Bike Wise month
February is Bike Wise month. Bike Wise
is New Zealand’s national programme of
activities to promote cycling as a fun and
healthy way to travel. Check out what’s been
happening at: www.bikewise.co.nz
Cycling the length of New Zealand
Phil Shoemack, Medical Officer of Health, Toi Te Ora gets ready to cycle
the length of New Zealand from the end of February.
Sharing the
road safely
Safety tips for cyclists
•
Be prepared: plan a safe route and check your bike
before you start – brakes, tyres, chain, reflectors and
lights.
•
Be seen: wear high visibility or brightly coloured clothing.
Use front and rear lights at night, in low light or rain.
•
Be aware: watch for potholes, rubbish, grates,
pedestrians and other hazards.
Tour Aotearoa will test every rider. The designated route must
be completed within 30 days and no outside support is allowed
(riders must carry all their own gear including camping equipment
and clothes) apart from buying food along the way. There will be
designated check-points and every rider must carry a spot tracker
which indicates where they are on the route every ten minutes.
Phil says the first important decision is what sort of bike to use, as the
ride covers many different types of terrain including sealed and gravel
roads, four wheel drive tracks, Ninety Mile Beach, and several of the
recently completed Nga Haerenga National Cycleway off-road trails.
•
Be predictable: make eye contact with other road
users to ensure they are aware of you and signal your
intentions clearly.
•
Be confident: ride in a straight line, at least one metre
from parked cars and take the middle of the lane
when you have to.
•
Be patient: slow down near parked or lined up
vehicles. Pass slowly and only when safe.
•
Be considerate: try not to hold up the flow of traffic – if
necessary, pull over to allow vehicles to pass.
Phil was motivated to do the ride because of the challenge
involved. “I’ve decided to take my regular touring bike hoping that
it’s a good compromise,” says Phil. “I’ve ridden much of the route
over the years but the opportunity to do it all in one go in a semiorganised fashion was just too good to pass up. I’m expecting that
the weather, especially the unpredictability of New Zealand’s wind,
and the cumulative fatigue associated with riding six or more hours
every day for up to four weeks are likely to be the main issues to
deal with. I can’t wait to get started!”
•
Be responsible: know the road rules and follow them.
Wear an approved helmet, make sure it fits firmly
and keep it buckled up. If your helmet is dropped
or becomes dented or broken in a crash, replace it
immediately.
Starting late February Dr Phil Shoemack, Medical Officer of
Health for Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service, will be riding in ‘Tour
Aotearoa 2016’. This cycle ride covers the length of New Zealand,
starting at Cape Reinga and finishing in Bluff, around 3,000
kilometres in total. The ride has 300 people participating, no entry
fees or prizes, and is not a race.
These tips and more information can be found at
bikewise.co.nz
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