Our Vision
Read our Vision Document
Wellington,
City of Trails
How the growth of Wellington's cycle trails community is adding momentum to our city’s economic, community and environmental renaissance.
Connectivity will define the great cities
As our world evolves into its next era, it will be the most connected cities that thrive.
Connected cities will nurture vibrant communities, attract talent and spark innovation. The health of the city will be defined by the depth of the interpersonal connections between its citizens as whānau, communities and as workmates. A city’s environmental health will be measured by the connection of its people to its nature as kaitiaki.
A city’s cultural vibrancy will be measured by the connection of its citizens through shared experiences. Connected cities will be defined by the arts, sports and recreational activities that draw its citizens outside their homes and connect its different peoples through activities that bring them the same joy.
The city that thrives in the new era will be physically connected and moving around will be seamless and pleasant. Wellington is perfectly shaped to be a connected city of the future.
Wellington is a city defined by its connectivity
Wellington’s greatest attribute has always been the physical and social connectivity. We’re a vibrant and compact little city, hemmed in by harbour, coast and hills and laced together with wild green spaces. We’re a city of rich relationships where people bump into workmates and friends on street corners and on cycling and walking trails.
To add momentum to Wellington’s growing renaissance, we must look for ways to enhance and extend our connectivity to return us to our place as the best little city in the world.
Investment in our off-road cycle trails and providing support for the community groups that build our trails is the most impactful, cost effective and immediate way to enhance Wellington as a vibrant, livable, cohesive and prosperous city.
Cycling connects Wellington like nowhere else in the world
We’re a city built for the new era of cycling. We have a rugged topography and ample public green spaces. We have an existing network of easily accessible world class mountain bike trails, a fledgling citywide cycle lane network and now the rapid rise of e-bikes has nullified our hills as a barrier to bike use. Our brilliantly bikeable natural setting means the bike experience in Wellington is more multi dimensional than flat cities like Copenhagen, where urban cycling reigns supreme.
It’s this fast-developing multidimensional character of Wellington’s cycle culture that makes it unique. You can ride to work on a cycle way, then hit the trails in the hills during your lunch break without needing to take motorised transport to the trail head. That’s unique in the world.
Wellington’s newest defining feature is our cycling culture and it is fast becoming a feature of our city’s renaissance of connectivity.
MESSAGE FROm ROD DRURY
“When it’s at its best, Wellington attracts talented people from all over the world who love its compact geography, closeness to nature and sense of community. I was one of them. I migrated from Hawkes Bay and spent half my life building businesses alongside other like-minded people. I don’t think we could have made Xero in any other city. But that was then and this is now.
The place that was once the “coolest little capital” is searching for its new identity in a rapidly changing world. All the raw ingredients are there.
The culture of cycling for healthy daily commuting and world class mountain biking for excitement and passion is growing fast and is central to the new age of Wellington. In this document The Wellington Trails Trust outlines a vision that shows what the cycle trails community has already achieved and what they are capable of with more encouragement and support.
I hope every Wellingtonian gets in behind Wellington’s cycle-led renaissance. If they do, Wellington will resume its place as one of the best little cities in the world.”
Rod Drury
Patron, Trails Wellington
Our cycle-led renaissance is enhancing the health of our city
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Restore native bush faster by making trails and building a community of active kaitiaki among trail riders
Cut CO2 emissions by making bikes the new normal in moving around Wellington, and supporting the network of road-based cycleways with fast, direct off-road commuter trails
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Encourage healthier individuals through more time on bikes, for leisure and commuting
Build more cohesive communities by encouraging all our citizens onto bikes, and encouraging volunteering on building and maintaining our trail networks
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Attract many more high value tourists
Attract and retain a range of talent for our businesses
TRAILS WELLINGTON
Trails Wellington (formerly Wellington Trails Trust, NZ Charities register #CC53612) are a collective of passionate locals who are focused on creating more epic trails in and around Wellington City
Follow our journey