Fanciful costumes for Whanganui cycle event

Miss Delilah Sparkle (left), Margi Keys, Rhonda Morris and Helen Budd prepare to get on their bikes. Photo / Stuart Munro

What Whanganui Women's Network manager Carla Donson loves about her annual Frocks on Bikes event is the way people get into the dress-up spirit.

"We had a kid dressed as a gecko, which was pretty cool. For some of the guys it's quite liberating for them to wear a frock in public too," she said.

One of those who put in some effort with clothes was Miss Delilah Sparkle, there to help with registrations.

"We really appreciate her being there as a volunteer and adding extra colour to the day," Donson said.

There were 60 adults and children registered for the fun ride around town on March 3, with about half of them new to it. The adults paid $5, toward costs and future events.

The gentle ride promotes active transport, Donson said, with scooters and roller skates as well as bikes and e-bikes.

Every year she writes a poem giving the clues for every stop, and she likes to incorporate history and heritage.

This year's riders went to the sites of the former Queen's Park School, colonial hospital, Rutland Stockade and riverside waka landing place.

And for younger children there was a flatter family-friendly ride, organised by Dani Lebo and Stephanie Ward, before the return for prizes and refreshments.