Cycling is among the most popular activities in New Zealand, with more than 3% of the entire population using bicycles for their daily commutes, either to work or around town for errands. With smooth roads and great weather most of the year, the cycling in New Zealand is truly outstanding. Aside from riding on the main roads and highways, New Zealand also offers cyclists many picturesque back roads to cycle on.

If you are touring New Zealand in the summer especially you will notice a huge number of cyclists all over the countryside. This is because a majority of these riders are backpackers and independent travelers who are looking to take in New Zealand’s amazing landscape at a more relaxed and leisurely pace. If you want to go cycling in New Zealand, you can either buy a bike in most major cities or towns, or if you prefer, you can rent one as well. Many bicycle ships across New Zealand offer good buyback schemes if you bring back the bike you paid for in relatively good condition.

A good way to bicycle around New Zealand is to take a cycling tour. These tours are great as they allow you to meet other people who share similar interests as you do and make new friends. Plus, accommodations, meals and gear costs are shared as well. Two great cycling routes in New Zealand are;

The North Island Eastern Route which begins in Auckland and ends in Wellington passing through Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Gisborne and Napier along the way.

On the South Island, the Southern Lakes and Glaciers route starts and ends in Christchurch, visiting the towns of Hokitika,, Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, and Dunedin on the way.

The best time to come cycling in New Zealand bike is between October and May i.e. during the summer months.

New Zealand Cycling Events

Some important cycling events in New Zealand are;
August - NZ Secondary Schools Individual Cycling Championship, Auckland
October- Lion Foundation National Road Cycling Championships, Otago
November - Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, Taupo
December - Armstrong Prestige Festival of Cycling, Christchurch