February is a great month to get on your bike and explore the historic and scenic rides of Tauranga.

Before setting off, learning some bike basics may be necessary, as well as ensuring that your bicycle is safe to ride.

A Learn to Bicycle Session today at the Gordon Spratt Reserve carpark in Papamoa is a free event suitable for all ages, held as part of Bike Month 2021.

Between 9am and 12pm, registered participants will get a one-on-one 15-minute Learn to Bicycle session with the team from Travel Safe who will take new riders through the basics of how to get on and off a bike, using brakes, balance, steering and pedalling. Each session is one-on-one with an experienced facilitator for 15 minutes.

Later today from 4.30pm – 6.30pm, MyRide Mt Maunganui and Sport Bay of Plenty will be running a Family Bike Maintenance Workshop at 37 Totara St, Mount Maunganui.

'We'll cover the basics like changing a tube plus tips on how you can maintain your bike at home, saving your dollars,” says a MyRide spokesperson.

This is a hands on session, so each family is encouraged to bring one front wheel. Attendees must be eight years or older and anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Bookings are essential for the Family Bike Maintenance Workshop by emailing Leonie at accountsmm@myride.co.nz.

Tomorrow Sunday February 21, a Ride Leader Workshop will be held at Sport BOP office, 406 Devonport Rd from 9am – 3.30pm. This free workshop will teach how to safely lead cycling groups. The course covers On and off road cycle skills and safety, and how to effectively and safely lead a group of cyclists. This free course is open to all ages, types and levels of cyclists and includes a practical component.

On Wednesday February 24, starting at 7.30am there's an opportunity to come explore the Kopurererua valley (K-Valley) cycling tracks complete with great scenery on your way to work, guided by the Sport Bay of Plenty crew. Limited spaces are available for this free commuter ride and registration is required.

On Thursday February 25 and Thursday March 4 from 6pm – 7.30pm, come and brush up on your bike handling and cycle safety skills with a free Cycle Savvy course from Sport Bay of Plenty. Learn safety checks, basic skills for cycling on road and how to navigate traffic and intersections. Cycle Savvy is suitable for adults of all ages able to ride a bike but wanting to gain more skills and confidence. Over two sessions the course will cover bike and helmet safety checks, basic bike handling skills, and ride safety tips. The free course is open to all adults with any type of bike includes a practical component.

On Saturday February 27 from 9am – 11am, come for a guided ride with a local Maori historian for the Pukehinahina Historic Ride around Gate Pa visiting significant pa sites. Meet at the waka on Tauranga Strand for this free ride. There are limited spaces available and registration is required.

For more on Bike Month, go to https://www.sportbop.co.nz/get-active/cycling/bike-month-2021/tauranga-and-surrounds--bike-month-2021.