Inaugural BikeFest to Showcase Southland Cycling Opportunities

Southland’s cycling culture will be celebrated as part of BikeFest during October and November.

From elite events, including the SBS Bank Tour of Southland and Oceania track cycling championships, through to Wee Tykes on Bikes and Pedal Pushers Social Rides, BikeFest has something for everyone.

A highlight of this year’s BikeFest will be the ‘Why We Cycle’ film at SIT Centre Stage on November 13.
This documentary takes a rider’s perspective of how ingrained the cycling culture is in Dutch society.

Great South and Cycling Southland are driving this year’s BikeFest, with support from Murihiku by Bike, Sport Southland’s Healthy Families Invercargill, the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail, Arts Murihiku and What’s On Invers.

Great South general manager, tourism and events, Bobbi Brown said BikeFest provided an ideal opportunity to shine a spotlight on cycling in Southland.

“Great South is excited to be involved in bringing Bike Fest to the region; it’s a great chance to promote Southland as a cycling destination,” Brown said.

Cycling Southland general manager Nicola Wills said she was thrilled to see BikeFest coming together for the first time.

“With a number of our major events held at this time of year, such as the SBS Bank Tour of Southland and Yunca Junior Tour of Southland, it was the perfect opportunity to collaborate with a number of local agencies to celebrate cycling-related events all at one time and under one umbrella brand, BikeFest,” she said.

Sport Southland’s Healthy Families Invercargill Play Systems Innovator Cathy Jordan believes BikeFest will help to create a culture locally where people are encouraged, excited, and feel safe riding their bikes.