Invest In Your Health
Safer roads,
safer cyclists
Safer Roads For Everyone
New Zealand’s roads
need to be safer for cyclists. We want to help make that happen.
New Zealand’s roads need to be safer for cyclists. We want to help make that happen.
Cycling has many benefits: it’s good for your health, it’s a carbon-neutral mode of transport, it’s a fun recreation activity, and the list goes on. But cyclists on New Zealand’s roads also take a risk when they join our roads with all the other traffic. Motor vehicles are fast and heavy; bicycles and their riders are small and light, putting them in a much more vulnerable position.
By promoting awareness and increasing education for both cyclists and motorists, we think we can minimize that risk.
We’re building a community to get behind the mission, so if you want to help make our country’s roads safer for cyclists, join us on Facebook today.
Who’s up for a movie night?
The Safer Cycling Foundation is proud to announce an opportunity to see the film ONE DAY AHEAD. A film that will inspire all who see it; a film that depicts what is possible with dedication, passion and when people come together for a common purpose.
ONE DAY AHEAD is the story of eight New Zealand amateur cyclists attempting to complete the 2018 Tour de France race a day ahead of the professional race.
Click on the link below to get your tickets…
Top tips for a beginner cyclist
Get comfortable on your bike
Many pro cyclists who have been riding for decades are still tweaking their bike fit – when it comes to performance, for some riders bike fit is a never ending process of adjustment based on individual factors and goals.
However, there are some basic guidelines that can apply to all riders looking to ride in comfort and avoid injury.
Optimum saddle height can be found by placing your heel on the pedal at its furthest away point. Your leg should be straight, so when you clip in, there’s a slight bend. You want a slight bend in your elbows, too – you know the reach is right when the front wheel of the hub disappears from view under the handlebars when you are riding on the tops.
Learn how to fix a puncture
There’s no good reason any rider should find themselves stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat tyre and no means to fix it.
If you don’t know how to fix a puncture, ask someone at a bike shop, a friend, or the internet, to teach you. Then practise at home until it’s easy.
Invest in a few key pieces of kit
Items we would advise you invest in are:
- Helmet
- Lock (if you plan to leave the bike anywhere)
- Bike lights
- Gloves (in winter)
- Padded cycling shorts (or tights in winter), a base layer, jersey and quality waterproof jacket
- Shoes and pedals
- Track pump (for use at home), mini pump, puncture repair kit
You’ll no doubt want to buy more kit and bike accessories in time, but those are the essentials.
Join a cycling club – Join us
Don’t put up with saddle discomfort
Saddle discomfort is very common, and as a result there’s a huge selection of saddle styles and designs to choose from – so listen to your body, work out where the problem area is, and look for a retailer with a test ride service to save you wasting cash on failed solutions.
Wearing padded shorts (without underwear!) and chamois cream will also help, but the right saddle is key.
Be confident on the road
Drive about a meter from the side of the road – this gives you room to get around obstacles (holes) and encourages other road users to give you more space when overtaking.
Obey the road code, and follow New Zealand guidelines
Join the movement
