Cyclists Get $50M for ‘Great Rides’ (Video)
Kiwi Cyclists can now look forward to a $50M spend to create a series of interlinked “Great Rides” to form a National Cycleway system.
“I see the national cycleway developing from a series of “Great Rides” through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery. Our long-term goal is to create a network that links these “Great Rides” into a uniquely New Zealand set of cycling experiences that connects and passes through our cities.” says Prime Minister John Keyes.
The routes for these rides would be influenced by existing cycleways, facilities and tourism attractions.
Ministry of Tourism figures for the year to last September show 45,000 of the 2,469,064 international visitors took part in a cycling sport. The cycling tourists spent $199 million on their trips – excluding international airfares – an average of $4386 each.
The average spending of all international tourists is $2692. Cycling tourists on average stayed in New Zealand for 49.2 nights, more than twice the average length of stay of 20.9 nights. Britons make up the biggest number of cyclists at 19 per cent, followed by Australians at 17 per cent and Americans at 9 per cent. An economic study done last year on the Otago Central Rail Trail – New Zealand’s longest and most successful cycling trail – found only about 30 per cent of its visitors were international tourists.
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Great idea.We have a fantastic network of purpose designated cycle trails and it has certainly raised popularity of cycling as a means of transport, as well as encouraged more cyclo-tourists.
Dominic
wow, that’s a lot of money. this is actually one the best idea i have ever read.
Great news for cyclists over there
we get all sorts of deals like this running every 5 years where improvements are made, hope it all goes well!
Great news.I have really fond memories of cycling in New Zealand back in early 90s.
Hopefully it will encourage alot more of the local people to take up cycling as a hobby.
This is great news for the cycling community and quite possibly for tourists and travelers. I can see how many students would be enticed into coming over to cycle through New Zealand which I believe is what the country needs.
Great idea, I was thinking of taking a cycling trip. Cycling is a great way to keep fit aswell.
Cool! After reading this article I begin to think over a new hobby – cycling!