Company cyclists pedal to a record

Christchurch has been confirmed as the cycling capital of New Zealand after a month-long challenge.

About 100 Christchurch organisations took part in last month's Bike Wise Challenge, clocking up about 450,000 kilometres.

In windy, hilly Wellington, 76 organisations cycled 280,000km, while in Auckland, staff from 63 workplaces recorded 190,000km in the saddle.

The challenge, run by the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), encouraged companies to get staff onto two wheels, with trips registered on a website.

Engineering, planning and management company Beca's Christchurch office had the highest participation rate for firms employing between 100 and 500 people. Almost 80 per cent of its 170 workers took part.

Beca staff clocked up more than 21,000km over the month, including Kathryn Ward who cycled 4250km.

South Island regional manager Craig Price, who described himself as an occasional cyclist, said the competition was driven by staff and supported by management.

"It's a matter of encouraging a lifestyle balance and fitness ... there was a lot of team spirit within the office."

Christchurch business AECOM won the category for workplaces with between 25 and 99 staff, with 100 per cent participation.

Landcare Research, which has an office in Lincoln, won the 500-plus staff category, with 40 per cent of its staff cycling more than 26,000km.

Christchurch cyclist Michael Campbell, innovation manager for the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education, logged the most individual trips, at 190. His nearest rival cycled 109 times in February.

During Bike Wise Month, 8855 people cycled 1.5 million kilometres, saving almost 250,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

NZTA's national manager of road-user behaviour, Michael Cummins, said more than 70 per cent of trips were for transport rather than recreation.

He said the carbon dioxide saved compared with 4300 cars driving 10km each day.

- © Fairfax NZ News