Two Central cycle trails will stay in ship shape thanks to $80,000 in funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced this week (December 7).

A range of enhancements are planned on the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Great Rides, including trail resurfacing, the installation of interpretation panels and safety signage, tree removal, new culverts and water table clearing at various locations, and a new toilet at Commissioners Flat.

From the Far North to Southland, more than $934,000 is going to maintenance projects on New Zealand’s Great Rides.

The Clutha Gold trail winds through the Teviot Valley for 73km, and is usually completed over two days

Funding from the Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trails will support a range of projects including interpretation panels, safety signage and the resurfacing of trails.  

Three trails will also receive funding to repair damage following adverse weather conditions. 

Investment management and performance manager David Talbot said the funding will directly contribute to the tourism recovery in the regions, supporting local jobs and businesses.

“Cycle trails are valuable components of our national tourism offering. They are incredibly popular with both local users, domestic and international tourists.”

An earlier evaluation of the Great Rides shows that cycle trail users directly brought an estimated contribution to local communities of more than $950M between July 1 2020 and June 30 2021.

Over the 12 months, 27 per cent of the New Zealand adult population has participated in a cycle tourism activity. Almost 2.19 million trips were taken across the New Zealand Cycle Trails Great Rides network.

“The community and charitable trusts which maintain the Great Rides carry out countless hours of volunteer work for the love of cycling and mountain biking, but they also rely on the government with investment to maintain and enhance the trails,” David said. 

 The successful applicants consist of councils and trusts who will use the funding for trail resurfacing, interpretation panels, signage to address health and safety concerns, toilet and shelter construction, and extreme events recovery works. 

“This funding support will help maintain the best of New Zealand’s cycle trails in top condition as regions are welcoming back international visitors. Funding will also be used for trail managers salaries and other operational costs, ensuring there is a dedicated trail manager to look after each trail.“

Find out more about the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails here, and find more on the country's great rides here.