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New Zealand Cycle Trail

The New Zealand Cycle Trail project (Māori: Nga Haerenga, "The Journeys") is a New Zealand government initiative, co-funded together with local councils and charitable trusts, which is to build and operate a network of cycle routes through the country.

Logo of the Cycle Trail branding.
Kaitaia
Bluff
class=notpageimage|
The originally proposed start and end points of the cycleway. Commentators noted that the route was unlikely to succeed if following State Highway 1's route and that it should instead be routed through smaller communities, for the benefit of both tourists and the towns on the route.[1]
It was later announced that while the intention remained to eventually connect the whole of the two islands, funding would initially concentrate on particularly promising routes.[2]

As of mid-2011, the first of 18 proposed 'Great Rides' (dedicated cycleways, mostly off-road and in particularly scenic locations) were being finished, while construction was ongoing on most of the others. The first set of 'Touring Routes' (mostly on-road, to connect Great Rides), had also been announced. At the end of 2013, with the initial $50 million (plus local co-funding) essentially all spent or allocated, about 19 routes were expected to be in operation.[3] By 2016, when added funding was announced, the total route length was about 2,500 km (1,600 mi).[4] The addition of Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in 2022[5] brought the total number of 'Great Rides' to 23, covering 2,755 km (1,712 mi), ranging from the 21 km (13 mi) Roxburgh Gorge Trail to the 315 km (196 mi) Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.[6]

History edit

Originally called the New Zealand Cycleway, and later the National Cycleway Project, it was initially conceived as a cycling route to run through the length of New Zealand, "from Kaitaia to Bluff". It was proposed by then Prime Minister John Key as the 21st "surprise" item of the national job summit held by the New Zealand Government in early 2009.[7]

John Key, who was also Minister of Tourism, noted that as of the middle of March 2009, officials were working "actively and aggressively" on a plan to implement the cycleway,[7] though the original idea of a direct route was abandoned in favour of linking a network of existing paths and new sections, which Key termed 'Great Rides' in allusion to the New Zealand Great Walks system of famous tramping or hiking tracks. The individual routes are to be connected into a New Zealand-wide network in the long term.[2][8]

John Key noted that to retain momentum on the process, the first sections to be funded would be publicised by June 2009.[8] This was slightly pushed out until July 2009, when the first seven projects were announced, to receive $9 million in funding.[9][10] In November 2009, construction started on the Waikato River Trails, the first of the quick-start projects, which received $3 million in funding to construct 41 km of track and thereby finish a 100 km long cycle trail along the Waikato River.[11]

In the second stage of the project, it was announced in February 2010 that out of 54 applications (beyond the quick-start trails), 13 had been selected to receive funding (pending further feasibility studies). If all these trails and the quick-start trails were realised, they would provide over 2,000 km of trail.[12] In September 2010, funding for another five tracks was confirmed, bringing the total up to 18.[13]

On 2 July 2010, Prime Minister John Key opened the first segment completed with cycle trail funding, being the 'Old Coach Road' segment of the Ruapehu to Whanganui Nga Ara Tuhono trail.[14] By November 2010, eight trails were under construction, and the first full "Great Ride", the St James Trail located near Hanmer Springs, opened in November 2010.[15][16]

In mid-2011, it was announced that Sarah Ulmer would be the official 'ambassador' for the New Zealand Cycle Trail.[17] In May 2011, a customer-focused website was launched for the trails.[18]

In January 2012, the most famous existing cycle route of the country, the Otago Central Rail Trail, became a part of the Cycle Trail umbrella organisation.[19]

In February 2013, it was announced that with most project and funding-allocation work completed after 4 years, the number of permanent NZCT staff would be reduced from 7 to 3.[3]

In mid 2016, another $25 million of funding (plus associated local Council co-funding) was announced by government, with approximately $13m of the funding planned to pay for connecting four Great Rides cycle trails in Central Otago into a connected 536 km track network. The remainder of the funds would be open for local applications.[4]

Characteristics edit

Project scope edit

The cycleway was originally proposed to be a continuous route with a concrete surface,[7] and it was proposed that the Department of Conservation was to supervise the construction process.[20] Cycling advocates noted that having the feasibility study undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism, rather than the Ministry of Transport, boded well for the future of the project.[21]

In the middle of March 2009, comments started to emerge from government indicating that the initial vision of a single track throughout the country would probably not be realised, at least not in the same form. Rather, it was now envisaged that a whole network of tracks would be created, combined from existing part sections, or upgraded from other forms of tracks and roads. The tracks would likely be to different standards in different areas, as some estimates have set the cost for the original proposal of a full track formed in concrete at least $300m rather than the $50m initially suggested.[22]

Setting out further specifics, in May 2009 it was confirmed that instead of a single route throughout New Zealand, the project would, at least initially, concentrate on a number of promising individual links. Substantial parts of these routes could use existing railway corridor reserves or possibly paper roads, or existing cycle infrastructure, where present. They would also have the ability to run through conservation land where appropriate, and take into account existing tourist destinations, thus providing particularly interesting routes.[2][8]

