People are being invited to light up their bikes, dress up and join a twilight bike ride from Totara Street to the Tauranga's city centre.

Hosted by the Wednesday Challenge, project director Heidi Hughes says the November 23rd event is a great opportunity to celebrate.

'Tauranga City and Mount Maunganui finally have a safe separated cycleway allowing people to ride safely into the city centre and back.

'We want to celebrate that with the community. We've been waiting for this upgrade.

'The new separated cycle way means it doesn't matter what mode of travel you choose, people will be able to use this stretch of roadway safely.”

The Twilight ride starts at Coronation Park at The Mount at 7pm with the bike convoy heading into the city centre with entertainment along the way.

'A lot of our participants have tried new modes of transport during the challenge and biking is one of the most favoured modes,” says Heidi.

'Seeing our city create healthier cycleways means we are all safer and hopefully it will encourage even more people to jump out of their cars and opt for a healthier bike ride, wherever they're going.”

The new cycleway is also welcomed by the Mainstreet's on both sides of Tauranga Moana.

Mount Mainstreet destination marketing manager Claudia West says it will help with safety and congestion.

'We're stoked cyclists now have a safer and more enjoyable way of getting from Tauranga across to the Mount and back.

'Coming to the Mount by bike means you're guaranteed a parking space right in the middle of town, every time!

'We hope this cycleway means more people can get into Mount Mainstreet to shop, dine or enjoy our events safely, with less cars on our busy roads, bring it on.”

Mainstreet Downtown Tauranga spokesperson Sally Cooke agrees.

'Having safer options for locals, visitors and tourists who want to bike between Downtown Tauranga and the Mount is fantastic.

'We love seeing cyclists coming into the CBD to enjoy our offerings. It makes it easier for them not having to worry about parking and nothing beats a cycle along the Tauranga waterfront before enjoying our cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.”

The Totara Street celebration event coincides with the final weeks of the Wednesday Challenge for 2022 and Heidi says the first year of the programme has been a great success.

'We have more than 15,000 participants including a lot of Tauranga schools and businesses in the challenge and the feedback has been amazing,” says Heidi.

'We're currently conducting a survey and many tell us the health benefits, being able to contribute to a reduction in road congestion, a healthier environment and the prize incentives are key reasons they're taking part.”

The Totara Street Twilight Bike Ride starts at 7pm on Wednesday November 23rd, ending at the Wings Mural on The Strand.

Register your interest here.

The Wednesday Challenge is led by Envirohub Bay of Plenty with funding from Waka Kotahi, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council.