Plenty of pedal-powered activities for Rotorua during Bike Month 2019

People gathering for a previous Go By Bike Day. Photo / Supplied

Bike Month is back in February with a month-long calendar of pedal-powered events, activities and workshops for all ages and abilities.

This year's Bike Month includes rides exploring local heritage sites, children's activities, social rides, mountain bike events, yoga sessions and beginner bike maintenance workshops.

The programme has something for everyone in Rotorua, from regular cyclists to those wanting to hop on two wheels for the first time.

Sport Bay of Plenty recreation team leader Sonia Lynds says Bike Month is a great way for people to get active and have fun.

"Bike Month is all about offering free or low cost activities that encourage people to get on their bikes or give cycling a go.

"With a great range of cycleways across the Central Bay of Plenty, the warmer month of February is the perfect time to get out and explore the local area on two wheels."

The 2019 Bike Month events include some old favourites such as the Frocks on Bikes Summer Ramble and The Great Cyclezone Scavenger Hunt, as well as new events such as a lake heritage ride to local Māori sites of historical significance and e-bike sessions.

Adaptive equipment is available for several Bike Month events this year to help participants with physical or visual impairments get involved.

As part of Bike Month, Go By Bike Day is back on February 26 and people across the central Bay of Plenty are encouraged to commute to work using two wheels, with pit stops along the main commuter trails between 7am and 9am providing refreshments and spot prizes to cyclists.

Schools are encouraged to take part by hosting their own Go By Bike Day between February 22 and March 1, with a $250 voucher up for grabs thanks to Cyclezone.

Bike Month also coincides with the NZ Transport Agency's Aotearoa Bike Challenge, a month-long free competition open to all organisations - including businesses and clubs - which is all about seeing which workplaces can get the most people riding for just 10 minutes or more.

Sonia says the benefits of cycling are numerous and well-documented, and Bike Month is a great way to encourage people to get involved.

"Cycling is a low impact way for people to get active and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

"It's also a fun way to get fit, and is a great form of sustainable transport that replaces sedentary time spent sitting in traffic with a fun, active and stress-free way to get to work."

A full calendar of Bike Month activities is available at sportbop.co.nz/bikemonth.