Say hello to the newest Bike Burb on the block – Bike Pukekohe! This vibrant community group is bringing fresh, pedal-powered energy to the south. You might’ve already spotted their cheerful onion-on-wheels mascot rolling through your feed, but behind the playful design is a serious mission: making cycling in Pukekohe safe, accessible, and fun for everyone.
“We believe there are already so many people here who want to cycle – from tamariki who dream of riding to older community members curious about e-bikes. There’s huge potential,” says Nadja Scherff, a local champion who played a key role in launching Bike Pukekohe.
“Bike Pukekohe wants to focus on growing a pedal-powered movement. We need more people to get involved to actively change how cycling is perceived.”
A Bike Burb for Everyone
From day one, Bike Pukekohe has embraced inclusivity – especially on Instagram, where their callouts warmly welcome families, tamariki, elderly riders, and anyone seeking a relaxed, safe way to ride.
“The support has been incredible,” says Nadja. “People have told us they’ve been waiting for something like this – a space where they can feel safe and seen on a bike.”
Why This Matters
“What’s happening in Pukekohe is a beautiful example of what Bike Burbs are all about,” says Fiáin d’Leafy, Bike Auckland’s Chief Biking Officer. “We need this kind of momentum everywhere, not just in the city centre.”
Bike Pukekohe joins a growing network of Bike Burbs across Tāmaki Makaurau. These hyperlocal community groups are formed by passionate locals to support their neighbourhoods to cycle from A to B – turning local knowledge into local action.
Looking Ahead: School Connections and Local Impact
As Bike Pukekohe grows, there’s a strong focus on building safer streets for tamariki and shifting perceptions around active transport.
“We’re especially excited about working with local schools to introduce more bike trains and wheels days,” Nadja explains. “It’s important to us that we create safe environments through human infrastructure while we’re waiting for the physical infrastructure to catch up.”
For a deeper look into how school communities are standing up for safer streets, check out this story from another local parent: Rallying My Local School to Oppose Speed Increases.
Standing on Strong Shoulders
Bike Pukekohe didn’t emerge in isolation. Nadja is quick to acknowledge the people who’ve paved the way in Franklin – community members who’ve been building trails and connections long before Bike Pukekohe began.
“There are already so many incredible people in our community who have been working on creating trails for active modes with their time and sweat,” she says.
She credits the inspiration and support of Franklin Active Trails and their champions – Andrew Sinclair, Paul Arthur, Louise Sinclair, Surinder Edwards, and Judy Donovan.
“If it weren’t for them, I would’ve never dreamed of starting Bike Pukekohe. They are a huge inspiration, and every community can be glad to have people who care about connecting communities like they do. They are the shoulders this work stands on, and I’m forever grateful for their support and ideas.”
Get Involved
What’s happening with Bike Pukekohe is a powerful reminder that real change starts at the local level. Join your local Bike Burb, lend a hand, or explore more stories of people making a difference through biking.
This is how we build a safer, more connected city – together.
