Bike Wise Month set to get Hutt City pedalling

Hutt City will be humming with cyclists during February as pedal-pushers of all ages celebrate Bike Wise Month.

Local events during the month-long national campaign to get more Kiwis on their bikes include the popular Go by Bike Day breakfast on Wednesday 17 February followed by the annual Bike the Trail ride on Sunday 28 February.

Mayor David Ogden will be riding Bike the Trail and is keen to see as many people as possible dust off their bikes and rediscover the fun of cycling.

"Bike Wise Month is a great time to pump up the tyres, don a helmet and enjoy our great city on two wheels.

"Hutt City is set to become a cycle-friendly city with $351,000 budgeted this financial year for the improvement of our local cycle network including the construction of a sealed surface on the Hutt River Trail between Kennedy Good bridge and the Riverbank car park."

The Bike the Trail event is also Hutt City's entry to the annual Mayoral Challenge where cities and towns from all over the country compete to get the most people riding along with their mayor. There'll also be spot prizes including two Avanti bikes.

"I'm really looking forward to the event and I hope we get a great turn out," says Mayor Ogden.

The Bike Wise Challenge (formerly known as the Bike Wise Battle) is also back with workplaces, schools, churches and other groups competing in an online competition to see who can get the highest percentage of members riding a bike during February. Hutt City Council staff will compete again this year, along with a number of other local businesses and community groups eager to join in the fun. To enter visit www.bikewise.co.nz

For information about other cycling events happening in Hutt City this summer pick up a Hutt Valley Summer of Cycling booklet from your local bike shop or council facility, or visit www.summerscene.co.nz/cycling