Member Profile – Steve Stannard

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.

My name is Steve Stannard and I am the Deputy Chair of Bike Manawatu. I am an avid commuter cyclist, riding most days to my job as Head of the School of Sport and Exercise at Massey University. I regularly follow my three children around to cycling, triathlon, and mountain bike events, often participating myself. When I was younger I represented Australia as a road racing cyclist, but was also involved in other sports such as canoeing and football. I am passionate about cycling in the Manawatu and keen to see cyclists of all persuasions enjoy the fantastic environment our region and NZ has to offer.