Visitor Cycling access

Marlborough is fortunate to have a wide array of existing and developed cycleways that have been developed by the Marlborough District Council (MDC) is association with a range of local and national agencies over recent years.

The 2019 – 2020 Marlborough Walking and Cycling strategy outlines the key projects, reasoning and activations planned by the MDC now and in coming years.

The key focus of these cycle routes – as driven by the MDC cycling strategy – revolve around important community development, health and wellbeing, safety, and carbon emissions goals etc as set by local and national government.

To a much lesser degree the visitor industry, while having been considered, has not been focused on within the existing document plan.

An opportunity lies to articulate a wider visitor cycling plan especially as new routes are developed including the Whale Trail and Renwick cycle wine paths. The possibility to super charge the wider community investment and achieve a double whammy for visitors and community is there.

Cycle paths are loosely able to be split in three user types: Firstly urban/rural formal cycle ways – used by more leisurely locals and visitors to commute and access visitor attractions. Secondly mountain bike tracks, designed with more active recreation and exercise. Thirdly cycle ways that provide intra–regional or inter–regional access and longer touring route options. The visitor space needs to consider these user groups for differing reasons and differing visitor markets.

1. Urban /Rural formal cycle ways

Cycle wine tours

Town and country exploration

Safe access from country to urban attractions

Providing day visit access to visitor attractions – e.g., Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

2. Mountain Bike Tracks

An attraction within their own right

Part of exploring the region – e.g., views from Wither Hills

As part of a nationwide itinerary to visit mountain bike parks in varied regions

Adding additional adventure tourism options for Marlborough

A destination partnership opportunity with Nelson region and top of the south

3. Intra or inter regional cycle touring

Visitors coming to undertake a trail or itinerary in the region

Examples – Queen Charlotte Track, The Whale Trail, The Link Pathway, Nydia Track

Visitors coming to or passing through region specifically for these tracks

Implications on wider services – accommodation, F&B, classical visitor attractions etc

Icon value

Part of a wider NZ holiday cycle trip

Existing and potential cycleway connections – Source Destination Marlborough

Key Strengths Key Concerns

Marlborough has flat spaces Marlborough has not recognised the visitor expectation or decision process around cycling

Wine and cycling are natural partners While Marlborough has 35 cellar doors, they are not as accessible as could be

There are small towns within realistic distance of each other Cycle touring routes for visitors are not clearly defined and championed, but protected by cycle tour operators

There are a wide range of geographic options close together vineyards, valleys, rivers, ocean There are 3 or 4 separate cycling islands in and around Blenheim and wider Marlborough

The evolution of Ebikes extending potential day tour distances Safety

Existing but currently disconnected cycle trails Wind

Key Opportunities Key Strategies for Marlborough cycling options to achieve success in the visitor sector

Fully connected cycle routes Interconnectivity, loops, and links – a reason to use, and return to base

Safe wine cycle tourism A wider story or experience on route

Blenheim as base to explore from Good signage or access to directional information

Connecting Marlborough to Kaikoura and Nelson via cycleways Alignment with regions strengths – wine, seafood, sounds, aviation

Connecting visitor attractions increasingly by cycle A journey, exploration, views, discovery, adventure

Reducing Marlborough carbon emissions and impact on the environment Options that fit time, distance, fitness and take advantage of emerging Ebikes technologies

Development of new routes like the Whale Trail, Southern Wairau Valleys, and Awatere wine tour cycle options Possible future use of cycleways by small autonomous vehicles to assist drink drive visitor limitations

Awatere Valley