Napier picks up best bike trail award

It’s official – Napier has the best urban cycle trail in the country.

That’s according to the members of the public who took part in this year’s Favourite Place to Cycle competition.

Napier was the Urban Trail/Commute winner of the competition. This has been run annually by Bike Wise, which is funded and coordinated through the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). This year almost 10,000 votes were received across four categories: Nga Haerenga - NZ Cycle Trail, Off-Road or Adventure Ride, Urban Trail or Commute, On-Road Ride.

Chuck Dowdell, NZTA Highway Manager for Napier says the city is a well-deserving winner of the Urban Trail/Commute category. “Our city is a fantastic place to cycle, offering both great scenery and well established cycling trails. Napier makes commuting by bike easy and enjoyable so we are thrilled to see it recognised in the national campaign,” he says.

Overall the Napier and Hastings Urban Cycleways, Napier Trails and Hawke’s Bay Cycle Trails all made it into the top 11 for best places to cycle in New Zealand.

Bike Wise is a national programme of activities which promotes cycling as a fun, enjoyable, healthy and safe way to travel. It promotes greater participation in cycling, and provides opportunities to cycle and increase the safety of those who cycle. 

Activities and events happen year round with a particular emphasis on Bike Wise Month, which takes place in February each year. Hawke’s Bay’s events include Go By Bike Day and the Commuter Challenge.