Suburban Guide to Cycling in Chch

Hat-tip: thanks to Cycle Action Auckland for this great idea!

Not sure where to start with cycling? Why not see what’s available in your neighbourhood and start there. As you and your family get more confident, then you can explore further afield. Here is a handy quick insider’s guide to cycling in different parts of the city:

NB: This is still a work in progress. Got some useful local advice to add to this? Please let us know!

For each area, we will try to give you information on:

• Beginner’s ride: A nice off-street location (e.g. a park) to test your bike handling skills before playing with traffic
• First quiet street options: Where to go to get some more experience and variety without having to worry about much traffic
• Useful cycleways: Flagship cycle facilities that provide a convenient and safe ride in your neighbourhood
• Great destinations: Want a memorable place to bike to? We’ll suggest locations worth a ride
• Insider’s Tips: Want to know the sneaky short-cuts, handy link routes, or places to avoid? We’ll give you the inside story

Suburbs (click on letter to jump straight to those areas)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

A

Addington

• • • Beginner’s ride: South Hagley Park is just a stone’s throw away with a circuit right around the perimeter. Or take a ride around the courts of Sacred Heart School after-hours.
    • First quiet street options: The streets around Church Square are very friendly and now with a 40km/h speed limit, e.g. Poulson St, Ward St. East of Selwyn St, you’ll find quiet options on Fairfield Ave, Burke St and Ruskin St.
    • Useful cycleways: The top of Grove Rd has an off-road signalised crossing of Moorhouse Ave into South Hagley Park. The Little River Link cycleway then runs past Church Square and alongside Brougham St and the southern motorway towards Spreydon, Middleton and Wigram. The Quarryman’s Trail also provides a Major Cycle Route into town along Antigua St, as well as a connection to Halswell via Spreydon and Hoon Hay.
    • Great destinations: The quiet streets south of Lincoln Rd lead you straight to the great array of shops and cafes along the main drag; Lincoln Rd itself has cycle lanes to keep you out of trouble. Or from Sth Hagley Park you can easily find your way past the hospital to the Avon River in town.
    • Insider’s Tips: There’s a great pathway connection from Ruskin St up through Burke and Fairfield all the way to Addington Cemetery and Braddon St. Want to get to Tower Junction avoiding Whiteleigh Ave? Try the back way along Clarence St Sth and Leamington St, then ride the pathway alongside Whiteleigh over the railway line.

Aidanfield

• • • Beginner’s ride: Canterbury Agricultural Park and Nga Puna Wai sports centre provides lots of off-road trails. Or go for a ride along the Southern Motorway pathway
    • First quiet street options: Away from the boulevards, most local streets are fine to ride on. The busiest are probably Bibiana St and Euphrasie Dr, and even they’re not bad.
    • Useful cycleways: The Little River Link alongside the motorway lets you get all the way from Hornby in the west to Spreydon/Addington in the east, and then on into town. Halswell Rd is busy, but at least it has cycle lanes all the way.
    • Great destinations: From the A&P Show entrance, follow the cycleway south along Curletts Rd all the way to the Halswell/Hoon Hay shops. For sports lovers, you can access Nga Puna Wai sports fields from either Augustine Dr or McMahon Dr.
    • Insider’s Tips: From Somerville Cres, you can easily access the Southern Motorway pathway by following the creek under the motorway bridge. There are also lots of cycling shortcuts between streets through the parks and alleyways, e.g. Marcella Reserve, Kinsella Reserve.

Aranui

• • • Beginner’s ride: Bexley Park has some fun paths to ride along. Or try the many paths through Wainoni Park.
    • First quiet street options: Away from Pages and Breezes Rds, most local streets are fine for riding, although Hampshire St can get a bit busy.
    • Useful cycleways: You’ll find cycle lanes along Pages and Wainoni Rds to help keep you safe. And the path through Bexley Park gets you to the Anzac Drive cycleway
    • Great destinations: The Pages Rd cycle lanes will get you to the various sporting facilities at Cuthberts Green and Cowles Stadium. Nga Hau E Wha National Marae is also right next door.
    • Insider’s Tips: The pathway along the Avon River is a very handy connection to New Brighton and back into town

Avondale

• • • Beginner’s ride: Hulverstone Reserve by the Avon River offers long scenic rides. Or go for a short ride through Avondale Park.
    • First quiet street options: Avonside Dr and Hulverstone Dr offer quiet riding by the Avon River. Other streets away from Avondale and Breezes Rd are also fairly OK.
    • Useful cycleways: Wainoni and Breezes Rds have cycle lanes along them. And the Avondale Rd bridge has a shared path on one side.
    • Great destinations: Those Wainoni Rd cycle lanes can take you to the new Pak’n’Save (and a neat little play reserve next to it) – there’s also a pathway access in off Shortland St.
    • Insider’s Tips: The shortcut through Avondale Park between Niven St and Breezes Rd avoids having to use Avondale Rd – good for getting to the local schools and shops.

