As the months approach winter, it’s natural to think that your opportunities for doing things cycling-related might also cool down. But, rather like our current run of golden weather, there continue to be plenty of things in Chch to keep people enjoying their bikes! In some cases, the details are still being finalised, so make sure that you keep a regular eye on our Events & Activities Calendar for the latest goss. Here’s what’s coming up:
- – The next ICEcycles public workshop will be held this Sun 8th (Mothers Day) at the Linwood Community Arts Centre (388 Worcester St) from 1-4pm. Bring your bike along and the team will try to fix it, or they can show you how to fix it yourself if you wish. For those without a bike, they might even be able to provide a free restored bike for you.
- – If you’re at the ICEcycles workshop but are a bit hesitant about getting on the saddle, why not try a Short Ride for New Cyclists, provided by the Go Cycle Chch team. Starting from 2pm at the Linwood Community Arts Centre, they will lead you on a small route around the neighbourhood to help build up your riding confidence. Numbers are limited, so make sure that you get in touch with Connie beforehand to reserve a spot.
- – If you’re keen to see the City Council continuing to support cycling, then make sure that you submit on this year’s draft Annual Plan before the closing date on Tue 10th. See our earlier post for ideas on what to raise with them.
- – Another month, another Wheel Womyn Wednesday, where the intrepid team of ladies from RAD Bikes help to answer your queries about all things biking. Come along to the RAD Bikes hut (The Commons, cnr Kilmore/Durham St) on Wed 11th from 6pm, where this month you can find out all about those mysterious bike things called gears!
{Meanwhile, the RAD Bikes team continue to hold their regular bi-weekly workshops at The Commons to help create new and repair old bikes. Come along any Sunday from 12-4pm and Wednesday 5.30-8.30pm. Next Thu 12th also sees the start of their brilliant Term 2 Afterschool kids bike maintenance programme; be in quick if you want to sign someone up for this.}
- Biking, drinking, chatting about it – what could be better? If you like to combine all things great in your life, then you probably want to attend the next Bikes, Beer and Banter social gathering at Pomeroys Old Brewery Inn (cnr Kilmore/Fitzgerald) on Tue 17th from 5.30pm onwards. Grab your friends, hop on your bikes and come and join a few other bike-minded folks over a quiet drink.
- – There’s been a bit of a push to try to screen the international film sensation “Bikes vs Cars” here in Chch. The original plan was to host a screening on Thu 19th at Hoyts Riccarton; however that may not be a goer now – watch this space. But fear not, because it is confirmed for a screening on July 7th from 7.45pm at the Academy Gold theatre (The Colombo, Sydenham) as part of the NZ Architecture and Design Film Festival.
- – The national 2WALKandCYCLE Conference in Auckland is still a couple of months away but, if you’re after a cheap early-bird ticket to the greatest local forum for walking and cycling issues (including international speakers from Canada and Australia), then you need to register by Fri 20th.
- – Local cycling advocacy group Spokes Canterbury will be holding their AGM on Thu 26th from 5.30pm (venue still to be finalised). Spokes is a voluntary group dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport within local and regional planning in the Greater Christchurch area. As well as the usual brief formalities, the evening will also feature some interesting presentations to whet the appetites (did we mention there’s also free nibbles?). This year you will hear about some of the awesome youth-focused sustainable transport activities happening, with speakers from Generation Zero and RAD Bikes. We also hope to bring you a selection of fun cycling short films as well. Everyone is welcome, and Spokes encourages people to put their hand up to help out with a few activities over the year.
- – Another Frocks on Bikes social ride is planned for the afternoon of Sat 28th; more details still to come! As always, anyone is welcome to join these rides.
- – If you can’t get your fill of annual meetings, the Chch Coastal Pathway Group are also holding their AGM this month on Tue 31st from 7.30pm at the Redcliffs Bowling Club (9 James St, Redcliffs). The Coastal Pathway Group have been slowly progressing their aim to get a shared path for walking and cycling all the way from Ferrymead to Sumner; already the route is about half-complete. All are welcome to attend.
OK, that’s this month’s activities! Taking a sneak peek ahead to the next month (June), keep an eye out also for the Big Bike Film Night and the Winter Solstice Night Light Ride…
What activities will you be taking part in?