Cycling’s dramatic growth leads to new role for Huri Huri

Huri Huri News
15 February 2018

Cycling’s rapid growth in popularity throughout Wairarapa has led to a change of role for Huri Huri, the organisation originally established to encourage community support for the Women’s Tour of New Zealand and the New Zealand Cycle Classic road races.
 
Over the last four years, Huri Huri has established itself as an overarching body for the promotion of cycling activity in Wairarapa.“With more and more people jumping on their bikes for both transport and recreation, a coordinated and cohesive body to support and promote further growth is vital,” explained Huri Huri Project Manager Catherine Rossiter-Stead. “This is imperative from both community and tourism perspectives, particularly in a region that is currently behind the eight-ball in its development of cycling infrastructure.
 
“Last November, Huri Huri facilitated a Wairarapa Cycling Stakeholders Forum involving personnel from all aspects of cycling in the region, ranging from accommodation suppliers to providers of cycling facilities and cycling clubs. The stakeholders lent their support behind Huri Huri taking on a leading advocacy role for cycling in Wairarapa.
 
“As a result, Huri Huri is being developed into an entity responsible for hosting and promoting cycling events throughout the year, to be a conduit for information on cycling opportunities in the region, and to support and encourage a safe cycling message. It’s been fantastic to have the backing of the three Wairarapa councils and Greater Wellington to help achieve this.
 
“Huri Huri has undergone a recent name change to reflect its new role, from Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival to Huri Huri: Bike Wairarapa. This aligns with its recent move to absorb the Wai Bike website and its new objective to be a source of information for all things biking in Wairarapa. The Huri Huri website will become populated with trail maps and other useful information such as where to get your bike fixed or what clubs you can join, as well as safety information and event details.”