NZTA helping businesses get employees on bikes

MEDIA RELEASE

8 December 2016

NZ Transport Agency helping businesses get employees on bikes

More than 250 businesses across the country have already signed up to help get their employees on their bikes this summer.

The NZ Transport Agency has teamed up with the global ‘Love to Ride’ challenge for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, a new national bike initiative which encourages organisations to get as many staff as possible to give cycling a go.

The challenge, which runs from February 1-28, provides tailored guidance and tips, and the chance to win prizes including a new bike and lots of great cycling gear.

The NZ Transport Agency’s National Cycling Manager Dougal List, says a ten minute journey by bike is all it takes to qualify for the competition.

“Many trips provide great opportunities to cycle. It could be a trip to the dairy, a bike ride to a cafe or to work. Just 10 minutes will make you feel great and give you the chance to win prizes.”

More than 1,400 people from 250 organisations are already signed up.

“Taking part in the challenge is easy, with online registration and recording of your bike trips. It’s a great chance for organisations to get their staff and department teams involved, whether they’re competing to see who can get the most people to ride a bike or just to create healthy habits as a group.

“It’s also a great way of generating some healthy rivalry between different parts of an organisation,” Mr List says.

Massey University has teams from its Auckland, Manawatu and Wellington campuses taking part in the challenge.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says as well as giving staff a chance to have some fun it’s also a great opportunity for team building and boosting team morale across the wider organisation.

“Cycling for just 10 minutes is so attainable for so many of our staff, whether they’re keen cyclists or not, and the challenge provides a great incentive,” he says.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is not about who can ride the most kilometres, but who can encourage the most people to give cycling a try. The teams with the highest percentage of their staff riding for their size category will win, so the more people you get involved, the more chance you have of winning great prizes.

To find out more visit Aotearoa Bike Challenge

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