After completing my cycling route in Victoria, Australia this past January, I continued my journey to New Zealand’s South Island—a return after many years, having previously explored primarily the North Island. There’s no denying that the South Island is spectacular, filled with breathtaking and unspoiled landscapes.
As I flew home from Christchurch, I reflected on my one-month New Zealand cycling adventure, during which I explored some of the island’s most renowned regions for natural beauty. The South Island is truly amazing, but what stood out to me as a cyclist wasn’t just the scenery—it was the reality of road cycling in this part of the world.
Off-road cycling trails in the South Island are immensely popular, and for good reason. The landscapes beg to be explored on two wheels. However, there’s another, more practical reason: the roads themselves are narrow and often dangerous for cycling. With limited shoulders and tight two-way lanes, road cyclists frequently find themselves in stressful situations with passing traffic, which can often get heavy.
New Zealand’s tourism, which was severely impacted by COVID-19, has rebounded, and visitors are back in great numbers. Statistics show that most tourists visit the South Island for about 10 days, typically renting cars to explore. While Australians make up a significant portion of international visitors, the rest include North Americans, Europeans, Chinese, and Koreans—many of whom lack experience driving on the left side of the road.
This poses a major challenge for road cyclists. The combination of narrow roads, inexperienced left-side drivers, and increased tourist traffic creates a stressful and sometimes dangerous experience for those traveling by bike. While the South Island remains an incredible destination, these road conditions reinforce why many cyclists prefer the safety and beauty of off-road trails. (“To be continued”)