People on Bikes to take viewers on ride of their lives

Carolyn Keep (left), presenter of People on Bikes with guest presenter Amber Peebles on the Auckland waterfront. Photo / TVNZ

Want to get fit, help the environment and enjoy some fresh air while sampling the beauty of New Zealand? Then get on your bike!

Each week, new TVNZ 1 show People on Bikes will take viewers on an armchair ride along one of New Zealand's regional scenic cycle trails.

The 10-part series will highlight the history of the tracks and their surroundings, including Taranaki's Forgotten World Highway, the slopes of Wanaka, Taupo's great lake, the scenic trails of Queenstown and the coast of Kaikoura.

It will spotlight fascinating local identities and showcase breathtaking environments that can be experienced by bike.

"You can get on a bike, go on a holiday, go around the country and it's an amazing beautiful place," People on Bikes co-host Justin Newcombe said.

"(And) the health benefits are without question."

Cycling rather than driving also provided a chance to meet people and make friends.

"When you ride a bike and see someone, you're way more likely to stop and say gidday and how are you going."

Auckland-based TV presenter, landscape designer and garden writer Newcombe has been a keen cyclist since a child, not driving until he was 24.

He came up with the concept for the show – which aims to get more Kiwis out of cars and onto bikes for transport, recreation and fun – when cycling at Hobsonville in the pouring rain.

"It was freezing cold, it was winter, and I was loving it. And I thought, if I'm enjoying this and managing to do 80 per cent of my commutes and all my travelling around on a bike, then there must be other people like that."

Newcombe said nearly all the trails featured in the show were manageable if you are "in reasonable shape and you took your time".

The advent of electric bikes had made a "massive difference" for would-be cyclists, he said.

"They've got a good range, you have a reasonable pace but you still get that feeling of freedom."

One of the show's guests trying out an e-bike was TV presenter and fashion editor Amber Peebles.

The former Miss World New Zealand was introduced to e-biking by her friend and People on Bikes co-host Carolyn Keep.

Each episode, former What Now children's TV show presenter Keep (nee Taylor) takes a ride with a special guest including politicians, sports greats and TV stars.

She and Peebles took their jaunt along Auckland's waterfront.

"I think the last time I got on a bike we were on holiday, and it was this awful little thing that had zero suspension and it was not a good time for the bum," Peebles said.

But she was much happier on the e-bike.

"I'm really surprised how much I enjoyed it," she said.

People on Bikes, which will screen on TVNZ 1 on Sundays from August 5, will also feature latest cycling trends and technologies, plus tips on maintenance and what to look for when buying a bike.

And Newcombe wants New Zealand cities to embrace cycle lanes and cycling.

"It's a deployable technology, it's ready to go and it solves a whole host of problems.

"We just want to get more people on bikes."