For Tauranga’s Frocks on Bikes, cycling isn’t about speed, competition or lycra – it’s about connection, confidence and cycling.

The community group, which encourages women to get out on their bikes, has been quietly building momentum since it launched locally in 2010. Today, it offers regular rides, social outings and a supportive environment for riders of all abilities.

Co-organiser Rachel Blennerhassett said the group is all about making cycling accessible and enjoyable.

“It’s very relaxed – no stress, no fuss,” she said. “You don’t need special gear. It’s just about getting out there and enjoying it.”

Frocks on Bikes began in Wellington in 2008 after participants in a Bike to Work Day noticed a lack of female participation. Barriers included perceptions around cycling culture and clothing.

The name itself challenges those ideas.

“A frock is kind of the opposite of what people think of as typical cycling wear,” Blennerhassett said. “It shows you can just hop on a bike as you are.”

While frocks are encouraged, they’re not essential. Many riders opt for practical clothing with a fun twist.

“It’s not necessarily actually practical, but most of our leaders do try and grab a frock or a skirt or something to kind of look the part,” Blennerhassett said.

Rachel Blennerhassett, Katy Freeman and Maleta Knight lead regular Frocks on Bikes cycle rides. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Rachel joined the group around five years ago after getting a bike and looking for new places to ride beyond her Welcome Bay neighbourhood.

“I was wanting to find other places to ride… outside of my neighbourhood,” she said. “By joining Frocks on Bikes, I slowly got to know of all the other bike routes around.”

She later stepped into a leadership role and is now part of a team of five organisers – Rachel, Laura, Sue, Katy and Maleta – who co-ordinate the Tauranga rides.

“We now have five leaders, so that we can hopefully just set a calendar and go, okay, between the five of us, we should be able to get at least two, if not three of us there to help run the ride.”

Rides are held monthly, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays, and usually run for two to three hours, including a cafe stop.

“The coffee stop is always the social side of the ride,” Blennerhassett said. “You can’t really socialise on a bike.”

Popular routes include Pāpāmoa to Maketū, rides out to Ōmokoroa and around Tauranga’s extensive network of cycleways

An upcoming ride on May 17 through McLaren Falls and along the Ruahihi Canal will take advantage of the autumn scenery.

“It won’t be a very long ride, but it’ll be very pretty that time of year – assuming Mother Nature plays ball, of course.”

McLaren Falls Park has plenty of autumn leaves in May. Photo / Alex Cairns

The group is also looking to expand its horizons with day trips further afield, showcasing other scenic cycling spots within easy reach of Tauranga such as Rotorua and the Waikato cycle trails.

While many members now use e-bikes, the group welcomes all riders and ensures no one is left behind.

“We are not exclusively an e-bike group; we do welcome people on manual bikes as well,” Blennerhassett said. “We try and keep the pace to such that they can actually participate without running themselves ragged.”

To support riders of different abilities, leaders position themselves throughout the group.

“We’ll have one who’s the leader, one who’s in the middle, and one who’s a tail-end Charlie,” Blennerhassett said. “So that the group stays together.”

Group sizes vary from small gatherings to more than 20 riders, and participants are encouraged to RSVP via the Frocks on Bikes Tauranga Facebook page.

Despite the name, the group isn’t strictly limited to women, with partners sometimes joining in.

“We do occasionally have what we call ‘honorary frocks’ come along,” Blennerhassett said. “As long as they’re happy being outnumbered and hen-pecked, we don’t mind.”

At its heart, Frocks on Bikes is about removing barriers and making cycling feel approachable.

“It’s about getting on your bike, whenever you can,” Blennerhassett said.

For more information or to join an upcoming ride, visit Frocks on Bikes Tauranga on Facebook.