New Zealand cycling history

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The bicycle reached New Zealand in the 1860s in the form of the velocipede, also known as the 'boneshaker'. These bikes, as elsewhere, soon evolved into the elegant 'high wheelers', known today as penny-farthings. Popular among wealthy young men, they offered adventure and speed ("Colonials like to get along fast", one newspaper wrote^{[citation needed]}), but were also dangerous, due to the lack of modern features like efficient brakes. This, and the fact that they were useless on the rough and hilly roads of most of the country, ensured that they were seldom used for more than sport and recreation.

It was the 'safety bicycle', with its chain, sprockets and similar sized wheels that catapulted the bike into the public arena. Sales boomed, prices dropped and, for half a century, the bicycle became a transport of the masses, at least in the somewhat more level and developed areas of the country.

In the 1950s and 60s, however, New Zealanders turned away from most other transport methods to become one of the countries with the highest car ownership ratios of the world. This led to cycling being relegated back to its recreational and sporting roots.

The oil shocks of the 1970s triggered the first of several bicycle resurgences. New bicycles, first road racing bikes, then BMXs and finally mountain bikes became popular. By 1990, a survey showed cycling to be the second most popular participation sport. Since then, cycle sales have remained high, averaging over 150,000 per annum.

From January 1994 the wearing of cycle helmets became mandatory.