Prime Minister John Key, in mid-2010, noted that he expected 2,000 km of cycleway to be completed by the end of 2011.[23]

Intended benefits edit

The intention of the trail, apart from creating jobs in an economic downturn (both in construction and later in the tourism industry associated with it), is to provide local and international cycle tourists with a route to travel on.[24] Cycle Action Auckland noted in an editorial that the Otago Central Rail Trail had brought substantial benefits to an otherwise struggling rural region, and had been assessed as supporting up to 1,000 full and part-time jobs in the region, and that the tourism benefits of a national cycleway would likely be similar.[25] Cycling Advocates' Network supports the proposal as encouraging cycling in New Zealand, while walking advocates also see benefits to be gained from such a route.[26] Tourism New Zealand noted that the project could also provide a much-needed boost to the viability and funding of many cities' languishing cycling strategies and plans.[27]

Ministry of Tourism figures show that so far (as of 2009), only about 2% of all tourists to New Zealand undertake cycling as part of their activities. The data did however also indicate that cycling tourists stay more than twice as long as the average tourists, and during their time in the country spend about 1.6 times as much as the average tourist.[1] Tourism New Zealand also noted that so far, there was effectively no promotion of New Zealand cycling to overseas tourists, even though it was a significant tourism industry in places like Europe.[27]

Estimates for the quick-start projects estimate that each might occupy approximately 40 people in the initial construction period.[28] Prime Minister John Key noted that he expected about 500 jobs to be provided in construction of the cycleways in total, with up to 4,000 eventually created through tourism benefits the trails would bring.[23] In mid-2011, the newsletter of the New Zealand Cycle Trail reported 511 people employed on trail construction.[18] Job experiences from the Far North District were also positive – among other effects, it was reported that of 110 formerly unemployed young people who worked on the project for half a year as part of a government subsidy scheme, 80 had gone on to other work, rather than returning to the dole.[29]

Funding edit

In May 2009, the government announced that $50 million had been allocated for the cycleway in the budget for the coming three years, provided by the Ministry of Tourism. It was hoped that local authorities and other entities would also provide further sums,[2] with co-funded projects receiving priority for money from the budget.[8]

Of the total sum, $2.5m have been set aside for management and advisory functions in the Ministry of Tourism, while $47.5m will be used to create the National Cycleway Project Fund, from which successful applicants will draw money for construction of routes.[8] By September 2010, $45.6m had been allocated to track construction, and had attracted a further $30m in co-funding from local Councils and other organisations.[13]

In July 2010, it was announced that 8 of the 13 cycle trails had received the go-ahead, four needed further study, and one (Tauranga Moana) had been rejected, due to land-use/access issues making the proposal unfeasible in the short term. $18.8 million have been set aside for the approved tracks, with the local authorities adding another $16 million to the project costs.[30][31] Five more tracks from the list were approved in September 2010.[13]

Among the projects that had applied for funding from the new fund after the scope was changed are routes in urban Auckland, as well as on Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island.[32] However, none of these were successful, though Nikki Kaye, National MP for Auckland, and other sponsors of the proposals, such as Cycle Action Auckland were optimistic that deserving projects like the Waiheke Cycle Trail would still be realised by other means.[33]

In February 2014, Prime Minister John Key announced $8 million worth of maintenance funding over four years for the New Zealand Cycle Trail Great Rides[34]

In May 2016, another $25m of new-route funding was announced.[4]

In December 2023, the New Zealand Cycle Trail network expanded with the commencement of construction on a new section linking Queenstown to Cromwell, funded through a collaboration among the New Zealand Government, Central Lakes Trust, and Otago Community Trust, reflecting the ongoing investment in the trail system.[35]

Routes edit

Great Rides edit

North Island
South Island

Touring Routes edit

In mid-2011, the New Zealand Cycle Trail announced a second type of route, the "touring route". Composed mainly of existing on-road routes (rather than new dedicated cycleways), these routes are to start linking the various Great Rides and New Zealand in general with officially designated cycling routes, chosen for scenic appeal and suitability for cycling (low motor vehicle traffic volumes etc...). The first three such routes announced, all centred on Taumarunui in the central north island, were:[64]

  • Taumarunui to New Plymouth (including part of the Forgotten World Highway)
  • Taumarunui to Whakahoro (linking to the Ruapehu-Whanganui Trails)
  • Taumarunui to Ongarue (linking to the Pureora Timber Trail)

Public reactions edit

Pre-opening

While many cycling groups and tourism interests such as Tourism New Zealand greeted the project with enthusiasm,[27] there has also been scepticism, mainly related to the potential costs of the project, and the scope for economical benefits. Editorialist Brian Rudman has also claimed that the cycleway idea smacked of Depression Era make-work schemes for the working classes.[65] Others have countered the criticism noting that the money spent on the cycleway would go back into the New Zealand economy in any case, and leave the country with a lasting infrastructural benefit.[66]

