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Riding a bicycle is like, well, riding a bicycle – you never forget how. But if it’s been a few years since you were last in the saddle, your memory might need some jogging – or is that pedalling.
A new coaching programme, UpCycle, designed to help Nelson/Tasman residents get back on their bikes is now calling for enrolments.
UpCycle is offered, for a gold coin donation, through the Way2Go hubs at Victory and Stoke and provides a complete programme to get everyone riding again.
Way2Go coordinator Marty Clark said UpCycle was designed specifically to empower people to feel confident about cycling locally.
“We live in the best place in New Zealand to ride a bike,” Mr Clark said.
“Beautiful natural scenery, minimal traffic, awesome tracks and cycleways and short distances between centres make this a cycling Mecca.
“We already have the highest cycling rates in the country, but there are a lot of people who would like to cycle but don’t have the confidence to do it.
“UpCycle is simply about linking those people in with excellent tutors and getting them on the road again.”
UpCycle is a Bicycle Nelson Bays initiative that has helped 40 people over the past two years.
And this year, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Programme (NPA), with support from Nelson City Council has made it possible to expand the programme and offer it to 100 people.
“A lot of our participants haven’t ridden since they were kids but might be looking for a cheap and healthy form of transport, exercise or fun,” Marty said.
“We offer an NZTA accredited biking skills course and then we get them out on the road dealing with real-life situations.
“Each week we go further and further and deal with more challenge situations until they are ready to ride on their own to wherever they want to go.
“We also bike to cafes, so there is a social side to it as well.
Marty said they were taking enrolments now for the ongoing programme that covers four components: helping participants purchase a bike, bike maintenance, basic skills, and competent road-riding.
“We can help people get very cheap, but good quality bikes and pay them off over time,” he said.
“Then we teach them how to look after them or fix them with a basic maintenance programme.
“There are a lot of households that have a bike, but it’s sat in the shed for years. They can come to the course and with help, get them road worthy again,” Marty said.
For more information, or to enroll, contact Marty:
ph: 03 5443957 (ext 1)