Come on Dunedin, get on your bikes!

Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin (left) and Sport Otago CoachForce Biking officer Shane Melrose did...
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin (left) and Sport Otago CoachForce Biking officer Shane Melrose did adouble act at last year’s Bike Wise Month Mayoral Challenge.
February is Bike Wise Month, and Dunedin's cyclists are being called upon to demonstrate just how cycle-mad they really are.

The fourth annual Mayoral Challenge will take place on Sunday, February 15, and cyclists of all ages are being asked to hop on their bikes and join Mayor Peter Chin in an effort to prove Dunedin is the country's most cycle-loving city.

The challenge, a main event during Bike Wise Month, pits cities throughout New Zealand against other centres to see who can get the most people on their bikes for a ride alongside their mayor.

The competition, which gets bigger every year, saw nearly 16,000 cyclists from 35 regions take part last year.

Competing centres earn a point for each cyclist participating, with extra points being awarded for celebrities, business leaders, councillors and journalists taking part.

Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin will lead his city's effort starting from the Magnet St end of the West Harbour cycle way at 10.30am on the Sunday. Participating adults are being encouraged to ride the return trip to Maia while children are being encouraged to make it to Ravensbourne and back.

All participants on the day will be entered into a draw to win an Avanti bike.

After the event, the Otago Settlers Museum will host activities, and provide people with the opportunity to take a look through the museum's cycling exhibition.

Sport Otago operations manager Duane Donovan said the challenge was a great opportunity to have fun and be active while showing support for Dunedin.

‘‘Last year's Mayoral Challenge was hampered somewhat by a howling gale on John Wilson Ocean Drive, so this year we really want Dunedin's cyclists out in full force,'' Mr Donovan said.

‘‘We want New Zealand to know that Dunedin is a cycle-mad force to be reckoned with.''

Cyclists would be able to bike the challenge's route at their own pace and were being encouraged to just enjoy the ride and the atmosphere, he said.

It was hoped the challenge would provide an opportunity for people who did not normally cycle to get out and discover the activity's joys.

• For more details about Bike Wise Month events go to www.sportotago.co.nz or www.bikewise.co.nz.

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