Editorialists have remarked that the Prime Minister remained clearly behind the project he helped launch, despite criticism about changes in the estimated costs, and the shift from the initial concept of a single track towards a network.[67]

The project has also created enthusiasm among some business groups, with, for example, a meeting of 130 Waikato business and government representatives endorsing it for the tourism, health and economic benefits it could bring to Hamilton and the Waikato.[68] Also supportive was the New Zealand Contractors' Federation, which considered that it would be very beneficial for many small and medium enterprises during hard economic times.[69]

The cycleway project is also seen as a potential lifeline for small town such as Kumara on the West Coast. The small town, a former gold mining centre, now has only a few hundred inhabitants left, and is facing the closure of its only remaining store. Westland's Mayor Maureen Pugh noted that the Westland Wilderness Trail, which was selected as one of the 13 Phase II trails, could be a "saving grace" by bringing tourism into the area.[70] Similar hopes have been expressed by locals in towns like Kaikohe in Northland.[29] Occasionally, locals, especially farmers, have however expressed concerns that vandalism would occur when tourists on bikes travelled through previously inaccessible areas, though experiences from the Otago Rail Trail indicates that such fears are overstated.[19]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Parker, Tamsyn (23 March 2009). "Why Key's national bike track could be paved with gold". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Daniels, Chris (14 May 2009). "Cycleway gets $50m – now a series of 'Great Rides' says Key". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b "PM's cycleway gets in gear". The New Zealand Herald. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  4. ^ a b c "John Key announces boost to regional tourism with $25m cycle trail funding". TVNZ. Retrieved 15 May 2016.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Sabin, Brook (22 May 2022). "Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: We test the new Great Ride with mud pools and an emerald lake". Stuff. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Find Your Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Gower, Patrick (11 March 2009). "Concrete plan for Key's bike route". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e Investment for the Development of the New Zealand Cycleway Project – Cabinet Paper, Ministry of Tourism, May 2009
  9. ^ New Zealand Cycleway Quick Start Tracks (from the official website. Last updated July 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2009)
  10. ^ Booker, Jarrod (28 July 2009). "Struggling regions welcome trail news". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  11. ^ "PM turns first sod on cycleway project". The New Zealand Herald. Newstalk ZB. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Thirteen new cycle trails considered". The New Zealand Herald. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  13. ^ a b c "Five new cycle trails get the green light". Media statement – Rt Hon John Key Prime Minister Minister of Tourism. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  14. ^ "Key opens first cycleway segment". The New Zealand Herald. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  15. ^ "Trail Talk". NZCT newsletter. Vol. 1, no. 1. November 2010.
  16. ^ a b "Government News – St James Cycle Trail ready to ride". Chainlinks. No. 4. Cycling Advocates Network. December 2010. p. 4.
  17. ^ "PM Announces Sarah Ulmer As Cycle Trail Ambassador". Voxy. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Trail Talk". NZCT newsletter. Vol. 7, no. 7. August 2011.
  19. ^ a b "Pioneering Otago rail trail joins national cycleway". 2 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  20. ^ Field, Michael (2 March 2009). "Best job ideas in Budget round – English". Stuff. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  21. ^ From the Desk of the National Cycleway 23 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine (press release of 'Ridestrong' cycle advocacy group. Retrieved 20 March 2009.)
  22. ^ Mathew Dearnaley and Patrick Gower (24 March 2009). "Second thoughts turn Key's track into a network". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  23. ^ a b Cheng, Derek; Dearnaley, Mathew (1 June 2010). "Key confident cycleway will add more jobs". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  24. ^ "Cycleway 'being taken seriously', Key says". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  25. ^ "Barbara Cuthbert: Key could be on the right track with cycleway". The New Zealand Herald. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  26. ^ Cycleway Would Benefit Walkers TooLiving Streets Aotearoa press release via scoop.co.nz, Saturday, 28 February 2009
  27. ^ a b c Churchouse, Nick (21 March 2009). "Is the cycleway a winner?". Stuff. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  28. ^ Gibson, Eloise (27 February 2010). "Cycle track plan moves at snail's pace". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  29. ^ a b "Track a boost for job hungry towns". The New Zealand Herald. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Eight new cycle trails ready to roll". 6 July 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  31. ^ "Work to start on eight new cycle trails". The New Zealand Herald. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  32. ^ Dearnaley, Mathew (11 January 2010). "Great Barrier wants cycleway link". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  33. ^ Tiffen, Rachel (12 February 2010). "No place for Auckland on national cycle trail". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  34. ^ "Cycling trails get a boost". Otago Daily Times. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  35. ^ "Trail Linking Queenstown and Cromwell Begins Construction". NEWS WIRE. January 2024.
  36. ^ "Great Lake Trails Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  37. ^ "The Hauraki Rail Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  38. ^ "Hawke's Bay Trails Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  39. ^ "Motu Trails Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Cycle Trail/Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  41. ^ "Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail – Northland's Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Remutaka Cycle Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Timber Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Timber Trail Cycle Trail section opening". www.doc.govt.nz. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  45. ^ "Construction starts on Central North Island Rail Trail". www.doc.govt.nz. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  46. ^ "The Waikato River Trails Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  47. ^ "Time to pedal new Waikato tourist attraction". Waikato Times. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  48. ^ "Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  49. ^ "Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  50. ^ "Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  51. ^ "Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  52. ^ "The Coppermine Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  53. ^ "Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  54. ^ "The Old Ghost Road Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  55. ^ "The Otago Central Rail Trail – New Zealand's original Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  56. ^ "The Otago Central Rail Trail – our original Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  57. ^ "The Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  58. ^ . New Zealand Cycle Trail Website. Archived from the original on 27 February 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  59. ^ "Queenstown Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  60. ^ "Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  61. ^ "St James Cycle Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  62. ^ "Tasman's Great Taste Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  63. ^ "West Coast Wilderness Trail Great Ride". Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  64. ^ "First cycle touring routes opening". Media Release, New Zealand Cycle Trail. 29 July 2011.
  65. ^ Rudman, Brian (4 March 2009). "Brian Rudman: Don't recycle culture into construction". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  66. ^ Sheppard, Bruce (4 March 2009). "Let's get this cycle way right". Stuff. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  67. ^ Armstrong, John (24 March 2009). "John Armstrong: National cycleway no joking matter". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  68. ^ Ihaka, James (24 March 2009). "Bike plan has Waikato in a spin". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  69. ^ Proposals for North to South Cycleway Welcome (press release of the New Zealand Contractors' Federation, via scoop.co.nz, 11 March 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2010.)
  70. ^ "Hope rests on cycleway". The Press. 18 March 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.

