North could get on their bikes

CBEC general manager Terry Jones and mayor John Carter ready to mount up, with Carol Berghan and Suzie Clark from Kaitaia's Mainstreet Lodge. Photo / Peter Jackson

If Community Business and Environment Centre (CBEC) general manager Terry Jones has his way, Northland will one day be known as the cycling capital of New Zealand.

Mr Jones said the region has the climate and the geography to make the most of growing national and international passion for pedalling. Bicycles were already earning more for Rotorua than the city's famed geothermal pools - and his dream for the north has begun taking shape, he said.

CBEC was already supporting a move to bikes for hire in Whangarei, where riders would be able to enjoy the Hatea Loop, but that was just the start. The vision was to establish a "spiderweb" throughout Northland that would enable hirers to pick up a bike at one point, enjoy the experience it offered (by riding to Cape Reinga, perhaps), then drop it off somewhere else.

Mr Jones was at Kaitaia's Mainstreet Lodge this week with Far North District mayor John Carter, who didn't actually leap into the saddle. They launched the Kaitaia connection, and said it was planned to establish depots in Kawakawa, Opononi, Mangonui and perhaps Dargaville. Customers would be able to hire helmets, and even hi-vis vests if they felt the need for one.

The Far North District Council was also considering a staff request for a pool bike at the council's Kaitaia offices.

"The Northland Regional Council already has pool bikes, and the Whangarei District Council is thinking about them," Mr Jones said.

"The long-term plan is to have Northland known as the cycling capital of New Zealand."

Cliff Colquhoun, CBEC's CEO, regarded that as a very realistic goal.

"For a start we've got the climate," he said.

"Unlike in Rotorua people can ride bikes here all year round. And it needn't be expensive to kick off. People can already ride from Kaitaia to Lake Ngatu and Ninety Mile Beach, stopping in Awanui for one of the best pies in New Zealand, without setting a wheel on the open road. All it would need is a few signs to give people a great little ride."

-What do you think about Northland becoming the cycling capital of the country? Send your thoughts to letters@northernadvocate.co.nz.