Cycling & Walking

Benefits of cycling and walking

Why not get some exercise while travelling locally? Forget about petrol and parking fees.

Walking and cycling:

Are free
Are good for the environment
Offer many health benefits.

Getting started

Have you ever thought about commuting to work by walking or biking? Wondering how to travel with children? Getting started can be simple. Read the guide to getting started and making it habit below.

Also check out our helpful info booklet on biking with kids.

Get bike ready

Pump tyres
Check brakes
Adjust seat height
Oil the chain.

Do it yourself or take it to a bike repair shop.

Find a safe route

Use the Rotorua Urban Biking Guide (PDF, 2.7MB) to find a route using shared paths, cycle lanes and quiet streets to get you from A to B.

Start small

Begin with an achievable and sustainable number of days each week. This means you'll be more likely to keep it up. Pick days you're not as busy and check the weather to plan accordingly.

Plan how to carry stuff

Some bikes have racks for panniers and baskets. You can also just use a bag. Just make sure your bag doesn't move around while riding. If you are walking, a well fitted backpack will make the walk easier.

Practice

Do a dry run. Get familiar with the route and the time it takes.

Making it a habit

Learn the basics

Take a basic bike maintenance course so you can fix a flat tyre and keep your bike in good working order. Many bike shops run these for free.

Refresh your skills

Grab a copy of Bike Ready's "Tips for Biking" booklet or get in touch with the Road Safety Rotorua team to attend a cycle skills course.

Recruit a friend

Commute with a regular friend who will encourage you and keep you accountable.

Remind yourself why

There are so many benefits to riding and walking. Every little bit helps both you and the planet!

I bike because…

We asked some locals why they love to ride, and what they love about biking in Rotorua.

We bike because it’s fun

These cool kids ride to school most days. Their parents helped them choose safe routes, with crossing points and shared paths. They love riding together because they get to chat and catch up on the way to school.

Programmes and events

Rotorua Summer Cycling Series

Summer is the best time to ride. Our Summer Cycling Series has many fun activities and events, encouraging people to get outside and enjoy their bikes and our rohe.

Watch this space for programme details and to register.

Cycling and walking paths

Shared paths are for everyone, whether you’re biking, scooting, pushing a pram or out for a stroll. Look out for others, slow down, keep dogs on a short leash, use a bell or call out and pass with care.

Rotorua bike parking and security

Register, report, recover – protect your bike with 529 Garage.

Bike theft is a problem world-wide. Every year, authorities find stolen bikes abandoned or recovered from burglaries, and owners leave them unclaimed. Rotorua Lakes Council and Rotorua Police are working together to reduce bike theft. To help bike owners recover their stolen bikes, we have partnered with 529 Garage, a bike security platform.

529 Garage helps to reduce bike theft, supports the recovery of stolen bikes and promotes cycling, making cities more bike friendly. Register your bike with 529 Garage today.

Locking your bike

Always lock your bike securely - ensure you lock to a secure object that can’t be easily moved or removed. To be extra secure, we recommend the two-lock approach.

Adaptive bikes and trikes

Adaptive bikes come in many types. They help people with different disabilities have fun and stay active.

With such a variety of choices available, there’s likely a perfect fit for everyone. Get in touch with us if you need help with the process for getting an adaptive bike. We can connect you with the right people.

Rotorua Bikes in Schools

Bikes in Schools is a complete biking package. It includes a fleet of bikes, a helmet for each child, a bike storage container, and skill and bike tracks. Bikes in Schools helps children develop their cycling skills and confidence to ride safely on our roads and cycle ways. Bikes in Schools has already been implemented in over 50 schools across New Zealand.

In Rotorua we have several schools with Bikes in Schools facilities:

Aorangi School
Rotokawa School
Rotorua Primary School
Sunset School
Mamaku School.

These schools have asphalt bike tracks that are a great place to practice skills in a safe, traffic-free environment.

Cycling and walking communities

Get out more and meet like-minded people at the same time. Here are some of the clubs that meet regularly to walk and bike in and around Rotorua:

Club name	About	Contact
Cycling Rotorua Inc	A group of road cyclists that meet for bunch rides	Facebook Email: cyclingrotorua@gmail.com
Freedom Walkers	A social fitness group	Facebook
Jogging the Powerpoles	A community fitness group for beginners & improvers in walking, jogging, and road cycling	Website Facebook
Lake City Athletics Club	A club with groups from walkers through to experienced runners	Website Facebook
Revolve Rotorua	A down to earth cycling club for women	Website Facebook
Rotorua Mountain Bike Club	A club running mountain biking events for all ages	Website Facebook
Rotorua Rocks (#RotoRocks)	Get your little ones walking with a purpose, painting rocks, and hiding them	Facebook

Bike Fix volunteers

We work with various community groups to help do up donated bikes so they can be passed on to new owners.

If you know your way around a bike and would like to support this Kaupapa/project, join the Bike Fix team. Email cycling@rotorualc.nz and we’ll put you on our mailing list.