Totara Park show clean set of wheels

The Young Cyclist of the Year Awards rode smoothly last week, with students wheeling in from schools across Upper Hutt to determine who would be crowned the ultimate cyclist.

The cycle track at Harcourt Park was abuzz with young riders showing off their skills to the panel of judges.

The overall team winners were Totara Park School 1, who won their school library $100, donated by Paper Plus.

Individual winner Delaney Windelburn, 9, who was also part of the winning team, said she was surprised by her success but put it down to hard work and practice.

She was not sure what she would do with her $50 Cycle Centre prize yet, but said she was in need of some new reflectors.

The competitors were rated on not just their riding ability but also the condition of their bike and helmet, their knowledge of the road rules and their use of hand signals.

Upper Hutt City Council’s road safety co- ordinator Catherine Pulford said that the emphasis of the event extended beyond bike riding to other important but easily forgotten safety measures.

‘‘One of our initiatives is complete road safety, to up-skill and keep the cyclists safe.’’

As many of the entrants have only been riding their bikes for a short time, the event is an opportunity for the children to brush up on their cycling skills.

Rider Elijah Shatford, 8, only learnt to ride his bike a few weeks ago but had been practising in order to compete.

The deputy principal of Totara Park School Pat Armishaw thought the event encouraged safe riding, essential for budding cyclists.

‘‘I just think it’s important to learn these skills young so they get to know the road rules. We have quite a few young kids biking to school.’’

Senior Constable Kerry Fenton said it was a great joint effort between the Upper Hutt police and Upper Hutt City Council that endorsed road safety and taught essential cycle information to school children. ‘‘We get to see the kids ride and encourage them to get out on their bikes,’’ said Fenton.

Andrew Hanlon from The Cycle Centre was testing the children’s bikes to ensure they were in road worthy condition.

Hanlon was impressed by the improvement in the bikes this year, with about a 90 per cent pass rate.

Photos: ANNA WHYTE Overall team winners of the Upper Hutt Young Cyclist of the Year held last week were, from left, Brianna Klaui, 10, Ryan Smoothy, 10, Piper Brambley, 10, and Delaney Windelburn, 9, who also was named the individual winner on the day.

New rider Elijah Shatford, 8, remembers the rules while rolling past one of the competition judges, Senior Constable Kerry Fenton.