Bike Waikato February 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter from Bike Waikato:
- Message from the Committee
- Exclusive Offers – Grumpy Baker and Ride Your Trike
- Support Upgrades at Morrinsville Road (Fit for Purpose Upgrades) – Drop-in Sessions on 11 March and 15 March
- Events Wrapup – Epic Effort for Bike Month and Upcoming Events
- Disappointing News – Another Cyclist Injured – Anzac Parade
Message From the Committee: Happy New Year!
Welcome to another year!
With (almost everyone) back at work and most schools and universities back in session, the New Year is now in full swing. We have been seeing lots of people taking advantage of the warm weather (sometimes too warm!) to bike to work and to school.
The Bike Waikato Committee has been in full swing behind the scenes to get us in a good position for the upcoming year. Make sure you are registered to vote because local elections are held on 11 October. Our local City and District Councils are the groups making decisions about where, when, and how much bicycling infrastructure (lanes, parking, and everything in between) is installed in the city.
We will provide more information as the election comes closer.
Do you only have five minutes? Help us out by filling out our survey to tell us what we could be doing better: https://forms.gle/SaQERZYrapMkZ13u6
Exclusive Offers
Want to take advantage of any of these offers? Make sure to sign up as a member!
Find more information at our website: https://bikewaikato.org.nz/get-involved/#membership
Discount at the Grumpy Baker (Victoria Street)
“Do you know who The Grumpy Baker is?
Jump on your bike, head on down to 595 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central. Tell the Grumpy team that you rode your bike to the store and you’ll get a 5% discount off your order!
Loads more cycle/bike deals to come.
Look forward to seeing you in store soon.”
The Grumpy Baker is the best bakery spot in town. My personal favourite is the Cinnamon Scroll! – Melissa Smith, Bike Waikato Co-Chair
Discounts at Ride Your Trike
“We’re excited to offer a special discount code exclusively for Bike Waikato members on our website, www.rideyourtrikenz.co.nz. Members can use the code Bike_Waikato25 at checkout to receive a discount on accessories. Please note that this code does not apply to bike sales, except for Balance Bikes.”
Support Upgrades at Morrinsville Road (Fit for Purpose Upgrades)
Hamilton City Council is inviting interested parties to attend drop-in sessions about safety upgrades happening at Morrinsville Road.
If you live near the area or commute through on your bike, we recommend that you go to one of the sessions to make your views clear and support the changes.
“The Silverdale/Matangi intersection is identified as a high-crash intersection and has no pedestrian facilities. Over the last 10 years, 70 crashes have been recorded along the Hamilton section between Cambridge Road and the Waikato Expressway. Twenty-three of these crashes occurred at the Silverdale/Matangi intersection.”
Read more information here: hamilton.govt.nz/morrinsvilleroad
Come along to one of the drop-in sessions:
- Tuesday 11 March 2025, 5.30pm-7.30pm
- Saturday 15 March 2025, 10am to midday
Bike Waikato will also be meeting with Council staff to discuss the project generally.
Events Wrapup – Epic Effort for Bike Month
We are nearly at 10,000 km for Bike Month. Awesome effort, everyone!
Shoutout to Amanda Cathro for clocking over 1,000 km and Samantha Campbell for logging 68 rides.
Other Upcoming Events
- Pats in the Paddock (Hayes Paddock) – Bike Valet and Info Stall – 9 March, 10am to 12pm
- Two Wheeled Ninja – Ninja Valley Bike Valet – 16 March, 8am to 11am
- Balloons Over the Waikato Zulu Night Glow Claudelands Park – Bike Valet – 22 March, 4pm to 9.30pm
Disappointing News – Another Cyclist Injured
Another cyclist has been seriously injured this year as a driver hit them while turning into a workplace driveway on Anzac Parade near Memorial Drive on 17 February. Read information here.
Anzac Parade is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road. It was the site of a ghost bike placed by Bike Action Hamilton in 2022 to remind drivers to take care on the roads around vulnerable road users. Clearly, this message still has not sunk in.
“This Ghost Bike represents all those who have died or been seriously injured while riding their bikes in Hamilton.
Cyclists across Hamilton are calling on Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency: (1) to significantly increase funding for safe, separated cycleways, (2) to match projects funding already approved by Hamilton City Council, (3) to change the funding model so Council has surety about the funding it will get, (4) to undertake significant driver education around cyclists and bike lanes.
People on bikes will continue to be killed and injured while Waka Kotahi and the Government maintain the status quo.”
Our thoughts are with the cyclist and their friends and family.
No more information has been released at this time.
Safety Tips – Making Right Turns
Information provided by the Hamilton City Council, and available in the 28 November Infrastructure and Transport Committee meeting, shows that the most common cause of crashes on Hamilton roads are right hand turns at intersections.
In places where there are no alternatives such as pedestrian tunnels, it is important to keep yourself and loved ones safe when on the road. Making hook turns to turn right, by keeping left of the lane and then turning right and cycling straight when it is clear to, keeps you safe from through traffic and gives you space to check for a gap. Using hand signals will also tell drivers of your intentions. If you are more comfortable using pedestrian crossings then don’t hesitate to!
Here is a short video by the Wellington City Council on making a hook turn: https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2023/03/how-to-complete-a-hook-turn
The data also showed clumps of crashes at certain roads or intersections around Hamilton; such as along the Ring Road, along Ulster St and Mill St, around Anzac Parade, and on Clyde St between Galloway St/Peachgrove Rd and Wairere Dr.
Wherever you may be cycling in the Waikato, we hope you stay safe to enjoy the ride tomorrow.
