A public meeting was held as this issue of "Christchurch City Scene" was going to print.

Alix Newman, the Council cycling transport planner, says people have been thinking about the possibility of such a route for years.

The Council has always been interested in developing cycling in the city for individual health, economic, environmental and traffic-reduction benefits.

It is now nationally-recognised as a leading agency in developing cycling facilities, promotions and education programmes.

However, it is also interested in seeing the benefits of cycling go beyond Christchurch.

Alix says he has been impressed by the success of a national 5000km cycle network in the United Kingdom which has revitalised parts of the rural countryside and given a boost to cycling nationally.