February is here, which means New Zealand’s biggest cycling month has officially arrived. Are you up to speed with what’s happening? Throughout the month there will be a number of hosted events, competitions (with some seriously cool prizes) and even training for cycling and road rules. This month is all about raising awareness and encouraging participation in the growing trend of Kiwi cycling culture. Let’s take a look at what we can expect to see happening over the next few weeks.

Bike 2050

Firstly, the project behind the Get Active month! Bike 2050 is a joint collaboration between the Sustainable Business Network, AECOM, Fulton Hogan and the NZ Transport Agency. New Zealand leads globally in renewable energy sources for electricity use. There is plenty of potential for solar, wind and hydro energy to get us to 100 per cent. Our biggest challenge is transport which is why the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is working on a number of projects to shift the transport system onto more renewable forms. This is where Bike 2050 comes in. Bike 2050 aims to make the transition to active modes as easy as possible for business. Business has a critical role to play in a number of areas including: advice, design, active tourism, supporting and improving cycling infrastructure, and making it easy for staff to use active modes of travel.

Bike 2050’s project goal is to create opportunities and value for businesses and their staff through creating a workplace cycling culture.

Believe it or not, there are plenty of benefits that come with adopting bikes into the workplace:

• Social: improved health and wellbeing of staff, thereby enhancing their productivity. Reducing cars from our streets makes them safer and more pleasant
• Environmental: improving air and water quality by reducing vehicle emissions and reducing our individual and collective carbon footprint
• Economic: reducing costs associated with parking and fuel use, and removing cars from shopping streets slows people down. The number of pedestrians and cyclists increases meaning more potential customers and increased sales. There are also tremendous opportunities for business innovation – new models, design and process.

Higher interest in, and development of, a cycling culture would also naturally bring through the associated advantages from increased demand. A strategic space would be available for new products and services to fill: SBN states that bike sharing schemes, tourism options, more clothing and bike accessories, and new designs for cycle parking and infrastructure are all potential opportunities waiting to be captured as part of catalysing this new movement.

If you’re keen to jump on board for Get Active month here are the links you need to check out:

• Thelove to ride app to stay up to speed
• The list of events hosted onBike Wise
• Go By Bike Day
• The official Auckland Bike Challenge – check out the page to see how many new people have joined.

The Auckland Bike Challenge is a national event that individuals or workplaces can get on board with. Teams and individuals with the highest scores at the end of the month are up for winning some seriously cool prizes, including Avanti’s brand newcommuter bike.

There will be weekly spot prizes for anyone who has logged a trip – giving you the chance to winNutcase Helmets,Zero Expert Floor Pumps,Cateye Nima Safety Lights, and even food!Bird on a Wire is offering a $100 voucher each week to get amongst their healthy takeaways.

Auckland Transport has acomprehensive list of cycle routes to check out. Once you’ve signed up, jump on a track with some friends and family and start logging your rides.

If you’re keen to begin your cycling journey fresh, consider road rule and riding lessons from bothAuckland Transport andAdventure Capital. Auckland Transport is hosting road cyclist workshops, and has training for both adults and families. If you would prefer to re-acquaint yourself in your local area,Bike Wise has a solution for you.

Can’t ride at the moment and would still like to take part? How about joining in the redesign challenge? Throughout the Bike 2050 project event participants will have the chance to re-imagine urban centres and think up new ideas on how services and current models can be improved to lead new sustainable city ideas.

And that’s it! There’s a huge list of different events and cycle routes to get involved with, so sign up, get cycling, win prizes and enjoy summer!