Bike Month is underway once again and Western Bay of Plenty residents are being encouraged to get out on two wheels and discover all the benefits of biking.

Sport Bay of Plenty's Cycling Coordinator Buddy Meyer said the free or low-cost Bike Month activities between now and the end of February are a fun way to encourage people to ride more and build their biking confidence.

Last November Buddy, a keen bike rider, completed Cycling New Zealand's free Ride Leader course and is encouraging other riders to do the same during Bike Month.

'The Ride Leader course really helped me develop more skills such as safely cycling in a group environment or on busy streets,” says Buddy.

'For the more casual riders, there's also the Cycle Savvy workshops which cover bike and helmet safety checks, and basic bike handling skills.”

In addition to the cycle safety and skills sessions, Bike Month also includes loads of guided urban trail rides, group rides to help people learn common cycle commuting routes around town, bike maintenance skills sessions with local bike shops and a series of popular historic rides where people can learn more about pā sites around Tauranga Moana with a local Maori historian.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is also running throughout the month, and Go By Bike Day is back on Thursday February 11 with pitstops around town offering free refreshments for those biking to work or school.

As far as physical and mental wellbeing benefits go, Buddy can't think of a better activity than biking.

'I love being on my bike – it's fun and keeps me active, and it's a great way to escape any day-to-day stress.

'For anyone out there who hasn't been on their bike for a while, Bike Month is the perfect time to get back into it. The weather is great, and there's loads of activities and support to help you build your biking confidence and discover some of the great places and trails around Tauranga.”

Bike Month in the Western Bay of Plenty is a collaborative effort between Sport Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City Council, Travel Safe Tauranga and Cycling New Zealand.

A full calendar of Bike Month events can be found at sportbop.co.nz/bikemonth.