Pedal power is increasingly becoming part of the Kiwi holiday experience, to the advantage of regional businesses around the New Zealand Cycle Trails.

They’re booming after initiatives like the AA’s New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide whichis helping to build awareness of services and attractions close to the cycle trails.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Inc. Chairman Richard Leggat says they have seen substantial growth in the number of people visiting the Great Rides that are part of the New Zealand Cycle Trails network throughout the country.

“Even busy trails like Tasman’s Great Taste Trail have reported growth of 19% this summer and as a result, hospitality, accommodation and rental services along cycle trails are seeing considerable increases both in revenue and staff numbers to keep up with demand.

“Some tourism businesses are enjoying growth of between 15% and 50% this summer compared to last,” he says.

AA Traveller General Manager Moira Penman says the New Zealand Cycle Trails Guide provides travellers with enough information to create a packaged holiday experience for themselves, catered to their needs.

“The layout is logical and is easy to use with all the wider information about accommodation, places to eat and even other things to do sitting alongside each of the cycle trails.

“When information is presented in a way where it’s easier for people to plan their trips like we’ve done in the New Zealand Cycle Trails Guide, you’ll find more travellers taking up the adventure,” she says.

It’s a design that’s working as the AA gets ready to launch its third edition of the New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide. The new edition will have an increased print run of 50% after the second edition disappeared off shelves in less than six months.

Three new Heartland Rides, which are scenic connection trails between the Great Rides, have been added to the third edition of the New Zealand Cycle Trails Guide. These include Golden Downs Trail, a 59km journey from Wakefield to St Arnaud, Gentle Annie, a picturesque multiday ride from the Central North Island to the East Coast, and Route 52, a 202km trail travelling from Waipukurau to Masterton.       

“Our goal has always been to encourage growth in domestic tourism, particularly in the regions and the New Zealand Cycle Trails Guide is certainly contributing to this,” says Ms Penman.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide, published by AA Traveller, is packed full of information on the Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. It includes maps, advice on trail sections, section grades and time to allow.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide is available free at AA Centres, i-SITE locations, selected accommodation, attraction and cycling experience providers.

The third edition of the guide will be available in late May this year.

Information on all the Great Rides and Heartland Rides in Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail national project can also be found on the AA Traveller webpage and on the New Zealand Cycle Trails website. 

AA Traveller has helped Kiwis see the best of New Zealand for more than 100 years. It publishes and distributes more than three million guides and maps every year, and provides travellers with a wealth of information to inspire and assist them in planning travel and to make bookings at more than 1800 properties on aatraveller.co.nz or at any AA Centre.