15 Tairawhiti schools will have cycle tracks by 2018

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

Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park

The Wainui Lions are currently working to facilitate the construction of a child-friendly cycle skills park on the Gisborne waterfront that will encourage cycle skills and road safety. The proposed design will draw inspiration from Napier’s junior cycle park, but incorporate features that are unique to Gisborne. The project has backing from Council and multiple regional trusts, and requires further financial support to proceed.

To help fund this project, local people and businesses can commission their own engraved brick paver which will be laid in the outer ring pathway of the park.  Continue reading “Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park”

Crank It Up cycle challenge

Crank It Up Cycle Challenge

The inaugural “Crank it UP” overnight Cycle Challenge is set to take place on the beautiful Gisborne beachfront on January 21,22, 2017. The event has been set up to support victims of family violence with all proceeds going to support agencies such as Tauawhi Men against violence and Women’s refuge. Tuta Ngarimu, said when Cycle Gisborne approached them with the idea of making the night a safe place to be for friends and whanau he jumped at the chance of getting in behind the event. The name and event is all about Cranking it Up in a positive environment which will be drug, alcohol, smoke and fizzy free.
The course is a simple rolling hill course with a couple of technical components over a 2-3 kilometre course. The course will wind through Watson Park, Awapuni Stadium and the Adventure Playground. It will be challenging enough for most riders. Overnight base camp for the ride will be in Watson Park.
The 12 hour event starts at 7pm Saturday night and goes through until 7am Sunday morning. The event is for teams between 2 and 10 riders, grunty solo riders can also take on the challenge.
Teams ride the 3km circuit and complete as many laps as they can within the timeframe of their event. Cycle technology records each lap. Tents, campervans and caravans pop up in the campsites which riders wind their way through each lap creating an electric atmosphere and family fun experience.
Lap changes occur at your site, and completed laps will be recorded each time you cross the timing mats under the finish gantry.

 

For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/548860578641421/