Popularity of new guide fuelled by pedal power

Media Release: 28 September 2015

Popularity of new guide fuelled by pedal power

New Zealanders love their bikes and the speed at which the 2016 New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide has disappeared off shelves proves it.

The second edition landed this month and within three weeks more than 35,000 copies of the free guide have been scooped up.

After the massive success of the first edition released in January, AA Traveller General Manager Moira Penman says the team is finding it hard to keep up with demand despite an increased print run to 75,000 copies.

“The popularity of the New Zealand Cycle Trail guides proves to us that the cycling revolution is well and truly here, with more Kiwis looking to get on their bikes and experience New Zealand up close. We’re proud to be able to support both travellers and regional businesses in making the most of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network,” she says.

Some of the Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail are already seeing 100,000 riders a year which is proof of the growth in popularity of cycling.

The boost has had a major impact on regional businesses which have thrived off the increased traffic on the trails with reports also showing more than 1,200 jobs have since been created.

“We’ve seen places like the Lake Ohau and Ohakune, which traditionally only boom in the winter, grow to have healthy tourism seasons all year round as popularity of the cycle trails in these areas increases,” says Ms Penman.

“The benefit of investing in domestic tourism has a butterfly effect on travellers and businesses. Domestic tourism is worth $13.8 billion in economic activity to the New Zealand economy every year, which is why the AA is a key supporter of projects like the New Zealand Cycle Trails.”

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide is a collaborative effort between the team at AA Traveller and Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail Inc. organisation.

The guide, published by AA Traveller, is packed full of information on the 23 Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. It includes maps, advice on trail sections, section grades, time to allow, elevation and trail quality.

This second edition includes new information on three Heartland Rides (that make use of quiet country roads) - Forgotten World Highway running from Taumarunui to New Plymouth, Manawatu Cycleway in Palmerston North and the Rainbow Trail, which runs from St Arnaud to Hanmer Springs.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide is available free at AA Centres, i-SITE locations, selected accommodation and attraction providers along with most Avanti stores and Avanti partners. Information on all the Great Rides and Heartland Rides in Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail national project can also be found at www.AATraveller.co.nz and on www.nzcycletrail.com.

AA Traveller is an expert in domestic tourism in New Zealand and publishes and distributes almost three million maps and accommodation guides every year to assist motorists and visitors as they explore the country.
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