Here are some images from the 2008 event. Taupo came fourth in the national Mayoral Challenge 2008 - a challenge for the 2009 event to beat our ranking!

‘GET ON Ya BIKE’ SAYS THE MAYOR

Dig out the bike pump, dust off the helmet and get rolling – BikeWise month is here!  For the month of February 2009 pedal-pushers of all ages, shapes and sizes will get behind a 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 Cooper.  “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.

A number of local and national cycling events and activities are taking place during BikeWise month culminating with the Mayoral Challenge and Go By Bike Day on 25^th February where you can enjoy a free breakfast and live entertainment at the Great Lake Centre.

Another initiative running throughout BikeWise month is ‘Spot the Cyclist’.  20 lucky cyclists will be rewarded for riding their bikes – to win all you have to do is be spotted on your bike by the dedicated bike spotter and you will win an instant prize.  So get on your bike to be in to win!

If you’d like to rekindle your relationship with your bicycle, or you’re keen to find a practical way to become more active, go to www.bikewise.co.nz to find out what’s on this month or contact Taupo District Council’s Road Safety Coordinator Christine Hutchison on 376 0899

Spot the Cyclist - Week 4

Every weekday during the BikeWise month of February one lucky cyclist will be rewarded for riding their bike.

All you have to do is be spotted on your bike by our dedicated bike spotter. Should you be spotted we will add your name and photo to this page and you will win an instant prize bag with a voucher redeemable at a local bike store.

So get on your bike to be in to win!! and remember "Cycling....Good for you, Good for Taupo"

We have spotted.....

Week 4:

Mela Herbert, Taupo Tamamutu Street. Coming back from work.
Happy that she was spotted as she's always on her bike!

2. Carl Druce, Taupo, Tamamutu Street
   Always by Bike

Week 3:

Angus McNicol age 10- Taupo Primary School. Cycles to school 2/3 times per week with older brother. About 4 kms return. Lives up by the old radio station.

2. The 'Fletcher Family' Katie, Emily,Hayley, & Jackson with dad Tim. Tim teachers at St. Patrick's School and the whole family cycles at least 2/3 times per week. A journey of about 2 kms .

Week 2:

Wayne Martin, riding to work in the Heu Heu Cycle lanes

2. John Howell, at the Post Office

     1.  Amanda Bond, riding home to Acacia Bay on the Cycle Path over Control Gates Bridge

Week 1:

1. Diana Waldrom (from Hilltop) spotted in Heuheu Street

2. Noel & Gail Frecklington (from Taupo Central) spotted along Cycle path at 2 Mile Bay

3.  Suzan & her son Alex Parkinson (from @ Rainbow Point) Spotted along cycle path at 4 Mile Bay

4.  Karen Wall (from 2 Mile Bay) spotted in Heuheu Street

5.  Dave Strom (from Bird area) spotted inTui Street

Support cycling through the General Election 2008

About 750,000 voters this Election are cyclists - 26% of the vote. Cyclists can be a major force for good! 

CAN has been busy polling candidates and spreading the word to cyclists. The results of their work so far are provided below.

Summary of the candidate poll

The diagram below shows the percent of candidates from each party who are pro-cycling. The results are robust: Over 520 candidates (of  a possible 620) have now been polled.

Find all this and more at:http://can.org.nz/elections