Avonhead

• • • Beginner’s ride: Avonhead Park has a big circuit of paths around it. The western end of Crosbie Park also has some fun BMX tracks to ride over.
    • First quiet street options: Most of the streets west of Avonhead Rd are fairly quiet, other than Maidstone, Withells, and Merrin.
    • Useful cycleways: The Uni-Cycle Major Cycle Route starts on Solway Ave near the College of Education and takes you all the way into town via Ilam and Riccarton. If you have to use Yaldhurst Rd, it has cycle lanes. Woodbury-Staveley-Parkstone provides a useful quiet but direct route towards Ilam and beyond.
    • Great destinations: Avonhead Shopping Centre can be accessed from the quiet streets to the east via Brookby Cres. Why not check out Riccarton Markets every Sunday at Riccarton Racecourse? Use the signals at Nortons Rd to get over Yaldhurst Rd to Racecourse Rd.
    • Insider’s Tips: There are lots of useful pathway shortcuts between local streets, including through Hyde Park, Cricklewood Reserve, and Ferrier Park. They’re also a handy way to connect to Merrin, Russley, and Avonhead schools.

Avonside

• • • Beginner’s ride: Avon Park and Beverley Park have some nice paths through them. Many of the Residential Red Zone closed streets are also great for learning to ride.
    • First quiet street options: Following the Avon River along Avonside Dr is even quieter post-quake; most of the connecting streets are too.
    • Useful cycleways: Avonside Dr has cycle lanes towards the city, as does Linwood Ave towards Eastgate, and Woodham Dr towards Gloucester St shops. There’s even some separated cycleways immediately north of the Gayhurst Rd bridge.
    • Great destinations: The Swanns Rd bridge will get you across to the Stanmore Rd shops in Richmond.
    • Insider’s Tips: The Residential Red Zone makes much of this area great for riding, without much traffic.

B

Beckenham

• • • Beginner’s ride: Follow the pathways along the true righthand side of the Heathcote River. Or head for Beckenham Park (and adjacent Beckenham School) to spread out.
    • First quiet street options: Tennyson and Norwood/Birdwood can be a bit busy; the rest are mostly pretty quiet.
    • Useful cycleways: Tennyson St has separated cycleways along its length. Colombo St also has bike or bus/bike lanes all the way down.
    • Great destinations: South Chch Library is just where the Heathcote crosses Colombo St; the adjacent river streets provide and easy way to bike there.
    • Insider’s Tips: There are a number of bridges crossing the Heathcote, some only for walking/biking – get to know your local faves.

Belfast

• • • Beginner’s ride: The Groynes has some great recreational paths. There is also a series of path connections all the way from Shenley Reserve via Belfast School and Sheldon Park through to Castille Reserve.
    • First quiet street options: The local streets between Johns Rd and Main North Rd are fine for riding on.
    • Useful cycleways: The Northern Motorway to the east of Belfast have a handy pathway as part of them, from Papanui all the way to Kaiapoi now. The Northern Line will also ultimately extend up the railway corridor to Belfast.
    • Great destinations: The Darroch Reserve links to a recreational loop route right around back to The Groynes – access off Darroch St. Further south, the Northwood Supa Centre is best accessed from the north by coming down through Northwood and then across the Northwood Boulevard signals.
    • Insider’s Tips: Heading further north via Main North Rd is tricky at the motorway entrance; it’s probably easier to use Belfast or Factory Rds to get to the Northern Pathway.

Bexley

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Bishopdale

• • • Beginner’s ride: Not too far away are the bike tracks around Nepal Reserve and Kendal Reserve.
    • First quiet street options: There are lots of quiet street options around Grant Armstrong Park, with various connecting pathways between streets too.
    • Useful cycleways: Cycle lanes on Greers Rd get you between Harewood Rd and Northcote Rd. There’s also handy islands to get you across the Harewood roundabout between Bishopdale shops and Highsted Rd.
    • Great destinations: Bishopdale School can be accessed from the surrounding quiet streets via the pathways connecting to Reynolds Ave through Tralee Reserve. The Bishopdale shops and adjacent park and recreation centre are easily accessible from all directions, especially through the quieter streets to the south and west.
    • Insider’s Tips: To avoid going through the Harewood Roundabout from the east, use the carpark at the vets just west of Greers Rd to get to the quieter Eastling St.

