More than just trees may have been planted at an event in Waitati, where a trail for cycling and walking is under construction.

Sunday’s planting of 500 kānuka trees was also an opportunity to sow more support for the planned trail by showcasing progress, project co-ordinator Emily Cooper said.

"We had 25 people turn out on a stunning Blueskin Bay afternoon and it was really wonderful to be able to show them the amazing mahi that's been done so far," she said.

A substantially revised route for a cycle trail between Mosgiel and Outram could be hundreds of thousands of dollars cheaper to build than the original plan.

With a distance of only 13km from Outram to the Mosgiel swimming pool, or Mosgiel to the Outram Glen, and all flat-contour riding, we anticipate it will be a popular and easy connection between these communities.

The first stage of a trail to connect Waikouaiti to Port Chalmers is underway. Volunteers have started building a section of trail between Waitati and Orokonui Ecosanctuary. 

The part of the trail is Section 5a of the Coastal Communities Cycle Connection, a project to connect Dunedin's north coast communities of Waikouaiti, Karitane, Warrington and Waitati to each other and to the city.

The Dunedin Tracks Network Trust (DnTNT), Dunedin City Council (DCC), and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering a collaboration to create one of the world’s great track networks for Dunedin people and visitors to the city.

A total of $25,875 has been raised for the cost of the preliminary design of a pedestrian clip-on for the Waikouaiti River rail bridge. The bridge is part of Section 1 of the Coastal Communities Cycle Connection, a project to provide an off-road walking and cycling path between the townships of Waikouaiti and Karitane, and Warrington and Waitati, connecting through to Port Chalmers.

Coordinator Emily Cooper said "We are thrilled to reach this point. The community has really come together to back this project and raise these funds. I'd like to thank all our funders and financial supporters for their donations."

A cross-country mountain bike ride named M2O (Macraes to Ocean) held on 6 April has raised $7406.91 for the Coastal Community Cycle Connection, a project to provide an off-road walking and cycling path between the townships of Waikouaiti and Karitane, and Warrington and Waitati, connecting through to Port Chalmers.

Just over 150 people rode the route, which was designed to make the most of the views and utilised tracks over private properties. Organiser Nick Scott said "the overwhelming feedback was that it was a great day in the hills with a great group of people". The event culminated in a 'debrief' at Arc Brewery at Evansdale.

Registrations are open for the M2O - Macraes to Ocean mountain bike ride, to be held on 6 April 2024.

This epic group cross country ride is not a race but a chance to enjoy some spectacular landscapes , much of it through private land.

A $6 million plan to build two cycle trails could put Dunedin on a path to becoming a destination "rivalling that of the south of France".

Dunedin Tracks Network Trust trustees Sarah Davie-Nitis and Paul Coffey laid out their ambitions for five new "world-class" Dunedin cycle trails to Otago regional councillors, this week. Mr Coffey said the group ultimately had a goal of linking the city to Otago’s existing trails.

"We want to make Otago a cycling destination. If we succeed in what we want to do, we will be rivalling that of the South of France," Mr Coffey said.

Wheels are in motion to link up Dunedin with the Clutha Gold cycle trail through an off-road route. A $36,000 study is to be conducted into the feasibility of a route between Waihola and Wingatui, potentially enabling future cyclists to travel from Queenstown to Dunedin, entirely off-road.

About $1 million will be needed for a proposed shared pathway to clip on to a new rail bridge over the Waikouaiti River north of Dunedin.

A proposed cycleway connecting Mosgiel and Outram would keep cyclists safe and stimulate the growing cycle tourism market.

Planning for a cycle trail north of Dunedin has picked up pace. The project had secured support from landowners and KiwiRail was supportive in principle, Coastal Communities Cycle Connection representative Emily Cooper said.

A plan to connect the coastal communities north of Dunedin with a shared-use path for cycling and walking is underway after the group behind the project received funding from the Lottery Community Facilities Fund. The Dunedin Tracks Network Trust has received $28,750 for the costs of preparing a technical feasibility study for the proposed cycleway project.