Nelson overtakes Canterbury as the Cycling capital of NZ
Well actually this is old news, we accomplished it a few years back. Noticing a comment in a recent paper I got to thinking about the plethora of bikes around Nelson these days, the amount of bike stands adorning every new major commercial construction, the new $1.5m Atawhai 6km off-road shared walkway / cycleway connecting thousands of Nelson’s northern residents to the city (finalist in the 2008 Avanti Award for Best Cycle Facility Project), Nelson City Council’s strategy to increase by 30% the volume of folk biking to work by 2011, plans by DOC, Councils other longer term strategies, etc.
You can download a version of the latest Nelson City Council provided Cycle & Walk Map in either A4 here, or larger A3 size here. Go here for individual maps of Urban & Mountain Bike rides ….. you might have to page down a few times to see the lists. And if you prefer walking – go here.
In recent years there’s been a couple of new bike shops, and the existing ones all seem to be carrying quite a bit more stock.
As I have mentioned before our region happens to have more than its fair share of cycling races, many attracting national & international competitors, alongside the many mountain bike type events, and in addition to Ironman/Multi-sport type events.
By now you’ll know my passion for “Walkscore” which just keeps on generating more interest and converts overseas.
Statistics NZ provide quite compelling evidence actually.
According to the last Census in 2006, Nelson indeed, on a per capita basis, is the cycling to work capital of NZ, and not far behind that we are 3rd when it comes to walking / jogging to work.
Also in related news was that our neighbouring Tasman District came 3rd in the NZ wide bike to work stats, although for walking or jogging to work they found themselves at 8th postion, about middle of the pack for NZ.
Lifestyle choices have something to do with this I would think.
Our town has also been piloting a New Zealand first. Nelson is piloting an accelerated safety accumulation 0800 system as the graphic on the left depicts.
Finally, just for sample of local interest levels in cycling, check out these links -
the famous “Rainbow Rage”
Nelson’s Stewart Cycles upcoming events calendar
…………I think by now you get the picture.
And if you are a traveller to the region then according to Rankers @ 96% you have to try this place over in the Abel Tasman National Park zone.
PHOTO SOURCE – http://can.org.nz
March 01 2009 | Nelson | No Comments »
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