Cycle Forward launch event approaching

Published on 13 February 2019

Norman Gruebsch and Lori Davis

Norman Gruebsch and Lori Davis


On Wednesday, 20 February Whanganui District Council in conjunction with Arthritis New Zealand will launch the national pilot of the Cycle Forward programme, which aims to get people with arthritis into cycling. The launch will be held at 5.00pm in the atrium of the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre building, at 31 Taupō Quay.

Philip Kearney, Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive, says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be coming to Whanganui to launch this programme, which is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

“Guests at the launch will hear information about how cycling can have tremendous benefits for those with arthritis, and there will be the opportunity to view and ride the latest e-bikes”.

If you are interested in being at the launch event, RSVP to Arthritis New Zealand Educator Lori Davis (lori.davis@arthritis.org.nz) to be added to the guest list.

The Cycle Forward programme is looking for 10 participants for the first intake, which begins on Wednesday, 13 March. In July the programme will be evaluated and is expected to be broadened out to a further 20 participants in the second half of 2019.

Lori Davis, Arthritis New Zealand’s Educator, says, “We’re keen to have people from different backgrounds and hope to attract a range of age groups as arthritis affects people of all ages”.

Let’s Go Cycle Skills Co-ordinator Greg Fromont says the Cycle Forward programme “is participant-led, with coaches providing guidance and working responsively with people according to their skill and confidence levels, rather than giving one size fits all instruction”.

Those who are selected for the programme will be loaned a bike and helmet if required, and will attend eight sessions over a six week period.

Mr Fromont says the sessions “are designed to provide a progression, moving participants from riding stationery spin cycles, to field riding, to shared pathway riding, to road sessions”.

Ms Davis says “We will measure the progress of participants on the programme, gathering data on physical health, confidence and independence at the beginning of the six weeks and at the end of it.”

To register for the Cycle Forward pilot programme, email your expression of interest to lori.davis@arthritis.org.nz or come along to the launch on Wednesday, 20 February and sign up there.

Whanganui District Council’s Active Transport Facilitator Norman Gruebsch says, “The purpose of the programme is to give people with arthritis the confidence to take up cycling and build it into their everyday travel around town.

“After the programme is completed, a social riding group for those with arthritis will be established, to make it easy for participants to keep up the good work”.