Cycling in New Zealand encompasses an extraordinary range of activities — from elite track cycling at the velodrome to mountain biking on the Whakarewarewa Forest trails, from the Otago Central Rail Trail to everyday commuting on separated cycleways. Grant funding supports infrastructure development, community cycling programmes, elite pathways, and active transport initiatives across a rapidly growing cycling sector.
Scale and growth
Types of cycling
Cycling New Zealand (Bike NZ)
Bike NZ is the national cycling body:
- High performance cycling (Olympic and World Championship pathways)
- National cycling development
- Para-cycling
- Community cycling development programmes
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)
NZTA funds cycling infrastructure:
- Urban cycleway grants
- Cycling safety improvements
- Active transport infrastructure
- Walking and cycling programmes funding
Local councils
Councils fund cycling as transport:
- Urban separated cycleways
- Cycle parking and facilities
- E-bike subsidy programmes
- Cycling events and safety campaigns
Regional Sport and Recreation councils
Regional sport bodies fund cycling clubs and development through gaming trust allocation.
Gaming trusts
Gaming trusts fund community cycling:
- Club equipment (bikes, helmets, tools)
- Youth development costs
- Event hosting costs
- Community cycling programme delivery
The government's Great Rides network is a major tourism and recreation asset — 23 designated Great Rides covering 2,500+ km:
- Otago Central Rail Trail
- Queen Charlotte Track
- Timber Trail
- Alps 2 Ocean
Funding for cycle trail development
Mountain biking is a significant growth sector:
MTB trail development
Key MTB funders
Whakarewarewa Forest and Rotorua MTB
Rotorua is a global MTB destination — demonstrating the economic value of MTB infrastructure investment.
Cycling as everyday transport is a growing policy priority:
Key investment
Funders
NZTA, local councils, and central government fund active transport — primarily infrastructure. Non-infrastructure programmes (cycling education, community cycling) attract gaming trust and community funding.
Infrastructure vs programme
Cycling grants split between infrastructure (cycleways, trails, facilities) and programmes (education, participation, community). Different funders serve different needs — be clear which you're applying for.
Safety case
Cycling safety is a primary concern — particularly for urban cycling. Show safety design in infrastructure grants, and safety education in programme grants. Helmet and visibility are basic requirements.
Active transport as health
Cycling to work and school reduces sedentary behaviour, reduces traffic congestion, and improves air quality — show these co-benefits when applying to health or environment funders.
Tourism economic value
For trail infrastructure, the economic value of cycling tourism is compelling — visitor nights, spending, and economic contribution of trail users. Use existing data from established Great Rides to model benefits.
Inclusive cycling
Show how your programme makes cycling accessible — adaptive bikes, subsidised equipment, culturally appropriate programmes, rural access. Exclusivity from cost or physical barriers is a funder concern.
Tahua's grants management platform supports sport and recreation funders and cycling organisations — with programme participant tracking, trail usage data, community reach measurement, and the reporting tools that help cycling funders demonstrate their investment in active, connected, and safer cycling communities across Aotearoa.