A Green Party MP is cycling 550km to a climate change festival in Southland, making the point that it is not necessary to always use gas-guzzling cars to get somewhere.
Transport spokeswoman Julie Genter left Timaru on Tuesday, heading for Gore and the Coal in the Hole anti-mining festival.
She will be cycling about 100km a day and says she is doing it to highlight transport options.
"When more people cycle it costs the country less, there's less road maintenance, less congestion, lower parking demand and cleaner air," she said.
"The government is spending less than 1 per cent of the transport budget on walking and cycling and a very small proportion on improving passenger rail or sea options, yet these are more cost effective and energy efficient than motorways."
NZN