KEY POINTS:
Papakura District Council staff are feeling the wind in their hair as they conduct official business on a gleaming new pair of mountain bikes.
The council, which bought one of the machines and was given the other by a local cycle shop, has joined a small elite of
Auckland institutions to have added pedal-power to their transport fleets.
Others include the Waitakere and North Shore City Councils, and the Police, who have a bicycle at their community stations at St Heliers and Mission Bay to make it easier for constables to patrol waterfront beaches at popular times when Tamaki Drive becomes jammed with traffic.
Papakura's new bikes came equipped with waterproof and lockable panniers to carry important council documents needed by staff bound for meetings and site inspections. Although they are mainly used for short trips around the business district, council spokesman Mark Baker said one engineering staff member had already been keen enough to cycle to Drury on council business since the bikes were introduced to the vehicle fleet about three weeks ago.
He added that showers were available back at the council's offices for such enthusiasts.
Mr Baker said the council was keen to lead by example by equipping staff with "the ultimate in zero-emission, zero fuel-use, carbon-friendly transport" to supplement a 12-strong fleet of energy-efficient cars, which included three Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrids.
Walking and cycling project manager Nicky Hayhow said the bikes would be branded with the council's logo "so ratepayers know we are doing our utmost for sustainable transport and health".
She said they would complement council plans for developing extensive walking and cycling facilities for the Papakura community, including shared pathways which would be identified early next year.
Mr Baker said the council also intended adding a large cycle storage locker to a park-and-ride area it had developed for commuters at Papakura's remodelled railway station.
The bikes are a hit with council energy conservation officer James Burgess and community services administration assistant Courtney Hayhow, who is Mrs Hayhow's daughter and is responsible for taking bookings from staff wanting to use them.
Ms Hayhow works with the council's housing-for-the-elderly scheme and said that, weather permitting, it was often more convenient for her to visit residents by bike than by car.
"As well as being good for fitness, it is often easier to get around by bike."
