E-bike upgrade for Great Rides

A fund to establish e-bike charging stations for New Zealand’s Great Rides has been opened by tourism and hospitality minister Matt Doocey.

Applications for funding close October 18, 2024.

“Every year, more than one million people enjoy the Great Rides and bring with them an estimated $1 billion to spend in the regions,” says Doocey.

“This investment will contribute to the Government’s goal of unlocking economic growth in the regions and supporting tourism operators to deliver world-class experiences.

“Demand for nature-based, low impact tourism experiences is expected to increase in the coming years, alongside the availability and popularity of e-bikes.”

Doocey sys modern and reliable e-bike infrastructure will help make Great Rides trails more accessible and more appealing to people of all ages and fitness levels.

“As international tourists and Kiwis seek out more environmentally conscious experiences and as e-bikes get cheaper and more advanced, the Great Rides will become even more important to New Zealand’s tourism offering and economic recovery.

“The Great Rides have been an effective partnership for more than a decade between central government, local government and the local communities that host the trails.”

Doocey says the 23 world-class trails create jobs both on the trail and in the background, support businesses such as bike hire and tour companies, and attract hospitality and accommodation services to set up alongside the trails.

“This fund will also support more economic opportunities for Great Ride providers, councils and central Government to explore.”

Great Rides’ governance organisations need to co-fund 50% of the purchase and installation costs for the e-bike charging stations in their regions but communities can each determine how many charging stations to install for their cycleway.