Weington region

Events Guide

December 2014 - March 2015 Family friendly events

Keep up to date at: gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling Cycling in the City 15 Miramar Ciclovia 2 Dec 6 Wellington Wellington WORD Bike-a-Palooza 15 Love to Roll 7 Wainuiomata Wellington Beginners Bike Fix-Up 18 Go By Bike Day 7 Wellington Lower Hutt Summer is the perfect time to dust off your bike and ride to work or 14 Beginners Mountain Biking Grupetto Ride to Work explore the Wellington region’s great scenery. Whether it’s coastal roads, Wellington 20 Newtown rural roads or off road along a scenic trail, you’ll find something to suit. 21 Bike Skills 101 There are lots of opportunities to get out and have some fun at family Beginners Bike Fix-Up Petone friendly events this summer - you’ll find details for events to suit all ages Jan 24 Wellington and abilities inside this guide, along with tips on how to negotiate traffic safely and links to useful cycling information. Pencarrow Bike Ride Mar 1 Bike the Trail 25 Eastbourne Hutt Valley To find out more please visit: Family Bike Skills Intro 7 Karapoti Classic www.gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling 31 Wellington Wellington Cycling in the City 7 Wellington Rimutaka Rail Trail Check out the Feb 7 Upper Hutt Miramar Ciclovia 3 8 Wellington region’s best riding Cycling in the City 7 Wellington 14 Frocks on Bikes Frocknic locations! Wairarapa Miramar Ciclovia 1 8 Wellington 14 Big Bike Fix-Up Wellington Go By Bike Day 11 Wellington Cycling Amongst Giants 15 Wainuiomata Go By Bike Day 11 Käpiti Bike Skills 101 21 Porirua 14-22 Huri Huri Bike Festival Folding Bike Ride Wairarapa 22 Käpiti Advance Stop Boxes Advance Stop Boxes are painted green and are on many Wellington City streets. Use them to position yourself in the full view of traffic at intersections. Be Safe Be Seen When the lights turn green you’ll get a head start on When you’re cruising the streets drivers will be looking out for you. any turning vehicles. Bright clothes and reflective material make it much easier for motorists If there is a row of small diamonds painted on the road, to see you and when the sun goes down bicycle lights are essential. ride over those to trigger the lights. See Greater Wellington’s lights test to find out which lights are best: www.gw.govt.nz/be-safe-be-seen Bunch Riding No Surprises Policy Sudden braking or swerving are common causes of crashes in bunches. Riding a steady line past parked cars, pot holes or broken glass makes it easy for cars to give you a wide berth. A safety margin of 1 metre Group rides work best when riders communicate when passing parked cars is needed to avoid being ‘doored’. hazards and rotate the lead rider smoothly. Riding two-abreast is legal (unless you are passing Bus Lanes other vehicles or holding up traffic). Riding three- Using bus lanes can help to get around quickly but there are a few abreast is never legal. important things you need to know to stay safe: • You may use a ‘Bus Lane’, as long as there isn’t a ‘Bus Only’ sign Sharrow Road Markings A Sharrow road marking is a distinctive new marking on • Be extra considerate of buses – the size of a bus means bus drivers some shared traffic lanes designed to improve cyclist often can’t see cyclists safety. • Vehicles turning left may need to cross bus or cycle lanes. The law The marking - a white bicycle with two arrows above states they must give way to all vehicles using the lanes. But you it - is used to indicate where cyclists should ride to be still need to be careful if a vehicle is turning left just ahead of you most visible and avoid hazards like car doors. as the driver may not see you, or may wrongly guess your speed. The mark also provides a reminder to drivers that they should watch out for cyclists and share the road. For more information: www.wellington.govt.nz/cycling Active a2b Cycling to work Active a2b is a free health and wellbeing programme designed to Fitter, Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper encourage employees to walk or cycle to work. Active a2b is tailored to the individual. You can choose from a list of helpful tools like the desktop calendar, goal magnet, bike buddies Why cycle to work? programme, cycle workshops, reflective gear and more! You can also It’s fun, good for your health and can be fast and convenient! take part in the region wide active commuter challenge a2b GO!

