The Star: October 04, 2018

20 Thursday October 4 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
The Star
News
Age no barrier to city cycling
EACH DAY in Christchurch
thousands of people use bicycles
for their commute, for fitness,
or just for fun. An increasing
number of those people are of
advancing years.
St Albans retiree Jean Bell
returned to cycling last year after
a long period without a bike. “I
was encouraged to try an e-bike,
and I was soon hooked on it,”
she said.
“It’s just so handy,” Jean explained.
“I’m surprised by how far I can
cycle when in the car the same
distance feels like a long way.’’
Visiting friends, attending
meetings, hairdresser and doctor
appointments – Jean travels to
them all by bike.
“It’s much easier to park my
bike than park the car,” she said.
“Now, driving with just one
person in my car feels decadent;
a bit naughty.”
The city’s geography
lends itself to getting around by
bike.
“Unlike Wellington or Auckland,
in Christchurch you have
a choice – cycle on the flat or
test yourself on the Port Hills,”
explains Julie Milne, who recently
cycled the length of New
Zealand to raise awareness of
stroke sufferers.
Julie rides to work year-round
on her modified bicycle; two
childhood strokes left her with
restricted arm movement.
“Cycling is my physical upkeep,”
she said.
“It improves my quality of getting
older. If I don’t bike, I seize
up, which then means I can’t
bike. So, I keep biking.”
Julie will be sharing her experiences
at the NZ Bike Expo
(October 13 and 14).
This cornerstone event of
the Biketober festival is where
cyclists of all ages can gather to
celebrate the cycle.
“The expo brings the cycling
industry and the Christchurch
community together,” said event
organiser Krissy O’Connor.
“It places cycling events, test
rides, and community groups
alongside commercial exhibitors.
It’s a very hands-on weekend of
everything bike-related.”
For Christchurch residents
who perhaps haven’t explored
much of the new-look central
city, Saturday’s Pedal into Spring
extravaganza of Biketober offers
twelve themed, self-guided rides
to choose from. Cafés, shops,
playgrounds, art, a family treasure
hunt – there’s a route for all ages.
“If you haven’t been on a bike
for a while,” says Julie Milne,
“start on a cycleway and go from
there. You’re safe. Cycling is
lovely.”
•The programme of
events can be found at
www.biketober.nz
•The NZ Bike Expo
programme www.
nzbikeexpo.nz
QUALITY: The NZ Bike Expo
is the cornerstone event
of the Biketober festival
where cyclists of all ages
can gather to celebrate the
cycle.