Bottle Lake

• • • Beginner’s ride: Bottle Lake Forest is a great place to explore by bike along the many different trails through the trees.
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Bromley

• • • Beginner’s ride: The Charlesworth Reserve has a series of off-road trails that are fun to ride on.
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Rapanui/Shag Rock Major Cycle Route takes you all the way into town (Fitzgerald Ave) via Linwood Ave, Linwood Park and the Stanmore Rd shops; in time it will also link to Ferrymead and beyond. For now use the trails through the Charlesworth Reserve.
    • Great destinations: Ferrymead has a wide array of shops to visit.
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Broomfield

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Brooklands

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Bryndwr

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Northern Line follows the railway corridor from Riccarton and Fendalton up to Redwood via Papanui.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Burnside

• • • Beginner’s ride: It’s hard to go past the fantastic Westburn Reserve cycle training park, between Westburn Tce and Memorial Ave; a very popular place for the young’uns. But the skills track at Kendal Reserve is also worth a look.
    • First quiet street options: Lots of quiet options between Memorial Ave and Wairakei Rd, including connecting through the many pathways of Nepal Reserve.
    • Useful cycleways: The Burnside cycleway connects via paths and quiet streets all the way from Fendalton School (Clyde Rd), past Cobham Intermediate and Burnside Primary, through Jellie Park, along the back of Burnside High, past the Kendal Ave shops, to the William Pickering Drive industrial park. It’s a bit tricky to follow the route though.
    • Great destinations: Jellie Park and Pool is easily accessed from east and west via the Burnside cycleway. Burnside Park also provides many sport options and has good path connections to the north and south.
    • Insider’s Tips: The Memorial/Greers intersection features NZ’s first ever “hook turn”, which allows you to turn right across the multi-lane road by a two-step manoeuvre of keeping to the left.

Burwood

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

C

Casebrook

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Cashmere Hills

• • • Beginner’s ride: The shared path alongside the Heathcote River is a great starting point for kids.
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Nor’West Arc is a Major Cycle Route newly built to connect from Cashmere to Ilam via Hoon Hay, Hillmorton, Middleton and Upper Riccarton.
    • Great destinations:
    • Insider’s Tips: Rather than battling it out with traffic on Dyers Pass Rd, consider using Victoria Park Rd and some of the nearby trails to get up and down the hill. If you don’t want to climb the hill, you might also consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks.

Central City

• • • Beginner’s ride: Hagley Park has great riding options all around and through its extents. Washington Way Skate Park could also be fun to test your skills on, as is the pump track in the East Frame just south of Margaret Mahy Park.
    • First quiet street options: Many parts of the Avon River corridor (The Promenade) are very friendly and low traffic/speed. Much of the rest of the city has a 30km/h speed limit.
    • Useful cycleways: Tuam St has an eastbound separated cycleway, with a westbound one on St Asaph. There is also a pathway alongside central Cambridge Tce by the river. The East Frame next to Manchester St has a north-south cycling route. Colombo St south of the Square has some raised cycleways and will in future host even better cycling facilities to the north. Victoria St, Kilmore St and Hereford St all feature cycle lanes.
    • Great destinations: The whole central city has great destinations to choose from, such as Riverside and Little High Eatery. The new Bus Interchange is also easily accessed via the cycleways on Tuam and Colombo and has great bike parking and lockers.
    • Insider’s Tips: Need a secure bike park for you or friends while in the central city? Use one of the free Locky Dock parking stations around town (requires Bikeep app); you can even charge your e-bike!

Clifton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Cracroft

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: Christchurch Adventure Park can be accessed from Worsleys Rd, with a new path leading all the way in.
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

D

Dallington

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: The red zone streets alongside the Avon River provide a friendly riding route, with a couple of bridges across too.
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

E

Edgeware

• • • Beginner’s ride: There are some paths in St Albans Park (Edward Ave/Madras St) that would be suitable for newbies. Abberley Park (Abberley Cres) is another handy option.
    • First quiet street options: The streets north of Bealey Ave such as Champion, Packe, Geraldine and Bishop are quiet streets for north/south travel. Canon and Purchas streets provide quiet east/west travel.
    • Useful cycleways: The Papanui Parallel provides a Major Cycle Route into town along Colombo St and also out past St Albans to Papanui along Trafalgar St. Manchester Street has painted lines for cycle use.
    • Great destinations: Abberley and St Albans Parks are great recreational options. The Edgeware shops are also handy at the top of Colombo St.
    • Insider’s Tips: If riding east/west during off peak times Canon and Purchas streets are great, but will require giving way to north/south traffic at all intersections.

F

Fendalton

• • • Beginner’s ride: Fendalton Park is a good place for a beginners’ ride. The Railway Cycleway (Northern Line) also provides a nice traffic-free environment.
    • First quiet street options: Most of the back streets off Fendalton Rd are very cycle friendly, including calming to slow traffic down. And there are signalised crossings of Fendalton Rd at the Railway and near Snowden Rd.
    • Useful cycleways: The Northern Line follows the railway corridor from Riccarton up to Redwood via Bryndwr and Papanui. Kotare St/Kahu Rd and Straven Rd have cycle lanes along them (some with with separator posts). The Uni-Cycle route goes along Matai St, then behind Boys High and through Riccarton Bush towards Ilam.
    • Great destinations: Mona Vale Homestead is easy to get to via the Railway Cycleway and Uni-Cycle route. The new Uni-Cycle crossing at Matai & Deans also provides an easy way to get into Hagley Park.
    • Insider’s Tips: Along Fendalton Rd there are handy bypasses behind the bus stops if you are riding along the cycle lanes and a bus is parked there. From the top of Harakeke St there are useful path links through to Fendalton Rd and Straven Rd (Royds St) too.

