Pedal power: communities celebrate new active travel routes
We’re excited to introduce four new members to QLDC’s Climate From January to June 2025, QLDC partnered with Wao and The Lightfoot Initiative to celebrate new active travel routes through vibrant community events that inspired over 12,000 km of cycling, engaged hundreds of students, and promoted fun, practical ways to embrace active transport.
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From January to June 2025, QLDC teamed up with local organisations Wao and The Lightfoot Initiative to roll out a series of fun, community-led events celebrating the completion of two exciting new active travel routes: C5 (Arthurs Point to Queenstown) and S2P (Schools to Pool).
Backed by NZTA’s Transport Choices programme, the goal was simple; to get people moving, spark behaviour change, and show how active transport can be both practical and fun.
Wao brought serious energy to Wānaka, engaging over 200 students through bike workshops, community rides, and even a high school hackathon. Their Bike for Books initiative clocked up a whopping 12,000 km, and their Faces of Change campaign celebrated locals who’ve made the switch to active travel.
Over in Queenstown, Lightfoot kept the wheels turning with scavenger hunts, pit stops, and the popular Bike Bus, which saw 168 kids cycle to school, a brilliant show of community spirit and pedal-powered pride.
These events didn’t just celebrate new infrastructure, they built momentum. They showed how local action, creativity, and a bit of fun can help shift habits, reduce emissions, and make active transport a real part of everyday life.
With Biketober (a month-long celebration of cycling) just around the corner, make sure you make the most of the temperatures warming up and get amongst the local activities on offer. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for events, giveaways and inspiration to keep you pedaling.