Rotorua District Council named country's top cycling organisation

Rotorua District Council (RDC) has once again brought home the award for the most cycling active large organisation in New Zealand.

RDC has taken top honours in the ‘Very Large Organisation’ category in the 2011 national Bike Wise Challenge. Over 400 organisations throughout the country and over 5,500 cyclists took part in the competition aimed at encouraging more people to give cycling a go.

The council has been successful in the competition since it began four years ago, having won the national title for large organisations in 2007 and 2008, and the Bay of Plenty title in 2009 and 2010.

Thirty-five percent of RDC staff took part in the Bike Wise Challenge, and cycled a staggering 11,618 kilometres.

RDC transport safety and sustainability coordinator Niki Carling said she was delighted with the council’s achievement and encouraged other organisations in the region to follow suit.

"The Bike Wise Challenge has once again provided a good platform for RDC staff to make the most of the summer weather, to be involved in team building activities and to get fit.

“This is a great outcome for our health and wellbeing, and a great outcome for the environment as it means fewer cars on the road.

“The excellent level of RDC participation reflects a general growth in cycling in Rotorua over the past couple of years. We’re seeing more people of all ages out on their bikes, not just in the forest, but also riding bikes as an alternative means of transport.”

Ms Carling said the council provides a number of bikes for staff to get around town on council business rather than using council vehicles.

“The biggest buzz for me is seeing people rediscovering the simple pleasures of riding a bike and in some cases choosing to make bikes part of their everyday lives.”