Ride

Riding to work

Riding your bike is a great way to get to and from work. It’s healthy, social, fun, economical, and it dramatically reduces your personal environmental impact and carbon footprint. It is also a great way to avoid the congestion caused and experienced by driving to work  – if your destination is under 5km away chances are you’ll get their faster by bike!    

Once you get into it, riding regularly to work and to other places becomes easier and easier. You will become more aware of which routes to take, more confident with riding in traffic, and the more you cycle the fitter you will be!  So get on your bike, and start making life better for yourself, your workmates, and your neighbours.

What is the Bike Pod and how do I use it?

The Bike Pod provides free, secure bike storage in the CBD. To use the bike pod, or find out more email Let's Go  or download a registration form here.

The Bike Pod is located on Ariki Street outside Centre City.

What you need to get started

Before you start riding you’ll need to make sure you have the right gear, you don’t have to don lycra however the following are key:

• Bike – having a bike that is the right size for you is important. A bike that is too big or too small can be dangerous and hard to control. One of New Plymouth’s cycle retailers will be able to assist you with this. 
• Bike helmet – this should meet NZ Standards. 
• Bike lights – this is important if you ride at night or early in the morning when it is harder to see cyclists. 
• Comfortable clothing – make sure it’s not too loose around the legs to avoid it getting caught in your chain or wheels, you can pick up a trouser holder at all good cycle stores. 
• Covered shoes – wear shoes that are enclosed and appropriate for riding. Sandals and thongs are not appropriate. 
• Bright or reflective clothing or vests – particularly if you ride early in the morning or at night.

You also need to keep up the maintenance of your bike and check the tyres, wheels, chain, brakes and light regularly. This is important to make your bike safe and easy to ride.  It is recommended that you get your bike serviced once a year.

Parking up

There are bike racks at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, Puke Ariki, Centre City, Civic Centre, The Valley Shopping Centre, Brooklands Zoo, Pukekura Park (near the Bellringer Pavilion) and scattered around the CBD. See where our bike racks are.

Report broken glass or a crash

To ensure our district is cycle friendly, we need to know of hazards like broken glass. Report broken glass or debris - remember to include the address or a clear description of where the glass or debris is. To report broken glass or debris either phone 06 759 6060 or email us.

Information about crashes or near-misses helps us and the Police to determine if there are particular areas that are accident prone and if changes need to be made to reduce the risk of accidents (e.g. signage, road surface etc).
All crashes, including near-misses, should be reported to the Police.

Tips for the first time rider

• Carry out a ‘bike check' before you leave home. 
• Talk to your workmates about bike parking, changing facilities and the best bike routes. 
• Check the weather and wear appropriate clothing. 
• Try cycling the route at the weekend or when there is less traffic (you may notice short cuts and safer crossing points). It may also help build your confidence if you are new to cycling. 
• If your cycle route is less than 5km you may not need to take a full change of clothes. You can judge this by doing a trial run of your route at the weekend.

Give it a go - start small and aim to ride once this week!

If you do have any incidents on the road, we do encourage you to send them through to the Police so that we can keep track of what is happening on our roads. You can download this form and deliver to the New Plymouth Police for follow up.

Clubs and organisations 

• Taranaki Cycle Park
• North Taranaki Cycling Advocates
• Cycling New Plymouth Club 
• New Plymouth BMX Club
• New Plymouth Mountain Biking Club