The numbers of cyclists in our district are growing. Local bike shops have seen a large increase in bike maintenance post Covid-19 lockdown. Cycling is a great way to clear your mind if you enjoy riding alone or to enjoy time with family or friends if you love being in a group. Safety must always be top priority when cycling and these are our top tips to keep both yourself and your bike safe:
Know your code.... NZTA provides a code specifically for cyclists that use our roads in NZ. Check it out here to ensure you know your responsibilities before heading out on your journey. This will help to keep you safe. Remember keep left and always follow the road code.
Wear that helmet It has been a legal requirement in NZ to wear a helmet while riding a bike since 1994. Ensuring yours and/or your dependents helmet is correctly fitted is one of the main factors in preventing head injuries in the event of an accident whilst riding. Info on fitting instructions and what to look for when you buy are included in the above code for cyclists.
Maintenance is key Having a fit for purpose cycle is important. There is also info available in the code, or take advantage of our knowledgeable bicycle mechanics locally which are listed on our buy, stay, hire and tour tab. Check out this link to BikeRide where they have tutorials on all bike maintenance here
Be seen, be safe! Cyclists are vulnerable road users. It is vital to be able to be seen by all other vehicles on our roads. Anything from a gloomy day to sunstrike can affect how other users see riders on cycles. Top tip is to wear something bright (hi vis if you have it) and a bright sticker on the back of your helmet may also help you be seen. Using front lights, rear flashing lights and having good reflectors is important especially if riding in hard to see conditions.
Wairarapa Road Safety Council
Wairarapa Road Safety Council is an incorporated society, it contracts to NZTA (Waka Kotahi) and the three Territorial Authorities Masterton District Council, Carterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council to deliver approved road safety programmes across the cluster. Our Mission: To see safer Wairarapa roads increasingly free of death and serious injury. We support the vision, Road to Zero road safety strategy. As an education and advocacy provider, we aim to promote awareness and work towards positive behaviour change from the point of view that we all have a part to play in road safety. Some of the programmes we endorse are Pedal Ready, deliverers of the Nationally accredited Bike Ready programme, we work with schools on their implementation of Bikes in Schools tracks and support schools with road safety strategies outside the school gate. We also work with businesses and communities on providing training (mostly FREE) around cycling and scooters.
Get in touch: - School travel planner, Holly Hullena rsc@wairsc.org.nz or call 06 377 1379 - Pedal ready bike skills training - find out more here - Follow our WRSC Facebook page for updates here - Find out more on our website here
National Bike Database and preventing theft!
Bikes are hot property for theives! And the theives are becoming extremely good at taking bikes that owners believe have been secured well. A national bike database has now been set up where you can register your bike using the serial number so that it can be flagged as stolen, and if it is recovered NZ Police will be checking this database to try to reunite with owners. It will also be a great tool for anyone to check when purchasing a 2nd hand as you can check the serial number in the system to ensure it isn't "hot". You can check out all the details and register your bike here