Christchurch's First "Bike-To-Work-Day" - Christchurch City Council Media Statement, 1999

Tuesday 9 February 1999

Christchurch’s First "Bike-To-Work-Day"

On Wednesday the 17th of February as part of National Bike week, Christchurch is holding its first “Bike-to-Work-Day” sponsored by 92More FM and Penny Farthing Cycles. Cyclists coming into the City on that day will also be able to attend “The Breakfast Event of the Year” which will be held in Cathedral Square from 7-9am for hungry cycle commuters (or for those who just need a quick caffeine fix on the way to work).

Over $6,000 dollars worth of prizes will be given away on the day and during the lead up to the event to lucky cyclists. Included in the prize pool are 10 brand new bikes kindly donated by local cycle retailer Penny Farthings.

THE BREAKFAST EVENT OF THE YEAR

The ‘Breakfast Event of the Year’ starts about 7am with several of Christchurch’s well known eateries (the Park Royal, The Millennium, Mainstreet Café, The Globe Café, NZ Natural, Copenhagen Bakery, Garden City Coffee and the Coffee Cart) working hard at setting up for the onslaught of cyclists. A whole range of breakfast food will be provided to suit every taste and budget from 7am. There will even be free food donated by Kellogg’s.

Local Jazz trio Equinox will start playing at 7am to provide atmosphere and background music to the event.

At around 7.30am Si and Phil from More FM will be out on the streets (in a 2 seater 4 wheeled cycle) accosting cyclists and giving away prizes while broadcasting live on the radio.

Back in the Square the Wizard is planning to make an entry on a specially designed tricycle. He plans to cast a spell on the City which aims at returning Christchurch back to its former glorious days of cycling when it used to be referred to as the ‘Copenhagen of the South’.

Appearances will also be made by the Oamaru Penny Farthing Club, the Human Powered Vehicle Club and some local vintage cycling enthusiasts, who will all add to the atmosphere of the event.

At about 8.00am the Mayor, Garry Moore, will speak briefly to the crowd. This will be followed by a celebrity cycle race around the Cathedral on 4 wheeled cycles. A number of local personalities will be in the race including Si and Phil, Gary Moore, Rod Donald and Steve Gurney

More prizes will follow and from here the event will wind down as cyclists drag themselves away from the fun and food and off to work.

Aim of The Event:

Christchurch’s “Bike-to-Work-Day” is aimed at encouraging people to commute to their workplace by cycle, creating awareness of the benefits of cycling, not only on a personal level but as a way of contributing to a reduction in traffic congestion and pollution.

Similar events will be held at the same time in Wellington, Auckland and some other smaller centres around the Country. The organisers hope that the Christchurch public will get behind the “Bike-to-Work-Day” and show the nation why Christchurch is New Zealand’s number one cycling city.

For comments on the Bike to Work day please contact the City Council Cycling Officer Alix Newman on Tel 9418472

For more information on the event please contact: Michael Inder on Tel 3266691, mobile 021 626690

More Information on The Bike Breakfast

There will be a great range of food at the event as well as jazz, speeches and other forms of entertainment. It may be interesting to profile some of the food on offer and the prices at which it will be available. For example the Park royal will provide its fare of Ham and Egg Croissants ($3.50) Fruit Kebabs ($2.50) Fresh Juice ($2.00).

Bike Breakfast: ‘The Breakfast Event of the Year’

Below is a quick glimpse at some of fair on offer at the bike breakfast. Get on ya bike, grab your friends and get on down to the Square for a morning of great food, coffee, music and entertainment.

Park Royal

Ham and Egg Croissants

Fruit Kebabs

Fresh Juice

The Globe

Fruit salad

Muesli

Oaty pancakes

Bacon and Eggs

Garden City Coffee

Speciality coffees

Salmon Bagels

Bacon and egg croissants

Muffins

NZ Natural

Fruit smoothies

Creamed waffles

Fruit juices

Fruit Flo

The Millennium

Grilled Akaroa Salmon with Crepe and Chermoula

Fresh Stone Fruit

Champagne

Coffee

Mainstreet Cafe

Muesli with Fruit or Yoghurt and Honey

Crumbed Stuffed Mushrooms

Vegan Fruit Crumble

Copenhagen Bakery

Great range of delicious Danish pastries, morning breads, muffins and scones

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