Media release from Canterbury DHB

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has launched a free bike hire programme for staff.

Bike hire company Next Bikes have provided three bikes to the CDHB for two months as part of a feasibility study.

The usage of the "CDHB Active Taxis" over the next two months will be evaluated to assess the merits of a permanent CDHB bike fleet.

CDHB Active Environment Health Promoter Meg Christie says that this initiative is all about trying to make it easy for staff to get physically active during the day.

"The bikes are super-comfortable and sturdy, and are perfect for those short trips that you'd normally take a car for," Meg says.

"There are lots of benefits that come from cycling - it's cheap, good for your health and good for the environment."

Dr Nigel Millar, CDHB chief medical officer and keen cyclist, says many European cities have bicycle hire readily available and the trend seems to be following on here in New Zealand.

"As a health organisation it makes sense for the CDHB to endorse and promote cycling to both its staff and the public," Dr Millar says.

"The 'Active Taxis' are certainly one more way we can do that"

The bikes can be booked from Christchurch Hospital, The Princess Margaret Hospital and the Hazeldean Building. Each bike comes with a helmet, lock, basket and carrier and can be booked out for personal trips or overnight.