th Commuting Tips Active a2b starts 5 January 2015 Find out more at: If you’re new to commuting by bike, check out these helpful FAQs from www.gw.govt.nz/activea2b Cycling Wellington: www.cyclingwellington.co.nz/2010/08/bike-commuter-tips Bike Buddies Bike Buddies matches experienced cyclists with new riders in their area. Workplaces For those who have been out of the There are a number of easy, free or cheap actions workplaces can put in saddle for a decade…or two or three, place to promote cycling to work. For more information, download the getting back on your bike can be a lot less Cycle Friendly Employer and the Get Your Workplace Moving guides: daunting with a bike mentor to show you www.gw.govt.nz/getting-to-work the ropes. Bike mentors ride with you along the best routes for cycle commuting and offer advice about keeping safe on the road. Find out more and register at: www.gw.govt.nz/bike-buddies

Bike Buddies Travel Toolkit Wellington region’s cycling hot spots

Käpiti Coastal Cycle Route Wairarapa Valley Cycle Trail

Queen Elizabeth Park Masterton Recreation Trails

Carterton Mountain Bike Park Karapoti Gorge Rimutaka Ara Harakeke Rail Trail Greytown Rail Trail

Harcourt Park Cycle Track

Tawa Stream Path Whitemans Valley Hutt River Trail The Wellington region has some great places for riding both on and off road. Whether it’s café and beach hopping along a coastal road, touring country Wainuiomata Trails Project vineyards or taking the scenic route along a river trail, you’ll find something to suit you. Pencarrow Head You’ll find cycling maps for the region at your local i-site and you can find out the best way from a to b using the Walking and Cycling Journey Planner: Wellington City Trails www.journeyplanner.org.nz Makara Loop Wild Coast (Turakirae Head) Makara Peak/Karori Park Miramar Trail Project Great Harbour Way - Miramar Peninsula South Coast Kids’ Track cycling&walking Mt Victoria journey planner 6 Pedal Ready Date: Saturday 6 December Cycling in the City Time: 9am - 12 noon Location: Lyall Bay School December This is Pedal Ready’s urban cycle skills course based in Wellington City. The three hour Cost: $20 workshop for adults will teach you the basics of safe cycling and build your confidence riding on the road and in traffic. It is perfect for all of your on-road riding goals – whether it’s riding to work this summer or riding round the bays on the weekend. The course is designed to cater to all levels of Lyall Bay riding experience. Register for a course on the Pedal Ready website: www.pedalready.org.nz/event-calendar

7 Date: Sunday 7 December WORD Bike-a-Palooza Time: 9am This might just be New Zealand’s best, super Location: Wainuiomata Trail fun, and most rad mountain bike event ever! Project, Waiu Street The trails of Wainuiomata will be taken over by Register: www.word.org.nz 4 -17 year olds on two wheels. Contact: [email protected] With four awesome courses to choose from, there is something for every skill level. Bring on the fun! www.word.org.nz Wainuiomata

Photo: WORD Mountain Biking Youth Programme 7 Date: Sunday 7 December Beginners Bike Fix-Up Time: 2pm Dust off your old bike and bring it along for a Location: Wellington TBC check and a tune-up. Learn how to fix a flatty Check the website for and keep your gears running smoothly. location details soon: Note: A limited supply of replacement parts will gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling be available on a first-come, first served basis. Find out more at: www.gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling Wellington

14 Beginners Mountain Biking Date: Sunday 14 December Time: 10am - 1pm Ever wanted to try mountain biking? Location: Makara Peak Come along and have-a-go and meet some Mountain Bike Park, main friendly people in one of Wellington’s best spots. car park Perfect for beginners of all ages. Cost: Koha donation to the mountain bike club For more information please contact: Mat Walsh Ph: 04 803 8608 [email protected] Makara Peak Wellington.govt.nz/mountainbiking

