Bike Waikato March 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter from Bike Waikato:
- Message from the Committee
- Events Wrapup – Success at Two Wheeled Ninja with Ninja Valley (16 March)
- Supporting Paeroa BMX Club
- Issues on the network? Let us know! (Antenno and UpgapTheMap)
- Advocacy Update – Submissions open for Cobham Drive Speed Limit change (closes April 30), local elections on the horizon
- Safety Tips – Take the Lane!
Message From the Committee
There was a big change to the Committee this month.
We said goodbye to Phil and thanked him for the many months he spent leading the Valet and keeping Bike Waikato engaged in events around the city. We hope he continues to use his passion to advocate for cycling infrastructure in the city.
If you are interested in joining the Committee and have a passion for governance then be sure to save the date of the AGM when posted.
The first Transport and Infrastructure Committee meeting of the year is done and dusted.
This is a regular Hamilton City Council meeting to discuss and approve transportation infrastructure projects around the city.
We asked you to show up to support and you did. There were five speakers in the public forum, with four speakers, including our Co-Chairperson Melissa Smith, speaking in support of the cycling transport improvements programme.
A suite of approximately $28.3 M worth of projects was approved, including new cycling (paired) crossings and facilities.
This is also an opportunity to tell us where end-of-trip facilities can be improved. Email us at [email protected] with your ideas.
Events Wrapup
Success at Two Wheeled Ninja with Ninja Valley (16 March)
We counted a total of approximately fifty bicycles and scooters turning out on a beautiful Sunday morning to take advantage of free entry to Ninja Valley Hamilton.
Our Bike Valet service looked after the bikes while families enjoyed playing inside. While we only parked approximately fifty vehicles, over one hundred people showed up, with many children riding with parents on bikes or parents walking alongside children on scooters.
We collaborated with the Bike Hub at Go Eco to provide free servicing and maintenance checks for people attending the event, and we provided six such services.
It was a really encouraging turnout and a great reminder that #BikesMeanBusiness.
Upcoming Bike Valet Events
We will have our Bike Valet at the following events in Hamilton:
- Hamilton City Council – Love Your Neighbourhood (Peacockes) – 5 April 2025
- Community Day on the Park – 16 April 2025
In our February newsletter, we shared we would have our bike valet available at the Zulu Nightglow. Unfortunately, we will no longer be attending.
Supporting Paeroa BMX Club
Bike Waikato recently made a donation to the Paeroa BMX Club to support travel to the Invercargill Nationals. This supports our kaupapa of more people on bikes, safely by giving kids an opportunity to have fun on bikes, build skills and friendships, and have a positive impact on the community. Ka rawe!
This kind of mahi is only because of the support of our members. Thank you for continuing to support cycling in the Waikato.
Read this message from the club: “9 of our Paeroa BMX club members had the opportunity to travel to Invercargill last week for the 2025 BMXNZ Nationals. All our riders had an awesome time, competed hard, loved the track, made new friendships, and loved the experience they were able to have. They have all said they would love to work harder this year to try do better for next years BMXNZ Nationals event. It was so cool to see the comradery, empathy, and sportsmanship between all the riders. We would like to thank all our sponsors and everyone who has supported us in getting to Invercargill for the Nationals event. We are so appreciative of you all.”
Issues on the network? Let us know!
Are you coming across staples blocking bike paths? Other small quality-of-life improvements? Got any ideas for improved wayfinding? Let us know via Ungap the Map, and we can pass them on to the appropriate City or District Council to action!
Maintenance issues? Bike Waikato recommends that you use the Antenno app (Android / Apple) to report cleanup and maintenance issues to your local City or District Council, who are committed to responding to all of them.
If you have any teething issues getting a particular Council to respond to your Antenno requests, let us know and we will advocate on your behalf.
Advocacy Update
Submissions are open for the Cobham Dr. Speed Limit Reduction.
HCC is asking whether to retain the current speed at 60km/h. It was lowered from 80km/h in 2023 and the stretch of road has seen a 70% decrease in accidents between Tristram and Normandy. Lower speeds keep people safer and we will be making a submission in support of the keeping the reduction. If you wish to, submissions close 30 April, and you make yours here.
It’s election year (again), but this time it’s local
2025 is election year on the district level. Look out for election mail as it comes and if you see current or potential Councillors around town be sure to ask them how they feel about cycling infrastructure. We are looking forward to doing our own campaigning on micro mobility and cycling infrastructure in the coming months, complete with a scorecard to rate would-be Councillors.
Safety Tips – Take the Lane!
Taking the lane or taking primary position improves your visibility, reduces risk of dooring and close passes, and helps you avoid hazards. It means taking a central position in the lane instead of riding to the left.
In New Zealand, you are entitled to ride anywhere in the road environment, and you are entitled to road there for as long as you need to keep yourself safe.
Images from New Zealand Transport Agency Road Code for Cycling.
Remember: You only need to keep to the left ‘as far as practicable’. This means that you should not be riding in the gutter (where debris and trash accumulates!), riding in a door zone, or swerving in and around parked cars. It is safer and more predictable for other road users to claim a central position and ride in a straight line! It also gives you room to maneuver in an emergency situation.
You should always take the lane when:
- Travelling through a roundabout
- Passing parked cars
- Making a right turn
- Riding on a road with sharrows
You should also take the lane in any situation where it would be unsafe for another road user to pass you, such as on narrow roads and around tight bends.
You can read more about taking the lane here:
