Bike wise

Bike Wise is New Zealand’s national cycling programme, promoting cycling as an enjoyable, fun, healthy and safe transport mode. Bike Wise events are anchored in the month of February each year, with two major events – Go By Bike Day and the Bike Wise Challenge competition. Beyond these, there are other school, community and biking related activities during the February month and throughout the year. 

Bike Wise is the sole national programme of cycling events and is funded by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). Bike Wise Month and its related events are coordinated annually by NZTA through a strong and dedicated network of regional and local coordinators from councils, regional sports trusts, cycling advocates, district health boards, businesses, schools, NZ Police and volunteers. 

Cycling is increasingly becoming a highly sustainable mode of transportation in New Zealand. Over the years, both the NZTA and MoH have been working to raise cycling levels, cycle safety, cycling as a healthy behaviour and encourage cycling to work as a sustainable mode of transport. Bike Wise has helped to encourage a growing culture of cycling for both transport and recreation, with the number of new cyclists increasing gradually in the recent years. 

Bike Wise Advisory Group

Bike Wise is supported by the Bike Wise Advisory Group that shares the commitment to promoting and encouraging biking throughout New Zealand for enjoyment and transport. The Bike Wise Advisory Group is chaired by the NZTA and consists of representatives from the MoH, Ministry of Transport, Sport and Recreation New Zealand, New Zealand Police, the Cycling Advocates Network and BikeNZ. The group meets four times a year to offer guidance on steering Bike Wise’s future direction and to foster better collaboration and coordination amongst partners and networks.  

Bike Wise Strategic Framework 2010-2015

A new Bike Wise Strategic Framework (PDF 2MB)  has been developed with input from the Bike Wise Advisory Group and key stakeholders. This will guide the direction of Bike Wise activities and other national cycling outreach initiatives from 2010 to 2015 in New Zealand. The framework sets out a clear vision and goals, with strategic priority areas identified for Bike Wise. Managers, coordinators, event organisers and anyone involved in biking-related initiatives may be interested in this. The framework is reviewed once every five years. All enquiries and feedback can be sent to bikewise@nzta.govt.nz.