Cruise through the city on a Switched On e-bike
Local Wellingtonian Sherry Parker gets back on her bike to discover the joy of riding a Switched On Bikes e-bike as she flies up hills and around bays
Where
Waterfront
Details
$65-$75
Wellington is bursting at the seams with vibrant scenic views and must-visit hotspots. While the size of the city is compact and walkable, if you’re looking to switch things up and get creative with your transport, opting for an e-bike is a fun option.
You don’t need to be an experienced rider to get on an e-bike as it basically does all the work for you, making for a relaxed ride. The bike has an attached gadget that allows you to change speed and gears – two handy additions that will help you spend less time on the pedals and more time enjoying the view.
Take a guided tour
Switched On Bikes offers guided tours or you can choose to head off on your own independent adventure. If you choose the guided option, co-founder of Switched On Bikes, Ryan O’Connell is the perfect tour guide with inside knowledge on cycle lanes and paths to ensure you glide safely through the city and has tips on where to go and what to do.
You’ll start your journey at the Switched On Bikes headquarters located at Shed One on Queens Wharf and begin your scenic route along Wellington’s waterfront towards Oriental Bay, the capital’s most popular inner-city beach.
Sherry's Switched On tip: Be sure to keep your finger close to the bell on your handlebar to navigate a possible collision when approaching swarms of people.
E-bike up Mount Victoria
When you’ve had enough of the beach, get ready to switch your gears for your ride up to the top of Mount Victoria. The Mount Victoria Lookout is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city, and the ride up to the summit is made super easy with the help of your nifty e-bike.
There are tight corners along the way, so be aware of passing cars and always stick to the left. When you finally reach the peak, you really will feel on top of the world, with the added bonus being that you’ve barely broken a sweat.
Once you’ve captured the amazing 360-degree view, continue your journey back down the hill. Depending on how confident you are on a bike, you can either hoon your way down or take the gentle option and glide away (an option I happily chose to take).
End on a sweet note
End your ride with gelato from award-winning Gelissimo on Queens Wharf or Freyberg Beach. With over 150 recipes in their repertoire, including some award-winners, there are new flavours in store almost daily.
After your sweet stop, it’s a mere two-minute ride back to Switched On Bikes, where you can call it a day and feel satisfied you decided to swap the walk for the e-bike route through the capital.
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