More than 200 people gathered at Pettigrew Green Arena on Saturday morning to take part in the official launch of the Hawke's Bay Trails.
Young and old turned up to cycle an 8km track, arriving at Puketapu Domain where there was a free bouncy castle, barbecue, and prizes.
Among the participants were Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Fenton Wilson, National MPs Craig Foss and Chris Tremain.
Once completed the Hawke's Bay Trails will consist of 187km of cycle tracks throughout the region, as part of the central government and Green Party-led New Zealand Cycle Trail initiative.
The $5.5 million project was funded by the regional council and The New Zealand Cycle Trail, which worked with Napier city Hastings district, Rotary clubs, community trusts, and corporate and private individuals.
Mr Wilson said it was particularly pleasing as they had managed to mostly complete three trails with the budget of only one.
"The most satisfying thing was driving here but seeing how many were biking," he said. The trails project was raring to go as a great Hawke's Bay story, he added.
Although there was still "bits and pieces" of the trails to finish, Hawke's Bay's had progressed much quicker than most other regions. Some sections were still under construction, with temporary on road alternative routes in place.
Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said the effects on tourism were already showing, citing one week in which they had 26 people doing a five-day tour.
The trails added an "enormous string to the tourism bow", she said.
"It's given us a totally new perspective." She also said one of the unique things about the Hawke's Bay Trails was they were "pretty cruisy", making them accessible to people of all ages.
Green Party MP Kevin Hague, also participating in the cycle, said his experiences in Britain showed how effective well-planned cycle trails could be.
These tracks which successfully linked places together were the idea he had in mind for New Zealand.
"What the team here have succeeded in doing is building something that is going to work for everyone."
He also thought bike trails would benefit the local economy.
When people spent money at the petrol station most of the profits went elsewhere, whereas spending money at the local bike shop meant it would benefit the local economy, he said.
Furthermore, studies had shown when tourists were biking, they generally stayed longer and spent significantly more money.