Would you believe us if we said Christchurch now boasts 48 kilometres of dedicated cycleways? Well it’s true, and we’re absolutely fizzing. The city has bred more than 10 kilometres of fresh cycleway since Cityscape last checked in, meaning there’s now a path into town from most parts of this humming city. You can check out what’s changed below. Save money, save the planet and join us as we rediscover our city from the saddle.
1. Uni-Cycle
University of Canterbury Campus to City Centre – 6km
Don your helmet and jump on your bike to make the most of the spring weather as you traverse the tree-lined cycleways through the university campus. This is a fab ride for the whole family, which has a couple of must-see, must-do places where you can hit the pause button and enjoy the gifts of Mother Nature along the way. First up you’ll find Riccarton Bush. Saturday is the day to experience the wonders of the farmers’ market. Fresh, local produce to take home and handmade tasty treats that can be devoured down by the river, makes this the perfect stop-off point en route to the city. Take a stroll through the tranquil ancient native forest filled with towering kahikatea trees before jumping back in the saddle. Head to Mona Vale for a wander through the majestic sprawling grounds, and take a moment to ponder the meaning of life under one of the ancient oak trees, before making tracks through Hagley Park with the final destinations being the Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum and the Art Gallery.
2. Rapanui
Worcester Street to Charlesworth Reserve – 4.5km
Before kicking off your journey in Linwood, a hearty brunch at our fave café Under The Red Verandah is a must to keep your motor running as you pedal from Worcester Street towards Stanmore Road. Sail past the Tiny Shop Village to feast your eyes on the latest developments unfolding in this Greening the Rubble community project.
The cycleway takes you through Linwood Park, amidst the daffodils down Linwood Ave, and then ending at Charlesworth Reserve, which will soon connect with the Coastal Pathway. Now a lush home to native birds filled with over 100,000 trees and shrubs, this peaceful tidal wetland has plenty of walkways to commune with nature.
3. Northern Line
Truckers Road to Kilmarnock Street – 5.5km
For those on the northside of the city, the route along the railway line is a popular one that ends at Mona Vale, or you can continue through North Hagley Park into the central city if you’re up for some café hopping and a dose of retail therapy. The Monarch butterflies are just beginning to emerge, and a great place to find them is at St James Park. For a spot of lunch Mona Vale has a special pop-up restaurant every weekend in October. Get there via an off-road cycleway that’s shared by walkers and joggers, and continue on the Uni-Cycle cycleway, the Northern Line connects with this and takes you all the way to Riccarton Bush, Hagley Park, and beyond.
4. Little River Link
South Hagley Park to Springs Road – 11km
Glide through South Hagley Park and the historic Church Square in Addington to Brougham Street where the cycleway runs parallel to the Southern Motorway for easy connections to the new sports hub, Ngā Puna Wai, set to open very soon. This new cycleway provides a safer city route for Aidanfield and Wigram residents heading either to the central city or out to Prebbleton. Be rewarded for your pedalling efforts with lunch at any one of the many hot new cafés and restaurants in Addington.
5. Papanui Parallel
Northlands Shopping Centre to City Centre – 5km
For a spot of retail therapy begin your ride at Northlands. Once you’ve maxed the credit card, cycle through farmland down Grassmere Street, then on to Rutland Street in St Albans and past Rugby Park to Edgeware Village. For some of the best gourmet donuts around, pop into The Donut Boutique (every day except Sunday and Monday) and snap up some vintage duds and retro collectibles at Etcetera (open seven days) just over the road. If you have the energy after all that pedalling to do a round trip, you can work off that doughy goodness and get your bod in tip-top shape for summer by ending your bike ride at the Graham Condon Recreation and Sports Centre. Take a dip in the pool or hit the machines for a serious workout.
6. Coastal Pathway
Ferrymead Bridge to Moncks Bay – 3.5km
The warmer months invite carefree bike rides along the causeway that has been resurfaced and replanted, from Ferrymead Bridge to Moncks Bay. Stop off at the Mount Pleasant Centre for a yoga class or stock up on fresh veggies and local produce at the weekly farmer’s market from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Head to Redcliffs Village where you can pick up some quality meat at the butchers, a stunning spring bouquet from the local florist or book in a new look for the party season ahead. For a sailing lesson, the Christchurch Yacht Club has classes for both kids and adults as well as affordable family membership. If you’re in the mood for a stroll along the beach and a delish artisan ice cream from Utopia Ice, continue on to Sumner just around the corner.
7. Quarryman’s Trail
Sparks Road to City Centre – 9km
Quarryman’s Trail has been through a solid period of growth over the past 12 months. The lengthy cycleway will keep your kids safe as they travel to and from school and into the city. This cycleway cruises down Sparks Road, taking you past the turn-off to Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre and the Christchurch South Community Gardens on Strickland Street – where you can pop in for a spot of gardening in return for some free goodies or simply leave a koha. Pootle down Antigua Street to the Antigua Boat Sheds, where you can hire a canoe or kayak for the afternoon and enjoy a relaxing meander down the Avon. The final stage of the cycleway – from Victors Road to Te Hāpua and Halswell Domain – is due to be completed during the spring months.
Heathcote Expressway
The Tannery to City Centre – 3.5km
The fresh new Ferry Road cycleway means the Heathcote Expressway is now rideable from The Tannery in Woolston all the way into the city. Start your day at The Tannery by feasting on some heavenly pastries at Bellbird Baked Goods followed by a spot of shopping at Recycle Boutique, Uncommon Ground, The Fabric Store and The Apothecary. Zip up your (now-full) backpack and make your way down Mackenzie Avenue and onto Ensors Road. Hang a left at Ferry Road, where you can glide down the cycleway before turning right down one of the many roads leading into the central city.
The Weekend Adventure: Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail
Pages Road to Cambridge Terrace – 11km
There’s no better time to plan a day of cycling than when the warmth of spring starts to make itself known. Cue the Avon River Trail. This shared-use trail starts at the Pages Road bridge in New Brighton and takes cyclists right through the residential red zone and along the Avon River before popping out at Fitzgerald Ave. You’ll be hungry and thirsty by the time you make it to the city, so park up at Pomeroy’s for a cheeky pint before carrying on down Cambridge Terrace, turning around, and pedalling all the way home again!
On Ya Bike!
Can’t think of a reason to start cycling? Here’s five guaranteed to get you pushing the pedals.
1 – Wind back the clock
Regular cycling can protect skin against UV radiation and reduce the signs of ageing by optimising collagen production – essentially ironing out the appearance of wrinkles from the inside! Just don’t forget to slap on the 30+ or it’ll all be for naught!
2 – Get smart
Cycling helps build new brain cells in the hippocampus – the area responsible for memory which, FYI, starts deteriorating once you hit the big 3-0.
3 – Save the planet
It takes around 5 per cent of the materials and energy to build a bike than it does to knock out a car, bikes produce zero pollution and then there’s that whole peak oil thing.
4 – Sex it up
Cranking up your vascular health will, if you’re a man, help crank up your boudoir performance and, if you’re a woman, help stave off menopause.
5 – Live the high life
Cycling helps release feel-good hormones (endorphins) into the frontal and limbic regions of the brain (a.k.a the storage area for emotional baggage).