Rotorua In Gear

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A RideStrong and BikeNZ pilot community and school cycling programme.

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Sharing the Passion: Getting Kids and Adults back on to bikes

BikeNZ is looking to ensure cycling has a healthy future in New Zealand with a new cycling development programme aimed at introducing people, and children in particular, to the world of cycling.

There is a lot that is good with cycling at present. Along with cycling's growing popularity, it has also matured with a wide range of cycling opportunities finding a broader appeal amongst people with a diversity of interests.

Despite all that is positive, there are significant concerning trends for our children. Children today are riding less as a means of independent transport - going to school, to sports, or socialising with friends. Children aged 5 - 12 and 13- 17 are cycling only 33 percent and 25 percent respectively of the time or distance they were cycling back in 1990. The problem is compounded by new generations of parents that may not have ridden a bike and don't have the enjoyment of cycling or skills to pass on to their kids.

BikeNZ wants everyone, and children in particular, to get an opportunity to learn to ride a bicycle and experience the great benefits cycling has to offer.

News:

Check out the Photostory from Malfroy School in Rotorua.

About Rotorua in Gear

Rotorua In Gear

The Rotorua community is the first to benefit from BikeNZ's new programme. Rotorua In Gear is the pilot through which BikeNZ is developing and trialling the programme as a precursor to working with other communities in a broader national programme. Key features of the programme include:

Community Partnership

A strong partnership with other organisations within the community (Sport Bay of Plenty, Rotorua District Council, Lakes DHB, Health Rotorua and the NZ Police) was crucial to getting the programme off the ground and for its ongoing support. The partners all recognised we shared a common interest in getting people on to bikes, be it for very different reasons. The strength of the partnership approach enables us to draw together our very different expertise and capability in a complementary manner while also enabling us to better coordinate our activities and resources.

BikeNZ Regional Cycling Development role

A first for BikeNZ is the establishment of a Regional Cycling Development Manager role. The role is a champion for the programme's activities working with key people and organisations across the community, primarily in a facilitation and coordination role. We are incredibly fortunate to have Mark (Cabin) Leishman working in this role. Cabin is a well known and respected rider with an incredible passion for cycling, but also has strong stakeholder relationship management skills as well as a keen interest and wealth of knowledge and professional experience encouraging people to get on a bike.

Skills Training and Promotion

Developing cycling skills of children and adults, and promoting a range of cycling opportunities as their skills and experience develop are very much core components of the programme. This is very much the public face of the programme, the fun and exciting opportunities for people to get involved. The skills component of the programme will span teaching of fundamental skills through to more specialised skills unique to specific types of cycling - MTB, Road and Track, BMX and active transport.

The schools programme for children will be comprehensive catering for primary, intermediate and secondary students/age groups. By combining skills training with new and existing promotional cycling activities, we aim to give people the skills and experience to enable them to pursue their interest in cycling.

BikeNZ recognises that many people and organisations share our passion for introducing people to cycling and promoting cycling opportunities. Schools, clubs and events promoters will be key partners in the programme.

As the pilot and a precursor to a national programme, there is a significant resource and programme development component to Rotorua In Gear that will occur over the next six months.

For further information on BikeNZ's development programme or Rotorua In Gear, please contact:

John Willmer

BikeNZ Cycling Development Mgr;

john@bikenz.org.nz

phone: 04 5600 332

Mark Leishman

BikeNZ Rotorua Cycling Development Mgr

mleishman@bikenz.org.nz

phone: 07 348 4125