$23m to get Kiwi kids cycling
About 120 schools across the country will receive $23 million in taxpayer funding to install riding tracks and buy fleets of bikes.
Over the next three years, the Government funding boost will see an additional 43,000 children take part in the Bikes in Schools programme.
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter made the announcement at Porirua’s Titahi Bay School yesterday.
‘‘In the 1980s more than half of school kids walked or cycled to school; today it’s less than a third. We want to turn that around.’’
Established in 2010, the Bikes in Schools programme involves schools installing a riding track within school grounds, allowing students to learn and practise riding their bike in a safe area. They typically also include a fleet of bikes, helmets and bike storage facilities.
Genter, who returned to work yesterday after three months of maternity leave, said $6.7m would go towards the programme.
The New Zealand Transport Agency would also double funding for the cycle training programme BikeReady, which aims to teach 98,000 children best practice skills. The funding would be increasingly targeted towards low-decile schools, Genter said.
‘‘Not every child has a bike at home so this will help ensure kids don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn to ride.’’
The training was often the first experience Kiwi kids had with the road environment and it taught them how to be safe and responsible.
‘‘The Government is also investing to make our roads safer for kids walking and cycling to school. A total of $390m is earmarked for walking and cycling paths and safety initiatives out to 2021.’’
Porirua Mayor Mike Tana said the announcement was a boon for the city.
‘‘It encourages parents to get on their bikes as well and really sets an example.’’
Titahi Bay School principal Kerry Delaney said the school’s cycle track had been hugely popular with students.
‘‘Kids who get up and do stuff every day have a big smile on their face. ‘‘