Photo: South Coast Kids’ Track 24 Date: Saturday 24 January Beginners Bike Fix-Up Time: 2pm Dust off your old bike and bring it along for a Location: Wellington TBC January check and a tune-up. Learn how to fix a flatty Check the website for and keep your gears running smoothly. location details soon: Note: A limited supply of replacement parts will gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling be available on a first-come, first served basis. Find out more at:

www.gw.govt.nz/summer-cycling Wellington

25 Date: Sunday 25 January Pencarrow Bike Ride Time: 10am - 1pm Adventure south on your bike from Eastbourne Location: Burdens Gate, 13.5kms past the Pencarrow lighthouse to Eastbourne Baring Head. Throw your bike on the truck and grab a bus back to your car. Max 40 people. Minimum 8 years. Cost: $15/adult, $5 under 14. For more information and to book go to: Eastbourne www.gw.govt.nz/summerevents

Photo: Big Bike Fix-Up, Patrick Morgan 31 Family Bike Skills Intro Date: Saturday 31 January Time: 10am - 1pm Bring your kids along to this 3-hour bike skills intro Location: Waitangi Park, course at Waitangi Park. They will learn the basic Wellington bike skills for improving their riding confidence and prepare them for summer cycle adventures. www.pedalready.org.nz Your children will have the opportunity to practice these skills with different drills and fun bike games! This course is open to the first 30 children to register on the day; children must be aged 7-13 and be able to bring their own bike and helmet. Registrations can be made in person from 9.30am with the Pedal Wellington Ready cycle skills instructor present on the day. For more information, visit our event calendar at www.pedalready.org.nz/event-calendar, or contact us at [email protected]

PEDAL READY is a cycle skills programme provided

LANE GIVE FREE to schools in the WAY Wellington region. Find out more at: www.pedalready.org.nz 7 Date: Saturday 7 February Rimutaka Rail Trail Time: 11.30am at Incline Ride into the Huri Huri Festival of cycling and Road, Kaitoke February enjoy a long (17km) but family-friendly bike ride along the historic Rimutaka Rail Trail. Learn the history of the Fell engine and enjoy a picnic and bbq at the summit, site of an old railway village. Bikes must have at least 20” (inch) wheels.

Cost: $15/adult, $5/child for return shuttle from Upper Hutt Cross Creek. Free for those with own transport. Max 120 people for return shuttles For more information and to book go to: www.gw.govt.nz/summerevents

7 Pedal Ready Date: Saturday 7 February Cycling in the City Time: 9am - 12 noon Location: Lyall Bay School This three hour workshop for adults will teach you the basics of safe cycling and build your Cost: $20 confidence riding on the road. It is perfect for anyone who is thinking about cycling to work this summer, or riding round the bays on the weekend. The course is designed to cater to all levels of Wellington riding experience. Register for a course using the calendar page on the Pedal Ready website: www.pedalready.org.nz/event-calendar Photo: Rimutaka Rail Trail Rimutaka Rail Photo: 8 Date: Sunday 8 February Miramar Ciclovia 1 Time: 6am - 10pm Miramar Peninsula, from Shelly Bay to Location: Shelly Bay to Scorching Bay, will be closed to cars and open Scorching Bay, Miramar to walkers, cyclists, and people on roller blades, Peninsula, Wellington push scooters and in wheelchairs three Sundays this summer! It will be an opportunity to enjoy this lovely part of the Great Harbour Way without having to worry about traffic. A perfect occasion for Miramar families, people of all ages and a picnic; or a coffee at the Chocolate Fish or Scorch-o-Rama cafes on the route. www.ciclovia.org.nz

11 Go By Bike Day Date: Wednesday 11 February Time: 7am - 9am Wellington Location: Under the sails on Go By Bike Day celebrates everyone who cycles Queen’s Wharf, Wellington in Wellington - whether you are a year-round More Information: ‘rain or shine’ bike commuter, you use your bike Shailie Pidcock for fun and fitness, or you are just trying it out Cycle Aware Wellington for the first time. Come along for free coffee 027 723 4666 and breakfast under the sails on Queen’s Wharf. We’ll have a travelling photo booth, so get your best riding gear on, whether it’s a frock, high- vis or your work clothes for a pose! Wellington There will also be a bus set up for people to try out a driver’s seat view plus entertainment, stalls, free bicycle checks and prize draws.

