Christchurch cyclists recorded more than four million trips across the city’s cycleways last year according to the Council and it’s is encouraging residents to help surpass that milestone in 2025.
One of the key routes supporting this target is the Puari ki Rapanui Shag Rock Cycleway.
Spanning 7.4 kilometres from the Central City to Ferrymead, the route connects directly to the Te Ara Ihutai Christchurch Coastal Pathway, providing both a practical commuting link and an accessible recreational trail.
To promote cycling in the city, the council’s Travel Demand team will be at Linwood Park on Saturday from 1–3pm.
The event will offer free cycling resources, bike tune-ups, and the latest city cycling map. A pedal-powered smoothie bike will also be available for younger participants.
The cycleway serves both as a commuter route and a recreational track, passing a range of facilities including schools, preschools, eight parks and reserves, a shopping centre, and the Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool.
The journey begins at the Fitzgerald Avenue intersection, following Worcester Street through Linwood Village. Traffic-calming measures and tree-lined streets create a safe and pleasant environment for cyclists, with the route continuing across Stanmore Road, England Street, and Cashel Street.
Cyclists then navigate through residential streets including Buccleugh Street, Oliviers Road, and Marlborough Street, before reaching Linwood Park. From there, the route follows a central median down Linwood Avenue, offering a sheltered ride beneath a canopy of trees, particularly scenic during spring when daffodils line the path.
At the end of Linwood Avenue, riders have two options: continue directly towards Ferrymead Bridge via Humphreys Drive, or take a more scenic route through Charlesworth Reserve. The saltmarsh wetland supports diverse birdlife and marine habitats, with over 100,000 coastal shrubs and bushes providing an important ecological space.
The final section runs alongside the Ihutai Avon Heathcote Estuary at Tidal View.
Recent upgrades, including picnic tables, cycle parking, a drinking fountain, and an outdoor shower, make it an ideal stopping point for cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.
