Bike Summit - Great Lake Taupo

Mad if you don't Biking taupo

Great Lake Taupo Biking Summit Survey

A big thank you to all speakers and everyone who attended the Great Lake Taupo biking summit on Thursday 20 September at Suncourt Hotel.

We would appreciate it if you can give us some feedback and comments based on the presentations and questions that were raised at the summit. For those who couldn't attend, we would still appreciate general comments and feedback on promoting cycling and biking for the Great Lake Taupo region.

Please complete the survey HERE

Check this page after 2 weeks for the survey results.

Great Lake Taupo Biking Summit Agenda & Presentations

Thursday September 20^th at Suncourt Hotel, Taupo.

Programme: Opening address by Cr Keith Crate, with Dougal Morison as MC from More FM.

Dougal welcomed everyone to the first Great Lake Taupo Cycling Summit and congratulated Rose Blackly and her team for organizing the Giant Bike that was unveiled on the top of the Control Gates Hill, earlier in the day.

Keith spoke on showcasing our cycling assets and promoting the Taupo District as a National Cycling Destination. To read more of Keith’s presentation click here.

Cycling Organisations Presentations:

Richard Balm – New Zealand Cycle Trail: Cycling in NZ is on the up compared to other sports. It helps to promote country roads and revitalizes rural New Zealand. To read more of Richard’s presentation click here.

Mark Gibson – Bike Taupo: Bike Taupo is a volunteer group and a voice for all cyclists. Mark spoke about the use of the Lions Walk – 50,000 people using it each year and the cost of damage to the cycling tracks - $85,000.00 yearly. To read more of Mark’s presentation click here.

Terry Slee – Department of Conservation: DOC’s mandate has changed over the years and now includes more involvement with community groups. Where there are walking tracks, they are redeveloping them into combined cycling/walking tracks. There are a lot of opportunities for cycleways within an hour’s drive of Taupo township. To read more of Terry’s presentation click here.

Nick Reader – Events Capital: There are 17,380 biking only event participants per year at Taupo events. Of these 80% to 90% are visitors to the region. He is continuing to create a positive bike culture with more biking events in the District. To read more of Nick’s presentation click here.

Kay Brake – Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge: This is New Zealand’s largest recreational event. They distribute $100,000 to the clubs that help them out on the day as volunteers and the event contributes $4.6 mil annually, into the Taupo District. 25,000 people stay for 2 nights in Taupo and 10% stay for 3 nights or more. 70% of riders return every year and they have a database of 40,000 people. To read more of Kay’s presentation click here.

Andrew Wilson – Taupo Cycling Club: They have been operating for 36 years and organize cycling events for locals. They actively travel to get quality racing. One of their main aims is to help improve cycling skills for young and old. To read more of Andrew’s presentation click here.

Erana Stevens – Pureora Timber Trails: The trail is 80km long and only 1 hour away from Taupo township. It is easy mountain biking and is a cycle trail of bridges. They use the old logging tram lines. There is a 141 metre bridge under construction, which will be the longest suspension bridge on any cycle trail in NZ, once it is completed. To read more of Erana’s presentation click here.

Rachel Trapski – Bikefest: Rachel spoke of the growth and development of Bikefest. Their objectives are to promote the fringe sports associated with biking, to entertain, to broaden the exposure of biking and to inspire people to take up a new hobby. To read more of Rachel’s presentation click here.

Joe Simpson – Bike Park: Included in the Bike Park will be a dirt jump park, pump track and trials area. It is all about bringing cycling to the younger generation and keeping it fun. They have been given ground at Spa Park by the Taupo District Council. They have a funding issue. Approximately $25,000 is needed. Seays Earthmovers are giving their time for free, to help build it. Joe’s mantra is “Build it and they will come”. To read more of Joe’s presentation click here.

Paul McArdle – Economic & Health Benefits of Cycling: Biking is a smart investment. Paul showed us the change to Napier/Hastings with all the new cycleways that have been built. He also mentioned how there are now many small businesses popping up, along the cycle lanes. People will ride, stop and spend. Healthier people make better employees. There are now 23% more riders in the Hawkes Bay and more visitors coming, because of the cycling lanes and trails available. To read more of Paul’s presentation click here.

Donna Jarden – Destination Great Lake Taupo: We are collaborating with all the biking groups and DOC, to market the region as a cycling destination. This will help the visitors to stay longer and bring in more economic benefits to the Taupo region. Donna encouraged all attendees to complete the feedback survey so that the collective wisdom of all the biking organisations can input into DGLT’s marketing plan for biking in the region. To read more of Donna’s presentation click here.

We then had an open discussion with five of the speakers and our special guest Sarah Ulmer.
Points that were brought up were:

There is a long way to go getting children back into cycling.
Safety is paramount for commuters and all cyclists.
Paul McArdle suggested that cycle lanes need to be painted on all streets around the district. NZTA gave Hawkes Bay the money for this and he suggested we keep knocking on their door for funding.
Don’t forget the 60+ age groups.
Upkeep of the trails is very costly and there are lots of volunteers out there helping to keep the costs down.

Attendees were invited to give their feedback about the Summit online HERE. When this closes a summary of responses will be circulated.

Outcomes from the Summit to date:

· Paul McArdle is meeting with Sport Waikato to help develop a biking in schools programme similar to that run the in Hawkes Bay.

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