Employers in Horowhenua are encouraging their staff to swap their cars for bicycles for the annual Bike Wise Challenge.

The Bike Wise Challenge is being held throughout February as part of Bike Wise Month, New Zealand’s annual celebration of the bicycle. Invented nearly 200 years ago, the bicycle uniquely offers health, environmental, social and financial benefits that few other forms of exercise and transport provide.
The Bike Wise Challenge is a fun, free, online competition which encourages organisations to get their staff on bikes from February 1-28. Participants can ride whenever and wherever they feel comfortable for a minimum of 10 minutes or 2 km, and there are prizes for the organisations that get the highest percentage of staff participating.

“The Challenge is a great team building exercise for organisations,” says Kathy McMillan from Sport Manawatu. “Experienced cyclists can help mentor the ‘newbies’ and encourage them to give it a go. Staff members who swap their chair for a bike saddle often enjoy the experience so much they continue cycling after the competition”.

“As well as the health benefits of cycling, there are a number of advantages for the community, particularly when bikes are used for commuting which eases congestion on local roads,” says Miss McMillan. “It's also a cost-effective way to commute, with savings made on petrol, parking fees, and gym memberships”

“The Bike Wise Challenge is a great way to encourage people to try out cycling in a fun and social environment, with the support of co-workers and their workplace. It’s all about participation. We want employers in Horowhenua to encourage their staff to give cycling a go, even if it’s just once during the month. We want people to try cycling and turn it into the habit of a lifetime!”

Last year more than 14,000 participants signed up for the Bike Wise Challenge, with most of those logging at least one ride during the month.

Locally Bike Wise Month is funded by the NZ Transport Agency, Ministry of Health, Palmerston North City Council and Sport Manawatu

The Bike Wise Challenge is just one of the events being held during February’s Bike Wise Month. To register or for more information visit sporthorowhenua.org.nz.

Bike Wise Month FEBRUARY 2010

It’s fitter, faster and free! Hop on a bike and give cycling a go during Bike Wise Month. Cycling events are happening all over New Zealand. So hop on a bike and join us! Here is what’s going on in our region with Sport Horowhenua and Levin Aquatic Centre:

Go By Bike Day Wednesday February 17, 2010

7.00am – 9.00am

Join the thousands of New Zealanders celebrating national Go By Bike Day by forgetting the car and pedalling to your destination – and grab a FREE breakfast along the way! There will be fun competitions, entertainment, loads of spot prizes, FREE Bike Checks with Southend Cycles, FREE health checks with Fitstop Health and Fitness and Unicycle lessons and displays! DON’T HAVE A BIKE? Text BIKE4ME to 8808* followed by a space and your name and be in to win your very own brand new bike! *Texts cost 50c each

Where: The Domain, cnr Queen St W and Salisbury St, Levin

See attached Go By Bike Day 2010 poster
Pedal to the Pool Saturday 20th Feb

Pedal to the Pool & SWIM FREE!

Levin Aquatic Centre, 7.00am – 6.00pm

To celebrate Bike Wise month, pedal to the pool and SWIM FREE. There are heaps of fun activities to do at the pool! Don’t forget to bring a bike lock! Show your bike helmet to swim free.