MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Youngsters compete for cycle glory

Fourteen students from across the region will put their cycling skills to the test this Friday 30 November in a bid to become Central District’s Young Cyclist of the Year.

The competitors, all aged between 10 and 13, have already experienced success at a district level and are eager to take the regional title in the 12th year of competition.

The event will be held at Barber Hall on Waldegrave Street in Palmerston North and Horizons Regional Council road safety coordinator Glenda Leitao says at this stage it’s anyone’s game.

“We’ve got a huge number of budding young cyclists in our region and Young Cyclist is a fantastic way to enhance students’ cycle skills and improve cycle safety,” she says.

“We work in conjunction with the New Zealand Police to pull it all together on the day and it’s always a fun event. I wouldn’t like to venture a guess as to who might win it this year as they’re all very competent young riders.”

Competition kicks off with a theory test at 9.40am, followed by a road ride and skills test where students will have to negotiate a series of obstacles designed to test their knowledge of road rules and bike-handling skills.

All bikes and gear are checked as the students arrive and helmets are fitted properly to help keep cyclists safe.

The seven districts represented at the event are Manawatu, Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Tararua, Palmerston North and Horowhenua with one boy and one girl competing from each district.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places with a trophy presented to the first place-getter during a ceremony on the day.

ENDS

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