Further reading edit

  • Kennett, Jonathan (2014). The New Zealand Cycle Trails, Nga Haerenga: A guide to New Zealand's 23 Great Rides. ISBN 978 1 77553 708 3.
  • Gerald Cunningham – 2013 – Guide to the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
  • Gerald Cunningham – 2013 – Guide to the Queenstown Cycle Trail
  • The Kennett Brothers (2012). Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails. Kennett Brothers Publishing. ISBN 9780986464126.
  • Harfst, Claudia (2012). Radfahren in Neuseeland : The New Zealand Cycle Trail. Nordinsel (in German). Mana Verlag. ISBN 9783934031227.
  • Harfst, Claudia (2013). Radfahren in Neuseeland: The New Zealand Cycle Trail. Südinsel (in German). Mana Verlag. ISBN 9783955030063.
  • Harfst, Claudia (2013). The New Zealand Cycle Trail. North Island. Bateman Publishers. ISBN 1869538536.
  • Harfst, Claudia (2013). The New Zealand Cycle Trail. South Island. Bateman Publishers. ISBN 1869538544.

External links edit

  • Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail (official USER website for NZ cycle trail project)
  • New Zealand Cycling Network map
  • (marketing New Zealand cycle tourism)
  • (New Zealand Trails website for local and international tourism)

