Bikes on buses extends to the Northern Star.

Environment Canterbury has extended its bikes on buses service along the Northern Star route to Waimakariri District towns. This means that North Canterbury people can combine cycling with using the bus.

All Northern Star buses were recently fitted with bike racks. Bike racks have been fitted successfully to the 35 Lyttelton route for the past 18 months and more Christchurch buses are getting the racks later this year.

“The bikes on buses programme integrates Metro bus services with other modes of travel such as cycling and offers people different options when travelling throughout Greater Christchurch,” said Environment Canterbury North Canterbury councillor Jo Kane.

“People can choose to take the Northern Star one way and then bike the other or alternatively bike and bus in stages. The choices are there. The service also makes it easier for North Canterbury residents to cycle around other parts of Christchurch such as the Port Hills cycle ways.”

Cr Kane said that the new bike racks help cyclists safely cross the river bridges between Christchurch and Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Longer term, a cycleway clip-on for the Old Waimakariri Bridge is included in the Regional Land Transport Programme.

North Canterbury residents can now get a Metrocard from the i-Site located at Kaiapoi Wharf on Charles Street as of this week, 7 days a week.

Times of the Northern Star buses are available on Metroinfo (03) 366 88 55 or www.metroinfo.org.nz.