Graeme Simpson: Films celebrating women who love to cycle

A feast of films celebrating women who love to cycle is riding into Rotorua later this month.

Screening at 7pm at the Blue Baths on Saturday, October 27, the Cycle Chic Tour was created to reflect the world we live in, and in response to audience demand for more movies featuring women riders.

"Strong in characters and stories, the collection is varied, real, and touching," says Cycle Chic curator, Brett Cotter, who also created the Big Bike Film Night.

"The aim is to showcase a captivating selection of short cycling films to inspire, encourage and celebrate women who love to bike. At the heart of this is a theme of exploring and pushing boundaries, showing women who are courageous, connected with their bicycle and the freedom that cycling offers. This is a collection for the 'thinking cyclist', geared to appeal to all riders and all genders."

After last year's successful inaugural Cycle Chic, the 2018 programme has 11 films that are sure to make an impact.

"The collection paints a picture of thriving, diverse bike cultures across the globe," Cotter continues.

"Response to the films nationwide has been outstanding and it's great to be bringing it to Rotorua as part of the Rotorua Bike Festival where the Big Bike Film Night first started in 2014."

The Cycle Chic cinematic adventure includes a magical journey of colour and creativity from around the world.

The films include an artistic mountain biker in Canada and a New Zealander who believes in the power of bikes, and how a bicycle can be so much more than just a set of wheels.

From Amsterdam, there's the heart-warming Mama Agatha, about a "community mother" who runs a bicycle-training programme for migrant and refugee women.

Two "bad-ass BMXers" (in their own words) feature in an enthralling film from big-city America.

And Moksha is a moving documentary that highlights three Nepali women who have dedicated themselves to spreading the joy of mountain biking to women across the Himalayas.

"Women are often underrepresented when it comes to bicycling, and the reasons for this are complex," says Cotter.

Cycle Chic is coming to Rotorua. Photo / Jeff Scott, Liv Cycling

"What I aim to do with this event is to try and redress that imbalance and inspire and encourage women to rediscover their love of bikes and the freedom that can bring."

Tickets for Cycle Chic are $22 for adults and $16 for under-17 year olds, online at www.bigbikefilmnight.nz or at the Blue Baths on the night.

"We're stoked to be back at this venue again," Cotter adds.

"There's great food and beverages and some of the feedback we've had in the past is that both the Big Bike Film Night and Cycle Chic screenings are a great opportunity for people to catch up and socialise as well as enjoy the films."

For more information on the Cycle Chic Film Tour go to www.bigbikefilmnight.nz or www.facebook.com/cyclechicfilmtour/