Urban myths

NO - the first thing to know about cycling is that it doesn't necessarily make you sweat.

Riding a bike is just like walking - if you walk very quickly or run, you get hot and sweaty but if you walk at a gentle pace, you don't. The same goes for riding a bike - if you start to sweat (and you don't want to) just ride more slowly.

NO - there are hills in Auckland, but there are also hills in plenty of other places where people cycle a lot more than we do.

The trick is to figure out the gentlest route to your destination and go that way. There are lots of work-arounds in Auckland. Your trip may take you a little longer than the direct route but you'll probably still beat the people sitting in cars, stuck in traffic. There is also no shame in getting off and pushing for a bit if the hill is unavoidable. Remember that the aim is not to personify Lance Amstrong, but to simply get to where you are going.

NO - It is a complete misnomer that you need special cycling clothes for riding a bicycle.

Of course if you are sports cycling then you will probably want all the gear but you can ride a bicycle in any clothes that you have in your wardrobe. It's just like walking - if you walk a few hundred metres down the street to the shops you don't generally change or take a shower when you arrive, but if you were competitively speed walking in the Arazona dessert, you probably would. The same goes for cycling. The key thing is to dress for your destination, so wear work clothes on your bike if going to work and ‘going out' clothes if you are going for a drink with friends.

NO - cycling can sometimes feel dangerous but in fact it is actually a very safe thing to do, and of course it depends in part on where you are riding and your level of experience.

If you are riding on a separated cycle path along the waterfront, cycling is not dangerous at all. In fact it is positively beneficial to your health! Cycling in heavy traffic can is a bit more dangerous, especially if you are new to cycling. Our advice is to avoid fast traffic, if at all possible. There are often quiet back streets that you can take to avoid heavy traffic and if you have to go along a busy road for part of the trip, ride on the pavement. Currently, infrastructure for cyclists is practically non- existent and generally very poor where it does exist (there are exceptions) and, if you are new to cycling, it is best to keep out of traffic until you have gained your confidence. You also don't need to cycle everywhere. Pick short trips that are quiet and a pleasure to ride, say to the local dairy to pick up milk or to a cafe on Sunday morning. You will soon find that you start to add new trips to your repertoire.