Wheels to light up the night in Whanganui Light Up Bike Spectacle

Whanganui will soon hold its first Light Up Bike Spectacle.

Whanganui's first-ever Light Up Bike Spectacle is set to illuminate the city's new shared pathways.

The all-ages, all-wheels event, organised by Whanganui District Council, will be held at 5.30pm on Friday, May 4, arts facilitator Riah King-Wall said. People are encouraged to illuminate their wheels to add to the spectacle.

"There's a range of events around the country that form a similar kind of concept but it's the first of its type in Whanganui and we're super-excited about it," Ms King-Wall said.

"We're working with a range of artists and community groups to put it on and make it as spectacular as it can possibly be.

"We have fantastic shared pathways that we want to encourage people to view and use in a more creative way than they may have before."

The 5km flat loop route will include parts of the City to North Mole pathway and Te Tuaiwi pathway through the central city. Travel will be "at a family-friendly speed".

"We want to encourage any type of wheel-powered transport to take part so as well as bikes people can bring scooters, buggies, unicycles, skateboards, roller skates and wheelchairs. They'll be rolling along the shared pathways and illuminating their wheels will bring an extra creative element to them. It's a nice way to combine active transport and the arts.

"There's a lot of support in the community - it's definitely shaping up to be a fantastic event."

Two free workshops will be held to help people make their own bicycle-mounted or hand-held lantern. The workshops will be hosted by Rangiwahia Environmental Arts Centre and the Whanganui Regional Museum at 131 Victoria Ave (the former Farmers homeware store) between 9am and 3pm on Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28. The workshops are suitable for ages 5 and over.

There will also be performances along the route. Any groups interested in participating can contact Riah King-Wall on 349 0001 or riah.king-wall@whanganui.govt.nz