A partnership between New Zealand Transport (NZTA), Waitaki District Council (WDC) and Youthtown has developed a cycle skills programme, Bike Ready, to deliver throughout schools in the district to help children build confidence and learn road safety.
Last year, 572 school pupils up to year 8 participated in the nationwide programme that included Ardgowan, Weston, Fenwick, Papakaio, Maheno, Waitaki Valley and Kakanui Schools.
Waitaki District Council community educator and engagement officer Carrie Hamilton, who previously worked as a police officer for 30 years, said the programme contributed to wellbeing and an overall safer community.
"From my policing background it’s about safe pedestrians. They grow to become safe cyclists and because of all the skills and knowledge that they are learning in the Youthtown programme, they will then become safe drivers.
Youthtown is a national non-profit organisation that provides a range of activities and programmes for young people.
Youthtown Oamaru programme leader Kale Sandri said Bike Ready grew confidence and ability, and encouraged youth to be active.
"Often kids will get a bike and they might be riding around their house, but they might be apprehensive to go out on the road or go riding with their mates.
"It’s great just seeing them become more confident and learning how to be safer on the road," he said.
Ms Hamilton leads an educational class in fundamental skills such as helmet and bike checks and Mr Sandri follows with a riding assessment and skill stations to learn road safety skills.
Oamaru school community officer Constable Jay Morriss is often involved.
"We get them riding their bikes and see how they’re going and what they need to work on. We have up to five skills stations set up and teach zig-zagging, or if they’re less confident, just riding in a straight line for the younger ones.
He said learning skills such as indicating and scanning your surroundings were important to road safety.
Ms Hamilton wanted to encourage schools to get in early for the programme that will run in term four, and term one next year.
Mr Sandri said Bike Ready was flexible and the sessions could be tailored to suit each school’s needs.
"It can be for your year 7 and 8s or it can be just for year 5 and 6, or if they’ve got a camp coming up, the content will be pretty similar, it’ll just be catered to those different age groups," he said.
"It’s about encouraging our community to get on their bikes and safely explore our wonderful district, and for parents to get the kids out and about over the holidays and over the summer months on the Alps 2 Ocean track to build on the work Kale and myself have done in the schools," she said.
Other benefits were improved fitness, building stronger connections with family and friends and better mental wellbeing, Ms Hamilton said.
Mr Sandri said Network Waitaki had "kindly provided funding" to the programme for the year ahead and the Mountain Biking North Otago club generously provided a trailer and 16 bikes for children who did not have one.
"It’s about using the resources that we have available in our small community and working together to achieve these objectives for a safer community," Ms Hamilton said.
