Bike Waikato December 2025 Newsletter

In this newsletter from Bike Waikato:

• Bike Waikato Wrapped 2025 – local and national submissions, the elections, and progress with the Bike Hub
• In the News – research on cycling
• Upcoming Events – Big Bike Film Night 2026

Message From the Committee

Can you believe that 2025 is almost over?

We would like to acknowledge and thank all our supporters throughout the year for their time—whether it is something small like sharing a post or something big like coming to an event, you have helped get our message out there. We are grateful for the community that we have.

Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from all of us here at Bike Waikato.

Bike Waikato Wrapped 2025

So, what did we get up to in 2025?

With five committee members and thirty-four members (as of December), we put on 6 events, parked 110 bikes, serviced 29 bikes, and made 14 submissions throughout the year!

A big year for submissions at the local and national level

This year was a year of both big and small opportunities for submissions and advocacy in support of cycling, micromobility, and low emissions transport options.

There were a number of change proposals to roads in and around Hamilton, from the Morrinsville Road layout changes (which are 100% funded by NZTA!) to layout and use changes on Barton and Caro Streets and the Maeroa/Ulster intersection.

We also submitted on stopping restrictions and parking changes on Peacockes Road and helped to keep speed limits safe on Cobham Drive—both being bottlenecks and thoroughfares for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Separated cycle infrastructure remains the gold standard for us at Bike Waikato, but any improvements to the cycling network which carves out space for us and rebalances the transport system are major improvements that will help more people get active and save money.

Regionally and nationally, we provided specific feedback, guidelines, and responses to a number of proposals and plans.

We were proud to sponsor a candidate for the Cambridge Connections project and continue to follow its progress. Cambridge has become a hub of progressive cycling and micromobility changes which we hope will become the norm throughout the region.

We submitted to the Waikato District’s Long-Term Plan, focusing on building connections between hubs in the region and prioritizing high-use corridors and end-of-trip facilities to make cycling to people’s favourite destinations more convenient.

The Te Huia passenger rail trial is wrapping up midway through next year. We expressed our support for an excellent service, with feedback focused on providing better connectivity for cyclists to reach stations and improving cycling amenities at those train stations. We hope to see the service continue well into the future.

We had our say on major changes proposed by the Government, including:

• Changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System
• Safety requirements for vehicles entering the New Zealand fleet, and;
• Proposed amendments to New Zealand Second Emissions Reduction Plan

The local Council elections

Firstly, this year featured local Council elections.

We did our best to provide information to our members and community with a questionnaire to candidates standing in areas where our members mostly live. While we did have some low response rates, we feel this comes down to poor name recognition and a cumbersome questionnaire—both things to work on over the next three years.

There were some big wins for cyclists with the re-election of Jennifer Nickel and Angela Strange (at Waikato Regional Council) and a Waipā Council with several respondents that gave positive responses to our survey. 

Unfortunately, some of the strongest advocates for cycling and micromobility were not successful in their bids. This does not necessarily prevent progressive change, and we will continue to work toward better infrastructure across the region.

With national elections next year, it is important to get out and vote and start conversations with your friends and whānau about the importance of building infrastructure right (the first time!) and the many benefits of a sustainable, multimodal, and people-oriented transportation system.

Another “accident” – safety remains front and centre

Lastly, we were devastated to learn of another crash on Hamilton roads between a cyclist and a truck earlier this year.

The crash happened on Mill Street, near the intersection with Ulster Street. The person on a bike survived in this case—but all too often, crashes like this end tragically for cyclists.

Even just one crash like this is too many.

It highlights once again that painted cyclelanes are not adequate to ensure our safety. Our rights to be safe on the road need to be respected and upheld.

After the crash, we wrote to Hamilton City Council, our local Members of Parliament (Ryan Hamilton and the Hon Tama Potaka), and the Minister of Transport Chris Bishop highlighting this devastating and ongoing situation and urging for more direct action. We asked them: what will you do to improve safety for people riding bikes at these intersections in particular and in the city in general to prevent further injuries and deaths?

We heard back from the Minister and half our Hamilton Councillors (at the time). We never heard back from our local representatives. Overall, their responses left a lot to be desired.

This incident has only strengthened our resolve, and we will continue to build and apply pressure for positive changes that protect cyclists across the country.

Bike Hub finding its wheels

Bike Waikato inherited the Bike Hub from Go Eco this year. We have been working through this transition as the Bike Hub becomes mobile and runs on a volunteer basis. We have started to build up a rhythm in our new way of working, with 29 bikes serviced in November/December alone.

We have some exciting developments underway for our Bike Hub, so watch this space for updates from next year.

In the News

It is a common narrative that we need higher speed limits to increase economic productivity. However, higher speeds mean more devastating crashes, which lead to longer delays for everyone.

Between 2022 and 2025, crashes in Auckland are estimated to cost over $9B with over $200M attributed to delays alone.

We don’t think this is worth it.

Read more: Higher speeds lower productivity: What the data show crash delays really cost Auckland | New Zealand Herald.

Research from the Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC Aotearoa) has shown that there is greater support than opposition for investment in cycleways.

This is a great result because it aligns with our experience: that most people want safer, healthier, and more sustainable transport options.

The research also concluded that cycling advocates (like us!) could do better to talk about the benefits of cycling on our health and the environment. Is there anything you think we could talk about more? Let us know at [email protected]. 

Read more: Public support for investing in urban cycleways outweighs opposition – National Survey.

Upcoming Events

The Big Bike Film Night is back in the Waikato for the following dates in 2026:

• Hamilton – February 26, June 8
• Raglan – February 28
• Cambridge – April 27