BikeNZ presence alive in Canterbury (NZ)

The South Island cycling fraternity is set to receive a welcome boost with BikeNZ’s recent appointment of a new and exciting position in the Canterbury region.

Feilding-based Scotsman James Sagar will provide an active link between BikeNZ and his new base of Christchurch as he takes up the role of Canterbury regional development coordinator.

This spells only good things for the region, as the role has proven success already in Auckland, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, and more recently Waikato.

In acting as the BikeNZ representative, Sagar will coordinate, communicate and deliver all of the National Sporting Organisation’s (NSO) programmes and initiatives with a distinct community focus.

He will also provide feedback and information regarding key cycling issues and projects relating to the region, with the aim of assisting and improving all aspects of cycling in Canterbury, especially during a time of rebuild following the devastating earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011.

“James will be coordinating between all the interested parties in Canterbury to help make the region one of the most liveable places in the world, through the medium of cycling,” said BikeNZ Manawatu regional development coordinator Chris Foggin, who will be helping Sagar learn his role.

“Right now there’s so much going on in Christchurch with the recovery effort and everything else, so there is the potential that they could lose their way a bit in terms of the cycling stuff. James’ primary role will be to bring all those strands together and help point them all in the same direction.”

As well as an honours degree in environmental science and outdoor education from the University of Stirling in Scotland, Sagar has a wealth of experience in both educating and sports coaching which makes him the ideal person to take up this position.

“He’s very enthusiastic about cycling and has a good background in outdoor education as well, so he’s the whole package really,” said Foggin.

“I think they have the opportunity to make Christchurch one of the best cycling cities in the world, but only if they continue to steer things in the right direction.”