Ferrymead

• • • Beginner’s ride: The Charlesworth Reserve has some great pathways to wander around. Across the river at Ferrymead Sports Park (Ferrymead Park Dr) you’ll also find some interesting paths to explore and a pump track.
    • First quiet street options: All the local streets in Charlesworth are quiet and friendly to cycle on.
    • Useful cycleways: The Coastal Pathway now extends all the way from Ferrymead to Redcliffs via an off-road path – why not make a trip of it? Through the Charlesworth Reserve you can also access the Rapanui/Shag Rock Major Cycle Route taking you all the way into town via Linwood. Ferry Rd and Humphreys Dr also have cycle lanes into town.
    • Great destinations: The scenic Heathcote Towpath pathway runs along the northern side of the Heathcote River before reaching the Ferrymead bridge – watch some of the sharp corners though. The Ferrymead shopping centre is reasonably accessible via the adjacent cycle-laned roads.
    • Insider’s Tips: It is possible to get into the back of the Ferrymead shopping centre (behind Mitre 10 Mega) from the Charlesworth Reserve, but they don’t make it obvious or easy. Same goes for accessing the Reserve via Humphreys Dr – you’ll have to go over a fence.

G

H

Halswell

• • • Beginner’s ride: Halswell Quarry has some nice recreational trails. There’s also some nice pathways running along the green spaces in Halswell On The Park between William Brittan Ave and Milns Rd. And now there’s a new kids cycle skills park in Knights Stream (Richmond Ave).
    • First quiet street options: There are lots of quiet culs de sac and accessways throughout Halswell On The Park for riding around.
    • Useful cycleways: The Quarryman’s Trail (starting by the Community Centre on Halswell Rd) provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town via Hoon Hay, Spreydon, Somerfield and Addington. Halswell Rd has cycle lanes along its length if you need to get into town.
    • Great destinations: Halswell Domain and Aquatic Centre can be accessed from either cycle lanes on Halswell Rd or the back streets via Edward Stafford Ave. Halswell Quarry Park is also a great place for picnics and scenic walks – head out there via Kennedys Bush Rd.
    • Insider’s Tips: It is possible to get into the Halswell Shopping Centre through the gate in the back at the end of Rearsby Dr.

Harewood

• • • Beginner’s ride: The McLeans Forest trails are relatively flat and gentle rides on McLeans Island Rd west of the airport
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: A cycle path runs alongside McLeans Island Rd from SH1 out towards the Waimak River recreation areas
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: Accessing the airport and McLeans Island is easily done via the cycle underpass of SH1 at the Harewood Rd roundabout. It will be even better when the Wheels to Wings cycleway runs along Harewood Rd… If you don’t want to bike to the airport, you might also consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks.

Heathcote Valley

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Heathcote Express cycleway now provides a cycle-friendly route all the way in to the central city, going through Woolston and Charleston along the way.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Hei Hei

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The South Express major cycleway provides a handy connection from Kyle Park all the way back into town via Sockburn and Riccarton.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Hillmorton

• • • Beginner’s ride: Various pathways alongside the Upper Heathcote River provide pleasant riding.
    • First quiet street options: Many of the streets around Mokihi Gardens and Lindon Grove Ave provide calm riding options.
    • Useful cycleways: The Nor’West Arc is a Major Cycle Route recently built to connect to Cashmere and Hoon Hay in the south, and being connected to Middleton, Upper Riccarton and Ilam in the north. The Little River Link is just on the other side of the motorway and provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town alongside the motorway past Middleton, Spreydon and Addington. In the other direction, it links to Halswell Junction Rd via Wigram and then onto Prebbleton and the Little River Rail Trail.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Hillsborough

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Hoon Hay

• • • Beginner’s ride: Hoon Hay Park has a skate/bike park so you can ride up and down the banks and practise riding on various contours. Totally fun for newbies and kids (of all ages).
    • First quiet street options: The streets between Mathers, Hoon Hay and Sparks Rd are all fairly quiet routes, e.g. Victors Rd. Likewise with the various streets off Rowley Ave.
    • Useful cycleways: The Quarryman’s Trail provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town via Spreydon, Somerfield and Addington, as well as out to Halswell. The Nor’West Arc is a Major Cycle Route recently built to connect to Cashmere in the south, and Hillmorton, Middleton, Upper Riccarton and Ilam in the north. Hoon Hay Rd has on-road bike lanes all the way from Halswell Rd to Mathers Rd. Halswell Rd also has bike lanes along its length.
    • Great destinations: From the Halswell/Hoon Hay intersection, there is a nice undulating separated bike path to connect you to the A&P Showgrounds and alongside the Southern Motorway towards Wigram, Aidanfield and Hornby. The Nor’West Arc will connect you to Pioneer Stadium and Pool.
    • Insider’s Tips: There are lots of useful shortcuts, e.g. Victors Rd through Hoon Hay Park to Mathers Road and McCarthy St (via grass by stream), and various other alleyways connecting smaller streets. Off Hoon Hay Road there are also path crossings east over Heathcote River near Mathers Rd and via Smartlea St.

