Donated Bikes Help Get Children Moving

Dunedin (Monday, 23 February 2015) – The Warehouse Dunedin Central store has donated four brand new bikes for use in the Dunedin City Council cycle skills training programme.

DCC Safe and Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator Charlotte Flaherty says the programme teaches children and young people how to cycle competently and confidently on the road. The cycle skills training programme is part of a wider cycle education project operating in South Dunedin primary schools, secondary schools and youth and family organisations.

The project is being rolled out in conjunction with the South Dunedin Cycle Network and makes use of the new cycleways in the area.

Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) representative Cr Mike Lord says, “Dunedin’s RSAP recognises all forms of transport and cycling is an important part of that. The skills programme aims to help more people cycle safely. It’s just as important for cyclists to cycle safely as it is for cars to look out for cyclists.”

DCC Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Cr Kate Wilson says, “There has been considerable corporate support for cycleway development and it is fabulous to see local businesses adding their support in a generous manner.”

Mrs Flaherty says the cycle skills training programme is being delivered to an increasing number of Dunedin children and young people each year, with more than 1000 taking part in 2014.

The donated bikes will become part of a fleet of bikes which are used by those taking part in the programme. They are also used to enable people who have been through the programme to take part in follow-up activities, such as instructor-led bike rides using the local cycle network and introductory mountain biking sessions.

“As you can imagine, with the bikes being used so frequently the need to not only maintain, but to replace bikes, is significant. Any extra help from the business community is definitely appreciated.”

Students at Carisbrook, Musselburgh and Queen’s High Schools are taking part in the training programme in term one and term two this year. Tahuna Normal Intermediate School, Bathgate Park School students and Pacific Trust Otago members who have completed the programme will take part in follow-up activities over the next few months.

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