zealand, cycle, trail, project, māori, haerenga, journeys, zealand, government, initiative, funded, together, with, local, councils, charitable, trusts, which, build, operate, network, cycle, routes, through, country, logo, cycle, trail, branding, kaitaiabluff. The New Zealand Cycle Trail project Maori Nga Haerenga The Journeys is a New Zealand government initiative co funded together with local councils and charitable trusts which is to build and operate a network of cycle routes through the country Logo of the Cycle Trail branding KaitaiaBluffclass notpageimage The originally proposed start and end points of the cycleway Commentators noted that the route was unlikely to succeed if following State Highway 1 s route and that it should instead be routed through smaller communities for the benefit of both tourists and the towns on the route 1 It was later announced that while the intention remained to eventually connect the whole of the two islands funding would initially concentrate on particularly promising routes 2 As of mid 2011 the first of 18 proposed Great Rides dedicated cycleways mostly off road and in particularly scenic locations were being finished while construction was ongoing on most of the others The first set of Touring Routes mostly on road to connect Great Rides had also been announced At the end of 2013 with the initial 50 million plus local co funding essentially all spent or allocated about 19 routes were expected to be in operation 3 By 2016 when added funding was announced the total route length was about 2 500 km 1 600 mi 4 The addition of Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in 2022 5 brought the total number of Great Rides to 23 covering 2 755 km 1 712 mi ranging from the 21 km 13 mi Roxburgh Gorge Trail to the 315 km 196 mi Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail 6 Contents 1 History 2 Characteristics 2 1 Project scope 2 2 Intended benefits 2 3 Funding 3 Routes 3 1 Great Rides 3 2 Touring Routes 4 Public reactions 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksHistory editOriginally called the New Zealand Cycleway and later the National Cycleway Project it was initially conceived as a cycling route to run through the length of New Zealand from Kaitaia to Bluff It was proposed by then Prime Minister John Key as the 21st surprise item of the national job summit held by the New Zealand Government in early 2009 7 John Key who was also Minister of Tourism noted that as of the middle of March 2009 officials were working actively and aggressively on a plan to implement the cycleway 7 though the original idea of a direct route was abandoned in favour of linking a network of existing paths and new sections which Key termed Great Rides in allusion to the New Zealand Great Walks system of famous tramping or hiking tracks The individual routes are to be connected into a New Zealand wide network in the long term 2 8 John Key noted that to retain momentum on the process the first sections to be funded would be publicised by June 2009 8 This was slightly pushed out until July 2009 when the first seven projects were announced to receive 9 million in funding 9 10 In November 2009 construction started on the Waikato River Trails the first of the quick start projects which received 3 million in funding to construct 41 km of track and thereby finish a 100 km long cycle trail along the Waikato River 11 In the second stage of the project it was announced in February 2010 that out of 54 applications beyond the quick start trails 13 had been selected to receive funding pending further feasibility studies If all these trails and the quick start trails were realised they would provide over 2 000 km of trail 12 In September 2010 funding for another five tracks was confirmed bringing the total up to 18 13 On 2 July 2010 Prime Minister John Key opened the first segment completed with cycle trail funding being the Old Coach Road segment of the Ruapehu to Whanganui Nga Ara Tuhono trail 14 By November 2010 eight trails were under construction and the first full Great Ride the St James Trail located near Hanmer Springs opened in November 2010 15 16 In mid 2011 it was announced that Sarah Ulmer would be the official ambassador for the New Zealand Cycle Trail 17 In May 2011 a customer focused website was launched for the trails 18 In January 2012 the most famous existing cycle route of the country the Otago Central Rail Trail became a part of the Cycle Trail umbrella organisation 19 In February 2013 it was announced that with most project and funding allocation work completed after 4 years the number of permanent NZCT staff would be reduced from 7 to 3 3 In mid 2016 another 25 million of funding plus associated local Council co funding was announced by government with approximately 13m of the funding planned to pay for connecting four Great Rides cycle trails in Central Otago into a connected 536 km track network The remainder of the funds would be open for local applications 4 Characteristics editProject scope edit The cycleway was originally proposed to be a continuous route with a concrete surface 7 and it was proposed that the Department of Conservation was to supervise the construction process 20 Cycling advocates noted that having the feasibility study undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism rather than the Ministry of Transport boded well for the future of the project 21 In the middle of March 2009 comments started to emerge from government indicating that the initial vision of a single track throughout the country would probably not be realised at least not in the same form Rather it was now envisaged that a whole network of tracks would be created combined from existing part sections or upgraded from other forms of tracks and roads The tracks would likely be to different standards in different areas as some estimates have set the cost for the original proposal of a full track formed in concrete at least 300m rather than the 50m initially suggested 22 Setting out further specifics in May 2009 it was confirmed that instead of a single route throughout New Zealand the project would at least initially concentrate on a number of promising individual links Substantial parts of these routes could use existing railway corridor reserves or possibly paper roads or existing cycle infrastructure where present They would also have the ability to