Photo: Go By Bike Day, Patrick Morgan 14 - 22 February 2015 11 Go By Bike Day Date: Wednesday 11 February Time: 6.30am - 9am Kapiti Location: Käpiti Police Käpiti Coast District Council’s Go by Bike Day Station, corner of Käpiti and breakfast will be held at the Käpiti Police Rimu Roads, Paraparaumu Station (in the court yard) on the corner of Käpiti and Rimu Road, Paraparaumu from Wairarapa’s Bike Festival 6.30am to 9am. Come along on your bike and celebrate Bike Wise Month with a free breakfast! Paraparaumu For more information please contact: Brent Cherry [email protected] A vibrant celebration of all things biking. Ph: (04) 296 4700

featuring The World’s Leading Female Riders in the Trust House Women’s Tour of NZ. 14 Huri Huri Bike Festival Date: 14 - 22 February Location: Wairarapa Wairarapa More Information: Join us this February for Huri Huri, Wairarapa’s Destination Wairarapa inaugural Bike Festival! The week-long festival wairarapanz.com/hurihuri will be full of exciting events ranging from family fun trail rides to bike skills sessions ending in a Grand Finale Carnival in Masterton. The festival is being run in association with the Women’s Cycle Tour of New Zealand so join in the events and cheer the ladies along at the Wairarapa finish line. Find out more at: www.wairarapanz.com/hurihuri facebook.com/HuriHuriBikeFestival www.wairarapanz.com/hurihuri facebook.com/HuriHuriBikeFestival 15 Date: Sunday 15 February Miramar Ciclovia 2 Time: 6am - 10pm Miramar Peninsula, from Shelly Bay to Scorching Location: Shelly Bay to Bay, will be closed to cars and open to walkers, Scorching Bay, Miramar cyclists, and people on rollerblades, push Peninsula, Wellington scooters and in wheelchairs. It will be an opportunity to enjoy this lovely part of the Great Harbour Way without having to worry about traffic. A perfect occasion for families, people of all ages and a picnic; or a Miramar coffee at the Chocolate Fish or Scorch-o-Rama cafes on the route. www.ciclovia.org.nz

15 Date: Sunday 15 February Love to Roll Time: 12 noon Frocks on Bikes is pleased to invite you along Location: Freyberg Beach on our annual date ride around the bays. Wear your best date outfit and bring someone you love (to be with) - a partner, friend, flatmate, brother, sister, mother, son, daughter, or even your pet! Meet at Freyberg Beach at 12 noon - we’ll cruise in a leisurely, organised fashion around the bays. Miramar Bring a bit of cash too to go in the draw to win some fantastic spot prizes, including a brand new bike courtesy of Bicycle Junction! www.frocksonbikes.com Photo: Love to Roll 2011, Jess Bovey of JB Photography Love to Roll 2011, Photo: presents 18 Date: Wednesday 18 February Go By Bike Day Time: 7am - 9am Lower Hutt Location: Dowse Square, Laings Road, Lower Hutt Hutt City Council’s Go by Bike Day breakfast event is back at the Dowse Art Museum from 7-9am on Wednesday 18 February. Like riding a bike but not in traffic? Learn the skills you need to ride on Come along on your bike and celebrate Bike the road at our new 3 hour course and get cycling around town! Wise Month with a nutritious free breakfast. Be in to win free giveaways and spot prizes. Lower Hutt Cost: $20 ($10 with a community services card) or FREE for workplaces! For more information please email: Find your nearest course at: www.pedalready.org.nz [email protected]

