Another February looms and with that is another month of getting out and biking as much as you can – because it’s time for the 2026 Aotearoa Bike Challenge!
You should know the drill by now: (1) sign up your organisation or workplace to the Challenge, (2) clock up as many rides and kms as you can throughout February on your bikes, (3) watch those points add up for all your biking! Who knows, you might even make the leaderboard or win a few lucky prizes…
To help motivate you into getting out and about, there are actually quite a few different biking activities happening throughout February (check out the Cycling in Chch Events Calendar for more info):
McLeans Forest bike hire hub Cycling the Dream are running a Checkpoint Challenge throughout February. This is essentially a biking scavenger hunt where you download an app, ride some trails, find checkpoints, and collect codes along the way. Where will the Challenge take you during the month…?
- RAD Bikes have now landed in their new home in Hawdon St, Sydenham, and are ready for your custom! This not-for-profit community bike workshop provides space where everyone is welcome to help recycle and learn how to fix bikes for themselves or others. Several times a week you can bring in your old dunger to get fixed up, drop off gear you’d like to donate, or perhaps seek out that new-ish bike you’ve been looking for.
- Speaking of fixing up bikes, Aranui Bike Fixup is another community initiative based in Shortland St Aranui dedicated to restoring bikes and sharing them with the community. The first bike fixup for 2026 is on Thu 12th Feb from 3-5.30pm – expect to see more throughout the year…
Bike Bridge are another local community group where the aim is to empower women to learn how to ride, with free lessons by other women. The sessions start by learning biking basics in a supportive, off-road environment, and then progressing to learning to cycle safely on the road. The first session was just held at Addington School this evening, and further weekly lessons will be held there every Wednesday from 5-7pm through to the 1st of April.
On Sat Feb 14th from 2.30pm, come along to Action Bicycle Club for some afternoon tea before setting off to enjoy a cruisy Valentines Day Ride through Hagley Park, finishing up with some ice-cream refreshments – yum! Feel free to bring a partner along…
- Do you want to see further improvements to the state of cycling around the city? Spokes Canterbury are interested in your feedback on this topic, and want to hear from you at three different forums around the city:
- Tūranga library, Sun 8th Feb, 11am-3pm
- University of Canterbury, Fri 13th Feb, 9am-2pm
- Matatiki Hornby Centre library, Sat 28th Feb, 10am-4pm
Come along and let the Spokes team know about your worst challenges faced while riding around the city, and your wishlist for better parking, crossings, connections, and any other ideas for a more cycle-friendly Christchurch.
- And if that wasn’t already enough things to do, you might want to also enjoy a Last Friday of the month social ride on Fri 27th Feb, starting out by the Bridge of Remembrance from 6pm and ending up – who knows where…
Phew! So don’t delay (especially if you want to win a few lucky prizes) – if you aren’t already, get registered now!
Are you registered for the Bike Challenge yet?
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