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Local community organisations, clubs, courses and programmesCycling in Canterbury
Canterbury’s mixture of flat plains, challenging hills and beautiful scenery makes it the perfect terrain for cycling. Christchurch’s flat landscape, with its many wide streets, is ideally suited for cycling and, historically, Christchurch has enjoyed higher rates of cycling than in other metropolitan cities in New Zealand.
Christchurch has an increasing network of designated cycle ways linking popular destinations such as malls, shops, cinemas, parks and beaches. Off-road cycle ways through parks, forests or along the banks of the Avon and Heathcote rivers provide space for all kinds of recreational biking.
Season of Cycling captures the best bike events Christchurch has to offer. There is something for everyone, no matter your age or your passion. Season of Cycling guarantees fun, thrills and fitness for all. Enter Season of Cycling’s prize draw to win a brand new BMX, mountain or road bike worth $2,000. Get the latest event information, track reports and competitions sent straight to your inbox.
A variety of cycling events are held in and around Christchurch each year. They include Le Race, the Armstrong Prestige Festival of Cycling and RailRide.
Christchurch Cycling Statistics
In 1996, Christchurch City became one of the first councils in New Zealand to adopt a Cycling Strategy, signifying the importance of cycling as a means of transport. A residents’ survey in February 2005 showed that 31% of Christchurch residents cycle for recreation with 35% cycling once a month or more. It also found that 80% found cycling enjoyable. The same survey among cyclists showed that 82% cycle for recreation, 92% cycles once a month or more and 73% said cycling in Christchurch was safe.
Cycling information
- Find cycling magazines in our catalogue.
- Find a cycle club in CINCH
- Find websites of clubs, organisations, businesses and events in localeye.
Christchurch City Council has information on cycle safety, cycling courses, events and more. - Visit the Statistics New Zealand website for more Census information.
- View heritage cycling photos.
The 2001 Census showed that cycling is the main means of travel to work for 7% of Christchurch residents. This percentage was considerably higher compared to other major New Zealand cities. In Auckland, just 1.5% of the population used the bike to get to work. In Wellington, it was 2.5%. Just 2.8% of Dunedin’s population and 4.8% of people in Hamilton cycled into work. Only Nelson had a slightly higher percentage than Christchurch, at 7.3%.
The 2006 census shows a slight drop in the number of Christchurch cycle commuters at 5.5%, compared to 1.2% in Auckland City, 2.1% in Wellington, 2.7% in Hamilton, 5.5% in Nelson and 1.4% in Dunedin. In Timaru 2.6% of workers got to work on two wheels, and a healthy 5.3% of Ashburton took the pedal power option.
Note
- These figures do not include people aged under 15 years who cycle, or people who are not employed.
- Figures supplied by Statistics New Zealand: 2006 Census, Main Means of Travel to Work, for the Census Usually Resident Population Count aged 15 years and over and Employed. (370 kb .xls file) - also available as 1.3Mb PDF.
