Best bike rides for less confident cyclists
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 24th October 2024
Summer's around the corner Ōtautahi - time to dust off your bike and get out there!
Warm weather and long evenings beckon, so why not reacquaint yourself with your bike? Feel the wind in your hair as you explore our beautiful city on two wheels! Biking is a great way to travel a little further than you might on foot, get the benefits of exercise and fresh air - and find new corners of Christchurch to discover and enjoy.
We know that not everyone feels super confident on a bike. So for those of us who might be a bit tentative, we’ve put together this list of fun and scenic trips suitable for less experienced riders. Most of these are on shared paths so having a bell on your bike will be super helpful for alerting walkers that you're approaching.
The River Promenade
Follow the wide shared zone that runs beside the Ōtākaro Avon River from Christchurch Hospital, past the National Earthquake Memorial and alongside The Terrace with its cafes and pubs, through pretty Victoria Square to the famous Margaret Mahy Playground. This 2km ride can be done in reverse and extended by connecting to the shared use paths in Hagley Park.
Explore Hagley Park
Take a ride on the shared paths that criss-cross Hagley Park, past sights like the wildflower gardens, Victoria Lake and the magical Band Rotunda. The best entrance point for North Hagley is from Armagh Street at the corner of Rolleston Avenue. For South Hagley, enter from the Hagley Oval carpark on Riccarton Avenue. The total circumference of both parks is around 6km but there's a great variety of pathways and this can be increased or decreased as you wish.
Take the Uni-Cycle
This route is regularly mentioned as people’s ‘favourite cycleway’ in the city, perhaps because it passes through such lovely parts of the city! Uni-Cycle links Ilam and the University of Canterbury to the Central City, via Mona Vale, Riccarton Bush and North Hagley Park. On weekends, you can ride this scenic, tree-lined cycleway to Mona Vale’s beautiful grounds and enjoy high tea, or to the Riccarton Bush Saturday morning farmers’ market.
Christchurch Northern Corridor
A smooth, shared path runs alongside the Northern Corridor motorway, taking you from Rutland Reserve in St Albans all the way up to Kaiapoi, with lovely native planted areas and information boards along the way. It’s easy, flat and mostly uninterrupted, and connects all the way into the central city as well, via the Papanui Parallel major cycle route.
Scenic Coastal Pathway
Ideal for newer cyclists, this dramatic seaside pathway hugs the coastline for 6.5km offering stunning views over the water from Ferrymead to Scarborough Beach. It’s perfect for all ages and abilities as there are access points and facilities dotted along the way. Cycle to Redcliffs for ice-cream and coffee, then head to Sumner beach and visit the cafes, bars and shops in the village. Plan a ride on the Coastal Pathway to get your summer vibes going!
View the online Christchurch bike map, or download a PDF version. Copies are also available to collect from key locations around the city including the Civic Offices, Ara Institute, University of Canterbury, the Bus Interchange, libraries and bike stores.