Hornby

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Little River Rail connects to Prebbleton, Lincoln and beyond starting from Shands Rd west of Halswell Junction Rd. From Kyle Park you can also access the South Express, a Major Cycle Route to connect all the way into town via Hei Hei, Sockburn, and Riccarton.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Huntsbury

• • • Beginner’s ride: Centaurus Park and neighbouring St Martins School provide a safe riding environment. And not too far away is the Heathcote River and Hansen Park with pathways all along.
    • First quiet street options: Most streets away from Centaurus are pretty quiet, although some can be a bit hilly. On the flat, the streets around Albert and Hillsborough Terraces are fairly friendly.
    • Useful cycleways: Centaurus Rd and Wilsons Rd have some cycle lanes. And there are quiet streets and pathways all along the Heathcote River.
    • Great destinations: The Rapaki Track is probably the easiest way to bike up to the top of the Port Hills, with some great views along the way. And at the end, a cuppa at the bike-friendly Fava Cafe (by Wilsons/Centaurus roundabout) is well worth it.
    • Insider’s Tips: The upper end of Vernon Tce links through to Heybridge Ln and Hillsborough Tce via an alleyway. On the hills, most of the connections between streets involve steps, so not as easy with a bike. If you don’t want to climb the hill, you might also consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks.

I

Ilam

• • • Beginner’s ride: Ray Blank Park has some nice pathways to ride on. Out of teaching hours, the University campus also has lots of quiet paths to explore.
    • First quiet street options: The local streets immediately south of University, either side of Ilam Rd, are quiet and traffic calmed.
    • Useful cycleways: Ilam Rd has a separated cycleway along it through the university precinct, part of the Nor’west Arc Major Cycle Route; it nearly connects all the way to Cashmere, Hoon Hay, Hillmorton, Middleton and Upper Riccarton to the south. The Uni-Cycle route links Dovedale campus with town via the University and Riccarton. Creyke/Maidstone Rds and Clyde Rds also have cycle lanes along them.
    • Great destinations: The Ilam Gardens and Homestead are well worth exploring; get there via Ilam Rd or Homestead Ln. The back streets between Ilam and Waimairi Rds allow you to safely get yourself to the Bush Inn shops.
    • Insider’s Tips: There’s a cut-through between Barlow St and Coldstream Court that is good to get through between Creyke Rd and Memorial Ave. There are many useful shortcuts through the University campus too, e.g. on the north side of Ilam Fields (the signalised crossing at Dovedale also makes it easy to get across Waimairi Rd too).

Islington

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

J

K

Kennedys Bush

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: Halswell Quarry is a great picnic spot and offers good views too.
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

L

Linwood

• • • Beginner’s ride: Linwood Park has a series of paths around it. And it connects to the Linwood Drain path that extends all the way to Hargood St.
    • First quiet street options: Most local streets either side of Linwood Ave are quiet (Gloucester, Hereford and Smith Sts are busier).
    • Useful cycleways: The Rapanui/Shag Rock Major Cycle Route takes you all the way from town (Fitzgerald Ave) to Linwood Park via the Stanmore Rd shops and then further out towards Bromley and Ferrymead. Cycle lanes are available to help you along Linwood Ave and Buckleys Rd.
    • Great destinations: Eastgate Mall is handily accessed from the south via the Rapanui/Shag Rock cycleway signalised crossing at Chelsea St, and via the quiet local streets to the north.
    • Insider’s Tips: At the Buckleys/Russell intersection you can bypass the signals when heading northeast by using the off-road path.

Lyttelton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: If you don’t want to climb over the hills to get to/from Lyttelton, consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks to go through the tunnel.

M

Mairehau

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: QEII Drive has a handy separated cycleway all the way from Burwood to Northcote and connects with the Northern Pathway as well.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Marshland

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Merivale

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Middleton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Little River Link provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town alongside the motorway past Spreydon and Addington. In the other direction, it links to Halswell Junction Rd via Wigram and then onto Prebbleton and the Little River Rail Trail. The Nor’West Arc is a Major Cycle Route currently connecting to Cashmere, Hoon Hay and Hillmorton in the south, and Upper Riccarton and Ilam in the north.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Moncks Bay

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: Until the final bit of the Coastal Pathway comes through you’ll have to use the cycle lanes along Main Rd to connect between Sumner and Redcliffs.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Mount Pleasant

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: If you don’t want to climb the hill, you might also consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks.

