Mayoral Challenge this Wednesday

Mayor Rick Cooper wants the biggest turn out ever this week at the Mayoral Challenge ‘Go by bike’ day so pump up your wheels, dust off your helmet and get down to the Great Lake Centre this Wednesday (25 February).

 

Be faster, fitter, cleaner and cheaper on Wednesday morning by joining the Mayor and Councillors for a short bike ride around Tongariro Domain before work. ‘Go by bike’ day kicks off at 7.00am at the Great Lake Centre with a free breakfast and entertainment then at 7.45am, the bike ride starts. “We want to take away the prize for the most participants for a small town,” said the Mayor. “Last year we did pretty well coming second to Napier but I know we can do better this year!”

 

There are heaps of spot prizes up for grabs including a brand new bike so get along and be in to win. There is also a prize draw for the best dressed bike, best dressed person and best dressed helmet so get creative!

 

‘Go by bike’ day is an initiative of BikeWise month. For the month of February pedal-pushers of all ages, shapes and sizes get behind this nationwide campaign to get more Kiwis on their bikes and celebrate what is becoming a way of life for many. But while many New Zealanders are giving cycling a go, only a small proportion use a bike regularly for transport, with just two percent of journeys to work by cycle. BikeWise month is part of a concerted effort to increase the use of active, healthy transport modes like cycling.

 

“There are all sorts of good reasons to make biking part of the way you get from A to B, especially in Taupo,” says Mayor Rick. “Most car trips are less than six kilometres long, a distance that can easily be cycled, and biking often takes no longer than driving. Parking isn’t an issue, there are no fuel costs, it’s healthy and it’s good for the environment,” he says.

 

Another BikeWise initiative underway this month is ‘Spot the Cyclist’. So far over 15 lucky cyclists have been be rewarded for riding their bikes. To win all you have to do is ride your bike and get spotted by the dedicated bike spotter and you will win an instant prizes, kindly sponsored by our four local bike shops.

 

For more information on the Mayoral Challenge ‘Go by bike’ day or ‘Spot the cyclist’ contact Taupo District Council’s Road Safety Coordinator Christine Hutchison on 376 0899 or go to www.bikewise.co.nz