run through conservation land where appropriate and take into account existing tourist destinations thus providing particularly interesting routes 2 8 Prime Minister John Key in mid 2010 noted that he expected 2 000 km of cycleway to be completed by the end of 2011 23 Intended benefits edit The intention of the trail apart from creating jobs in an economic downturn both in construction and later in the tourism industry associated with it is to provide local and international cycle tourists with a route to travel on 24 Cycle Action Auckland noted in an editorial that the Otago Central Rail Trail had brought substantial benefits to an otherwise struggling rural region and had been assessed as supporting up to 1 000 full and part time jobs in the region and that the tourism benefits of a national cycleway would likely be similar 25 Cycling Advocates Network supports the proposal as encouraging cycling in New Zealand while walking advocates also see benefits to be gained from such a route 26 Tourism New Zealand noted that the project could also provide a much needed boost to the viability and funding of many cities languishing cycling strategies and plans 27 Ministry of Tourism figures show that so far as of 2009 only about 2 of all tourists to New Zealand undertake cycling as part of their activities The data did however also indicate that cycling tourists stay more than twice as long as the average tourists and during their time in the country spend about 1 6 times as much as the average tourist 1 Tourism New Zealand also noted that so far there was effectively no promotion of New Zealand cycling to overseas tourists even though it was a significant tourism industry in places like Europe 27 Estimates for the quick start projects estimate that each might occupy approximately 40 people in the initial construction period 28 Prime Minister John Key noted that he expected about 500 jobs to be provided in construction of the cycleways in total with up to 4 000 eventually created through tourism benefits the trails would bring 23 In mid 2011 the newsletter of the New Zealand Cycle Trail reported 511 people employed on trail construction 18 Job experiences from the Far North District were also positive among other effects it was reported that of 110 formerly unemployed young people who worked on the project for half a year as part of a government subsidy scheme 80 had gone on to other work rather than returning to the dole 29 Funding edit In May 2009 the government announced that 50 million had been allocated for the cycleway in the budget for the coming three years provided by the Ministry of Tourism It was hoped that local authorities and other entities would also provide further sums 2 with co funded projects receiving priority for money from the budget 8 Of the total sum 2 5m have been set aside for management and advisory functions in the Ministry of Tourism while 47 5m will be used to create the National Cycleway Project Fund from which successful applicants will draw money for construction of routes 8 By September 2010 45 6m had been allocated to track construction and had attracted a further 30m in co funding from local Councils and other organisations 13 In July 2010 it was announced that 8 of the 13 cycle trails had received the go ahead four needed further study and one Tauranga Moana had been rejected due to land use access issues making the proposal unfeasible in the short term 18 8 million have been set aside for the approved tracks with the local authorities adding another 16 million to the project costs 30 31 Five more tracks from the list were approved in September 2010 13 Among the projects that had applied for funding from the new fund after the scope was changed are routes in urban Auckland as well as on Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island 32 However none of these were successful though Nikki Kaye National MP for Auckland and other sponsors of the proposals such as Cycle Action Auckland were optimistic that deserving projects like the Waiheke Cycle Trail would still be realised by other means 33 In February 2014 Prime Minister John Key announced 8 million worth of maintenance funding over four years for the New Zealand Cycle Trail Great Rides 34 In May 2016 another 25m of new route funding was announced 4 In December 2023 the New Zealand Cycle Trail network expanded with the commencement of construction on a new section linking Queenstown to Cromwell funded through a collaboration among the New Zealand Government Central Lakes Trust and Otago Community Trust reflecting the ongoing investment in the trail system 35 Routes editGreat Rides edit North Island Great Lake Trail 88 km 55 mi is in 4 sections centred around Kinloch near the edge of Lake Taupō 36 Hauraki Rail Trail 160 km 99 mi from Paeroa to Waihi and Paeroa to Thames 37 Hawke s Bay Trails 200 km 120 mi consist of Wineries Ride loop accessed from Hastings via the iWay city cycling route or Clive by the Ngaruroro River trail Puketapu Loop along Tutaekuri River from Taradale via Puketapu The Water Ride loop which follows the coast from Ahuriri to Bay View and Clive Clifton which is part of the Landscapes Ride linking to Cape Kidnappers 38 Motu Trails 121 km 75 mi is made up of a dunes trail starting at Ōpōtiki Motu Road Trail from Matawai to Mōtu and the Pakihi Track via Pakihi Hut They can be ridden as a 91 km 57 mi loop 39 Mountains to Sea Nga Ara Tuhono 231 km 144 mi including 32 km 20 mi by jetboat or kayak starts at National Park or Turoa on Mount Ruapehu and runs to the sea including Ohakune Old Coach Road Mangapurua Bridge to Nowhere a boat to Pipiriki Whanganui River Road Upokongaro cycle bridge and Whanganui Urban routes 40 Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail 87 km 54 mi In the Far North from Opua to the Mangungu Mission west of Horeke 41 Remutaka Cycle Trail 125 km 78 mi circuit from Petone via Maymorn the old railway towards Featherston Ocean Beach and the coast to Ōrongorongo then Wainuiomata and back to Petone 42 Timber Trail 85 km 53 mi through forest over large suspension bridges and on a former timber tramway from Pureora to Ongarue 43 Originally called Central North Island Rail Trail 44 and proposed as a 75 km 47 mi trail 45 Waikato River Trails 104 km 65 mi from Karapiro to Atiamuri in the south 46 opened in November 2011 47 Whakarewarewa Forest Loop 33 km 21 mi through