Trail safety ► Twin Coast Cycle Trail

Trail safety

The Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail includes both on and off-road cycle trails, each of which presents different safety considerations. Below is some general information to help keep you safe in the outdoors in any environment and more specific information relating to safety cycling on the road.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail has adopted the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council’s Outdoor Safety Code, which can be applied across all types of outdoor activities, sports and recreation.

The four safety points below have been created through expert consultation and are the core to all outdoor safety practices.

All of the safety points can be expanded upon depending on the type of cycling you’re planning to do and the associated level of risk, so use them as a starting point and make sure you know all you can about the trail before you head off.

In an Emergency, call 111. NB: There is limited cell phone coverage across some parts of the trail.

Safety in the outdoors

1. Plan your trip

Seek local knowledge and plan the route you will take and the amount of time you can reasonably expect it to take.

Make sure you have enough food, clothing, equipment and emergency rations for the worst-case scenario. Take some basic bike tools for any repairs and an appropriate means of communication.

2. Tell someone your plans

Tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven’t returned.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail recommends that you don’t ride alone, especially if you’re heading into remote areas.

The New Zealand Outdoors Intentions Process (endorsed by New Zealand’s search and rescue agencies) provides 3 simple options which enable you to ‘tell someone’ all the details about your ride into the outdoors.

3. Be aware of the weather

New Zealand’s weather can be highly unpredictable. Always check the forecast before you head off and be prepared for weather changes. Just because you are in the Far North don’t think you don’t need to be prepared.

Sun in NZ is extremely harsh, causing dehydration, sunstroke and sunburn. Keep and eye out for wind and rain, and we have flood spots on the trail so please look at the weather for the area.

4. Know your limits

Your responsibility is to enjoy and maximise your riding experience, while reducing and minimising the risk. Challenge yourself, but ride within your physical limits and ability.

Northland Metservice

The Twin Coast Cycle Trail runs from one coast to the other so weather can be different in the same day. The central point of the trail is Kaikohe.

Safety on the road

Following are a few simple tips to help keep you stay safe when you’re out on the road.

Be seen: Wear high visibility or brightly coloured clothing. Use front and rear lights at night, in low light and in poor visibility such as fog or rain.

Be aware: Watch and listen for approaching vehicles, pedestrians, potholes, animals, car doors opening and other potential hazards.

Be predictable: Make eye contact with other road users. Maintain a straight line, keep to the left and signal your intentions clearly.

Be confident: Know how to safely approach railway crossings, roundabouts and intersections etc. Use hand signals to indicate your intentions and a bell to alert other road users to your presence.

Be safe: Ride to the conditions and follow the road rules. Cycle no more than two abreast and ride single file where visibility is an issue or traffic is busy. Keep at least one metre away from parked cars and use cycle lanes.

Be patient: Slow down near parked or lined up vehicles. Pass slowly and only when safe. On narrow windy roads, pull over where practical to allow vehicles to pass.

Be prepared: Wear an approved helmet and check your bike regularly. Plan your route and carry sufficient water and food, along with basic tools for any repairs.

Useful links

The AdventureSmart website aims to provide both visitors and New Zealanders with a centralised online location for safety information and planning support, prior to engaging in outdoors activities in New Zealand. It provides lots of useful tips, links and advice to help you plan and prepare – to ensure you enjoy your adventure safely.

If you’re cycling on the road, you must know New Zealand’s road rules. The Official New Zealand Code for Cyclists, developed by the New Zealand Transport Agency, is a user-friendly guide to New Zealand’s traffic law and safe driving practices.

Bike Wise is a national cycling programme of activities, promoting cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel in New Zealand. Bikewise month, held in February each year, encompasses a wide range of activities and events across the country. You’ll also find lots of information about cycling in general and how to keep safe on New Zealand roads.

Health and safety on the trail

Note

Take plenty of drinking water, food, clothing and regularly apply sunblock. Do not drink water from any of the creeks.
Weather patterns can change quickly. Wear layers and pack a wind/rain jacket.
Make sure you have a fully charged mobile device for the worst-case scenario.
Take note of signage there may be maintenance being carried out on the trail requiring diversions on and off the trail.
Light no fires.
There are some compost loos on the trail. Please poo in the loo.
Always take your litter with you.