The Rugby World Cup is coming by bike????? to Palmerston North

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.

You might be aware that Jodie and Tom have cycled around the world from the UK to be at the RWC.
They will be riding from Levin in to Palmerston North on Monday 26th September. They areriding to Shannon on SH 57 , from Shannon head to Opiki which means turning left and over the railway lines on to state highway 56 when you are a few kms north of Shannon. From Opiki stay on state highway 56 all the way into Palmy. So it would be really great if a group of Bike Manawatu cyclists could go out and meet them and then turn around and bike “slowly” back in to Palmy with them. they are planning on handing over the scroll with all the signatures that they have collected to the Rugby Museum.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/fan-central/5588178/RWC-adventurers-seek-final-signature

They have been collecting signatures from Rugby greats in the countries they have travelled through on a scroll. The World In Union Scroll will be displayed here in Palmerston North at the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

In order to promote our great city as a cycling centre we would like to organise a bike ride to escort them into town. Maybe make a big song and dance out of it.