15 Tairawhiti schools will have cycle tracks by 2018

Bikes in Schools Makaraka

Bikes in Schools Makaraka

The future is bright for cycling in Tairawhiti, with the majority of primary students in the region expected to have access to ‘Bikes in Schools’ facilities by school commencing in 2018. Bikes in Schools is a nationwide initiative to bring bikes, tracks and training to schools in order to increase fitness and cycle safety among tamariki. Furthermore, the program has been shown to increase students’ confidence, resilience and engagement at school.

Bikes in Schools first came to Gisborne when they built the regional pilot at Kaiti School, and the facilities have been a huge hit with students and whanau. Regular bike riding is now part of the curriculum at Kaiti School, and it’s so popular that it’s being used to reward good behaviour. Within three weeks of the track being opened, the school went from having 40 children who couldn’t ride a bike to zero.

After the immediate success of Kaiti’s build, planning commenced on the financing and construction of stages two and three of the regional school cycling development. Due to generous funding by Gisborne District Council, NZCT, Eastland Community Trust, Eastland and Central Community Trust and BikeOn, the CONNEXT Trust was established to oversee the delivery of 15 bikes in schools facilities in the region, over a 14-month period. Whiti Ora will project manage and deliver the tracks on behalf of the CONNEXT Trust, and the in-school cycle training will be be provided by Cycle Gisborne.

By 2018, 64% of Tairawhiti primary school students will have access to tracks, bikes and training. The following schools will have ‘Bikes in Schools’ facilities by 2018:

  • Makaraka
  • Te Wharau
  • Ilminster
  • Makauri
  • Tolaga Bay
  • Mangatuna
  • Te Hapara
  • Waikirikiri
  • Awapuni
  • Wainui Beach
  • Riverdale
  • Elgin
  • Whatatutu
  • Mangapapa
  • St. Mary’s

More Posts

Well Wāhine Celebration

Wāhine came together on Sunday to eat, connect, and celebrate their experiences of Well Wāhine Week 2024.  “The Closing Celebration is a great opportunity for

Tairāwhiti Indoor Centre Rally

Coaches, players, whānau, friends, members of the community, clubs and codes all gathered on Thursday to have their voices heard en masse, and this was

Voice of the Coach 2023

This report outlines the key findings and recommendations that emerged from the Voice of the Coach survey that was completed by 74 coaches within Te

Meri Kirihimete

Meri Kirihimete & Happy New Year from all of us here ✨ Our office is closed from 4.30pm Friday 22 December, with the team returning