Southlanders are being urged to ditch four wheels in favour of two this month.

February is Bike Wise Month and the Invercargill Environment Centre is hoping the public will embrace it and use pedal power instead of petrol to get from place to place.

"Bike to work, don't get in your cars," Invercargill Environment Centre event co-ordinator Claire Leith said.

Mrs Leith said the environmentally friendly mode of transport was perfect in Invercargill, with its flat streets.

"It's a great place to bike and we have some really good cycleways."

As part of Bike Wise month, and promoting the mode of transport, Mrs Leith is co-ordinating three events with the centre's education co-ordinator Lisa Hook in the hope that more people will be encouraged to pedal their way to work and school.

"We're encouraging people to hop on their bikes."

The events start with Celebrate Glengarry Day on February 16 where a competition will be held to see who has the best-decorated bike.

That will be followed by a gold coin donation breakfast on February 20 at St John's Church where the organisation will provide breakfast for anyone who bikes to the event.

But the most popular event is likely to be the Family Fun Bike Day on February 23 when children will have the chance to bike around Queens Park, looking for clues in a treasure hunt-style activity, she said. The day will also include a sausage sizzle and bike-related games.

Mrs Leith hoped the activities would encourage more people to make the most of the biking facilities available.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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