Bike Wise Challenge just the ticket

It's the little things that inspire the team at Travelcom Mount Maunganui to cycle to work every day.
"When you cycle past all the cars that are lined up, it's the best feeling," manager Katrina Stewart says.
For the employees at Travelcom, this is going to be everyday life for the next month, as part as Bike Wise Month, New Zealand's annual celebration of cycling.
The Bike Wise Challenge, which five of the six staff at Travelcom will be taking part in, is an online challenge which involves local businesses signing up to travel by bike to work as much as possible.
The idea is to see who can get the greatest proportion of staff to ride at least 2km during the month. Last year 11 businesses and organisations from the Western Bay took part.
For the Travelcom consultants, it will be their third year taking part. They were part of the group of three businesses that first did the challenge when it started in 2009.
"It was a good chance for us all to cycle together," says travel consultant Angeline Gower.
"We all encouraged each other to do it."
Katrina says it was a good way to educate drivers about cyclists and to be aware of them on the roads and that wasn't the only benefit. "Money wise, as far as petrol goes, it's a huge saving," she says.
Katrina lives in Te Puke but drives to Papamoa and then cycles from there.
"It's easy general fitness and it makes you feel good, you've got the wind in your hair," Katrina says.
The ride between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui has been made a lot easier by the harbour link, she says, and the journey has become much safer. A cycleway now runs the length of the new harbour bridge on its northern side.
Hundreds of events are being held across the country this month aimed at getting Kiwis to ride their bikes. To track the progress of Travelcom Mount Maunganui and other Tauranga businesses taking part, visit www.bikewise.co.nz.
Also happening this month:

• Urban Mountain Bike Loop: go to the Historic Village on 17th Ave today at 5.45pm and bring your own bike to ride on-road and off-road tracks around the city and outskirts for free. Must be 11 years or older.
•Tour de TECT All Terrain Park: this Sunday at 9.30am explore the newly-opened park and ride through the network of roads and trails. Bring your own bike, helmet, gloves, water and lunch. Bookings essential, limit 30, ph Rasmus on 07 579 6742 or email tectpark@westernbay.govt.nz.
•BMX Give it a Go Night: on February 8 and 15 you can learn how to ride a BMX properly on the track at Sulphur Point at 5.15pm. Bring covered shoes, long sleeves, a helmet, gloves and bike. Ph Nicki on 07 578 0016 ext 829 nickim@sportbop.co.nz.
•Go By Bike Day: on February 16 this nationwide event is about getting every Kiwi out of their car for the day and riding their bike to work or school.
•Mayoral Challenge: every weekend during February and during the start of March various towns and cities compete for the title of Cycle Mad City by attempting to get the most people to ride their bikes behind the local mayor. Tauranga's Mayoral Challenge is on March 6 at 10am - meet with both mayors, Stuart Crosby and Ross Patterson, at The Lakes.