Murray Aynsley Hill

• • • Beginner’s ride: It’s a bit of a gradual climb, but Rapaki Track is one of the easier ways to get up (and down) the Port Hills
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: At the end of a ride, a cuppa at the bike-friendly Fava Cafe (by Wilsons/Centaurus roundabout) is well worth it.
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

N

New Brighton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

North New Brighton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Northcote

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Northern Line cycleway alongside the railway takes you all the way from Redwood down to Riccarton and town.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Northwood

• • • Beginner’s ride: There are some friendly trails around the Styx Mill Conservation Reserve. And similarly, some nice path options around The Groynes recreation area too.
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: Alongside Johns Rd (SH1) there is a pathway from The Groynes down to Gardiners Rd.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

O

Oaklands

• • • Beginner’s ride: Head over to Westlake Reserve to access lots of paths around the lake. Or go over and explore Halswell Domain.
    • First quiet street options: Most streets away from Halswell Rd are relatively quiet.
    • Useful cycleways: The Quarryman’s Trail (starting by the Community Centre on Halswell Rd) provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town via Hoon Hay, Spreydon, Somerfield and Addington. SH75 (Halswell Rd) is busy, but at least it has cycle lanes along its length
    • Great destinations: Wales St and Oakridge St are an easy way to get to the Halswell Shops on Nicholls Rd. Then use the crossing refuge to get across SH75 to visit the Te Hapua swimming pool and library.
    • Insider’s Tips: The paths through Wales Reserve and Scott Park provide an easy way to get from Patterson Tce towards Oaklands School while avoiding Wales St.

Opawa

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: The quiet streets along the Heathcote River are a friendly place to ride down.
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

P

Papanui

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Papanui Parallel connects the railway line and Northlands with St Albans, Edgeware and the city. The Northern Line also runs along the railway corridor, connecting Redwood, Bryndwr, Fendalton and Riccarton.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Parklands

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Prebbleton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Little River Rail Trail connects into Hornby and out to Lincoln and beyond. You can now also access the Little River Link Major Cycle Route from Marshs Rd that will take you all the way into town.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Phillipstown

• • • Beginner’s ride: The old Phillipstown School site on Nursery Rd provides an opportunity for biking around.
    • First quiet street options: The whole of Charleston is a 40km/h zone (with 30km/h along Charles St).
    • Useful cycleways: The Heathcote Expressway is a Major Cycle Route that gets you into town along Charles St, Wilsons Rd and Ferry Rd; in the other direction it can take you through Woolston to The Tannery. Heading north along England St or Olliviers Rd will also connect you to the Rapanui/Shag Rock Major Cycle Route through Linwood. Ferry Rd also has cycle lanes all the way along it.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ICEcycles regularly hold bike fixups and recycled bike giveaways at the old Phillipstown School hub.

Q

Queenspark

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

R

Redcliffs

• • • Beginner’s ride: The Coastal Pathway now provides an off-road route all the way to Ferrymead.
    • First quiet street options: Beachville Rd and Celia St by the waterfront are never very busy. And on the other side of Main Rd, most streets into the hills are also quiet for riding (Cave Tce and Glenstrae Rd are a bit busier).
    • Useful cycleways: The Coastal Pathway links all the way back to Ferrymead and around Moncks Bay to Sumner as well. Main Road also has cycle lanes all the way along it from Sumner to Ferrymead.
    • Great destinations: Ride west along the Coastal Pathway to go and explore the estuary or shops at Ferrymead. Closer to home, head over to Barnett Park for a scenic walk up the valley; cycle lanes on Main Rd will take you there.
    • Insider’s Tips: Beachville Rd (Coastal Pathway route) provides a handy back way into the Redcliffs shops.

Redwood

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Northern Line runs along the railway corridor, connecting Redwood, Papanui, Bryndwr, Fendalton and Riccarton. To the east, Prestons Rd and Owen Mitchell Park connect you to the Northern Pathway running all the way from Kaiapoi into St Albans.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Riccarton

• • • Beginner’s ride: The Railway Cycleway provides a great off-road route all the way from Kilmarnock St to Papanui and Northcote. Not too far away also is Hagley Park with its many paths.
    • First quiet street options: Most local streets between Riccarton Rd and Blenheim Rd are fairly quiet, but take care crossing the north-south roads like Clarence and Matipo.
    • Useful cycleways: The Uni-Cycle route along Matai St provides an easy connection from Hagley Park through to University. And the South Express cycleway takes you from South Hagley Park out to Upper Riccarton and on to Hornby. If you need to brave Blenheim Rd, at least it has cycle lanes along it, although the South Express provides a quieter east-west route.
    • Great destinations: Riccarton Bush is a very pleasant place to while away some hours (with a Saturday market outside Riccarton House); get there via the quiet streets to the west and south or the Uni-Cycle route.
    • Insider’s Tips: A cycle-only crossing on Dilworth St at Clarence St allows you to get from Picton Ave over towards Westfield Mall. From Riccarton Rd by the railway line there’s also a handy little pathway that connects to the back of Brockworth Pl and onto Sth Hagley Park (with a signalised crossing of Riccarton Rd). Or further down at the Blenheim/Mandeville intersection, another pathway leads across the railway line to a signalised crossing into Sth Hagley Park.