21 Pedal Ready Date: Saturday 21 February Bike Skills 101 Time: 9am - 12noon Location: Wilford School, This is Pedal Ready’s regional cycle skills Petone course for adults. The three hour workshop will teach you the basics of safe cycling and build your confidence riding on the road. It is perfect for anyone who is thinking about cycling to work, riding the Hutt River trail or Ara Harakeke Pathway. The course is designed to cater to all levels of riding experience. Lower Hutt This summer, Pedal Ready is teaming up with Active a2b and offering these participants a 50% discount. Register on the Pedal Ready website: www.pedalready.org.nz/event-calendar Photo: Karapoti Kids 5k Klassic, MDJ Media & Events March 1.5 hours. Drive), SilverstreamtoHikoikoi Reserve-approx. 15km ridefromCountyLane(offFergusson Hikoikoi Reservein Petone -approx. 2.5hours 25km ridefromHarcourtPark inUpperHuttto Take thelongrideorshortride. suitable forallages. Hutt River Trail. Funforthewholefamilyand This isaFREEeventforeveryonetobike the www.bikethetrail.co.nz 30 making itafabulousfamilyday. 2015isthe popular 20k Challenge and the Kids’ 5k Klassic riders ofallagesandabilities, withthehugely mountain bike race, butthere’s somethingfor around the Akatarawa Forest isNZ’s premier mountain bike event. The 50kadventureride The Southern Hemisphere’s longestrunning participants andalmostalways sell out. be quickbecauseentriesare limitedto1000 Enter Onlineat 1 7 th anniversary. Bike the Trail Karapoti Classic www.karapoti.co.nz , but or [email protected] Leisure Active on045600311 More Information: Contact County Lane Location: HarcourtPark and Time: 10am Date: Sunday1March 0275 244821 [email protected] MDJ Media&EventsLtd Michael Jacques More Information: Akatarawa Road, UpperHutt Location: KarapotiPark, Time: 10am Date: Saturday7March Hutt Valley Upper Hutt 7 Pedal Ready Date: Saturday 7 March Cycling in the City Time: 9am - 12 noon Location: Lyall Bay School This is Pedal Ready’s urban cycle skills course based in Wellington City. The three hour workshop for adults will teach you the basics of safe cycling and build your confidence riding on the road and in traffic. It is perfect for all of your on-road riding goals – whether its riding to work or riding round the bays on the weekend. Wellington The course is designed to cater to all levels of riding experience. Register for a course on the Pedal Ready website: www.pedalready.org.nz/event-calendar

8 Miramar Ciclovia 3 Date: Sunday 8 March Time: 6am - 10pm Miramar Peninsula, from Shelly Bay to Scorching Location: Shelly Bay to Bay, will be closed to cars and open to walkers, Scorching Bay, Miramar cyclists, and people on roller blades, push Peninsula, Wellington scooters and in wheelchairs. It will be an opportunity to enjoy this lovely part of the Great Harbour Way without having to worry about traffic. A perfect occasion for families, people of all ages and a picnic; or a Miramar coffee at the Chocolate Fish or Scorch-o-Rama cafes on the route. www.ciclovia.org.nz

Photo: Ciclovia 2014, Alastair Smith 14 Date: Saturday 14 March Wairarapa Frocknic Time: 9.30am - 6.30pm Join Frocks on Bikes on a train excursion and Location: Wairarapa - meet ride into the Wairarapa for a picnic or, should at Wellington Train Station get fit for free! we say, Frocknic! Meet at Wellington Railway Station at 9.30am (for a 9.55am departure) with your bike and your picnic attire (and your train ticket). Ash loves to cycle to work... We will cruise up on the train with our It’s the freedom and bikes, and then ride to our mystery picnic Wairarapa exhilaration that I love. I destination. We plan on catching the 4.50pm arrive at work buzzing, and return train. unwind on the way home. Further details to be revealed! Cycling to work is an easy www.frocksonbikes.com way to fit in a bit of exercise. By leaving the car at home I save money and have heaps more fun!

Get fit for free this summer by registering for Active a2b 2015, 14 Big Bike Fix-Up Date: Saturday 14 March a FREE health and wellbeing Time: 9am - 1pm programme that encourages Fix up a dunger or hone your mean machine, Location: Carrara Park, walking and cycling to work. with the mechanics from Bicycle Junction and Regent Street, Newtown Mechanical Tempest. Enjoy the music of the Carrara Park Jazz Picnic from 1pm. Starts 5th January Check out the display of the Newtown Section Register today at: of the Island Bay to Te Papa Cycleway. Find out more at: Wellington gw.govt.nz/activea2b www.newtownfestival.org.nz 15 Cycling Amongst Giants Date: Sunday 15 March Time: 9am - 12noon Come for a cruise on the access roads within the Location: Wainuiomata Wainuiomata Water Collection area passing lush Water Collection Area forested areas with some ancient trees that have never been felled. Learn more about the role of these magnificent gentle giants in the water we drink today. Max 30 people. For more information and to book go to: Wainuiomata www.gw.govt.nz/summerevents

