New Zealand

Cycle Tours Gear List

Cycle Tour Operators New Zealand

We are a founding member of Cycle Tour Operators New Zealand (CTONZ). CTONZ is a professional group formed to promote cyclist safety & operator standards within the NZ cycle touring industry. CTONZ has negotiated a cyclist safety protocol with the Bus & Coach Assoc. & will introduce one with the Trucking Federation in late 2008. These protocols include recommended behavior for drivers & cyclists when they share the road.  Your guides will explain to you at your safety briefing what your requirements are to adhere to the protocol.  For more information on CTONZ visit their website http://www.ctonz.co.nz  

Cycle Safe Clothing

Cycle safety is very important to us - and so is looking great whilst on the bike. Over the past wee while we have been working to create a range of safety and cycle clothing products to purchase whilst on tour. We now have fluorescent cycle vests for sale NZ$65 and cycle tops for NZ$99. We also have cyclist mirrors that attach to the helmet or glasses - great for spotting what's coming up behind you, for NZ$20. Not to be out done when off the bike we also have some baseball hats for sale for NZ$20.

If you would like to purchase any of these great products you can pre order with us in the office or you can order from you guide when you arrive on tour. Sizes for the clothing range from xtra-small (XS) to xtra-L (XXL).  Note: Sizes are a small/race fit.
      

Vests NZ $65              Tops NZ $99  

Sizes       Chest    Length
XS           88cm    64cm
S              92cm    67cm
M             96cm    70cm
L            100cm    73cm
XL          104cm   76cm
XXL        110cm   79cm
XXXL     116cm   82cm    

Cycle Safety Initiatives

New Zealand has awesome scenery and is thus acknowledged as being one of the world's great cycling destinations! However, we share the sometimes narrow roads with motor vehicles of all descriptions - as in any part of the world there is an element of risk inherent with cycling on the road. As a responsible tour operator, we have undertaken a number of initiatives designed to minimise these risks. 

• We use a modern fleet of touring bikes, which are serviced by a trained cycle mechanic after each trip
• The support vehicle has a sign on its trailer informing motorists that there are cyclists using the road
• It is compulsory in New Zealand to wear a cycle helmet
• We supply helmets for all riders
• We employ guides with first aid qualifications & cycle mechanic skills - they can service your bike if needed during the trip.
• Feedback from drivers has highlighted the lack of "cyclist visibility" as one of their major concerns
• It makes sense then, that by increasing our visibility, we lessen our personal risk, and thus increase our enjoyment
• In order to address this we have equipped our bikes with a high visibility collapsible side flag (see picture)
• This not only makes you more visible, but also encourages passing motor vehicles to give you a wide berth
• Our bikes also have very visible 3D reflectors on the rear rack 
                                 

Safety briefing

• At the start of your tour your guide will give you a comprehensive safety briefing
• This will include cycle operation & safe riding of your bike
• You will be informed of safe etiquette for cycling on New Zealand roads
• We ask that you obey your guides instruction re cycle safety
• If you are acting unsafely you will be asked to change your behavior or stop cycling

How can you help?

• We recommend that you wear bright clothing when cycling - preferably with a reflective strip.
• We follow the cyclists motto of Be Safe - Be Seen
  If you are wearing dark clothing our guides will ask you to wear something bright or purchase one of our high visibility cycling vests or shirts
  If you want to purchase some cycle clothing we recommend Tineli clothing. You can visit their website http://www.tineli.com/catalog/ to see their catalogue and list of New Zealand stockists.
  There are also two very good online New Zealand cycle clothing companies;
  NZO Active http://www.kiwijersey.com

• Ground Effect http://www.groundeffect.co.nz   Because these companies are web based mail-order companies, you can access their product range easily from anywhere in the world!
  If time becomes a pressure, you can arrange for delivery to be care of us here in Christchurch . 

Remember - Be Safe - Be Seen - but most of all - ENJOY!

The Small Print - In all adventures, no matter how modest, there is an element of risk. That is their nature. We have taken all practicable steps to identify and minimise potential dangers. However you must follow our instructions and use any safety equipment provided at all times.

We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. We also reserve the right to cancel any activity if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person. We will take all possible precautions to ensure your safety while on one of our cycle tours but in the event of an accident cannot accept any responsibility or liability.