Bike riders donned their best frocks and suits yesterday and braved the weather to ride past Rotorua's thousands of tulips.
Despite wet weather, about 20 people - including four children - took part in Frocks on Bikes, a closing event for the Rotorua Tulip Festival.
The 5.5km ride started at the Te Runanga Tearooms in the Government Gardens and finished at the new Farmers Market in the heart of the city.
The route took riders past the Lakefront to Kuirau Park, past thousands of tulips and on to the Green Corridor leading to the market.
Local friends Kate Townsley, Helen van Beek and Nicki Dent took part in the event together.
Ms van Beek said it was a lovely ride despite the weather and the geothermal heating in Kuirau Park was greatly appreciated.
"It's nice to support a local event."
Ms Townsley said the Green Corridor had been easy to ride on and "it was pleasant riding through Kuirau Park".
Frocks on Bikes was free to register and riders received a Starbucks coffee voucher to use afterwards.
They said the free coffee was "very welcome".
Organiser and sustainable transport officer Natasja du Plessis said Frocks on Bikes went "really well".
She said she was stoked with who turned up and braved the weather.
Mrs du Plessis said hopefully the event would entice people to get back on their bikes, encourage people to use a safe and healthy mode of transport and encourage more people to use the cycleways.
The ride was slow paced and designed to give people new to cycling an opportunity to ride in a safe and fun environment with family and friends.
More frocks, and maybe suits too, will be featured at the Frocks on Bikes Fashion Show.
The show is to be held for the first time at the Rotorua Lakes Council on Friday October 28.
Mrs du Plessis said they were very excited about the fashion show, which would feature about 25 members of the public modelling dresses and outfits in a vintage theme, as well as modelling bikes.
"We would like as many of the public as possible to come along."
Tickets will be available this week through the council and other sources.