Bike To Work Day celebrates 10 th birthday

Hundreds of Wellington cyclists will converge on Civic Square on 1 March to celebrate ten years of Bike to Work Day in the capital.

The event, jointly organised by Cycle Aware Wellington (CAW) and Wellington City Council, will see cyclists tucking into a special themed birthday cake. They will also enjoy a free breakfast, free bike checks, giveaways, prizes, entertainment and guest speakers from 7:00 until 9:00 am.

Bike To Work Day aims to celebrate cycling as a great way to get to work, to reward those who are already cycling regularly, and to encourage others to give it a go.

Over the nine years the event has been held in Wellington attendance has grown quickly. "The success of Bike To Work Day in Wellington reflects the growing number of people riding to work in the city" said CAW spokesperson Robert Ibell. "In 2005, the breakfast attracted over 750 cyclists. This year we hope to do even better."

"The past two censuses tell us that Wellingtonians are taking to their bikes more than ever, bucking a national trend. In 1996, 1.5 per cent of people rode a bike on census day, rising to around 2.2 per cent in 2001. We expect this healthy trend to continue on census day 2006." said Mr Ibell.

Bike to Work Day is part of national Bike Wise Week. The Wellington event is supported by WCC and sponsors URS, Penny Farthing Cycles, Commonsense Organics and Bike Wise.

Ends.

Photo opportunities
In Advance: Wed 22 February, 8:30-9:30am, City to Sea Bridge - Four lucky cyclists receive five star treatment, including massage, live music and catered breakfast. Contact: Patrick Morgan, 027-563 4733

On Bike To Work Day: Mayor Kerry Prendergast cuts the tenth birthday cake at 8:00 a.m.

Speakers at BTWD (final list tbc)
7:15am - Trevor Mallard, Minister of Sport & Recreation (to be confirmed)
7:30am - James Brown (poet & cyclist, who'll read from his latest book "The Year of the Bicycle")
7:45am - Speaker from URS
8:00 am - Kerry Prendergast, Wellington mayor
8:15am - Peter Smith (commuter cyclist)
8:30am - Speaker from Penny Farthing Cycles

For further information about Bike To Work day contact: Robert Ibell, Cycle Aware Wellington, 04-972 2552 or dawbell@actrix.co.nz

Other Bike Wise Week events in the Wellington region are listed at http://www.caw.org.nz/ .

For further information about other Bike Wise Week activities around NZ visit http://www.bikewise.co.nz/ or ring 04-472 5777.