forest with volcanic and lake views It can be reached via Te Ara Ahi which joins Rotorua and Waimangu Volcanic Valley 48 South Island Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail 315 km 196 mi Waitaki Valley is the longest Great Ride running from Aoraki Mt Cook Village to Oamaru 49 Around the Mountains Cycle Trail 186 km 116 mi trail of lakes and mountains via Walter Peak Von Valley Mavora Lakes Mossburn Lumsden Athol Garston and Kingston 50 Clutha Gold Trail 73 km 45 mi between Roxburgh and Lawrence 51 Coppermine Trail 43 km 27 mi in the hills behind Nelson via forested valleys rocky mountains and a riverside trail 52 Lake Dunstan Trail 41 km 25 mi along the edge of Lake Dunstan and the Kawarau and Clutha Mata au rivers It links the Otago Central Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails 53 The Old Ghost Road 85 km 53 mi via West Coast valleys mountains from Lyell to Seddon 54 Otago Central Rail Trail 152 km 94 mi the original Great Ride on the Clyde to Middlemarch section of the Otago Central railway 55 Created as a cycle trail in 2000 56 joined the NZCT system in 2012 Queen Charlotte Track 73 5 km 45 7 mi 57 Created as a walking track joined the NZCT system in 2013 58 Queenstown Trail 138 km 86 mi alpine views wineries and pioneer history including Arrowtown and Frankton sections 59 Roxburgh Gorge Trail 21 km 13 mi in 11 km 6 8 mi and 10 km 6 2 mi sections with a 13 km 8 1 mi jet boat ride in between The northern section links to the Clutha Gold Trail 60 St James Cycle Trail 60 km 37 mi in St James Conservation Area 61 on a grade 3 loop mountain bike trail built by the Department of Conservation 16 Tasman s Great Taste Trail 200 km 120 mi loop via Nelson Wakefield Motueka and Kaiteriteri by coast and countryside with galleries vineyards and restaurants 62 West Coast Wilderness Trail 133 km 83 mi rainforest rivers lakes and beaches from Greymouth to Ross 63 Touring Routes edit In mid 2011 the New Zealand Cycle Trail announced a second type of route the touring route Composed mainly of existing on road routes rather than new dedicated cycleways these routes are to start linking the various Great Rides and New Zealand in general with officially designated cycling routes chosen for scenic appeal and suitability for cycling low motor vehicle traffic volumes etc The first three such routes announced all centred on Taumarunui in the central north island were 64 Taumarunui to New Plymouth including part of the Forgotten World Highway Taumarunui to Whakahoro linking to the Ruapehu Whanganui Trails Taumarunui to Ongarue linking to the Pureora Timber Trail Public reactions editPre opening While many cycling groups and tourism interests such as Tourism New Zealand greeted the project with enthusiasm 27 there has also been scepticism mainly related to the potential costs of the project and the scope for economical benefits Editorialist Brian Rudman has also claimed that the cycleway idea smacked of Depression Era make work schemes for the working classes 65 Others have countered the criticism noting that the money spent on the cycleway would go back into the New Zealand economy in any case and leave the country with a lasting infrastructural benefit 66 Editorialists have remarked that the Prime Minister remained clearly behind the project he helped launch despite criticism about changes in the estimated costs and the shift from the initial concept of a single track towards a network 67 The project has also created enthusiasm among some business groups with for example a meeting of 130 Waikato business and government representatives endorsing it for the tourism health and economic benefits it could bring to Hamilton and the Waikato 68 Also supportive was the New Zealand Contractors Federation which considered that it would be very beneficial for many small and medium enterprises during hard economic times 69 The cycleway project is also seen as a potential lifeline for small town such as Kumara on the West Coast The small town a former gold mining centre now has only a few hundred inhabitants left and is facing the closure of its only remaining store Westland s Mayor Maureen Pugh noted that the Westland Wilderness Trail which was selected as one of the 13 Phase II trails could be a saving grace by bringing tourism into the area 70 Similar hopes have been expressed by locals in towns like Kaikohe in Northland 29 Occasionally locals especially farmers have however expressed concerns that vandalism would occur when tourists on bikes travelled through previously inaccessible areas though experiences from the Otago Rail Trail indicates that such fears are overstated 19 See also editCycling in New ZealandReferences edit a b Parker Tamsyn 23 March 2009 Why Key s national bike track could be paved with gold The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 a b c d Daniels Chris 14 May 2009 Cycleway gets 50m now a series of Great Rides says Key The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 a b PM s cycleway gets in gear The New Zealand Herald 16 February 2013 Retrieved 25 August 2013 a b c John Key announces boost to regional tourism with 25m cycle trail funding TVNZ Retrieved 15 May 2016 permanent dead link Sabin Brook 22 May 2022 Whakarewarewa Forest Loop We test the new Great Ride with mud pools and an emerald lake Stuff Retrieved 3 January 2024 Find Your Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 a b c Gower Patrick 11 March 2009 Concrete plan for Key s bike route The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 a b c d e Investment for the Development of the New Zealand Cycleway Project Cabinet Paper Ministry of Tourism May 2009 New Zealand Cycleway Quick Start Tracks from the official website Last updated July 2009 Retrieved 16 November 2009 Booker Jarrod 28 July 2009 Struggling regions welcome trail news The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 PM turns first sod on cycleway project The New Zealand Herald Newstalk ZB 10 November 2009 Retrieved 30 October 2011 Thirteen new cycle trails considered The New Zealand Herald 11 February 2010 Retrieved 28 February 2010 a b c Five new cycle trails get the green light Media statement Rt Hon John Key Prime Minister Minister of Tourism 23 September 2010 Retrieved 29 September 2010 Key opens first cycleway segment The New Zealand Herald 2 July 2010 Retrieved 6 July 2010 Trail Talk NZCT