Participation encouraged for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Christchurch's Aotearoa Bike Challenge, a nationwide competition commencing today and running throughout February, aims to get more people riding their bikes, benefiting their health and the climate.

More than 300 Canterbury workplaces and over 3000 local people have already signed up to join the event, which is supported by Christchurch City Council and organised by the New Zealand Transport Agency and Love to Ride.

This is already an increase on last year’s record number of 295 Christchurch organisations participating, and registrations are climbing every day.

Council Transport Operations Manager Steffan Thomas advises the Aotearoa Bike Challenge offers an incentive for people to bike instead of taking the car noting “sometimes all people need is a little bit of a kick-start to do something they’ve been talking about for a while.

“Christchurch is typically a big supporter of this event. Last year we had two per cent of our working population taking part, which is pretty impressive when the New Zealand-wide figure is 0.7 per cent.

“It’s not just for experienced riders either. Last year about 20% of participants hadn’t been on a bike in the previous 12 months and 20% were only occasional riders. It’s definitely a lot of fun – 96% of people who took part last year were keen to do it again this year.”

Thomas highlighted that transport accounts for over 50% of Christchurch’s emissions and biking to work is the cleanest way to travel.

Christchurch's Aotearoa Bike Challenge participants last year saved more than 96 tonnes of CO2 by biking instead of driving.

Riders who join the challenge clock up points for every kilometre and every day they ride, and for every person they encourage to sign up. New riders get bonus points.

Participants go in the draw for national prizes, including a $5000 e-bike and other outdoor gear, and local companies have also offered rewards such as boutique accommodation, food boxes and festival, film and adventure passes.

Points contribute to their workplace’s total which is tracked through a live leaderboard on the Challenge website showing which organisations and individuals are on top.