Turning Australia into a nation of bike riders is the focus of a new cycling participation and education program.
Ride Nation Gippsland is an initiative to encourage more people to ride bikes and bring cycling tourism to the region.
The program, launched at Trafalgar, immediately captured the interest of Trafalgar Primary School students who participated in cycling education and clinics with local coaches including international cyclist Brenton Jones.
AusCycling acting chief executive officer Steve Drake said Ride Nation was the start of turning “Australia into a nation of bike riders.”
He said that should start with parents ensuring their children learned to ride, the same as they learn to swim.
“AusCycling is all about getting more people on bikes and Ride Nation is a very important product because it’s helping to attract people to cycling,” he said.
Ride Nation Gippsland is a new centralised hub for cycling in the region – encouraging people to try cycling, join a club, and explore Gippsland’s many tracks and trails. It aims to encourage more people to enjoy riding their bikes regardless of skill level, age, discipline, location or preference.
The Gippsland initiative will involve a range of opportunities including upskilling coaches to conduct bike education lessons in schools, as well as providing a dedicated website for cycling clubs, events, coaches and bike shops to advertise any participation services or opportunities.
The program also includes a bike library aimed at encouraging more people to try cycling and increase their fitness.
The unique bike library is being piloted in Gippsland and will provide school children who don’t’ have access to a bike, the opportunity to participate in their school’s bike education lessons.
Partnering with Men’s Shed Trafalgar, the first of the donated bikes have been presented to Trafalgar Primary School.
Ride Nation Gippsland is funded by $30,000 from both the state government and Baw Baw Shire, plus $10,000 from Trafalgar and District Community Bank.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said Ride Nation Gippsland was a great initiative to get more people on their bikes and exploring Gippsland’s beautiful tracks and trails.
“This is all about getting your confidence up so that when you hit the road, trail or path you have confidence.
“This is about teaching kids the skills to get on their bikes and explore the world,” she said.
Mayor Danny Goss said it was council’s goal for the shire to be a premier cycling destination.
Cr Goss said council would lobby for funds to establish a Baw Baw centre of excellence for cycling at Logan Park.
As a tourist destination, he said establishing the Rokeby to Noojee trail also was a priority for cycling.
“We know how important cycling is. One third of Australians ride a bike and the goal is to improve on that,” he said.
Trafalgar and District Community Bank chair Christine Holland said the bank was pleased to support a project that promoted community health and well-being. She said the program also would boost tourism with increased visitation as cyclists made use of local tracks, trails and roads.
Ride Nation Gippsland is looking for people interested in helping to establish more bike libraries throughout the region or donate an old bike they no longer use. The bikes will be refurbished by local partner organisations such as Men’s Sheds to ensure they’re suitable and safe.