The Otago Central Rail Trail has been named best New Zealand Cycle Trail for the second consecutive year.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the results of the New Zealand Transport Agency's fourth annual Favourite Places to Ride competition.
Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust chairwoman Kate Wilson said it was a "huge credit to the original founders of the trail''.
"We're very grateful to all the people who voted.''
The trust was continually trying to improve the trail, she said.
Examples of this in the last year included the "interplanetary cycleway'' project, the purchase of the Hyde train station and more advertising of the activities and sights people could find on the trail.
The trail bought economic benefits to the region, which would only increase when an extensive $26.3 million interconnected cycleway project, which is planned to reach throughout Otago, was completed.
In a statement, Mr Bridges said the trail had close competition from the West Coast's Old Ghost Road.
"Celebrating New Zealanders' favourite cycling routes helped encourage more people to get out on their bikes more often,'' he said.
There were nearly 10,000 nominations for 1200 different rides.
Christchurch won the Top Town Award, which which was determined by the city or town that received the most nominations across three other categories.
