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NZ Cycle Trail Guidelines for riding at COVID-19 Alert Level 2

Posted 14 May 2020 by Elizabeth Bean

COVID-19 Alert Level 2 guidelines

Published 2020-05-15

Now that we’re at Alert Level 2, New Zealanders can travel further afield, and reconnect with friends and family. This also means you can ride trails outside your region and explore more of our beautiful country.

However, COVID-19 hasn’t been eliminated so we need to PLAY IT SAFE.

Please read our riding tips below, based on the government’s official guidelines. They’ll help you and others stay safe on the New Zealand Cycle Trail during Alert Level 2.

  1. PLAY IT SAFE. COVID-19 is still out there.
  2. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t socialise, and don’t go cycling.
  3. Keep your distance (ideally 2 metres) from people you don’t know.
  4. You can now ride with friends and family outside of your bubble. Group sizes can be up to 100 people, although we don't recommend you ride in this size group on our trails – it isn't the Tour de France! Keep your group size to a reasonable number so you can maintain physical distancing and be considerate to other users. Always follow good hygiene and contact tracing practices.
  5. On the trail, try to keep at least 2 metres away from users outside of your group. The nature of our trails means it’s sometimes hard to take a wide berth, so be sure to slow down when approaching others, and always give way to walkers.
  6. Contact tracing is important. Keep a track of whom you’ve ridden with and whom you’ve seen. Use your phone or carry a pen and paper.
  7. Many bike hire, tour and shuttle companies can now help you enjoy our awesome trails. You can expect them to follow all official operator safety guidelines, including the required 1 metre group-to-group and group-to-staff physical distancing, and contact tracing.
  8. Wherever you go, ride sensibly and within your limits. Our general tips on riding safely can be found here.
  9. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. And wash them properly. While out on the trails, take you own sanitiser, and remember to follow all the good hygiene practices we’ve learned over the past couple of months.
  10. Some of our Great Rides cross DOC land – check out their COVID-19 guidelines if you’re going to be using any of their trails or facilities, including toilets, huts, campgrounds and shelters.