Bike fest joyous tribute to cycling

Santa gets on his bike on Sunday to lead a festive convoy through Nelson for the LifeCycle Bike Fest that is a ‘joyous tribute to all things cycling’.

The bike fest is being organised by Nelson Sustainable Transport in conjunction with Nelson Tasman Climate Forum and has activities planned for experts on two wheels through to toddlers on strider bikes.

One of the organisers, Jill Ford, says the Santa Cycling Convoy is a first for Nelson and begins at noon from the Victory Community Centre with the mayor Nick Smith leading the convoy in his Santa suit.

“It’s Christmas time and other places have Santa rides and I thought, why not?”

The festive convoy will make its way on the cycling trail to Broadgreen Intermediate where more than 20 activities are planned from 1pm, from a kid’s ‘strider’ balance bike event to a cargo bike race with trailers or extended bikes, and an obstacle course. Bike Fest goers can trial an E-bike, join the girls’ session on the pump track, get some confidence tips or stand out from the crowd in the best festive outfit and bike contest. For something really different, there is even the opportunity to make a smoothie using peddle power.

The bike fest builds on one that was run a few years ago and this one has secured funding from the Nelson City Council to help run and promote it.

Bike Fest is on Sunday, 8 December, 1-4pm at Broadgreen Intermediate.