great way to get exercise as you can exercise without necessarily making a point to exercise. This is often referred to as 'Incidental exercise'. So instead of driving to work, you can ride.
A short trip may not feel like 'real exercise', but over a week, month, year all of these short trips add up and contribute to your overall fitness and wellbeing.
Other benefits to biking are it is a very cost-effective way to get around for short-medium trips, especially with the fuel tax relief ending shortly.
Not so noticeable on a personal level perhaps, but beneficial for everyone is that every biked trip instead of a car trip faves some carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere.
Why is Rotorua a great location for a challenge like this?
The Rotorua urban area is really compact and for the most part, flat. You might be surprised how quick it is to bike to places that you assume would take longer than they do.
Although the shared path network doesn't cover the whole city yet, it is growing so many suburbs are accessible by safe cycling routes for the whole or partial journey.
Is there anything you would like to add eg. other upcoming community biking events to mention etc
If your workplace is signed up to the ABC, keep an eye on the ABC website and the RLC Safe and Sustainable Journeys page for event information. If you need help with route planning, please email the team at cycling@rotorualc.nz