Bike borrowing scheme en route
There is space in the bike shed at the junior road safety park at Palmerston North’s Esplanade for a couple of dozen bikes, and a call has gone out for donations.
Since the park opened a year ago it has been a popular play spot, but most of the time it is just for children with their own wheels.
City councillor Karen Naylor, who was on the community trust that helped raise money for the park, said the advocates always wanted it to be accessible for all children, and that no child should miss out for want of a bike.
The council has worked with the Green Bikes Trust to collect a dozen bikes and check they are in good condition, but wants to at least double the number.
Naylor said the bikes would be locked in the shed when not in use. People who wanted to bring a group of children to the park, whether it was a school or community group or family having a children’s party, would be able to phone the council’s call centre to book the bikes for their event. They would then be able to pick up the key, give their group access to the bikes, lock them away afterward and return the key. That was the easy part.
Naylor said the logistics of having the bikes available at weekends and during busy times were being considered.
She said that was likely to need a volunteer or staff member to be on site to supervise, and she was investigating whether the council could put a small amount of money toward paying for that.
Naylor said bikes in good condition for children aged 4 to 12 would be appreciated and so would helmets in good order.
People could also give money to help buy new bikes.
Those who want to help can contact Naylor or the council’s call centre.
Advocates always wanted it to be accessible for all children, and that no child should miss out for want of a bike.