Cycle, step, summer!
Angus Lewry has learnt to cycle safely to school
Ten-year-old Angus Lewry of Tawa has serious plans for some cycling fun this summer. “I want to do the BMX track in Tawa and the Kenepuru Stream cycleway.” Angus recently discovered the joy of cycling after completing a cyclist safety skills course at Redwood School. Learning how to be safe on his bicycle has given Angus confidence to ride to and from school every day.
“I love going down hills and not having to wait for Mum to pick me up from school. My cycling skills course showed me that it’s really important to be aware of what’s around me, to look out for cars and to concentrate on what I’m doing,” says Angus.
Whether you’re as young as Angus or a bit older, there’s no time like summer to get on your bike or put on your walking shoes and explore our stunning region.
Planning your summer adventures is easy, thanks to Greater Wellington’s new cycling and walking journey planner. Simply go to www.journeyplanner.org.nz, key in details about where you want to start and where you want to finish, and you’re on your way.
As well as mapping out your journey, the planner (a list of step-by-step directions) appears down the left-hand side of the page. You’ll also be able to see a weather forecast and how hilly parts of your journey will be, plus a range of other features including drinking fountains, toilets, reserves and playgrounds. And if you’ve gained a few Christmas kilos, the planner also shows how many calories you’ll burn on your journey.
Lisa Hannam and daughter Jordyn walk to work and school
If part way through your journey planning you decide to make a detour, just click on “Add destination” and your new route will be created.
Simon Kennett, Greater Wellington’s Active Transport and Road Safety Coordinator, says the beauty of the online planner is its ability to create a tailor-made journey. “It helps you work out exactly how you’re going to get where you want to go, gives you written directions, and then you can simply print it off and have your very own customised map.”
If your planned adventure is longer than 5km, a link to Metlink (Greater Wellington’s public transport network) appears automatically below the step-by-step directions. Public transport helps you explore parts of the region further away from your home.
Several of the region’s superb regional parks are accessible by public transport. To find out what you can do at each regional park, see www.gw.govt.nz/parks or pick up some brochures from your local library. You can plan your public transport travel to the regional parks at www.metlink.org.nz.
If you’re working over January, it could be a great time to explore a car-free commute. You can enjoy the summer sun and fresh air by walking, cycling or taking public transport part of the way and walking the rest. And you can take your bike on the train for free – but remember, this depends on there being room available.
Whether you’re at work or play in the Wellington region this summer, get out there and get active!
Stay safe on your cycle – tips for young and old
Be bright
Poor observation by drivers is the number one cause of injury crashes on roads in the Wellington region. Bright clothing and even brighter lights are sure signs of a smart cyclist.
Be predictable
Signalling and making eye contact with drivers significantly reduces your chance of a collision at intersections. Also, riding a steady line a safe distance out from parked cars, rather than darting in and out from the road edge, makes it easier for drivers to give you a safe passing gap.
Tune your bike
If you have a bike you use mainly for street riding, set it up with durable commuter tyres that will laugh at potholes and resist punctures. Flat handlebars put you in an upright position, making you more visible to traffic, as well as putting the brakes and gears at your fingertips. Regularly check your bike for wear and tear, especially the brakes.
Plan your car-free trip – and be in to win!
Using Greater Wellington’s cycling and walking journey planner, tell us how you got to one of our great destinations and enter the weekly prize draw. Simply follow the link to the competition from the website. The competition runs until March 2010.