Richmond Hill

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Richmond

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: The red zone streets alongside the Avon River provide a friendly riding route, with a couple of bridges across too.
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Russley

• • • Beginner’s ride: Avonhead Park has a great network of paths around it. Burnside Park also has lots of space for riding.
    • First quiet street options: Most of the streets west of Withells Rd are quiet; Apsley, Cutts and Woodbury are the busiest.
    • Useful cycleways: If you have to brave SH1 Russley Rd, at least it has cycle lanes all the way along it.
    • Great destinations: The airport is growing into an interesting destination in its own right with the opening of Spitfire Square shops – or you could just plane-watch. Getting across SH1 is much improved via the signals under the new Memorial Ave flyover.
    • Insider’s Tips: If you work at the Airport Business Park on Russley Rd, you can bike there the back way via the pedestrian entrance on Fenhall St. There’s also a handy link from Avonhead Rd to Memorial Ave through the Commodore Airport Hotel.

S

St Albans

• • • Beginner’s ride: Abberley and St Albans Parks are good for new riders. Malvern Park has a grassed area that may also be suitable.
    • First quiet street options: The streets south of Innes Rd and between Cranford St and Papanui Rd right down to Bealey Ave are generally quiet streets off-peak, with the exception of Rutland St, St Albans St and Springfield Rd.
    • Useful cycleways: The Papanui Parallel Cycleway passes through St Albans linking Papanui and Northlands to the central city via Edgeware village. It also now connects to the Northern Pathway leading to suburbs further north.
    • Great destinations: Lots of local park options: Abberley Park, St Albans Park, Rugby Park (rugby), English Park (soccer), Malvern Park
    • Insider’s Tips: Bristol St is useful to ride if Papanui Rd feels busy. From St Albans to Hagley Park avoiding the pinch point at Carlton Mill Corner, try Bristol St, Webb St, (use pedestrian refuge to cross Papanui Rd) then Merivale Ln to Rossall St, left-right into Holmwood Rd, and take first left into Helmores Ln towards Harper Ave.

St Andrews Hill

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Coastal Pathway is down on the flat and links Ferrymead with Redcliffs and Sumner.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: If you don’t want to climb the hill, you might also consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks.

St Martins

• • • Beginner’s ride: Try a ride through St Martins Park. Or for a bit more space, head for nearby Hansen Park
    • First quiet street options: The Heathcote River provides quiet options along Palatine and Riverlaw Tces. Most streets away from St Martins and Wilsons Rds are fairly friendly
    • Useful cycleways: Both St Martins Rd and Wilsons Rd have cycle lanes for most of their length. The Heathcote River also provides a handy cycling route.
    • Great destinations: The St Martins New World supermarket and other shops are easily reached from any direction. Immediately north of the river on Wilsons Rd you’ll also find Waltham Park with swimming pool, skatepark bowl and playground.
    • Insider’s Tips: There’s an easy-to-miss pathway linking Clouston St and Gamblins Rd past the bowling and croquet clubs. Take care at the roundabouts in the neighbourhood; taking the lane is your best bet for a safe outcome.

Scarborough

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Shirley

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Sockburn

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The South Express winds its way through Sockburn from Hornby and further west all the way into town via Riccarton.
    • Great destinations: Want to get to the Sunday markets by Riccarton Racecourse? The South Express is a handy way to bike there…
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Somerfield

• • • Beginner’s ride: Somerfield Park has lots of space to stretch out. Not too far away are the Heathcote River paths and Centennial Park too. Somerfield School also now has a great learn-to-ride track.
    • First quiet street options: Ashgrove Tce by the river is a pleasant ride and connects to many other adjacent quiet streets. Roker St is a 30km/h quiet section of the Quarryman’s Trail.
    • Useful cycleways: The Quarryman’s Trail provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town via Addington (Strickland St), as well as out to Halswell via Hoon Hay. Somerfield and Barrington Sts have cycle lanes along them. There’s also a handy quiet route connecting south of the river to Barrington Mall via Studholme St, Somerfield Park and Simeon St.
    • Great destinations: Any of the east-west quiet streets of Roberta, Conway, Stanbury and Rose can get you to Centennial Park and Pioneer Stadium/Pool, as will the Quarryman’s Trail. The Quarryman’s Trail will also take you in the other direction to Bradford Park.
    • Insider’s Tips: A lot of the local schools and parks can be accessed by the quiet streets away from Barrington, Milton, Selwyn, and Somerfield.

