Environment Canterbury has increased the number of buses carrying bike racks following successful trialling of the programme. The expanded service now includes 12 Metro routes in and around Christchurch involving hills or significant distances.

Cr Carole Evans, Environment Canterbury public passenger transport committee chair, says that the feedback from the community to the bikes racks issue was overwhelmingly positive and the expanded service commenced in December last year. 

"The new racks offer bus-users the option of combining cycling with their bus trip and make it possible for people to bus to work and cycle home or bike and bus in stages," says Cr Evans.

"People can also enjoy improved access to cycle tracks like those in the Port Hills or the excellent off-road cycling opportunities at McLeans and Kaiapoi Islands in the Waimakariri River Regional Park."

The racks help make places like Lyttelton, where the road tunnel is the main accessway, more cycling-friendly and increase safety for cyclists crossing the river bridges between Christchurch and Kaiapoi and Rangiora.

Cr Evans said that bike racks have room for two bikes with wheels 16" or larger and are easy to use and are free for bus users.

"Cyclists are responsible for loading and unloading their bikes themselves and I am sure most cyclists wouldn't have it any other way - it's safest for the driver to stay at the wheel," she says.

All buses on the following routes are fitted with bike racks:

• 90 Rangiora
• 92 Rangiora via Woodend and Waikuku
• 77 Kennedy's Bush
• 11 Styx Mill-Westmorland
• 14 Harewood-Dyers Pass
• 15 Bishopdale-Beckenham
• 18 St Albans-Huntsbury
• 21 Ilam-Mt Pleasant
• 28 Lyttelton and Rapaki
•  3 Airport-Sumner via Avonhead
•  7 Halswell
• 35 Riccarton-Heathcote

On routes 3, 7 and 35, cyclists must board or disembark at a stop outside the Bus Exchange. At present, buses may not enter or leave the exchange building with bikes on board.
"More bike racks on more routes is yet another reason to take advantage of Christchurch's world-class Metro service," says Cr Evans.

For info on Metro, go to www.metroinfo.co.nz and cycling opportunities in the Waimakariri River Regional Park, visit www.ecan.govt.nz/advice/recreation-and-parks/
For further information: Environment Canterbury Public Passenger Transport Committee Chair Carole Evans, 027 240 3096.