Media Release
21 February 2007

Pohutukawa Coast Star Attraction of Bikewise Week

Manukau’s beautiful Pohutukawa Coast will be the star attraction of a Bikewise Week event next Wednesday.

The Pohutukawa Coast Ramble is a family event that offers the choice of an 8.5km ramble taking in the beautiful scenery of the Pohutukawa Coast or a 20km fun ride to Clevedon. It starts at 6pm on Wednesday 28 February in Clevedon’s Umupuia Reserve.

Botany-Clevedon Councillor Dick Quax will be taking part in the 20km ride.

“I’m looking forward to riding in a lovely part of Manukau and hope that a large number of the community will take part too,” Cr Quax says.

“I support cycling as a way of getting around the city and as a way for people to stay fit.”

The Pohutukawa Coast Ramble is being run by Manukau City Council and the Manukau Veterans Cycle Club. Following the 8.5km ramble and 20km fun ride there will be a free sausage sizzle and entertainment.

People wanting to take part should meet at 6pm at Umupuia Reserve on the corner of Maraetai Coast Road and North Road in Clevedon.

The event is part of Bikewise Week, which runs from 24 February to 4 March. The other Bikewise event being held in Manukau is the Go By Bike Breakfast, also on 28 February. The event runs from 7am to 9am, with free breakfast, entertainment and prizes.

Manukau City Council has a number of improvements planned to make it easier and safer for cyclists to get around Manukau. In 2007 the amount of on-road cycle lanes and cycle paths next to roads will increase from 28km to 70km, depending on funding approval.

The aim is to have a cycle network of more than 100km by 2010.

Manukau City Council is spending approximately $1 million a year on improving cycling facilities. This is subsidised by Land Transport NZ and a $4.1 million Infrastructure Auckland/Auckland Regional Holdings grant.

There are already cycle lanes or paths on Great South Road, George Bolt Drive, Te Irirangi Drive, Stancombe Road, Weymouth Road and East Tamaki Road. This will be expanded in 2007 to extend coverage on Great South Road, Highbrook Drive and sections of Buckland Road, McKenzie Road, Coronation Road and Ormiston Road

As the new suburb of Flat Bush develops it will have cycle lanes on all the main roads. The first, from Ormiston Road into Flat Bush town centre, is expected to open in February 2008.

Flat Bush will also have a 35km off-road network through its green fingers and parks. This will be the largest off-road network in New Zealand once construction is complete in 2014.

Cycle lanes are also planned on routes that include Highland Park to Botany Downs; Ormiston-Sandstone-Whitford-Maraetai; Pakuranga Rd and Bucklands Beach Rd.

ENDS

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