Safety Advisory – Pahiatua Track and Saddle Road Usage by Cyclists

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

Many of you will be aware that with the Manawatu Gorge being closed, traffic is being redirected over the Saddle Rd and Pahiatua Track Rd.

These two routes are also used extensively by local cyclists (club and non club members) for training purposes. Given the restrictive nature of the routes, there has been some concern expressed by members of the public regarding the safety of cyclists.

From a Club perspective we do not have a mandate to stop any rider using either of these two routes. However, as a Club our official position is to advise riders to, where possible, avoid using the Saddle and Pahiatua Track Roads in the interim until the Gorge is re-opened.

Should riders accept the additional risk and chose to ride over the Track or Saddle, they should exercise extreme caution.