The Puari ki Pū-taringa-motu Uni-Cycle cycleway is a showstopper.

It was among the first of the Major Cycle Routes to be completed in Christchurch.

Try out the Uni-Cycle cycleway this weekend! 

Try out the Uni-Cycle cycleway this weekend!  The Travel Demand team will be at the Christchurch Girls’ High School corner of North Hagley Park on Saturday 1 March from 1-3pm giving out bike-related freebies, as well as providing education, the brand new bike map, and quick bike tune-ups. There will also be a kids smoothie bike perfect for tamariki to come and pedal their own smoothie!

And is award-winning - taking home the Supreme Winner at the national Bike to the Future Awards in 2018.

The 5.6km Puari ki Pū-taringa-motu cycleway connects Ilam and the University of Canterbury to the Central City, via Mona Vale, Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush and North Hagley Park.

If you’re heading towards the University from Central City, the cycleway starts at Rolleston Avenue, running through North Hagley Park past sail boats floating on Lake Victoria.

Anyone who has cycled or walked through the Park knows that while the 4m wide path is big enough for everyone, it’s a very busy thoroughfare so it’s best to take it easy - keep your speed low and use your bell.

At Deans Avenue, opposite Christchurch Girls’ High School, head across the cycle crossing to Matai Street East.

This area too can be bustling, particularly if you’re in the neighbourhood when school starts or finishes.

At the railway crossing, the Uni-Cycle meets the Northern Line cycleway which can take you right out to Northwood via Strowan and Papanui.

This is also where you can head into Mona Vale to wander through the beautifully curated gardens or take high tea at the Homestead on weekends.

But today we’re staying on Matai Street West and heading through one of the country’s first automated railway crossing gates.

Another crossing takes you over Straven Road to dart past Christchurch Boys’ High School and along Kahu Road into one of Christchurch’s true treasures, Riccarton Bush.

Well not into the bush itself which has a predator proof fence protecting it.

However, you do slip past Riccarton House and Deans Cottage.

This is another great place to stop on weekends particularly to make the most of the Christchurch Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning.

The cycleway cuts into the cul-de-sac of Ngahere Street, meaning bush or forest, before zig-zagging onto native tree-named streets Totara, Miro and finally Hinau.

Sharrows mark the route along the neighbourhood greenway.

You then briefly pop onto Clyde Road and the 12-storey Puaka-James Hight Building comes into view.

You’ve made it to the University of Canterbury campus.