newsletter Vol 1 no 1 November 2010 a b Government News St James Cycle Trail ready to ride Chainlinks No 4 Cycling Advocates Network December 2010 p 4 PM Announces Sarah Ulmer As Cycle Trail Ambassador Voxy 25 May 2011 Retrieved 30 July 2011 a b Trail Talk NZCT newsletter Vol 7 no 7 August 2011 a b Pioneering Otago rail trail joins national cycleway 2 January 2012 Retrieved 17 January 2012 Field Michael 2 March 2009 Best job ideas in Budget round English Stuff Retrieved 30 October 2011 From the Desk of the National Cycleway Archived 23 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine press release of Ridestrong cycle advocacy group Retrieved 20 March 2009 Mathew Dearnaley and Patrick Gower 24 March 2009 Second thoughts turn Key s track into a network The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 a b Cheng Derek Dearnaley Mathew 1 June 2010 Key confident cycleway will add more jobs The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 6 July 2010 Cycleway being taken seriously Key says The New Zealand Herald NZPA 10 March 2009 Retrieved 30 October 2011 Barbara Cuthbert Key could be on the right track with cycleway The New Zealand Herald 10 March 2009 Retrieved 30 October 2011 Cycleway Would Benefit Walkers Too Living Streets Aotearoa press release via scoop co nz Saturday 28 February 2009 a b c Churchouse Nick 21 March 2009 Is the cycleway a winner Stuff Retrieved 30 October 2011 Gibson Eloise 27 February 2010 Cycle track plan moves at snail s pace The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 20 March 2010 a b Track a boost for job hungry towns The New Zealand Herald 27 December 2011 Retrieved 17 January 2012 Eight new cycle trails ready to roll 6 July 2010 Retrieved 29 September 2010 Work to start on eight new cycle trails The New Zealand Herald 6 July 2010 Retrieved 10 July 2010 Dearnaley Mathew 11 January 2010 Great Barrier wants cycleway link The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 Tiffen Rachel 12 February 2010 No place for Auckland on national cycle trail The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 28 February 2010 Cycling trails get a boost Otago Daily Times 1 March 2014 Retrieved 8 March 2014 Trail Linking Queenstown and Cromwell Begins Construction NEWS WIRE January 2024 Great Lake Trails Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Hauraki Rail Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 Hawke s Bay Trails Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 Motu Trails Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 Mountains to Sea Nga Ara Tuhono Cycle Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail Northland s Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 Remutaka Cycle Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Timber Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Timber Trail Cycle Trail section opening www doc govt nz 27 November 2012 Retrieved 4 January 2024 Construction starts on Central North Island Rail Trail www doc govt nz 3 May 2010 Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Waikato River Trails Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 Time to pedal new Waikato tourist attraction Waikato Times 3 November 2011 Retrieved 5 November 2011 Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 3 January 2024 Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Coppermine Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Old Ghost Road Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Otago Central Rail Trail New Zealand s original Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Otago Central Rail Trail our original Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 The Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 1 Mar Queen Charlotte Track opening New Zealand Cycle Trail Website Archived from the original on 27 February 2013 Retrieved 13 May 2013 Queenstown Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 St James Cycle Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 Tasman s Great Taste Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 West Coast Wilderness Trail Great Ride Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Retrieved 4 January 2024 First cycle touring routes opening Media Release New Zealand Cycle Trail 29 July 2011 Rudman Brian 4 March 2009 Brian Rudman Don t recycle culture into construction The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 Sheppard Bruce 4 March 2009 Let s get this cycle way right Stuff Retrieved 30 October 2011 Armstrong John 24 March 2009 John Armstrong National cycleway no joking matter The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 Ihaka James 24 March 2009 Bike plan has Waikato in a spin The New Zealand Herald Retrieved 30 October 2011 Proposals for North to South Cycleway Welcome press release of the New Zealand Contractors Federation via scoop co nz 11 March 2009 Retrieved 20 January 2010 Hope rests on cycleway The Press 18 March 2010 Retrieved 31 March 2010 Further reading editKennett Jonathan 2014 The New Zealand Cycle Trails Nga Haerenga A guide to New Zealand s 23 Great Rides ISBN 978 1 77553 708 3 Gerald Cunningham 2013 Guide to the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Gerald Cunningham 2013 Guide to the Queenstown Cycle Trail The Kennett Brothers 2012 Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails Kennett Brothers Publishing ISBN 9780986464126 Harfst Claudia 2012 Radfahren in Neuseeland The New Zealand Cycle Trail Nordinsel in German Mana Verlag ISBN 9783934031227 Harfst Claudia 2013 Radfahren in Neuseeland The New Zealand Cycle Trail Sudinsel in German Mana Verlag ISBN 9783955030063 Harfst Claudia 2013 The New Zealand Cycle Trail North Island Bateman Publishers ISBN 1869538536 Harfst Claudia 2013 The New Zealand Cycle Trail South Island Bateman Publishers ISBN 1869538544 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to New Zealand Cycle Trails Nga Haerenga The New Zealand Cycle Trail official USER website for NZ cycle trail project New Zealand Cycling Network map Great Rides on NZByBike marketing New Zealand cycle tourism Cycle Trails New Zealand New Zealand Trails website for local and international tourism Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title New Zealand Cycle Trail amp oldid 1206856474, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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