South New Brighton

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Southshore

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Spencerville

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Spreydon

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Quarryman’s Trail provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town via Addington (Strickland/Antigua Sts), as well as a connection to Halswell via Hoon Hay (Frankleigh/Sparks Rds). Running along Domain Tce, the Nor’West Arc is a Major Cycle Route currently being built to connect to Cashmere and Hoon Hay in the south, and Hillmorton, Middleton, Upper Riccarton and Ilam in the north.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Strowan

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Sumner

• • • Beginner’s ride: The Esplanade along Scarborough Park provides a wide traffic-free path to ride on (can be busy on a nice day though).
    • First quiet street options: Most streets in the Sumner valley, except for Wakefield Ave and Nayland St, are very quiet.
    • Useful cycleways: The Coastal Pathway now connects all the way from Scarborough to Moncks Bay, Redcliffs, Ferrymead and beyond. Main Rd to Redcliffs also has cycle lanes, and the main route through Sumner Village is now 30km/h.
    • Great destinations: The eastern end of Scarborough Park, with playground, pool and cafe is a great place for the family; easy to get to from any direction. If you’d like to challenge yourself and get rewarded with a great view, take a ride up Evans Pass Rd.
    • Insider’s Tips: On the beachfront path just west of Cave Rock, a bike repair stand has all the tools to let you make any minor tune-ups to your bike.If you want to make your way towards Redcliffs off-road, a narrow path is available along the coastline until you are past the narrow Shag Rock corner.

Sydenham

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

T

Tai Tapu

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

U

Upper Riccarton (Church Corner)

• • • Beginner’s ride: Both Middleton Park and Upper Riccarton Domain have some nice paths to ride on. The University of Canterbury campus is also a pleasant place for a ride, especially on the weekend.
    • First quiet street options: Most local streets between Riccarton and Blenheim Rds are quiet; just be careful crossing the north-south routes like Hansons and Middleton if not at the signalised crossings.
    • Useful cycleways: The Nor’West Arc is a Major Cycle Route mostly now built to connect to Cashmere, Hoon Hay, Hillmorton and Middleton in the south, and Ilam in the north. Suva St connects the area with central Riccarton via the South Express (through Middleton Park, Lochee Rd and Peverel St) and towards Sockburn and Hornby (along Main South Rd). Cycle lanes can be found on the main routes of Peer St, Hansons Ln, Main South Rd, and Blenheim Rd.
    • Great destinations: The Bush Inn is surrounded by traffic-calmed streets to the north; easy to ride to. The Upper Riccarton library is another great destination; use the new Main South Rd separated cycleway to get there.
    • Insider’s Tips: At the Blenheim/Hansens/Annex intersections you can stay off road by using the shared path on the south side.

V

W

Wainoni

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Waltham

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: The quiet streets along the Heathcote River are a friendly place to tootle along.
    • Useful cycleways: Waltham Rd has cycle lanes all the way from Moorhouse Ave south.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Westlake

• • • Beginner’s ride: Westlake Reserve has heaps of pathways to tootle around on. There are also some nice pathways in the new subdivision of Longhurst to the west.
    • First quiet street options: Most local streets between Dunbars and Halswell Junction are relatively quiet. Near-neighbours Aidanfield and Longhurst also feature lots of nice calmed streets.
    • Useful cycleways: Just over the Awatea Rd overbridge you can connect to the Little River Link Major Cycle Route, which takes you right into town via Wigram, Middleton and Addington.
    • Great destinations: Why not use the Little River Link to connect to Wigram Skies and try out the cafes at The Landing?
    • Insider’s Tips: There are a number of small reserves that provide handy shortcuts between local streets, including Vanderbilt Reserve, Ridder Reserve, and Campion Reserve.

Westmorland

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: ?
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: If you don’t want to climb the hill, you might consider putting your bike on one of the bus racks.

Wigram (incl. Broken Run)

• • • Beginner’s ride: ?
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Little River Link provides a Major Cycle Route all the way into town alongside the motorway past Middleton and Spreydon and then through Addington. In the other direction, it links to Halswell Junction Rd and then onto Prebbleton and the Little River Rail Trail.
    • Great destinations: ?
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Woolston

• • • Beginner’s ride: There are some great pathways in Radley Park and along the Heathcote River.
    • First quiet street options: ?
    • Useful cycleways: The Heathcote Express is a Major Cycle Route that gets you into town from The Tannery and Heathcote Valley through Phillipstown. Ferry Rd has cycle lanes all the way along it and Woolston Village now has a 30km/h zone.
    • Great destinations: The Tannery has lots of interesting venues; use the Heathcote Express to get there via the neighbourhood greenway route.
    • Insider’s Tips: ?

Y

Yaldhurst

• • Beginner’s ride: ?
  • First quiet street options: ?
  • Useful cycleways: ?
  • Great destinations: ?
  • Insider’s Tips: ?

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