Go By Bike Day

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Nelsonians left their cars in the garage and cycled to work or school and had a free breakfast stop along the way on Wednesday morning as part of Go By Bike Day.

Keri Adams and her daughter Kobie cycled all the way from Atawhai to Nelson as part of the national cycling initiative designed to encourage people to get on their bikes. Over 150 people joined the pair for a breakfast of muesli, yoghurt, Pic’s Peanut Butter and coffee at the 1903 Square.

Keri says that while they don’t normally bike the 20 minute journey into town for work and school, she and her daughter were really keen to ditch the car and bus for the day.

“It’s an excellent idea, it really encourages you to get up and going in the morning. More people should do it, we’ve got such wonderful cycle ways and lots of information so it’s definitely worth giving it a go,” says Keri.

The Tasman District Council and Village Cycles also put on a Go By Bike Day breakfast and cycle check in Sundial Square in Richmond where regular cycle commuter Ian McComb enjoyed a free coffee and bagel.

“I ride from The Brook to work in Richmond three times a week,” Ian says. “It takes about 35 minutes, which is not bad compared to a car, and it keeps me fit.”

Nelson City Council’s team leader for roading, Marg Parfitt says they gave away hundreds of bike bells, information packs and even ran out of breakfasts.

“It’s been a really good celebration of cycling, there’s been a huge buzz to the square and we’ve really enjoyed having a bit of a yarn with cyclists about what they like and what they don’t like.”

“They say that the proof of whether the roading the council is doing a good job is if you see an increase in female cyclists and young cyclists, and today we’ve seen both so we’re pretty happy and we’re very proud of the tracks in Nelson.”