Go By Bike Day 2020

February is BikeWise month in Aotearoa and last Wednesday around the country cyclists celebrated National Go By Bike Day.

Chair of Whanganui's Bike Users Group (WBUG), Lyneke Onderwater, said more than 100 cyclists turned up to enjoy pancakes cooked by BUG members at Cornmarket Reserve. "This is a record number for us and shows that cycling is, indeed, on the increase in Whanganui," says Lyneke. "As a sustainable form of transport, it's great to see this happening."

Some Whanganui High School students stopped for some kai on their way to school. Workers got up a bit earlier than usual to grab a feed too. Others just rode in for the fun of it. "Many lingered to share their biking stories," says Lyneke.

Whanganui District Council's active transport facilitator Norman Gruebsch said the annual event was timely, given the council's decision to declare a climate emergency the day before. "We were very pleased to see teenagers turning up on their bikes before school. "It shows that cycling is becoming a more popular travel choice for young people again." Go By Bike Day is a community driven initiative, held annually in February. Two Green Bikes volunteers did basic maintenance such as lubricating and putting air in tyres.

Margi Keys
Whanganui Midweek 19/2/20