20 Grupetto – Ride To Work Date: Friday 20 March Time: 7am If you’re cycling to work from Newtown, meet Location: Peoples Coffee, for a coffee and ride together in Grupetto style. 12 Constable Street, Find out more at: Newtown www.newtownfestival.org.nz

Wellington

Photo: Ride to work 21 Pedal Ready Date: Saturday 21 March Bike Skills 101 Time: 9am - 12noon Location: Porirua - TBC This is Pedal Ready’s regional cycle skills course for adults. The three hour workshop will teach you the basics of safe cycling and build your confidence riding on the road. It is perfect for anyone who is thinking about cycling to work, cruising the Plimmerton Promenade at the weekend or riding Ara Porirua Harakeke Pathway The course is designed to cater to all levels of riding experience. This summer, Pedal Ready is teaming up with Active a2b and offering these participants a 50% discount. Register on the Pedal Ready website: www.pedalready.org.nz/event-calendar

22 Folding Bike Ride Date: Sunday 22 March Time: 10am A convivial ride for ‘Bicycle Origami’ Location: Pukerua Bay to practitioners from Pukerua Bay Station to Tawa, Tawa, Wellington cruising sealed paths and quiet roads and stopping for refreshments on route. Simply meet at 11am at Pukerua Bay Station or 10am at Wellington Railway Station to catch the train out. Upper Hutt RSVP to [email protected] The first ten people to RSVP receive free travel on the 10am train between Wellington and Pukerua Bay.

Photo: Folding Bike Ride along Hutt River Trail Cycling resources - Where to Ride General Information Greater Wellington Regional Council Wellington Region Cycling Maps Information about cycle safety, bike buddies and bikes on public transport. Pick up your free cycling map from i-sites around the region. www.gw.govt.nz/cycling Wellington Cycling Commuter Videos Pedal Ready A series of six videos following Wellington cycle commuters. Pedal Ready is a regional cycle skills programme for schools and adults. www.bikewise.co.nz/bikes-riding/cycle-videos-routes-maps www.pedalready.org.nz Walking and Cycling Journey Planner Everyday Cycling in Aotearoa New Zealand Plan your own cycle route with the Walking and Cycling Journey Planner. The road-tested handbook for enjoyable, safe urban cycling; from Awa Press. www.journeyplanner.org.nz www.tinyurl.com/evdaycyc Mountain Biking Bikewise www.gw.govt.nz/Mountain-biking-2 Bike Wise is New Zealand’s national programme of activities which promote cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel. Wellington City Mountain Biking www.bikewise.co.nz www.wellington.govt.nz/mountainbiking The Friendly Cyclist Käpiti Coast Walking and Cycling Guide Cycle Aware Wellington (CAW) has created a series of fun and informative www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Forms-Documents/Maps videos about cycling around Wellington. Porirua Walking and Cycling Tracks www.thefriendlycyclist.co.nz www.pcc.govt.nz/Leisure/Walkways-and-Pathways New Zealand Transport Agency Hutt City Walking and Cycling NZTA has developed the Official Road Code for Cyclists, a user-friendly guide www.huttcity.govt.nz/en/Leisure--Culture/Walking-and-cycling to New Zealand’s traffic law and safe driving practices. www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/cyclist-code Upper Hutt Trails www.breakaway.org.nz/trails Nga Haerenga - NZ Cycle Trail Clubs + Bike Shops + Bike Hire Companies Find out about New Zealand’s Great Rides and cycle touring routes. Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) Local CAN groups work with NZTA and councils on behalf of people who cycle www.nzcycletrail.com www.can.org.nz Kennett Brothers – Love Cycling NZ For a list of local cycling clubs, bike shops, bike hire and tour companies: New Zealand’s leading publisher of cycling history and guide books. www.gw.govt.nz/cycling www.kennett.co.nz Pedal on!

For more information, contact Greater Wellington: Follow Greater Wellington November 2014 GW/ST-G-14/114 PO Box 11646 Wellington 6142 T 04 384 5708 www.gw.govt.nz