‘Born-again cyclists’ driving up accident numbers, safety instructors sought

E-bike-related injuries are on the rise as a growing number of new cyclists and those rediscovering the joys of biking or ‘born-again cyclists’ explore the impressive network of cycle trails throughout the Kāpiti Coast.

Aiming to reduce the number of accidents by equipping cyclists with the right skills, Kāpiti Coast District Council partners with Greater Wellington Regional Council to deliver Pedal Ready, free cycle, E-bike and scooter skills training for children and adults in the Wellington region.

“Pedal Ready is a great way for riders to build their confidence up and learn skills that can protect them from serious harm,” says Bruce Johnston, Road Safety Educator for Council.

“We’re seeing a lot of riders that haven’t jumped on a bike for twenty or thirty years - born-again cyclists as we call them. They charge straight in only to misjudge their abilities, reaction speeds or their bikes.

“The popularity of E-bikes is also a factor that is contributing to injury numbers. E-bikes are much heavier than standard bikes, accelerate faster and take longer to stop when speeding. Your reactions and balance can change over time so if you haven’t been riding or keeping active, you might not know your limits until it’s too late.”

Pedal Ready runs regular courses in Kāpiti and, given the growing number of cyclists, Mr. Johnston wants to see more.

“We see good uptake of the courses in a number of schools, but I would love to see this continue to expand as well as run more adult classes,” say Mr. Johnston.

“To do that, Pedal Ready needs more passionate instructors that can share their knowledge and experience. If you’re a good communicator, love being on a bike and working outdoors, and are looking for causal, flexible work, you should think about becoming an assistant instructor.

“New instructors are mentored by experienced instructors and learn on the job.”

If you are interested in attending Pedal Ready’s next free three-day training course between 13–15 July, with the intention of going on to become an instructor, email your CV along with a brief cover message outlining your experience to [email protected]