BikeNZ announce restructure

Aug 24th, 10.  BikeNZ have announced a restructure from which they plan to evolve into a more vibrant and pertinent organisation.

BikeNZ press release

A new strategic plan will see the organisation focus on teaching more people to ride safely by developing programmes and pathways from recreation to the world stage that allow all New Zealanders and their families to embrace cycling throughout their lives.

BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner will launch the new strategic plan this week. The plan will see BikeNZ refocus on three areas – Development, Sport and Performance. These key roles will be supported in a management team by Finance Manager Stephen Connell and Sponsorship-Public Relations Manager Helen Mobberley.

The goal is to engage more people to ride more often throughout their lives. Cycling provides a fantastic opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of NZ'ers, reduce congestion and make a positive contribution to our environment as well as being a fantastic sport and recreation past time.

BikeNZ Development

BikeNZ Development will target how people learn to ride and become better at riding including all coach development and a new regional delivery network. This will be headed by new Development Manager Amy Taylor who will join the organisation next month.

Taylor, a former sports scientist, developed a career in coaching before establishing her own business. A passionate cyclist, Taylor is returning to New Zealand after working for British Cycling in coach education.

"With these broad skills in science, business, marketing, coaching, and public sector sporting organizations, Amy is well equipped to spearhead BikeNZ's Development area," Turner said.

BikeNZ Development will incorporate a national learn to ride programme engaging children from school age, delivered by a regional network of Bike Development staff who will coordinate with schools, clubs, Regional Sports Trusts, local councils and key stakeholders throughout the community. The first of these initiatives is already underway in Rotorua.

BikeNZ Sport

BikeNZ Sport is charged with growing the sport of cycling, to meet the needs of member organisations and to ensure that more people have the opportunity to compete at all levels.

This is headed by the Sport Manager, Paul Dahl who joined BikeNZ from Christchurch City Council (CCC). Dahl has a great depth of experience from a career with the Department of Conservation and CCC. He also has an extensive background within the cycling community as a leading official and has most recently been managing the country's biggest racing competition, the Benchmark Series.

BikeNZ Sport will focus on growing the capability of member organisations (BikeNZ Road and Track, Mountain Bike NZ, BMX NZ and NZ Secondary Schools Cycling Association) and create an environment where the clubs can deliver sustainable, safe and well-run events that grow the sporting base of cycling.

BikeNZ Performance

The final component is BikeNZ Performance headed by High Performance Director Mark Elliott. It will focus on New Zealand cyclists winning on the world stage. This includes the development of world class coaching and sports science and a centre of excellence for key support staff to flourish together.

This will better create an environment to offer pathways and opportunities for cyclists to become world class.

Chairman's comments

BikeNZ Chairman, Richard Leggatt said the new strategy is a key development for his organisation to encompass not only the 1.3 million people who own bikes and the 75,000 who currently take part in bike sports but the next generation of children who spend much less time on bikes.

"This is a more focussed approach to our business and a clearer, more defined approach as we evolve," Mr Leggatt said.

"BikeNZ is still relatively young organisation that has some key foundation stones in place. Now it's important for us to redefine our core purpose and re-emerge as a more focussed and fresh organisation, passionate about getting more people to enjoy the lifestyle that a bike can provide to them and their family."

Mr Turner said there are in-depth and measureable expectations in place towards achieving new goals.

"That means more people riding more often, meeting the needs of our member organisations, nurturing more cycling opportunities and developing an environment where we can also win on the world stage."

"Along the way we aim to establish sustainable funding streams to achieve these goals and reduce our reliance on grants. It's a bold and exciting direction and we will be encouraging all New Zealanders to come along for the ride."